Here are the Canadian advisors who made Virtuoso’s 2025 “Cruise Icons” list – March 11, 2025
Virtuoso has announced its 2025 Virtuoso Cruise Icons, an honour for advisors whose sales performance excels within the industry.
An esteemed group of 185 advisors from 13 countries worldwide have received the Virtuoso Cruise Icon designation, making an impressive 27 per cent increase from 2024.
This accolade recognizes those who generate the top one percent of the network’s cruise sales.
Canadian Cruise Icons
In Canada, 16 travel advisors made this year’s Cruise Icons list:
- Rose Coleman, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Georgetown
- Erika Gal, Direct Travel – Ancaster
- Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Lush Life Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel Toronto – HQ
- Nimet Jessa, Kerrisdale Cruise & Vacation Travel
- Sandra Keeso-Hall, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Georgetown
- Shawn Kilner, Imagine Cruise & Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Victoria
- Gerry Koolhof, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Toronto
- Rhonda Leblanc, an affiliate of Trevello Travel Group
- Grace Markus, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Vancouver
- Magda Newman, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Toronto
- Janice O’Neil, Travel Consultant, an affiliate of YYZ Travel Group
- Sue Pechtel, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Government Centre
- Linda Sim, Renshaw Travel
- Samuel Spencer, Ocean & River Cruises
- Alan Szeto, Direct Travel – Vancouver
- Barbara Trotter, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Victoria
“Iconic” sales achievements
Since its creation in 2019, Virtuoso’s Cruise Icon program has seen a 363 per cent increase in advisors honored with the designation.
The program went global in 2023, and sales have continued to rise across Virtuoso’s various regions each year.
And there’s an “Icon Impact” at play: from 2023 to 2024, their Virtuoso preferred supplier cruise production saw an estimated 45 per cent increase, reflecting significant growth in the U.S. and Canada.
“The 2025 Virtuoso Cruise Icons set an extraordinary standard in their field, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition. The Icons are trailblazers, consistently surpassing benchmarks, creating momentum that strengthens the entire network and inspiring others to follow their lead,” said Virtuoso’s SVP, global member and partner sales Cory Hagopian. “This distinction elevates their standing with our partners and reinforces their industry prominence with clients, serving as a badge of honor they can wear with pride.”
The status also provides advisors with quarterly collaboration sessions designed to foster growth and networking, access to invaluable insight and best practices within the network’s Cruise Community and a private dinner during Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s preeminent worldwide gathering.
In addition, also gain access to exclusive travel opportunities, such as the inaugural season of PONANT EXPLORATIONS’ Le Commandant Charcot through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter.
Hosted by Samuel Chamberlain, PONANT EXPLORATIONS CEO of Americas, the 2024 Cruise Icons embarked on journey through the St. Lawrence River’s icy landscapes from February 22 to March 6, 2025.
Beginning in the historic district of Old Québec and ending in the natural harbour of Saint Pierre, this expert-led adventure showcased polar landscapes and rare cultural insights, accessible only to a select few.
Many Virtuoso cruise partners offer exclusive amenities to Virtuoso travel advisors, enabling affiliated advisors, including Virtuoso Cruise Icons, to provide unique benefits to their clients that distinguish them from the competition.
Through the Virtuoso Voyages program, they can access over 450 select cruises each year across 13 different cruise lines.
This program includes a dedicated onboard host and offers a choice of additional benefits ranging in value from $500 per couple to several thousand dollars, depending on the sailing.