Crystal's million-dollar sales gala is under way

This compares to the prior year's $750,000 threshold, when 89 partners from 15 countries qualified, and 2015's $600,000, when 91 partners did so.

'This is truly a million-dollar gala,' SVP sales and marketing Carmen Roig told the gathering on Tuesday. 'We're celebrating you, our shining stars.'

Many of those present have supported Crystal since the beginning, while a handful were sales gala qualifiers for the first time.

Sales gala attendees racked up $163m in revenue

Of the 74 travel partners qualifying for the million-dollar gala, 56 sold at least $1m in Crystal cruises last year, 13 sold at least $2m and five topped $5m.

Gala attendees collectively were responsible for $163m in Crystal revenue.

Roig said she'd wanted to hike the threshold for 2018 but in light of 2017 being a 'tough year' and Crystal now 'getting back to stabilization,' it was decided to keep the $1m level. Sixty travel partners have already qualified, with—to date—33 having sold at least $1m in Crystal cruises, 22 at least $2m and five, $5m or more. 2018 isn't over.

Next year's gala will be held aboard Crystal Serenity, details to be announced.

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