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Crystal Cruises ramps up sales support with four veteran hires

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From left, Monique Ross, Paul Girouard, Jeff Herzfeld, Melissa Nightingale
The new Crystal Cruises, part of the A&K Travel Group, continues to ramp up support for travel advisors by appointing industry veterans to key trade sales leadership roles.

They include Monique Ross as director of strategic & national accounts, Paul Girouard as regional sales director - East region, Melissa Nightingale, regional sales director - West region and Jeff Herzfeld, director of reservations, sales support & guest relations.

'Our goal is to build a sales team made up of trusted professionals who understand Crystal’s brand ethos,' Crystal Cruises President Jack Anderson said. 'These initial hires will lead our trade sales efforts in the coming months as we announce the return to service of Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, as well as itineraries for 2023 and 2024.'

Monique Ross

Ross will manage relationships with consortia partners and national account headquarter offices. She spent six years at the former Crystal Cruises before joining Seabourn. She's based at Clearwater in Florida's Tampa Bay area.

Paul Girouard

Girouard will be responsible for driving sales through travel advisor partners in the Eastern part of the US. He is well known to travel professionals, having spent 27 years with the former Crystal Cruises before joining Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Melissa Nightingale

Nightingale will work with travel professionals in the western half of the US and Canada.  She previously spent 10 years with Crystal Cruises. She's based in the San Francisco Bay area.

'It gives me great pleasure to welcome Monique, Paul and Melissa back to the Crystal Cruises brand,' said Brandon Townsley, VP sales & trade partnerships. 'Given their connections and contributions to the brand over the years, their roles and experience, insight and tenured relationships with the travel advisor community will be vital to the company’s success as we begin a new chapter of providing unrivaled six-star luxury experiences at sea.'

Jeff Herzfeld

New to the brand is Herzfeld, who will be responsible for the call center at Crystal Cruises' headquarters in South Florida, management of the groups department and overseeing the guest relations team. He brings experience developing and overseeing guest services from Virgin Voyages and MSC Cruises, including reservations, groups and customer service.

Campaign to re-engage travel sellers

In the coming weeks, Crystal Cruises will be launching a campaign to re-engage travel sellers. Advisors are invited to register at CrystalCruises.com for updates on appointments, ship enhancements and new itineraries.