Over the weekend, Travel Agent chatted briefly with Edie Rodriguez, the former president and CEO of Crystal Cruises, who stressed that “I resigned for a fabulous new opportunity that I’ll be announcing soon.”
Agents were surprised by Crystal Cruises’ announcement on Friday that Tom Wolber, a former Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World Resorts executive, had become the luxury line’s new president and CEO, effective September 15. The news release praised Rodriguez for her contributions to the line’s development and growth.
“I did resign, it was a very amicable departure, and I wish Crystal continued success,” said Rodriguez. “I’m very excited about my new opportunity.”
While she wouldn’t provide any hints of what that opportunity is, she again said that should be revealed soon.
We asked Rodriguez, who arrived at Crystal from Azamara Club Cruises four years ago, what she considered her top achievements at Crystal.
“First and foremost it was working with J. P. Morgan to find a new owner to fund growth for the brand,” Rodriguez emphasized. “Then it was building a great new Crystal team in combination with the existing team there -- to position the brand to handle the new growth.”
Rodriguez also cited the robust line-up of new products launched during her time at the ultra-luxury line’s helm: Crystal Yacht Expeditions, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air (with a 12-passenger, private charter Bombardier aircraft) and Crystal Air Cruises with Crystal Skye, the line’s new Boeing 777-300ER, just introduced in August.
"I have been involved with selling Crystal for 28 years and I love selling this wonderful product," says Ruth Turpin of Cruises Etc., Fort Worth, TX. " I have been through many management changes and the onboard quality has always been fabulous."
Turpin continued: "Edie Rodriguez did a great job of making Crystal a household name. She was tireless champion of the brand. We now move on with a new era and the product remains fabulous."
Stay tuned here at www.travelagentcentral.com for any future announcement from Rodriguez.
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