Travel Weekly sits down for a fireside chat with Celebrity Cruises’ Business Development Manager, Cameron Mannix. Although there was no actual fire & we stood for most of it.
The challenge for the industry is…
Educating people that not all big white ships are the same. With so much variety on offer these days, there really is a cruise to suit everyone.
Celebrity Solstice, for example, is so much more than a ship; she’s a culinary adventure, a sophisticated hotel and a relaxation retreat all rolled into one.
The things I like about my job…
Meeting new people and showing them how wonderful a modern luxury holiday with Celebrity Cruises can be.
We have such a beautiful product, and I love the look on agents’ faces when they board Solstice for the first time – she tends to knock them off their feet and they understand exactly what modern luxury is all about!
And the frustrations are…
Living out of a suitcase can be frustrating, but I’ve become an absolute packing guru over my 11 years in the travel industry – rolling your clothes is key!
If I didn’t work in travel I would be…
A property developer.
Favourite airline…
Etihad – always offer unbelievably good service… and they have an onboard bar…
Favourite cruise line…
A no brainer – Celebrity Cruises of course!
My proudest moment/achievement…
Making it to 40 alive! Well it will be come December…
The naughtiest thing I ever did…
Consistently and unashamedly blaming my twin brother whenever I got into trouble when I was younger. I once smashed a giant heirloom mirror in my parents’ bedroom and got away with it (hopefully they don’t read this).
I try to relax…
Enjoying a martini with good friends.
The last time I feared for my life was…
I never have! I don’t know if that makes me incredibly daring or just boring!
If I can, I always try to avoid…
Sitting in the middle seat on an airplane. And peak hour traffic – which can be very tricky in my role, as I’m constantly on the go, visiting travel partners throughout Australia and New Zealand.
I really wish I could speak…
Multiple languages.
The best advice I’ve ever received was…
Enjoy the moment you are in.
I don’t understand why people…
Eat with their mouth open – and slurp their tea. Apparently this has a name – misophonia.
My greatest weakness is…
Baked caramel cheescake.
And my greatest strength is…
The ability to empathise – so important in the travel industry, as you are always dealing with people from every walk of life.
If I won a $1 million lottery (aside from travelling) I would…
Move to a tropical island and drink martinis.
If I was prime minister I would…
Pass marriage equality.
If I could be someone else for one day I would be…
Beyonce.
I’ve always wanted to travel to…
The Amazon River and meet a sloth.
My favourite holiday was…
A Celebrity cruise around the Greek Islands.
Highlights were the endless supply of fresh calamari and homemade saganaki (a type of pan-fried cheese), and sipping a martini while looking out to the ship docked in the harbour at Mykonos (I know there’s a bit of a running theme here with the martinis – but I do love them!).
