The red ribbon was cut this morning at the new headquarters of the Royal Caribbean Group.
The company has brought all three of its South Pacific brands into one office on Miller Street in North Sydney.
The mood in the room couldn’t have been more different to how it would have been two years ago. With sales in the increase, and big events on the horizon, the new office was just the icing on the cake for the excited team members.
Travel Weekly spoke to Vice President Managing Director of Celebrity Cruises Asia Pacific, Tim Jones just moments before the ribbon was cut.
“It’s a really exciting day for us. Today we are officially opening a new office in Sydney, which is for all three brands within the Caribbean Group,” Jones said.
The group consists of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.
“It’s the first time we brought all three brands together in Sydney under one roof, so it’s really exciting, just to have everyone in the one spot.”
“I think it brings a great vibe. There’s a collective ambience with groups of people that are working on different paths, and everyone’s got their own identity.
“But, at the same time it has a lot of life, just to have lots more people in space, which is great,” Jones said.
The new location also gives staff a friendly reminder of why they are there, with Celebrity Eclipse currently berthed in Sydney Harbour
“It’s great to look out the window and see the ship. It ties us to our products, which I think is a really nice aspect and angle that you can just look out the window and see the ships come and go,” Jones said.
Jones says the ribbon cutting is also a symbol of the reinvigoration of the cruising sector, with bookings continuing to increase.
“I’m really, really excited for the year ahead. We’ve already seen a really strong recovery.
“Having a full season of operational ships from all our brands in this part of the world has just been phenomenal. It’s put cruising back on the radar really clearly for everybody” he said.
There’ve been some great opportunities for people to get out and experience different brands and different products.”
One of the biggest events on the company’s calendar is the arrival of Celebrity Ede on December 9.
“In the same way that Solstice did when she came here, I think Celebrity Edge will revolutionise and change the game of cruising in this market.”
Jones said his wasn’t the only company investing more in this region.
“There’s some other brands bringing new hardware to market but Edge is truly revolutionary from anyone who’s seen her and sailed on her.”
“Fortunately, a lot of our trade and travel agents have already seen it or experienced it, so they know it really well.
“A lot of our guests have been asking for a very long time when we were bringing Edge to Australia, and now it’s happening.”
