Picture it: you’re onboard a Windstar ship after spending the day in Venice. You’re the only cruise ship there, and as you exit the port, the sails unfurl and you literally sail past the city of canals on your way to your next stop. It’s a moment Captain Neil Broomhall, Windstar’s fleet captain, has experienced firsthand. 

In this special episode of Trade Secrets, we talk to Captain Neil Broomhall, Windstar Cruises’ fleet captain, about, what a typical day looks like onboard a Windstar ship (and whether he’s ever seen a mermaid or sea monster!).Then, Windstar president Chris Prelog fields listener questions, from how to sell small-ship cruising and how to book VIP experiences for clients to getting in touch with suppliers and why companies like Windstar pay commission in the first place.

This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises. https://www.windstarcruises.com/

Further resources:

Windstar’s previous Trade Secrets episode, “Is small-ship cruising right for my client?”

Windstar contacts
General questions - email
Travel advisor hub
Travel agent information and reservations
Phone - 866-851-4042
Fax - 786-685-3089
Hours, Eastern Time - Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Brochures and promotional material - 800-824-8636
Sales and service (travel agents only)
Phone - 866-766-3873
Fax - 786-685-3044
Email

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 



Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Picture it: you’re onboard a Windstar ship after spending the day in Venice. You’re the only cruise ship there, and as you exit the port, the sails unfurl and you literally sail past the city of canals on your way to your next stop. It’s a moment Captain Neil Broomhall, Windstar’s fleet captain, has experienced firsthand. 
In this special episode of Trade Secrets, we talk to Captain Neil Broomhall, Windstar Cruises’ fleet captain, about, what a typical day looks like onboard a Windstar ship (and whether he’s ever seen a mermaid or sea monster!).Then, Windstar president Chris Prelog fields listener questions, from how to sell small-ship cruising and how to book VIP experiences for clients to getting in touch with suppliers and why companies like Windstar pay commission in the first place.
This episode is sponsored by Windstar Cruises. <a href="https://www.windstarcruises.com/">https://www.windstarcruises.com/</a>
<hr>
Further resources:
Windstar’s previous <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Podcasts/Trade-Secrets/small-ship-cruising-right-for-client">Trade Secrets episode</a>, “Is small-ship cruising right for my client?”
Windstar contacts
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">General questions - <a href="mailto:info@windstarcruises.com">email</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1">Travel advisor <a href="https://advisorhub.windstarcruises.com">hub</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Travel agent information and reservations</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Phone - 866-851-4042</li>
<li aria-level="2">Fax - 786-685-3089</li>
<li aria-level="2">Hours, Eastern Time - Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.</li>
<li aria-level="2">Brochures and promotional material - 800-824-8636</li>
</ul>
<li aria-level="1">Sales and service (travel agents only)</li>
<ul>
<li aria-level="2">Phone - 866-766-3873</li>
<li aria-level="2">Fax - 786-685-3044</li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="mailto:windstar_sales@windstarcruises.com">Email</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
 
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners’ questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more — as long as it’s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at travelweekly.com/podcasts.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors’ 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.

Emma Weissmann is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives — the highs and lows that make them human.


Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Welcome to Trade Secrets, a podcast from the editors of Travel Weekly and TravelAge West, where travel advisors ask -- and answer -- questions. On each podcast, our editors will ask a veteran travel advisor to join them and field listeners&rsquo; questions. Topics will range from business advice to industry trends, history and more &mdash; as long as it&rsquo;s travel-related, we want to address it! Find Trade Secrets wherever you get your podcasts, or at <a href="http://travelweekly.com/podcasts">travelweekly.com/podcasts</a>.
<hr>
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:
Jamie Biesiada is a senior editor with Travel Weekly. She is an award-winning journalist, including being named the American Society of Travel Advisors&rsquo; 2019 Travel Journalist of the Year. Her roots are in community journalism, where she was the editor of several local newspapers and a regional entertainment magazine.
Emma Weissmann is a Senior Editor of TravelAge West, a print and online magazine for travel advisors based in the Western U.S. She is also the host of the Humans of Travel podcast, where she interviews notable individuals in the travel industry about their lives &mdash; the highs and lows that make them human.
<hr>
 Theme song: Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod Link: <a href="https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop">https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop</a> License: <a href="https://filmmusic.io/standard-license">https://filmmusic.io/standard-license</a>
<hr>
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

Trade Secrets Podcast

Trade Secrets

What’s it like to captain a small-ship cruise?

Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from “agent” to “advisor,” then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch.

Thanks to our friends at WorldVia for helping us solicit travel advisor questions this season.  

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International. 

Further resources

Nexion Travel Group on the web

Reach out to Jackie Friedman via email

Mentioned in this episode:
Erica Carr’s bookitbox Travel
Christine Potthoff’s travel beCAUSE
Courtnie Nichols’ client gifting strategy

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 



Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to season five of Trade Secrets. In this episode, hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Nexion Travel Group president Jackie Friedman on the show to talk about the value of travel advisors. They discuss the modern history of the profession and the evolution from “agent” to “advisor,” then answer listener questions about standing out from the crowd, how advisors can sell their own value and what makes a good elevator pitch.
Thanks to our friends at <a href="http://www.worldvia.com">WorldVia</a> for helping us solicit travel advisor questions this season.  <a href="http://www.worldvia.com"></a>
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>. <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/"></a>
<hr>
Further resources
Nexion Travel Group <a href="http://www.nexion.com">on the web</a>
Reach out to Jackie Friedman <a href="mailto:jackie.friedman@nexion.com">via email</a>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Erica Carr’s <a href="https://bookitboxtravel.com/">bookitbox Travel</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Christine Potthoff’s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/travelbeCAUSE/">travel beCAUSE</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Courtnie Nichols’ <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Jamie-Biesiada/Advisor-gifts-that-keep-giving">client gifting strategy</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
 
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel advisors, what’s your elevator pitch? (feat. Jackie Friedman)

How is the Trade Secrets podcast made? Find out all the behind-the-scenes details in this special episode with co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada. From the show’s origin, to scripting, to editing and posting, take a peek behind the Trade Secrets curtain.

This is a special episode of Trade Secrets between seasons four and five. Season five will return in two weeks, on April 8.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International. 

Further resources

Email Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada

Follow us on Instagram
Travel Weekly
TravelAge West
Emma Weissmann
Jamie Biesiada

Mentioned in this episode:
Slate’s Dear Prudence
“Tiny Beautiful Things,” by Cheryl Strayed
Auphonic
Omny Studio
PodBean

Some previous episodes we mention:
When is it time to leave your host agency and join a consortium?
Top travel pros and their best advice for advisors
On the ground in Maui: Should travel agents send clients to the island right now?
Icon of the Seas: How big can a cruise ship get?
Why can’t we be friends? Forming productive travel advisor-supplier relationships
How do I use generative AI to improve my travel agency’s workflow?
Travel advisors, are you using the right tech stack?

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 



Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How is the Trade Secrets podcast made? Find out all the behind-the-scenes details in this special episode with co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada. From the show’s origin, to scripting, to editing and posting, take a peek behind the Trade Secrets curtain.
This is a special episode of Trade Secrets between seasons four and five. Season five will return in two weeks, on April 8.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>. 
<hr>
Further resources
Email <a href="mailto:eweissmann@travelagewest.com">Emma</a> Weissmann and <a href="mailto:jbiesiada@travelweekly.com">Jamie</a> Biesiada
Follow us on Instagram
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelweeklyus">Travel Weekly</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/travelagewest">TravelAge West</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/emma_enroute">Emma Weissmann</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thusjamiesaw">Jamie Biesiada</a></li>
</ul>
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Slate’s <a href="https://slate.com/human-interest/dear-prudence">Dear Prudence</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">“<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Beautiful-Things-Advice-Sugar/dp/0307949338">Tiny Beautiful Things</a>,” by Cheryl Strayed</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://auphonic.com/">Auphonic</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://omnystudio.com/">Omny Studio</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.podbean.com/">PodBean</a><a href="https://www.podbean.com/"></a></li>
</ul>
Some previous episodes we mention:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">When is it time to leave your host agency and <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/when-is-it-time-to-leave-your-host-agency-and-join/id1555272051?i=1000596018636">join a consortium</a>?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Top travel pros and their <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-travel-pros-and-their-best-advice-for-advisors/id1555272051?i=1000613030222">best advice for advisors</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-ground-in-maui-should-travel-agents-send/id1555272051?i=1000629042626">On the ground in Maui</a>: Should travel agents send clients to the island right now?</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icon-of-the-seas-how-big-can-a-cruise-ship-get/id1555272051?i=1000646845121">Icon of the Seas</a>: How big can a cruise ship get?</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-cant-we-be-friends-forming-productive-travel-advisor/id1555272051?i=1000648727945">Why can’t we be friends</a>? Forming productive travel advisor-supplier relationships</li>
<li aria-level="1">How do I use generative AI to <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-i-use-generative-ai-to-improve-my-travel-agencys/id1555272051?i=1000623650286">improve my travel agency’s workflow</a>?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Travel advisors, are you using <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/travel-advisors-are-you-using-the-right-tech-stack/id1555272051?i=1000645009223">the right tech stack</a>?</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
 
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mic check, one, two: How do we create Trade Secrets?

Welcome to the season four finale of Trade Secrets. This week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Royal Caribbean’s Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, and Jamie Margolis, owner of the Dream Vacations franchise Moms at Sea, during the second installment of a two-part series with Freed (listen to part one here). 

During the episode, Freed and Margolis talk about the importance of forming — and maintaining — a good agent-supplier relationship, the “unicorn” cabins onboard Royal Caribbean ships that offer more space for less money, the value proposition of cruising and more.

In two weeks, Trade Secrets will release a special episode about the making of the podcast. It will return for season five two weeks after that, on April 8.

This episode is sponsored by Travel Insured International. 

Further resources

Contact Vicki Freed by email or her personal cell phone, 305-458-0463

Find Jamie Margolis and Moms at Sea online, on Facebook and on Instagram

The last Trade Secrets episode, also featuring Vicki Freed

From Travel Weekly, Agent Life: From Facebook group to franchisee: Moms at Sea’s fantastic voyage 

Mentioned in this episode:
The Taylor Swift cruise: From TravelAge West, Who is Marvelous Mouse Travels, and why is it hosting a Taylor Swift-themed cruise? 
Sign up for Vicki’s Tips online 
On Millie Schwartz, from Travel Weekly: At 90, Schwartz still drawn to selling travel 
An example of Carnival’s Fun Ship cruise commercials from the 1980s

Need advice?

Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098

Email us: tradesecrets@travelweekly.com 



Theme song:

Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license



See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the season four finale of Trade Secrets. This week, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada welcome Royal Caribbean’s Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales and trade support and service, and Jamie Margolis, owner of the Dream Vacations franchise Moms at Sea, during the second installment of a two-part series with Freed (listen to part one <a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Podcasts/Trade-Secrets/trade-secrets-podcast-vicki-freed-royal-caribbean-icon">here</a>). 
During the episode, Freed and Margolis talk about the importance of forming — and maintaining — a good agent-supplier relationship, the “unicorn” cabins onboard Royal Caribbean ships that offer more space for less money, the value proposition of cruising and more.
In two weeks, Trade Secrets will release a special episode about the making of the podcast. It will return for season five two weeks after that, on April 8.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://www.travelinsured.com/">Travel Insured International</a>. 
<hr>
Further resources
Contact Vicki Freed <a href="mailto:vickilovestravelagents@rccl.com">by email</a> or her personal cell phone, 305-458-0463
Find Jamie Margolis and Moms at Sea <a href="https://www.momsatsea.com/">online</a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/288815238297862">Facebook</a> and on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/momsatsea/">Instagram</a>
The last Trade Secrets episode, also <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icon-of-the-seas-how-big-can-a-cruise-ship-get/id1555272051?i=1000646845121">featuring Vicki Freed</a>
From Travel Weekly, <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/Moms-at-Sea-travel-agent-feature">Agent Life</a>: From Facebook group to franchisee: Moms at Sea’s fantastic voyage 
Mentioned in this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.travelagewest.com/Travel/Cruise/marvelous-mouse-travels-taylor-swift">The Taylor Swift cruise</a>: From TravelAge West, Who is Marvelous Mouse Travels, and why is it hosting a Taylor Swift-themed cruise? </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://loyaltoyoualways.com/">Sign up</a> for Vicki’s Tips online </li>
<li aria-level="1">On <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/At-90-Schwartz-still-drawn-to-selling-travel">Millie Schwartz</a>, from Travel Weekly: At 90, Schwartz still drawn to selling travel </li>
<li aria-level="1">An example of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS5rUgRAzDc">Carnival’s Fun Ship cruise commercials </a>from the 1980s</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Need advice?
Call our hotline and leave a message: 201-902-2098
Email us: <a href="mailto:tradesecrets@travelweekly.com">tradesecrets@travelweekly.com </a>
 
Theme song:
Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4387-sock-hop
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s it like to captain a small-ship cruise?

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