Virtuoso announces Canada's 2026 “Cruise Icons”

Virtuoso has announced its 2026 Virtuoso Cruise Icons, a distinctive honour recognizing advisors whose cruise sales performance ranks among the very best in the industry.

An esteemed group of 178 advisors worldwide earned the designation, representing the top tier of cruise sellers within the Virtuoso luxury travel network.

This year’s Icons reflect an elevated qualification standard introduced as part of the program’s annual review.

As luxury cruising continues to expand globally, Virtuoso says it “refined the benchmark” to ensure Cruise Icon status remains aligned with exceptional, sustained individual performance rather than overall market growth.

The result is a more selective class that “reinforces the designation’s prestige and reaffirms its role as a trusted indicator of leadership and performance at the highest level of the cruise sector,” the consortium said in a press release Tuesday (March 10).

“Cruise Icons are the advisors the industry looks to when there are market shifts or demand accelerates,” said Cory Hagopian, senior vice president, global partnerships, in a statement. “They set the standard for how clients engage with luxury cruising across every category, how preferred partners position their products and how the sector continues to evolve. This group represents leadership in action, not just results on paper.”

Iconic access

In addition to industry clout, this status provides advisors with quarterly collaboration sessions designed to foster growth and networking, access to insight and best practices within the network’s Cruise Community and an exclusive event honouring Icon excellence during Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s preeminent worldwide gathering.

Icons also gain access to exclusive travel opportunities centred on emerging destinations and innovative cruise products.

In 2026, this includes two dedicated charter sailings with AmaWaterways along Colombia’s Magdalena River.

Departing on September 23 and September 26, these sailings are designed to spotlight the country’s growing presence within the luxury cruise landscape.

Both charters follow the same itinerary, reconvening in the town of Santa Bárbara de Pinto for an offsite networking session.

Many Virtuoso cruise partners offer exclusive amenities to Virtuoso members, further distinguishing them from their competitors by allowing affiliated advisors, including Virtuoso Cruise Icons, to provide unique benefits to their clients.

Through the Virtuoso Voyages program, advisors can access more than 450 select cruises each year across 13 different cruise lines.

This program includes a dedicated onboard host and offers a choice of additional benefits ranging in value from $500 per couple to several thousand dollars, depending on the sailing.

Canada's Cruise Icons

Which advisors from Canada were named Cruise Icons? See the list here!

• Judy Branner, Civilized Adventures
• Barbara Chamberlain, BCR Consultants, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Ancaster
• Rose Coleman, Direct Travel - Georgetown
• Rosie Durham, TTI Travel
• Jodi Fox, Direct Travel – Calgary
• Erika Gal, Direct Travel – Ancaster
• Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Lush Life Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel Toronto – HQ
• Nimet Jessa, Kerrisdale Cruise & Vacation Travel
• Sandra Keeso-Hall, Direct Travel - Georgetown
• Shawn Kilner, Imagine Cruise & Travel, an affiliate of Direct Travel – Victoria
• Gerry Koolhof, Direct Travel - Toronto Downtown
• Carolyn Kremer, Direct Travel - Georgetown
• Rhonda Leblanc, Trevello Travel Group
• Grace Markus, Direct Travel - Vancouver
• Magda Newman, Direct Travel - Toronto Downtown
• Sue Pechtel, Direct Travel - Government Centre
• Linda Sim, Renshaw Travel
• Samuel Spencer, Ocean & River Cruises
• Michelle Streicher, Direct Travel Toronto – HQ
• Alan Szeto, Direct Travel - Vancouver
• Barbara Trotter, Direct Travel - Victoria

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