Celebrity launches private charter service

Celebrity Cruises has launched its air charter service from London Stansted’s Private Jet Terminal.

The package – entitled Jet Set Sail – is available on a range of seven-night Mediterranean itineraries in 2016 on board Celebrity Equinox including departures from Istanbul, Mykonos, Valetta, Catania, Naples and Rome. The charter, a Boeing 737, is able to accommodate 130 passengers.

Staff at Stansted’s Private Jet Terminal boasted that they are able to check and board guests within 60 minutes at the facility, which also offers free car parking next to the terminal.

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Jo Rzymowska, managing director of Celebrity Cruises UK, revealed that 80 per cent of bookings on the charter service were for balcony cabins and above.

“We did some research before we launched this programme and asked people how they fancied a 60 minute check-in compared to a three-hour check-in, how do you fancy a 31 inch seat pitch, how do you fancy a beautiful, modern luxury terminal in keeping with Celebrity Cruises, how do you fancy free parking and wonderful staff looking after you? We asked if they would pay more for that and they said ‘yes we would’.”

She added that if the trial proved successful it could then be rolled out to become a greater part of Celebrity’s offering.

Dondra Ritzenthaler, senior vice president of sales & trade support for Celebrity Cruises, added: “We continue to be the innovator and leader in our space of delivering modern luxury.

“However, it won’t work unless you [travel agents] get behind it because you are the reason we are successful.”

Michael English, business development manager at Celebrity Cruises UK explained that flying from Stansted instead of Heathrow for its June 18, 2016 cruise would be just £60 more, before you take into account car parking.

“In my opinion this is one of the simplest selling opportunities to put to clients,” he said.