Emerald Cruises Announces Industry Advocate Vanessa McGovern as Godmother of Newest Star-Ship

Hollywood, FL (March 17, 2022) – Award-winning travel industry advocate and educator Vanessa McGovern has been named godmother of Emerald Cruises’ newest Star-Ship, Emerald Luna. The news was announced last evening on the main stage at the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) Global River Cruise Expo in Budapest. The christening is scheduled to take place on July 21, 2022 in Amsterdam.

“Vanessa is a true force for good in the travel industry, and her enthusiasm is infectious. Her tireless advocacy work has helped raise the collective profile of travel professionals, and her commitment to supporting entrepreneurs benefits our entire industry,” said Ann Chamberlin, Vice President of Sales for Scenic Group USA, which includes Emerald Cruises and Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.  “We value our trade partners highly, and we’re thrilled to announce that Vanessa has agreed to be godmother for our newest river ship, Emerald Luna.”

Chief Sales Officer and co-founder of Gifted Travel Network, Vanessa is a respected business coach, advocate and entrepreneur in her own right. GTN, a Virtuoso member agency, is a host agency with a mission to support entrepreneurial-spirited travel professionals and Vanessa’s sales prowess was instrumental in making it one of the fastest-growing hosts in the industry. A fierce advocate for the travel advisor community, Vanessa serves on the ASTA Board of Directors Executive Committee as well on their Government Affairs and Political Action Committee. Vanessa also spearheads ASTA Advocacy Awareness Day.

Vanessa first got her start in the travel industry as an art auctioneer on board a cruise ship before transitioning to the education side of the industry in 2008, developing and implementing multiple award-winning agent training programs at respected industry organizations such as Cruise Planners and Special Needs Group. In 2009, she was named one of Travel Agent Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 Travel Professionals.

“It’s humbling and inspiring to be selected for an honor of this magnitude at this stage in my career,” said Vanessa. “I value Emerald Cruises’ commitment to working closely with advisors and am proud to be named godmother to the newest ship in their beautiful river fleet.”

The 180-guest Emerald Luna features the line’s innovative balcony design in most cabins, complete with decked area and an ingenious open-air system, as well as an indoor swimming pool with retractable roof and cinema on the ship’s aft. The ninth Star-Ship in the line’s fleet, she will join sister ships Emerald Sun, Sky, Star, Dawn and Destiny sailing the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in Europe. Emerald Cruises’ river fleet also includes the 132-guest Emerald Liberté sailing the Rhône and Saône Rivers in France, 112-guest Emerald Radiance sailing the Douro River in Portugal, and 84-guest Emerald Harmony sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Emerald Cruises offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises on three continents. Emerald Azzurra, the line’s first ocean-going vessel debuted in March 2022, is a 100-guest, luxury superyacht that will sail the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Black and Red Seas. Emerald Sakara will be the brand’s second superyacht and will add the Seychelles to the destination lineup when she launches in 2023. On the rivers, Emerald Cruises sails eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong. The brand offers contemporary deluxe ships, outstanding service and an incredibly inclusive pricing plan that has won them the honor of being named Best River Cruise Line for Value by the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards for five years running. Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours and Evergreen Tours in Australia.

Emerald Cruises can be found on Twitter at @emerald_cruises, on Facebook as EmeraldCruisesGlobal and on Instagram as @EmeraldCruises.global.