Katie Kania on her career, the transformative power of travel, key cruise trends and working with agents
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been in the travel industry?
I’ve been in the industry just shy of 15 years now, and it has honestly flown by. I have been so fortunate to work in a wide variety of roles – from being a tour guide in Europe and showing guests firsthand how transformative travel can be, to working in bespoke, luxury travel and representing a variety of small ship cruise products. I’ve been at Norwegian Cruise Line almost seven years now, it has gone by in a blink. I just love this company and the product. I am so fortunate to work alongside incredible people who are so dedicated to ensuring our guests have a phenomenal experience.
When I am not at work, you can usually find me at home with my husband and dog, or with our friends and family. I am surprisingly a bit of a homebody – I love to travel, but I love to be home just as much. We are pretty outdoorsy and love to go outside with the dog. If we are having a lazy day, you can find me curled up with a good book.
Did you always know you wanted to be in travel or did you almost pursue another career?
The travel industry captivated me from the get-go after university. I went on a land tour across Europe and knew instantly that this was the line of work I wanted to be in – what was supposed to be a vacation, very quickly became a career as a tour guide.
Travel is truly transformative; and for me it is all about the experiences and connections you make while on vacation which is something I was fortunate to be able to share with others. After a few years of being a tour guide, I knew I wanted to shape my path in a different way, and business development was a natural next step. I moved into the cruise industry as a business development manager and the rest was history, so to speak. I combined my passion for transformative travel experiences with a travel style that lets guests experience the world with ease all while partnering with some wonderful travel agency partners. Business development is successful when it is a true partnership. It is so rewarding to work with an agency to grow their market share of NCL, and to see their guests return time and time again because they love the onboard experience.
What is the most interesting cruise travel trend you are noticing for the year ahead?
With the brutal winter we have had, fun-in-sun itineraries are truly enticing for our guests. With the variety of sailings we have to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda from multiple homeports around the United States, we offer more accessibility to embark on these beautiful, tropical getaways throughout the year. The destination really appeals to families and multigenerational groups because let’s face it kids love water and our ships have incredible Aqua parks, slides and outdoor activities that are perfect for them. Plus, the shoreside experiences are top notch, ranging from snorkeling, catamaran boat tours, ATV rides and more.
Europe also continues to be a standout itinerary for the Canadian market as they have the ability to extend their stay with pre-and-post cruise tours and really immerse themselves in the destination while only having to unpack once.
Norwegian Luna just launched. What should agents know?
Norwegian Luna is going to be a beautiful ship! As she is the sister ship to Norwegian Aqua, travel agents and their clients should expect to feel the same wide-open spaces that bring them closer to the sea complemented by intimate areas to retreat.
Similar to Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Luna offers a variety of experiences that are perfect for every type of traveler in the family. Whether they want to relax at the two-story, extremely serene Mandara Spa or head to the top deck to try the longest and fastest slides at sea – the Aqua Slidecoaster, there is something for everyone to curate the way they want to vacation.
Lastly, the ship will feature some truly electrifying, in-house productions. In January, I was personally able to get a sneak peek of “Elton: A Celebration of Elton John” and wow, what an incredible show it is going to be. It is a testament to how our entertainment lineup appeals to all types of guests as Elton John is a universally loved pop icon.
What itineraries are selling well in the Canadian market right now?
We always see so much support for our itineraries from Canadian travellers. Fun-in-sun is a key product for us given the lengthy winters – Canadians prioritize a much-needed break in the sun. We hear such fantastic feedback in particular from Canadians that have visited Great Stirrup Cay, our private island in the Bahamas. It is everyone’s favourite port of call. That said, we have seen an increase of Canadians cruising to tropical destinations later in the spring, and earlier in the fall, after Thanksgiving, too. It’s a great getaway before the holiday season truly kicks off. Of course, Europe, Hawaii, and our more exotic itineraries like Australia, always do well with Canadians. We are finding people are prioritizing their bucket list.
What’s next on your travel wish list—whether it’s a specific itinerary or a particular country?
Next up for me: I am heading back to the Mediterranean in May on Norwegian Gem. It’s a fantastic itinerary – sailing from Rome to Venice including the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Croatia and Greece. I’ve been to these destinations before, but my husband hasn’t. I am so excited to show him one of my favourite parts of the world.
What’s something that many people may not know about you?
I am an avid horse-back rider. I have been riding my entire life as it keeps me grounded. If I am not travelling or spending time with family, you can find me at the barn.
Do you believe in the role of the travel agent?
Absolutely, without question. To me, having a travel agent is essential. It is like having a family doctor, a lawyer, a chiropractor, except much more fun. A travel advisor provides a trusted service as they are acting in your best interest to help you maximize your experience away from everyday life.
What advice would you give to travel agents today?
Do not underestimate your value or undersell your value. Be confident in your expertise and what you offer.
Are you on team window or aisle? Carry-on or checked bag?
Team carry-on, always. Pair that with a window seat, and I am happy.
Do you keep track of how many countries you’ve visited? If so, what’s your number?
I stopped keeping track a while back, however I know I am north of 30.
If you had to sing karaoke tonight, which song would you pick?
Firstly, no one would ever want to hear me sing Karaoke, I am terrible. If I did somehow end up holding a microphone – anything by Taylor Swift.
Do you have anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t touched on yet?
If you have guests who haven’t cruised before, don’t be afraid to offer it to them. I recently took my entire family on Norwegian Aqua, and about half the group hadn’t cruised before. Needless to say – they loved it! It was one of the best vacations I have been on. It’s so rare for us all to get away together, and it was so special to spend that time together. Just because your guests haven’t cruised before, it doesn’t mean it’s not a travel style they will fall in love with!
