Reviews

Access Cruise Rave Reviews

Dirk van der Raadt, Senior Manager Deployment and Itinerary Planning, Holland America Line
“Access Cruise has incomparable access to the cruise industry. Shannon and her team know the right players and have the experience to guide destinations to strong decisions in destination development and attracting, and retaining, cruise calls. Her team understands how to increase guest satisfaction. For me as an itinerary planner, I recognize that destinations working with Access Cruise have a much better understanding of what cruise companies want & need.”

Clare Ward | Director of Product and Customer Service | Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
The 2018 Israel-Cyprus Summit allowed me to get a really good insight into both countries and their experiences, leading to additional bookings for them from us. Extremely well organized; the trip maximized what we were able to see whilst minimizing the stress which comes inevitably with travel. The size of the group meant we were able to get to know each other really quickly and this led to the added benefit of some really good cross business discussions. I would do another FAM trip arranged by Access Cruise in a heartbeat.

Andra Howie, Product Manager, Windstar Cruises
“The seamless and thrilling inspection Access Cruise Inc. arranged in Israel and Cyprus remains an inspiration. I often recall knowledge and insight gained not only from the unforgettable sites and experiences but also conversations held with fascinating colleagues across the industry. It’s a trip that remains relevant and has helped keep these destinations in the forefront of my thoughts as my career evolves.”

Jennifer Marmanillo | Director, Itinerary Planning
Last year I participated in the Israel-Cyprus submit organized by Access Cruises. It was a well-organized and educational experience that covered the most important highlights and port facilities. We also had the wonderful opportunity to meet with all of the local representatives i.e. port representatives, tour operators, restaurant owners. The itinerary was intense to make the most of the short time we had together.

Richard Boydon, Marine Manager, Holland America Group
Upon recently meeting Shannon and Access Cruise Team, it didn’t take long to truly understand what an invaluable role they play in the cruise industry. Shannon provides the links between all departments to enable clear collaboration of all involved to meet one common goal. It has been a true pleasure working with Shannon and her team, to which I will be certainly maintaining contact for all the ports and destinations she represents.

Ellen Lynch, Senior Director – Shore Excursions, Holland America Group
“Shannon McKee & Access Cruise run a tight “ship”.  In terms of organization on the FAM trip to Hawaii – IMPRESSIVE!”

Linda Zabolski, C.E.O./Owner, Captain Zodiac, Kona, HI
“I have known Shannon McKee since 2004, both professionally and personally. Shannon knows and understands the Hawaiian market, from her years of management at Norwegian Cruise Lines and NCLA. I have seen firsthand, every year at the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, Shannon’s professionalism, her ingenuity and creativity, her energy, and most importantly, her patience and perseverance, while interacting with major cruise line executives and decision makers. I do not believe that there is a better person on this planet that can represent HTA and succeed in bringing more ships back to the State of Hawaii.”

Shirley Henderson, Head of Shore Excursions P&O Cruises / Cunard
“Access Cruises, and the port of Rijeka, recently visited ourselves at Carnival UK with a presentation of the Port of Rijeka. I was exceedingly impressed with their professional and informative presentation/ template, that, due to Access Cruise’s extensive cruise line experience, contained all of the important and detailed information that we needed, as cruise line executives, to consider Rijeka as a viable future cruise destination. Their template is a wonderful example for all other ports wishing to consider for our future itineraries.”

Rijeka Port Authority & Rijeka Tourist Board
“After spending time and taking various actions to become recognized as a cruise destination within the cruise industry we decided to hire consultants which would help us to reach the Porto of Rijeka Authority’s goal. We found working with Access Cruise such an invaluable asset in our quest to attract the cruise industry to Rijeka, Croatia. Their skill, contacts and in-depth understanding of the cruise lines requirements was able to guide us on what was needed to be delivered to get the cruise lines attention.  They helped us devise a strategy and then put us in front of the key decision makers for all the major cruise lines. We would recommend Access Cruise’s services to any port looking to break into the cruise industry.”

Mario Marcinko, Executive Director, Applicon Tours
“Being in cruise business for many years, we thought we knew all ins and outs of the industry ourselves. Once we started cooperating with Access Cruise, we realized there is still much to learn. Access Cruise helped us fine tune our tours, and then aided us in the important and detailed bidding process. It wasn’t long before our bid for Holland America and Seabourn was successful. Access Cruise gave us an edge with their in depth knowledge of the cruise industry and their ability to liaise with the key decision makers. This was an important advantage in this highly competitive business. Thank you!!!”

Leyla Oner, COO, Tura Turizm
“We are very fortunate to have Access Cruise as a part of our team. We admire their professionalism and continuously learn from them.”

Steven De Mar, Director of Business Development, Leading Edge Design
“Access Cruise’s stature and relationships in the cruising industry certainly put us face to face with the people empowered to do business. You are a true professional in every aspect. Thank you for being outstanding.”

Rui Calapez, GM Buzz Portugal
“Access Cruise has proven to be the key Buzz Portugal needed to get a foot in the Shore-X business. Their continuous work, efforts and especially professionalism and persistence has allowed Buzz Portugal to be awarded business with Holland America, Royal Caribbean and Seabourn. Their in-depth knowledge of the cruise business and priceless recommendations have made Buzz Portugal a key player in Portugal.”

Reynolds, Owner, Fantastic Tours
“It’s been a long journey of ups and downs, but we finally have a cruise contract. From start to finish Access Cruise has supported me in fine-tuning our presentation, tour description & tour timings as well as developing an ROI and giving me sound advice on how to break into the industry. The Access Cruise team is fantastic. We could not have done it without them.”

Matt Rosenblatt, President & CEO, Jetlev LLC
“Shannon & the Access Cruise Team are the real deal. They know the players in the cruise industry and delivered 100% on their promises. It’s a pleasure working with them.”

Chuck Sackermann, Owner & President of Digital Video Systems
“Access is a just a small part of the services provided by Access Cruise. When you are working with Access Cruise you have added a critical team member to your management team that can not only open doors but can help in product positioning, pricing, competitive analysis, and most importantly the process the cruise lines use to evaluate and select new vendors or services. “

Mary Charles, Previous Owner of MC & A Hawaii
“This is a 100% endorsement of Shannon McKee as a business partner, vendor and friend. She has an incredible knowledge about the cruise line business and readily shares that knowledge so that everyone can be successful. Shannon has boundless energy and a true giving spirit which makes doing business with her a delight. Add to that a wonderful sense of humor and one can not go wrong when choosing to work on a project with Shannon McKee.”

John Dunlap, Vice President, Allen Marine Tours
“Shannon was also instrumental in assisting our company to expand into a new port of operation, Ketchikan. Prior to 2003, we only conducted tours in the SE Alaska ports of Juneau and Sitka. She worked with us to identify the best local tour businesses to partner with, to facilitate our entry into the community, and she helped us to develop a tour product that would be attractive to visitors to Ketchikan. The successful launch of our Best of Ketchikan by Land & Sea tour enabled us to establish the foot-hold we needed to move ahead in developing the other tour programs we now operate in this very busy port.”

Dino Marikos, VP of Marine Operations, DVS
“I love working with Shannon and highly regard her abilities, along with her driven nature which has brought bountiful opportunities to the table for DVS. It is a true pleasure working with Shannon.”

Jamie Barut, Vice President Operations, Polynesian Adventure Tours, Inc. & Gray Line Hawaii
“I love Shannon and have learned a lot from her through the years, especially when I first started working with ships. I am so happy that you continue to keep in touch with me! I have the utmost respect for all you ladies! It is a very hard industry to breakthrough and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to without all of you ladies!”