Welcome aboard!

I'm Corie Lisignoli, proprietor and Senior Cruise (or travel) Consultant. I have had many years' experience in the travel industry, especially in cruising, Australia's fastest-growing segment of the travel industry. Growth has been running at 18% per annum over the past five years.

I have worked in major travel chains, but found that most unsatisfying because company policy discouraged lengthy discussion with clients, a process which is important to ensure client satisfaction. The emphasis was on quick consultations, selling company-preferred products and maximising profit margins.

I decided I would work towards being able to open my own agency, where I could establish my own priorities to satisfy clients'
needs and maintain a more personal relationship with them.

In 2008 I was approached by David Kellett, the owner of The Cruise Specialists with an offer of employment. This was a small, very personalized agency with a large repeat-business clientele, and I was very happy to work in such an environment.

The business was founded by David in 1982, and I soon realized that he operated on a very personal basis with his clients, and that many had been clients of The Cruise Specialists since the business commenced. Some clients had dealt with David for many years, even before he began his own business. One had been David's client for an amazing 37 years! This was the very approach to clients that I was seeking.

After settling in,  I became very close to David and Marianne (David's wife). David wanted to move into the background of this fantastic growing business to look after his wife who suffers from serious illnesses. David had mentioned that he may have to sell the business "but not to just anyone" as he put it. He didn't want to sell to a large company, and wished to ensure that his personal relationship with clients would continue.

Realizing that The Cruise Specialists was already operating exactly as I had envisaged, I made an offer to purchase the business, which David accepted in mid-2008. He still works in the background, organizing the very popular _Classic Concerts Cruise_ each year. He also arranged the inaugural _Drama on the High Seas_ cruise departing in December 2009.

The Cruise Specialists was the first agency in Australia formed especially to sell cruise holidays, and was one of the first in the world.
I am pleased to continue the 26-year tradition of friendly, personal service to my clients. I welcome your enquiries.