Last updated: 9:05 AM ET, Tue October 28, 2025
Amy Southgate, Royal Caribbean (Photo Credit: Amy Southgate)
Bio
Amy Southgate spent eight unforgettable years at sea as a Cruise Director with Royal Caribbean before trading in her sea legs for her current role as a Strategic Account Manager. For the past nine years, she’s loved connecting with travel partners, building partnerships and sharing her brand obsession.
Whether shipboard or shoreside, Southgate brings high energy, creativity and a love for delivering ultimate cruise vacations. Travel partners know her for her unparalleled support, creativity and care.
Over the years, she has helped several travel partners double their book of business and other travel partners close high-value groups (including 1,000 guests onboard Oasis of the Seas in 2019). She also served as the Spokesperson for Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise in 2023 by moderating guest-facing webinars, contributing to operational planning & monthly presentations to our CEO and providing ongoing trade support for travel partners across the country.
Amy is 39 years old. At the time of application and review process, Amy was with Royal Caribbean but has now moved to the river cruise sector with AmaWaterways as their new Key Account Manager.
"I’m truly honored to be recognized among TravelPulse’s 40 under 40. This milestone feels like the culmination of a career dedicated to building relationships, delivering results and “delivering the wow” to travel partners, colleagues and guests," said Amy. "Grateful to my incredible sales leaders – Vicki, Mary and Joanne – for their continued mentorship and inspiration."
Industry References
“As Senior Vice President of Sales at Royal Caribbean International, I am honored to provide this letter of recommendation for Amy Southgate’s nomination to Travel Pulse’s prestigious 40 Under 40 recognition program,” said Vicki Freed, SVP Sales, Trade Support and Service at Royal Caribbean. “Having worked with Amy for several years, I can confidently state that she exemplifies the exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication that defines the next generation of travel industry leaders.
“Amy’s journey with Royal Caribbean International showcases a remarkable evolution from entertainment leadership to sales excellence. Her background as a Cruise & Entertainment Director, where she managed over 200 performers and staff from 24 countries while orchestrating entertainment experiences for thousands of guests weekly, provided the foundation for the exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills she brings to her current role as Strategic Account Manager.
“In her current position, Amy has consistently demonstrated why she deserves recognition among the industry’s top young professionals.
“What truly sets Amy apart is her outgoing personality and genuine passion for the travel industry. Her background as a cruise director cultivated an infectious enthusiasm and natural ability to connect with people that translates seamlessly into her current role. Travel advisors and industry partners consistently praise her accessibility, responsiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure their success.
“I wholeheartedly recommend Amy Southgate for Travel Pulse’s 40 Under 40 recognition. She is truly deserving of this honor and will undoubtedly continue making significant contributions to our industry for years to come,” finished Freed.
“We are absolutely thrilled to nominate Amy Southgate for Travel Pulse's 40 Under 40 program!” Said Rob and Kerri Stuart, Owners, Creating Magic Vacations. “After working with Amy for more than ten years, we can honestly say she's one of those rare professionals who doesn't just do her job—she transforms everything she touches.
“When we first started working with Amy, we had no idea we were getting someone who would become such an integral part of our team's success. She's helped us grow our Royal Caribbean sales beyond what we ever imagined possible. What makes Amy special is that she truly ‘gets it’—she understands our business inside and out, and she's always thinking of ways to help us do better.
“Here's what makes Amy stand out from everyone else we've worked with: she doesn't just manage accounts, she builds genuine relationships. When our agents have questions or need support, Amy is right there with answers, ideas, and encouragement. She's the kind of person who remembers personal details about our team members and celebrates their wins as much as we do. Amy has this amazing ability to spot opportunities that others miss. She'll call us with ideas that make us think, ‘Why didn't we see that?’ Her creativity and fresh perspective have opened doors we didn't even know existed. Plus, she follows through on everything—when Amy says she'll do something, it gets done, and usually better than expected.
“What really impresses us is how Amy gives back to the travel industry. She's always willing to share her knowledge with other agents, even when they're not her direct partners. She genuinely cares about making the whole industry better, not just her own success. That's the kind of character that makes someone truly special. Amy is still young, but she's already accomplished more than most people do in their entire careers. We've watched her grow into this incredible leader who balances professionalism with genuine warmth. She's the person everyone wants on their team because she makes everything better just by being there.
“Honestly, we can't imagine our business without Amy's partnership over these years. She's helped us navigate challenges, celebrate victories, and grow in ways we never thought possible. If that's not 40 Under 40 material, we don't know what is! We wholeheartedly recommend Amy Southgate for this prestigious honor and believe she will be a valuable addition to this distinguished group of industry leaders,” said the Stuarts.
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