It’s amazing how much things can change over the course of just 10 years. This very magazine reflects that. From its beginnings as a niche publication for a small audience of home-based agents to where it is today, it has reflected the growth and thriving influence of these valuable travel advisors.

We’ve seen our share of changes at Royal Caribbean, too. The past decade has been marked by more dramatic transformations than ever before, from the cruise experience itself to the role travel partners play in creating memorable vacations.

Let’s start with you, our travel partner. You are nimble, passionate and always evolving. We use the term “travel partners” with good reason, because you are not just a salesperson pitching vacations to boost your bottom line. Today’s travel advisors do not just sell; instead they guide their customers to make the best buying decision, as they work to find the deeper “why” behind each client’s getaway.

The very way you do business has changed, too. Phones and faxes were the standard not too long ago. These days, your fax is probably collecting dust. Savvy travel partners are where their clients are: tweeting, posting and sharing their experiences, always finding new ways to add value to their client’s daily lives with advice and great deals.

Even with this whirlwind of social marketing, however, I will never stop encouraging travel partners to pick up the phone. There’s no better, faster way to get to the heart of your client’s needs. And if you think the phone call has become a rarity today, then imagine the lasting impact of a handwritten note as a follow-up to your client’s vacation. These gestures are certainly not the latest way to communicate with clients, but that’s what makes them all the more meaningful.

As the world keeps spinning into more connectivity, bigger business and faster everything, it seems customer service has only become more impersonal: Tap an app, press 1 to hear more options or send an email and we’ll get back to you.

At the same time, we have seen an interesting development. Now, when we actually do get to interact with a human rather than a machine, we expect more of them. In recent years, the expectation for customer-centric service has only grown as more consumers share reviews and opinions online. This is to your advantage, since the best travel advisors have long excelled at providing amazing personal service. Be sure to get the credit for it. Never hesitate to kindly ask your clients to refer you to friends, whether through a social posting to their followers or a testimonial to share on your website.

In that same light, Royal Caribbean International has had to continually adapt and exceed new expectations from vacationers. We pioneered the concept of cruising in the Caribbean nearly 50 years ago and have continued to innovate year after year since. In the past 10 years alone, however, the industry has changed more than in all the previous decades combined. This rapid transformation has resulted in ships that are just as captivating as the destinations they visit. These days, our travel partners have a vast, unparalleled array of onboard experiences from which they can craft a Royal Caribbean vacation.

Like the Oasis Class before it, we’ll soon herald a new generation of game-changing ships with the introduction of the Quantum Class. Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas not only bring new advances in the cruising experience, they have incredible features not found anywhere. There’s dazzling entertainment that uses innovative new technologies like advanced robotics and visual shows that put a planetarium to shame. Quantum gives your clients the chance to “sky dive” at sea, soar 300 feet in the air on the North Star and share it all with loved ones using high-speed Internet with a bandwidth that exceeds all other cruise ships combined.

Even though so much has evolved over the past 10 years, one thing is still the same: Royal Caribbean’s commitment to travel advisors is as strong as ever. No matter what changes come our way in the years ahead, we will always count on your invaluable expertise. As we bring more WOWs to the world, it’s you who continue to shape a more rewarding and valuable vacation. Thank you for all you do to support Royal Caribbean International.