8 Questions With… Danielle Manegio, Northeast Sales Manager at Virgin Voyages

Earlier this year, the president of CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association) talked about a “generational shift” in cruising. The average age of a cruiser has dropped to 46 years old, with more new-to-cruising and younger travelers hopping on board. A travel brand that is synonymous with “young” and “cool” is Virgin. Spanning many industries including music, airlines, space travel, and hotels, it was only a matter of time before Sir Richard started making waves in the luxury cruise segment. To dive deeper into what sets Virgin Voyages apart and how they’re appealing to the next generation of cruisers, we caught up with Danielle Manegio, Northeast Sales Manager at VV and our trusted partner.

CIRE:  Hi Danielle, we are so glad to have you aboard! It’s always exciting to hear directly from our trusted partners who help make it all happen for our valued clients. Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role at Virgin Voyages?

DANIELLE: Ahoy! My name is Danielle Manegio, and I am the Northeast Sales Manager at Virgin Voyages located in Darien, CT. My role is to support and help any travel professionals or First Mates, as we call them at Virgin Voyages, who reside in CT, NY, MA, RI, VT, ME & NH Make Ship Happen.

CIRE: Of course, we’ve heard of Darien but haven’t had the chance to visit yet. Tell us more…  Is it your hometown? Why should we add it to our travel wish list?

DANIELLE: I am temporarily residing in my hometown of Darien, CT! I’m lucky enough to be living with my mother who is in her 80’s. I am so grateful to still have her in my life. Darien is a beautiful town on the coast of Connecticut located on the Long Island Sound. There are many beautiful beaches, parks, as well as great restaurants and shopping, not to mention its proximity to NYC.

CIRE: Darien seems like a fantastic place to call home.  Beaching, shopping, and great eating options? You’ve certainly convinced us! What drew you into the travel world? Was there a moment that made you go, “This is it for me”?

DANIELLE: I was working in Human Resources at Virgin Atlantic and completely fell in love with the brand. I felt a calling to change my career path and move to the Sales Team. Doing so ignited a passion for being part of driving the business as well as sharing my passion for the Virgin brand. After working at Virgin Atlantic for almost 10 years, I knew the travel industry was my new home. 

CIRE: How amazing that your passion for the Virgin brand led you to this role. Virgin Voyages is known for being unique in the world of cruise lines. What makes it stand out from the others?

DANIELLE: Virgin Voyages sets itself apart from other cruise lines first and foremost by offering an exclusively adult experience. Meaning, you can bring your inner child on board and set them free. Our ships feature modern amenities, exceptional dining experiences with no buffets or main dining rooms, and pricing that includes all of the food at our 20+ eateries, gratuities, and Wi-Fi, which we believe is a basic human right! Additionally, Virgin Voyages emphasizes wellness and fitness with extensive facilities and programming throughout the day that you do not have to pay extra for. So it’s really all about choices when you are sailing on one of our ships. If you want to indulge and lean into the party and nightlife atmosphere, we do have that. But, if you want to detox and focus on wellness, we have options for you as well. I also want to make sure I mention our crew. The Virgin brand is known for its elevated level of service, so our crew strives to make every sailor’s experience second to none. 

CIRE: Virgin Voyages really does have something for everyone! Having bespoke vacation experiences is very important to our luxury travel clients. What’s been the most rewarding part of working for Virgin Voyages?

DANIELLE: I would say that it’s the people that I work with. I am continually inspired and deeply grateful for the remarkable individuals that are on my team. Virgin Voyages has created such a unique and special culture where you are celebrated for being your authentic self. 

CIRE: It’s wonderful to hear about the supportive culture at Virgin Voyages. What’s one thing most people might not know about Virgin Voyages or be surprised by?

DANIELLE: Virgin Voyages’ purpose is not only to change business for good, but also to change the world for the better. One thing that I don’t think people are fully aware of is how important sustainability is for us at Virgin Voyages. Here are some examples of our onboard policies that are focused on sustainability:

• We’re pioneering innovative technologies that transform heat from the ship’s engines into clean energy and purify wastewater so that it’s even clean enough to drink.
• Tinted windows, LED lighting, and room sensors are just a few of the design choices that help our ship to use less energy and minimize our carbon footprint.
• Unnecessary single use plastics, including straws, water bottles, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers, and takeaway cups are banned from the sailor experience.
• We have eliminated the buffet as this does create a lot of food waste and we also serve sustainable seafood and direct trade coffee.

CIRE: That’s impressive and definitely shows a strong commitment to sustainability. It’s great to hear how Virgin Voyages is making a positive impact. Shifting gears a bit, let’s talk travel! Where’s your top vacation spot and why does it top your list?

DANIELLE: I’m going to sound like the biggest Virgin cheerleader, but I don’t care… Ulusaba in South Africa was the most amazing trip I’ve ever taken. Ulusaba is Sir Richard Branson’s private game reserve located in the Sabi Sand Reserve. This truly was a bucket list travel experience that I will never forget. 

CIRE: That sounds like an epic vacation! South Africa and safari must have been a blast. Before we wrap up, do you have any go-to travel tips or must-have items that help you make the most out of a trip?

DANIELLE: I never travel without my Bose speaker. Music is an essential part of my life! 

CIRE: We agree! The right soundtrack can make all the difference on a trip. Thank you, Danielle, for the insights into your role, the distinctive features of Virgin Voyages, and your personal travel experiences. We look forward to seeing how Virgin Voyages continues to set new standards in the cruising world!

CIRE Travel is a full-service travel agency headquartered in New York, NY.  Our expert corporate travel planners, honeymoon travel agents, and luxury travel planners support clients across the country and around the world.