Stephanie Bishop & Vanessa Lee
Avalon Vista's Godmother
Vanessa Lee
Stephanie Bishop with special guests Ensemble's Chris Lackstrom &
Vision 2000's Stephanie Anevich
The piano stylings of Pierre Lepage created a special atmosphere for the celebration
It’s an honour for anyone to be asked to be a Godmother. But being invited to be a Godmother to a sleek new ship – now that’s something really special.
So it’s not surprising that Canadian cruise legend Vanessa Lee is sporting one of the widest smiles in Canada these days. At an elegant reception for media and industry movers and shakers at Toronto’s Bistro 990, she was “unveiled” as the Godmother of Avalon Waterways’ Vista. Come next May, she’ll be smiling even wider as she sends a bottle of Champagne smashing onto the hull of the new vessel in Amsterdam.
“I am truly humbled by this honour,” she told the crowd, which included some of her many friends and fans in the business. “I am remarkably touched by the extraordinary privilege of being named Godmother to the beautiful Avalon Vista.”
In the build up to the reveal, Stephanie Bishop, Managing Director of the Globus family of brands – Avalon’s parent company – said, “When choosing our newest Godmother, we considered celebrities and VIPs, but realized that what we were really looking for was that special person who embodies passion for the industry and who has experience, expertise and vision,” she said. “And we couldn’t think of anyone in Canada who represents that more than Vanessa Lee.”
Past Avalon Godmothers have included an Australian TV personality, the President of Newsweek’s Budget Travel and Suzanne Hall of Ensemble Travel. The only other Canadian Avalon Godmother was opera superstar Measha Brueggergosman, who christened the Avalon Felicity 2 years ago.
The Vista will boast 178 Panorama Suites, each 200 sq. ft. in size and featuring floor-to-ceiling windows which open a full 7 feet. After its christening in Amsterdam it will cruise 3 itineraries including the 11 day Legendary Danube.
Vanessa is the owner and publisher of Cruise and Travel Lifestyles Magazine as well as President and CEO of Cruise Strategies Ltd. With 125 cruises under her belt, she is widely regarded as Canada’s leading proponent of the cruise industry.
And as the Champagne flutes clinked and the hugs abounded, she added another impressive line on her resumé: Godmother of the Avalon Vista. Congratulations Vanessa on achieving this impressive milestone in a wonderful career!
