Bonne Amie Travel's Certified Cruise Counsellor Returns from Seminar at Sea on the Celebrity Infinity with Regis Philbin

Aimee J. Ricca, CTA, ACC, DS embarked on the Celebrity Infinity on April 11 for a 7-night Seminar at Sea to the Eastern Caribbean. Ricca expected to spend the week learning about the ship and cruise line's newest enhancements from her Celebrity sales representative. However, there was also an added surprise: There was an actual celebrity aboard this Celebrity Cruise. Regis Philbin was onboard.

April 22, 2004 -- Aimee J. Ricca, CTA, ACC, DS, owner of Bonne Amie Travel and Dreamtime Journeys embarked on Celebrity Cruises' Infinity on April 11, 2004. This cruise was a 7-night Seminar at Sea to the Eastern Caribbean for agents in the Northeast. Ricca expected to spend the week learning about the ship and cruise line's newest enhancements from her Celebrity sales representative. However, there was also an added surprise: There was an actual celebrity aboard this Celebrity Cruise. Regis Philbin and his wife, Joy, were onboard.

Ricca first learned that the Philbins were guests on the cruise from her Celebrity Cruises sales representative at dinner on the first night. "We were dining in the S.S. United States, which is the speciality restaurant onboard. And it just came up in conversation," explained Ricca.

According to Ricca, the Philbins were traveling with their friends, Barry and Susan. Together the two couples dined at the second seating at a table for four. Ricca continues: "For most of the week, Regis and Joy, were just like every other passenger. They lounged by the pool, played golf in the Dominican Republic, tennis in Nassau, etc . . . I can now honestly say that Regis really is the character you see every week day morning on Live. He is not putting on an act for television: Regis really is Regis!"

On Friday afternoon, Rich Clesen, the cruise director, arranged a Question and Answer session with Philbin. Clesen hosted the session where Philbin spoke frankly about his life, career, and vacations.

Philbin started the session by saying, "Joy and I have traveled Celebrity for 9 or 10 years. We think it's the best cruise line." When he was asked how he felt about people on the cruise asking him for pictures, he replied: "We're all cruising together so I don't mind it at all."

When Philbin was asked about his success with his daily morning show, Live, he replied: "At 9:00 in the morning it's not easy to get an audience." He continued to explain that they have 25% of the audience share for that time slot. And, that for morning programming that is quite an accomplishment.

Philbin also explained that he wasn't the first choice for Who Wants to be a Millionaire: "I wasn't even on the list," he exclaimed. According to Philbin it was offered to Phil Donahue, Montel Williams and Maury Povich before Regis.

Philbin went on to tell the audience about his daughters: One is an editor for Redbook magazine. They other is a writer for the television series The OC. It was at this point that someone in the audience asked about Philbin's wife, Joy, who was gracious to join her husband on stage exclaiming: "I'm having a wonderful vacation with Regis on the ship."

On Monday morning, Philbin spoke about his cruise on Live. He told Kelly Ripa: "It was great. I love it. The name of the cruise line is Celebrity where everyone is a Celebrity!"

In addition to her experience with Philbin on the Infinity, Ricca also attended 10 hours of seminars on Celebrity's products. "Celebrity has added so many enhancements this past year, and they are continuing to do so," explains Ricca. "Even though I have sailed Celebrity in the past and been certified as Celebrity Cruises Consultant, I have learned many new things that will assist me in helping clients."

Ricca received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from William Paterson University of New Jersey. She has also been certified by a number of associations and tourist boards. Among her many certifications are: Certified Travel Associate, Accredited Cruise Counsellor, Caribbean Destination Specialist, ASTA Family Travel Specialist, Disney Specialist, Florida Specialist, Cayman Islands Specialist, Puerto Rico Travel Expert, Hawaii Destination Specialist, and Aruba Certified Expert.

Riccas highly regarded expertise has resulted in being featured by Cruise Trade magazine and quoted by various media outlets including: Travel Trade, Travel Weekly, New York Newsday, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Associated Press, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, and The Camden Herald. She is also the Cruise Expert for InetVacation.com, answering readers cruise questions. Additionally, Ricca is a member of the Travel Institute (formerly ICTA).

Bonne Amie Travel has been in business since 2001 and specializes in luxury vacations and cruises, serving clients nationwide. Bonne Amie Travel is a member of the Cruise Lines International Association, American Society of Travel Agents, Association of Retail Travel Agents, Platinum Luxury Society, Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel, Better Business Bureau, Rockland-Thomaston Area Chamber of Commerce, and designated as California Seller of Travel (CST 2064669-40). In 2003, Bonne Amie Travel acquired Dreamtime Journeys, an international transformational travel company.

For vacation consultations, call 207- 273-3158 or toll-free 1-866-302-0036. Bonne Amie Travel may also be contacted via its website: www.bonneamietravel.com.

Celebrity is the industrys highest rated premium cruise brand with a taste of luxury. The cruise line has nine ships in its fleet, which is the youngest of any major line. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal and South America.