Ann Totaro
Midlothian,VA
Summary
Dynamic sales and marketing professional with a proven track record at Princess Cruises, excelling in customer engagement and travel itinerary development. Recognized for increasing sales through strategic partnerships and training initiatives. Detail-oriented and safety-oriented, I thrive in fast-paced environments, consistently delivering exceptional results and enhancing client satisfaction.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Tasting Room Associate
Cunningham Creek Winery & Brewery
08.2025 - Current
- Assisted customers in selecting wines and beers, providing product knowledge and recommendations.
- Contributed to positive online reviews by consistently delivering exceptional service to all tasting room visitors.
- Participated in staff meetings to discuss strategies for improving sales performance and enhancing overall guest satisfaction.
- Increased sales through upselling techniques and promoting wine club membership benefits to guests.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of tasting room, adhering to safety standards.
- Managed inventory of wines and merchandise, restocking items as needed for optimal availability.
Future Cruise Consultant & Loyalty Manager
Princess Cruises
05.2007 - 11.2024
- Senior member of the onboard Safety team with the responsibility of being the "In Charge" for the muster station, with the mandate to protect and save upwards of 434 guests in the event of an emergency at sea.
- Consistently exceeded monthly targets and adjusted increased monthly targets.
- Provided expert advice on cruise packages and destinations via live presentations, televised appearances, and one-on-one consultations, ensuring informed decision-making.
- Led team meetings to discuss performance metrics and strategize improvements in client engagement initiatives.
- Liaised effectively with various departments within the company, such as operations or finance, ensuring smooth coordination of all aspects related to client bookings.
- Addressed client concerns promptly and professionally, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated both international and domestic travel accommodations for customers, arranging for airfare, hotel, and transfer reservations.
- Recommended travel insurance plans to customers to reduce uncertainty and risk of financial loss.
Business Development Consultant
Girls, Gals & Guru's
06.2006 - 05.2007
- Developed strategic partnerships to enhance business growth and market reach.
- Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and emerging trends.
- Implemented targeted marketing campaigns to increase brand visibility and customer engagement.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions to empower clients with business strategies.
- Increased client base by identifying new business opportunities and developing strategic partnerships.
Director of Sales and Marketing
Results Thru Research
11.2005 - 05.2007
- Developed and implemented comprehensive sales strategies to enhance market presence.
- Oversaw budget allocation for marketing initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Spearheaded trade show participation to showcase products and services, generating valuable leads and networking opportunities.
Fleet Manager
Park West Gallery
04.2005 - 07.2005
- Managed fleet operations for the 19 ships with Royal Caribbean International by summarizing and maintaining daily and monthly budgets.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance logistics efficiency and improve delivery timelines of multimillion-dollar art collections to the vessels.
- Enhanced overall fleet safety through rigorous compliance with regulatory standards and implementation of best practices in risk management.
- Managed international staff of over 50 Art Directors, Art Associates, and Art Stewards.
- Prepared and presented monthly budget analysis reports for Royal Caribbean International business meetings.
Manager of Entertainment Programs
Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing
03.2004 - 04.2005
- Increased revenues by 40% in the first three months of employment.
- Booked the largest celebrity personality, Richard Hatch of Survivor, in company history.
- Increased revenues by 5% by increasing the salaries for the paid naturalist positions.
- Account Executive for Princess Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Discovery World Cruises, and Orient Lines.
- Managed and placed over 500 enrichment speakers on international cruise itineraries.
Manager, Public Relations & Promotions
Cruise Management International
11.2001 - 12.2003
- Worked in partnership with Park West Gallery/Fine Art Sales to manage the $10 million art auction program at sea.
- Responsible for all marketing and promotional materials for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruises, and Crystal Cruises, representing 42 ships in all cruise markets.
- Created successful promotions onboard the vessels, resulting in a 7% increase in attendance at the art auctions.
- Managed over 100 art auctioneers representing all ages and diverse cultural backgrounds.
Manager, Marketing & Promotions
Onboard Media
03.1998 - 11.2001
- Responsible for marketing global product lines of duty-free luxury goods to over 10 million cruise line passengers annually.
- Managed the International Client Program, representing $5 million in annual revenue.
- Developed and maintained marketing and promotions in the following cruise regions: Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii, representing over 1,000 clients.
- Managed port lecturer ship assignments for 65 consultants based on sales performance metrics.
Port Lecturer
Onboard Media
01.1996 - 03.1998
- Scripted, directed, and hosted live Port & Shopping Talks viewed by upwards of 100,000 passengers annually.
- Performed over 100 live talks and seminars annually to groups ranging in size from 25 to 900 passengers, covering the topics of duty-free luxury retail products in the world travel market.
- Account representative to over 700 clients in the Caribbean and Mexico, meeting up to 100 clients on a weekly basis.
- Consistently met and frequently exceeded individual client sales targets.
- Promoted product lines through live and video presentations, seminars, and personal consultations.
Shore Excursions Manager
Norwegian Cruise Line
11.1993 - 03.1995
- Managed and conducted site inspections to ensure safety protocols and risk management policies are being followed.
- Developed and implemented shore excursion programs to enhance guest experiences.
- Coordinated logistics for excursions, ensuring seamless operations and guest satisfaction.
- Met and exceeded weekly projected sales budgets, and set new revenue records.
- Increased tour capacity by 50%.
- Increased tour and staff ratings by 5%.
Social Hostess
Norwegian Cruise Line
08.1993 - 11.1993
- Master of Ceremonies for passenger shows and events.
- Organized and led theme nights for up to 2,300 passengers.
- Lectured groups of 40 on ships history and navigational equipment.
Youth Coordinator
Norwegian Cruise Line
05.1990 - 08.1993
- Developed engaging youth programs for ages 6-17, fostering creativity and teamwork among participants.
- Trained and evaluated seasonal Youth Coordinators.
- Collaborated with departments to synchronize youth events with overall cruise itineraries, optimizing guest experiences.
Public Relations Internship
NBA Basketbal, New Jersey Nets
09.1990 - 12.1990
- Assisted in project coordination with player-media relations.
- Attended off-site Community Affairs engagements with professional athletes.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to inform the media of game statistics.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Leisure Systems Studies
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina, NC05-1990
Skills
- Safety Oriented
- Positive customer engagement
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Sales strategies
- Risk management
- Training and development
- Honest and dependable
- Detail-oriented & Goal driven
- Engaging with diverse customers
Accomplishments
Winner of most volunteer hours at Cunningham Creek Winery & Brewery during 2025 harvest.
Winner of most volunteer hours with Lake Monticello Water Safety 2025.
Certification
Crises Management & Human Behavior
US Coast Guard Proficiency in Survival Craft
Virginia State Department of Water Resources
Dale Carnegie: Step Up to Leadership
P.A.D.I.
Timeline
Tasting Room Associate
Cunningham Creek Winery & Brewery
08.2025 - Current
Future Cruise Consultant & Loyalty Manager
Princess Cruises
05.2007 - 11.2024
Business Development Consultant
Girls, Gals & Guru's
06.2006 - 05.2007
Director of Sales and Marketing
Results Thru Research
11.2005 - 05.2007
Fleet Manager
Park West Gallery
04.2005 - 07.2005
Manager of Entertainment Programs
Sixth Star Entertainment & Marketing
03.2004 - 04.2005
Manager, Public Relations & Promotions
Cruise Management International
11.2001 - 12.2003
Manager, Marketing & Promotions
Onboard Media
03.1998 - 11.2001
Port Lecturer
Onboard Media
01.1996 - 03.1998
Shore Excursions Manager
Norwegian Cruise Line
11.1993 - 03.1995
Social Hostess
Norwegian Cruise Line
08.1993 - 11.1993
Public Relations Internship
NBA Basketbal, New Jersey Nets
09.1990 - 12.1990
Youth Coordinator
Norwegian Cruise Line
05.1990 - 08.1993
Bachelor of Science - Leisure Systems Studies
East Carolina University
Computer Literacy
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Mac PowerPointy
P.O.L.A.R.