CruiseWorld 2017
Day 1 - 11-15-17
Can you believe it? It’s finally here! The first day of Cruiseworld! Of course I wake up super early as I am really excited to see my fellow travel colleagues and see what I can learn from the educational seminars. Kim, my new bestie and travel guru, brings me coffee so that I can wake up and we are ready to rock and roll!
Kim and I head on over to the convention center to start the educational seminar with CLIA (Cruise Line International Association). Love these seminars as it helps me to not only get closer to my goal as an MCC (Master Cruise Counselor) but enables me to be a better advocate for my clients to get the most out of their cruise!
Now 1PM, it was time to head on over to the general session for lunch sponsored by Holland America Cruise Lines. This year was great as they had a very healthy choice for lunch. If you read the last Cruiseworld blog, they had served some fattening lunch, non-gluten free, and full of salt. Almost ready for a heart attack and stroke at the same time! This time it was great and delish!!!
As the general session usually lasts around 2 hours (because the vendors give presentations about their products), Kim and I took a break in-between so that we could really enjoy taking some memorable pictures together. This was a lot of fun as yes…. Travel Agents Rock!!
We headed back to the general session as the cruise line panel was about to start. This is a panel you don’t want to miss! The panel consists of all the CEO, President, and/or VP’s of all the major cruise lines who are asked questions and give answers to some common concerns and/or personal opinions of what makes each of their brands unique. Of course, Mary Sullivan and Joanne Ogg, who are the speakers for Travel Weekly, throws in some funny questions to make it more interesting and to make sure the travel agents don’t fall asleep or feel bored! LOL!
When that was over, it was time for my assigned sessions that (as a participant of Cruiseworld Star Program) I have to attend, but worth it! This session was called the Showcase.
The Showcase consisted of 5 round table conversations with 5 different (pre-selected for your business) vendors to discuss their products. At first, it was ok but one of the vendors (Avanti) did not show up, which to me was a waste of time and most of the products I am not going to sell. There is one that I really was interested in and could benefit from. I look at it this way. If I can benefit from at LEAST 1 vendor for my clients and/or 2, I did very well. Remember that these are just snip-it’s of an introduction to the product and not something you are pushed into selling unless you think it helps your business and/or your clients. I did find it ok, however, I was not thrilled with it. I believed that I could have a little more if I had a chance to pick the ones that I believed would be helpful.
Now that was over, it was time to head on back to the hotel. Kim and I relaxed a little and then got ready for the after party at the Quarterdeck with David Holman from Bridges & Holman Travel. Everything was a very short walk to get to and convenient. When we arrived there were some of my colleagues there but then later on, people started to trickle in. As always, great food and good service at the Quarterdeck along with the company.
But of course, you have to save the best for last! Our signature picture of David Holman's sock!
Fun times and learning new things every day to better my business is the key to this convention. So remember: The next time you decide to use a travel agent, you should feel confident knowing you are in good hands!
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