From Boudicca to Butlins….

Hello everyone,

As a Cruise company our annual Christmas Conference is normally held on board a cruise ship, however due to a few logistical difficulties with dates and short itineraries this year we did something completely different.

A 60’s Music Weekend at Butlins in Skegness… now although the site was hosting the 60’s music festival owing to the excellent arrangements from our Head Office team we did have a private function room each evening where we had our own party with Disco & Karaoke and besides the 1 night of 60’s fancy dress we were very much at a normal party weekend.  The conference centre provided was fantastic as were all of the meals included for us and the Gold Apartments really were beautifully decked out and even had a balcony and the customary towel animal that we are used to in our cruise cabin!!.. Not sure if someone told the staff who we were and to provide this but a lovely touch and although temperatures were bordering that of the Baltic it really was a great fun weekend and we all felt the warmth within the company.  The management and directors of Cruise.co.uk are also very much part of the atmosphere and along with all the directors dressing as Elvis and our Sales Managers as the International Rescue squad from Thunderbirds and everyone joined in the Karaoke.

Me; Our sales managers “International Rescue “Team & our sales support team – Cruella and her dalmatians !!..

The weekend is not just for eating, drinking & dancing/singing it is a great chance for all of us sales consultants to meet up – as many of us work from home – there were some consultants that i have never met before and others that i have met only at training or on educational visits so it was lovely to catch up with friends old and new.  The other joy of the conference being UK land based made it easier for some people who would not normally be able to go away for 3 nights to come for 1 or 2 nights and this also helped with a lot of other Cruise Line sponsors attending and doing presentations to us.  The criteria for presenting at our conference was you have 45 minutes and it also needs to be entertaining…. which all of them managed very well.  We learnt about new promotions, ship launches and on sale dates for 2019 cruises from the suppliers which included MSC, Celebrity, Princess and P&O as well as having presentations from our Head office teams with regards to new system improvements and our overall performance.

I must admit that along with several other people in the company when I first heard the venue I was a little bit upset that we were not sailing for our conference but my opinion is now that we had a GREAT weekend, with FANTASTIC company and you put the right people all in a room together – on land or at sea – and it is all about the COMPANY and what you make it.  I am so proud to be part of this amazing company and roll on 2018 and next years conference wherever it may be.

Me (front right) with my team “The Ninja Warriors”

For now all that remains is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Frankie xx