Harmony of the Seas - Day One

 So we boarded the ship, had our lunch, did our muster drill, and found our cabin. What next? Well, we have to register for conference. This is where we get our name tags, and swag and confirm we made it on board. Again some of you are concerned about traveling. I can say that 12 agents and suppliers did not get to join us at conference this year because they tested positive for covid before they even left Canada. Also any one not vaccinated mostly kids under 5 have to test at port before boarding the ship.

So when we register we get some swag. Which includes our bible for the week . Second picture. It has all of the speakers we will see and space to write our notes. We hear from supplier partners, The Travel Agent Next Door support staff and motivational speakers to help us take care of ourselves and our businesses. The first two days are a whirlwhind with things packed from morning to end of day. The days we are in port we still have a few hours in the morning before we head off to exoplore. Those name tags on the back have our schedule written so it is easy to follow and find.

After registration we have some free time to get ready for coctails and a later dinner at 7:45. My roommate and I decided to head to the solarium with some other agents and experience sail away. Not as crowded as the dance parties that are held by the pool. 

At the coctail party we got to meet our sponsors of the cruise that helped make it more affordable for us as travel agents to attend. Our National account manager for Royal Caribbean and Travelbrands another Travel Partner. Contrary to popular belief travel agents do not travel for free.I will not deny that over twenty years ago they did but much like anything else abuse of the system put an end to it. These trips conference and or familiarization trip are meant to learn about the products you are visiting. They are disocunted but not free and the hours are often long with not a  lot of free time. But they are very much worth it because it means I can share personal experiences with you about so many more places. 

Linda from Royal caribbean our National Account Manager

Bruce from Travelbrands our business development manager from out West

The members of our head office that came to support us. Not everyone can come and these people work tiredlessly to get this conefrence together for us every year. And while we do get some down time during the week they do not get any until everything is over. It is amazing how much they support us in the running of our own businesses and help make everything possible.

The cocktail party allows us to break the ice. Reconnect with old friends and meet with new ones. They had some amazing appetizers that sadly I got not one picture of. Roast beef wrapped aspargus, sushi rolls, mini sliders etc...

Colourful champagne. I did not try them not really a champagne fan

This is the lovely Jane one of our guest speakers wife and also the lady behind my fancy swag for my clients and myself. If you are local check out Two Sassy ladies on Facebook

This would be Chantal my travel agent friend who also works in the small town of Morrisburg. We each run our own business but manage to help each other out and support each other as needed.

After the cocktail party we headed to dinner in the main dinning room. We did have assigned seating as most people would who pick a a regular dining time. However some of us ate at speciality restaurants during the week so we would table hope and catch up with different people. What is amazing is that even when doing this the wait staff still would recognize us and remeber our orders. They do an absolutely amazing job. 

                                                                    waldorf salad

                                                                        prime rib

                                                                    chocolate dessert

Stay tunned for the day two

Where you can find me:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephaniethetravelagentnextdoor

Tik Tok: StephanieTTAND

Website: http://www.exclusivetoyoutravel.ca
Email: slough@exclusivetoyoutravel.com

TICO 50021282
55 York Street, Suite 1003
Toronto, On M5J 1R7
Office Phone 416-367-8264 ext 2625
Direct Phone 613-543-3006

Please keep in mind that while my head office is in Toronto. I am a home-based travel agent and I live in South Dundas I can service clients anywhere in Canada. But, I meet with clients in the SD&G area