A funny new kind of “stress”

I have discovered a new nerve racking part of my world – sending customers on a trip and being worried the whole time they are on vacation, that they are having a great time. This week was extra stressful – I had 2 trips out at sea at the same time.  And when you are on a cruise – you are on cell phone restriction.  You are wonderfully cut off from your life on land for a few days.  

Working for the “bulk reservation” travel agency I used to, I was not allowed to have contact with customers whose trips I booked once we hung up.  I was unable to help them continue to get excited about the vacation I had just sold them, nor did I received any feedback upon their return.  I was an anonymous voice on the phone.  I have to be honest – I HATED it!  That is why I resigned and started my own travel agency.  I want contact!  I want to be there for those last minute questions and be there for the great stories upon your return!  Why help someone go to an amazing new destination for vacation or for a competition and not know how the story ends?  That makes no sense at all to me.  

So – I got my wish!  I got to help all the way to embarkation this week – and it was amazing!  Watching my customers – who happened to be my brother and sister-in-law – step foot into the Carnival cruise terminal in Port Canaveral with the widest eyes and biggest smiles…priceless!  That is what this is all about!

But then came this funny new stress…I hope they are having fun!  I hope they remembered to ask for multiple desserts!  Did I tell them the stairs on ships go up and down!  (yes – when I worked on board the Disney Cruise Line, I was asked that more than once by confused land loving passengers!)  It is the kind of stress that I can live with.  I love that I cared enough about my customers on 2 separate ships this week to be worried.  That means I truly found what I want to be when I grow up!  I am happy!

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