Alaska! Whales on their tails, brown bear families making us wait as they cross the trail, bald eagles, otters, mountain goats watching as we sail up steep granite lined fjords, glaciers, and forests extending forever.
Thailand! A year ago, we were in Thailand– The Peninsula Hotel, truly one of the finest in the world, the hustle of Bangkok, gold Buddhas, elephants, jungle, night markets, sand beaches, blue ocean bays with upside down islands and monkeys.
A short time ago one of our long time funeral sales counselors, DR Paul, came to my office to explain his sales performance during Founders Month- He was in the top 3. By way of explanation, DR has leukemia, but as a convention qualifier, had made the Mediterranean Cruise in 2015. At that time, DR told me that the Mediterranean would be his last convention as his energy, due to his leukemia, was rapidly declining. His treatment options were all used up. DR’s purpose for his visit was to explain that he had gathered all his energy to make one last push to make the Founders month top three as a way of saying “thank you” for the life he has had at Security National. “I have always been paid well for sales, regardless of where I have worked” he said, “being paid for sales is not unusual, but here at Security National not only have I been paid, but you showed me the world”.
Last September 9th I flew to Juneau, Alaska for a site inspection of the Royal Caribbean ship Explorer of the Seas and to trace the ship’s Alaska cruise route via sea plane. I was using a sea plane because I did not have time to actually take the cruise we were negotiating, but as is my practice I was unwilling to commit our Company to a trip and a ship that I had not seen personally- despite the favorable reputation. My site visit practice includes my going at the same time of year as will be our convention.
It was fabulous! Weather of course can be situational, but during my visit it was sunny- maybe high 60’s to low 70’s during the day, maybe 40’s at night. Shirt sleeves and a jacket. The ship itself is exceptional. I have been on a lot of cruises, including Alaska, and have seen and been on lots of ships, and so have some frame of reference for judgement and Explorer of the Seas is first class. It has a very high proportion of viewing areas, a desirable feature for Alaska Cruises since one of the prime activities is simply seeing where you are going, and the accoutrements are top notch.
Dining comes in three styles, there the main “set” dining room, I believe that “room” is actually three stories (essentially balconies with an open center area) where there is a set menu. At the main dining room we have negotiated that Security National will have its own area- meaning that we can sit at any table within that area. That area is definitely white linens and china. Individual tables can be reserved within the area if desired. Secondly, there are the buffets that are essentially always open and offer a more relaxed environment and thirdly there are the specialized restaurants. Now, in fairness, I thought the specialty restaurants were a little on the smallish side (translation- intimate I suppose), so if you have an interest in those you should make reservations early.
As far as activities, besides watching the Alaskan wilderness pass by, on the ship you can practice on a climbing wall, ice skate (where we can have our exclusive times), put put on miniature golf, surf on the wave rider, grab an exercise session in the gym, take a spa treatment, enjoy the evening in the 1000 seat theatre, or enjoy a burger at an outside restaurant. The ship actually has a five-story interior promenade where you can shop for various things from around the world, enjoy Italian ices, munch on a freshly prepared pastry, or sit and people watch. Up to you- but you should be able to find things to occupy the time!
My time only permitted that I visit the City of Juneau- which I thought was charming. First of all, I think the moniker “city” might be a bit of an exaggeration by most of your standards. Juneau is somewhat “artsy” (I do wish I had purchased a white quartz carved bear- but I will have a second chance this fall) and while nice, can be easily taken in a day. It is also, as one would expect as a cruise port, a little touristy. Now, the surrounding areas are a different story. Within about 5 miles of Juneau’s city center is the Mendenhall Glacier. You can take a car to the glacier’s visitors center and viewing area, take a helicopter or a sea plane to see it from the air (it is impressive), or take about a half day along with your helmet and ice axe (just kidding) and hike through some of its caves and crevasses. No maps- because it is a glacier those things change daily. Perhaps, like me, you will see a brown bear family as the mom took her three cubs for a stroll looking for berries. Transportation is easy with ship tours, rent a car, or a sea plane, take the tram, see more glaciers, go fishing, or take a little hike. And Juneau is just one stop on the voyage!
There are still four more months for qualification. It can be done! September 8th is the sailing date. I would love to have all of you there. See the world with Security National. Thanks for the work- and the results.
smq
