Our First Dream Vacations National Conference on the Norwegian Encore

Our first National Conference with Dream Vacations didn’t disappoint! Set aboard the Norwegian Encore, this 7-day Caribbean adventure was an unforgettable blend of learning, laughter, and reconnecting. We sailed from Miami to Great Stirrup Cay and St. Thomas, meeting up with fellow travel agents we had bonded with on previous seminars at sea.

One of the highlights? A mix-up at the cabana on Great Stirrup Cay that led to an unforgettable encounter with Lucy, the not-so-friendly manager, but we worked it out in the end. We also took the gondola (Skyride) up to Paradise Point, where we enjoyed delicious drinks and food at Taste at Paradise Point, joined by our friends John and Paul.

But the real treat came when we ran into Orlando, the bartender we met on our Bermuda cruise. He remembered us — and even remembered Brea, even though she wasn’t with us this time! He and Will were our favorite bartenders on the Norwegian Joy. Orlando even called Will so we could say hi, making us feel like we were truly among friends.

This trip reinforced just how thankful we are to have added travel to our business portfolio by opening Olson Travel Group. The drinks, the atmosphere, and the amazing colleagues (who are now becoming even better friends) made this trip one for the books!

Cheers to amazing colleagues and unforgettable memories! 🌴🚢

Navigating Fun, Hurricanes, and Hollywood Beach

 

This adventure began aboard the Carnival Sunrise, where Cameron and I joined Kathleen and Brett for a 5-night cruise through the Eastern Caribbean. The vibe was upbeat, the ocean views were stunning, and the laughs flowed as easily as the tropical drinks. But little did we know, this trip would have an unexpected stormy twist.

As we cruised back toward Miami, we found ourselves following a hurricane. While the experience on the ship was still enjoyable, the chaos of the storm led to the cancellation of our next planned adventure: a cruise on the Margaritaville ship. With no cruise to board, we improvised and embraced a new plan—Hollywood Beach.

Kathleen, unfortunately feeling under the weather (we suspect COVID may have been the culprit), opted to rest at the hotel. Meanwhile, Brett, Cameron, and I set out to explore the iconic Broadwalk. The salty breeze, live music, and colorful charm of the area quickly turned our change of plans into an unexpected highlight.

We found ourselves swaying to an outdoor concert at Margaritaville, letting the tunes and beach vibes carry us into the evening. A few too many drinks? Perhaps. But as the laughter bubbled over, we knew this impromptu detour was exactly what we needed.

Life may throw hurricanes your way, but with a little flexibility—and a lot of fun—you can turn any twist into a treasured memory.