We speak to Lucy See from See Cruises & Tours about their daily routines and their never-to-be-forgotten moments in the cruise industry…

My alarm goes off at…
I have an internal alarm that wakes me about 7.30am because I usually go to bed about 1am. If I don’t have an urgent matter on my to-do list, or if I don’t plan to go to an evening Zumba class, I head to the gym.

A typical day involves…
Having checked my emails at the gym, I attack the most challenging items first. Because I specialise in group cruises, that might be a phone call advising of a price increase of a cruise, or starting research on a destination quote of which I’m clueless. Often I find that research time is more effective if I seek out my subject-expert fellow agents for their recommendations, which usually means going with a particular tour operator. Working from home gives me flexibility to go to a training or vendor presentation in the middle of the day, and working with large groups has given me the confidence to undertake a full river cruise charter in Portugal in 2019.

I got my job…
My career started at Eastern Airlines, which helped develop my sales techniques and customer service skills. Looking at everything with a ‘half full’ rather than ‘half empty’ attitude helped me survive Eastern’s demise and I went on to spend 20 years teaching in high school. Continuing to travel gave me the platform to start selling to groups and the impetus to prepare for another phase of my life as a full-time travel agent. This began with a travel agency host company which has provided me with the tools and support that continue to help guide me in my vision – that of making memories.

At lunchtime…
While waiting for responses from tour operators or clients, I fit in the necessities of life. This might entail going to the bank or grocery store. I will always make time to fix lunch for my husband who also has a home office. Fortunately, neither of us has a set time, but lunch has to be incorporated into the afternoon.

The most stressful part is…
I don’t really feel stressed, just a little anxious when people quote a price they found on the internet. I know in my head that I cannot compete with some of those prices, but it bothers me a little that I haven’t convinced them of the value of using a travel agent.

I love it when…
I see my groups enjoying themselves and their pictures on Facebook. I love traveling with my family and introducing my two young grandkids to a new destination and a different culture or way of life. And it is so gratifying when I am able to match clients with a holiday they didn’t think they could afford.