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This month we are profiling our 3.5 year TCW veteran, John Tarantino. John is being profiled this month because this is the first time ever that one of his New Year's resolutions will come true: to be the healthiest person he has ever been by May, 2010. What prompted this change? This resolution started when he was diagnosed with diabetes earlier this year. His doctor told him that diet and exercise alone would be enough to keep him off of the medications and shots that come along with being diabetic. This was both the worst and the best news that John had ever gotten, "Worst in that I had a debilitating disease, the best in that it made me change the way I live."

Once diagnosed, John started his New Year's Resolution early by dropping 37 pounds in five months. He did this simply by watching everything he eats and exercising regularly. And what about cruising? Well, two weeks after being diagnosed with diabetes, John went on a 7 day cruise with his family. He came back from his cruise two pounds lighter than when he left. This prompted John to write this month's blog.

Now that John has been educated on healthful eating and living, it's easy for him to make the right choices. And he is extending that knowledge to his family, friends and co-workers. "These are people that I care about, and I don't want to see them get hurt. I want to teach them how to eat and exercise and live a healthy life" explains John. "In my 2010 resolution, I resolved to get into a pair of Jeans I have saved since high school...Be glad I did not save that pair of 'Back to the Future' Speedos!"

This month's employee profile is Dana Koller, Senior Cruise Consultant. Dana has been with the Cruise Web for four years. In that time Dana has been on over 15 ships and 12 countries. One of Dana's favorite aspects of cruising is the opportunity to shop all over the world and finding local treasures.

In Venice, it was the oversized, glass rings. In Florence, it was the leather hand bags from the leather market. In Cannes, there were French soaps and hand woven baskets. And of course, "you can find anything in New York," Dana explained.

Dana's shopping adventures continue this weekend, as Dana will be attending the inaugural on Royal Caribbean's newest ship Oasis of the Seas, followed by a cruise to the Bahamas. "I'm looking forward to seeing Rhianna perform on the Oasis and visiting all of the onboard boutiques, especially the largest Coach store at sea."

This month's employee profile features our very own European, Karolina Shenton. Karolina is our Manager of Marketing and Sales Operations and comes to us from a little town between Warsaw and Cracow, Poland. Karolina came to the United States seven years ago after she completed her dual Masters in Marketing & Management, and International Economics.

Karolina is responsible for maintaining our website and managing our blog and newsletter. Whenever you see The Cruise Web brand, you can thank Karolina and your personal cruise consultant.

What does Karolina miss most about her homeland? "I miss my mom's pirogues and my dad's weekend Sudoku challenge." Is there anything you don't miss? "Yes," said Karolina, "I don't miss the 7 months of winter that you have to endure in central Europe. In fact they already have snow! They've gotten 20 centimeters."

Karolina still makes it back to Poland once a year and her family and friends come over to the United States whenever possible. Karolina can expect a larger flow of relatives and friends coming to visit in the near future, as she is 7 months pregnant and due in January!

This month's employee profile focuses on The Cruise Web's Assistant Manager of Client Services, Jaime Froehlich. Jaime came to us from Wilkes Barre, PA. Upon graduation from the University of Pittsburgh with her English Literature degree, Jaime got a job for a major travel website, before relocating to the DC area. When considering jobs in the DC area, Jaime wanted to find a position that combined her desire to work in the travel industry with her people skills. Thus she found a position at The Cruise Web.

Jaime helps manage our Client Service Department with the goal to provide our clients with the best service in the industry. Jaime's favorite part of the job is helping people who are excited about their cruise vacations. In her 5 years here at The Cruise Web, she's helped thousands of clients with their cruise questions and requests.

Since this is our Holiday newsletter, we had to ask Jaime about her favorite holiday. "I love Thanksgiving because of food and family (in that order)" quips Jaime. "My favorite Thanksgiving meal is my dad's 26 lb. turkey with his special stuffing."

Currently Jaime is looking forward to taking her honeymoon with her newly betrothed. She and her husband of one month will be spending their honeymoon backpacking through Western Europe. I guess someone forgot to tell her that we sell cruises...

Arthur Balin came to The Cruise Web because he wanted a job that complemented his interests of World travel and seeing different cultures. An avid soccer fan, Arthur has attended the Euro Cup, the World Cup and already has plans to cheer on his favorite team, Russia, in the South African World Cup.

In addition to traveling for soccer, Arthur has enjoyed several cruises throughout his four years working at The Cruise Web, including several luxury cruises. When he first started at the Cruise Web, he had heard that the luxury cruises were stuffy and reserved, but wanted to experience a luxury cruise for himself, so that he could better serve his clients. Well, Arthur and his wife had a wonderful time and found luxury cruising to be anything but stuffy and reserved.

Arthur makes his knowledge of the luxury product one of his top priorities. He takes it upon himself to experience as many of our cruise products as possible, in order to give his clients the best possible cruise recommendation. Today, Arthur prides himself on his knowledge of and experience with luxury cruising and looks forward to sharing his experiences with his clients and coworkers.

While before it was a business decision to cruise luxury, it is now a developed taste that cannot be ignored.

This months' employee profile is one of the biggest sports enthusiasts at the Cruise Web, Sales Manager, Michael Harris.

Michael came to the Cruise Web over 3 years ago, fresh out of Ithaca College. His decision for post college work was either to pursue his childhood dream of playing for the Dallas Cowboys or finding a job he loved. Since the Cowboys didn't need a 185 lb. free safety, his career at the Cruise Web was born.

The good news for Michael is that he was able to find an outlet for his athletic interests at the Cruise Web. He played on the Cruise Web softball team as an outfielder, our shortstop and our pitcher...sometimes all at the same time. Michael also celebrates his love of sports on all of the cruises that he goes on.

On the Solstice, Michael excelled at bocce ball. On the Fascination he was deemed the Tiger Woods of the ship's mini-golf course. He saved his best athletic performance, however, for his honeymoon. He completed the cruise ship triathlon; he medaled in shuffleboard, he rang the bell at the top of the Royal Caribbean rock wall and he led his Dodgeball team to the Championship.

"Dodgeball was by far the best time I've ever had on a cruise ship. And I was on my honeymoon!" said Michael. It should also be noted that Michael's wife of only a few days also participated in the Dodgeball tournament. However, she was on the opposing team. "It went great. I knew she was gunning for me, so I made sure she was the first one that I knocked out of the game," Michael explained in all seriousness.

So, the next time you are on a cruise and you want to participate in the ship's many sporting events, please look out for Michael. He takes his vacationing as serious as his sports.

This month's employee profile focuses on one of the Cruise Web's biggest personalities, Rosalind Smith! When you first meet her, you almost get the sense that she has missed her calling and should be on a stage somewhere in Vegas or Broadway. However, once you start talking to her about travel and cruising and experience her boisterous spirit and captivating personality, you realize why she belongs in the cruise industry.

Rosalind brings this enthusiasm and passion to her position, taking care of our big business, which, in the cruise industry means private ship charters, corporate incentives, meetings, and special events at sea. "We could not have designed a position to fit any better, well maybe if I resided on a cruise ship! I am in a 'feel good' business and enjoy providing an unforgettable experience. I get to play a part in companies and organizations celebrating, rewarding and/or recognizing the people that make it happen" said Rosalind, who sends her clients around the world, regardless if it is a retreat for 12 board members, an incentive for 35 employees, a meeting of 150 associates and their guests or a private full ship charter for up to 5,000 people.

Does Rosalind steer her clients towards her own favorite locales? "The world is my favorite itinerary. Really, I couldn't possibly select just one itinerary or port of call. That's like asking me 'what is your favorite wine'? It all depends on the mood, the purpose and what you hope to gain from the experience. Perhaps a port of the week for every itinerary?" (she laughs), "They are all so uniquely different that it depends on the specific purpose of the journey!"

This month's employee profile features the Cruise Web's very own "Procrastinator Buster", Brandon Biss.

Brandon's success can be attributed to both internal and external factors. Internally, Brandon is goal oriented and enjoys challenges. "It feels like I have never worked once in the past six years. Every day is a new challenge, and I get to spend my time coming up with ways to overcome those challenges."

Externally, Brandon enjoys the diversity of selling cruises. "I never feel stagnant here because I'm constantly talking to different people about their individual plans. It helps to keep things fresh."

But what about the procrastinators? "It's about understanding if this vacation is what they really want. If it's the right ship and the right destination, then what are we waiting for? Let's book it so you can start planning for your great vacation."

So procrastinators beware, if you get Brandon on the phone, you'll probably find yourself sailing on the perfect cruise in no time.

In this month's profile, we are focusing on the Cruise Web's own family connection, Cruise Consultant Sherry Jefferson and her son, Client Service Representative Craig Jefferson.

Sherry started working here as a cruise consultant in November of 2005. Sherry loves this job because of the relationships that she builds with all of her clients. This is one of the few sales jobs she's encountered where the client's long term satisfaction and needs are the number one priority.

Craig joined his mom and the Cruise Web family in December of 2006. Since then, Craig has excelled in our Client Service department. As a travel enthusiast, his favorite part of working at the Cruise Web is talking with our clients about their cruise plans.

When asked about the perks of working with family, Sherry and Craig had this to say:
"I get to see my son at least once a day, so just being able to say 'hello' and 'good-bye' every day is wonderful"
"I love the lunches my mom brings me everyday. She takes good care of me."
It's easy to see why The Cruise Web's two working family members love working together and with our clients. And make sure the next time you talk to Craig or Sherry you ask what was for lunch that day.

This month's profile is one of our most tenured employees. A native Long Islander, Linda Iseli came to the Cruise Web in December of 2001 from a small NASDAQ brokerage firm. While she didn't have a sales background, she did have a passion for cruising. And that passion has helped Linda become a huge part of the Cruise Web's success, finishing in the Top 5 of all consultants for the past 5 years running.

Linda has been on over 30 cruises, and while it's difficult to pin down her favorite, two definitely stand out. "My favorite cruise for the destination is Tahiti on the Paul Gauguin. My favorite cruise experience would be the Transatlantic crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2. I love the classic cruising and I love the sea days."

It's Linda's mixture of passion and expertise for the cruise industry that makes her such a great member of the Cruise Web family.

Each month we will introduce you to a different employee at The Cruise Web.

You'll meet people from our consulting staff, management, quality control, accounting, operations, marketing - each individual who is dedicated to making sure your cruise and experience with us is a memorable one.

We are sports fans, travelers, mothers, fathers, husbands and wives. We love our pets, literature, poetry, music and dance. We love what we do and we can't wait to introduce ourselves to you!

Check next month for a new employee profile!

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