We have been working on a cross-training approach where we all manage different responsibilities allowing us to take any 15 people from the office on board to execute a cruise.  That makes it possible for us to keep a 12 person team in the office to service our guests while the rest of the team is out at sea.

In a culture built on an “All for One & One for All” attitude where we all used to load up and head to Tampa, Miami, Los Angeles, Galveston or Ft. Lauderdale and hang a “Gone Fishing” sign on the office doors, this was a tough proposition for some of us.  However, we all knew it was just a matter of time before we would have to “Divide & Conquer”.

So at the beginning of this season, we sat around and discussed who would stay home and who would go on each cruise.  Just one problem….everyone wanted to be there to see it all come together and witness the fruits of the company’s labor.  I let them know that we would all be sitting out on a few but I never thought about myself actually having to do it.

We decided Cayamo would be my practice run and that I would attend but have very few responsibilities.  For anyone who has been on our cruises, you could imagine how difficult that would be for me.  But I had to try so I invited my family and some friends to join me last week on Cayamo and I turned in my 2 way radio that I normally have glued to my hip and traded it for my swim trunks.

It was amazing.  I swam in every pool, ate dinner in the restaurants each night, took a couple shore excursions and saw a ton of music.  The Sixthman team did an amazing job of leading and executing Cayamo and I felt like they had given me the best gift they could give me.  Being able to enjoy one of our events like a guest and have a vacation with my family has made me so grateful and appreciative of the character and caliber of the people on our team.

So thank you Sixthman and know that I am very proud of you all for having the courage to play different roles as we move into the future even when it means leading us back in Atlanta.

Sure, I feel a little vulnerable and expendable like we all do at times but mostly I feel liberated and excited about the potential we know have to grow into the future while improving our ability to execute.

I realize that being able to be there was a gift and that there will come a time very soon where I stay at the office to support you all while you take our guests out to sea and I am ready.

Andy