Butlins, snow and an epic journey across the UK… all in the name of work

I have just returned from our annual Christmas work conference and I have to say it was eventful from start to finish.

As you may know, (if you read my blogs) we had a change of plans this year and instead of having 3 nights on a cruise, our annual conference was to be held at Butlins, Skegness during a 60’s weekend. The logistics of getting to Skegness from Malaga wasn’t that simple and certainly not made easy when Monarch collapsed, the airline we were booked to travel with.

As flights are limited to certain UK regional airports at this time of year, both Gina and myself had a mission on our hands to get to conference. We set off Thursday afternoon with the delightful (yes I am being sarcastic) Ryanair from Malaga to Birmingham. We then travelled to Redditch where we spent the night before meeting our fellow colleagues at the head office to travel to Skegness by coach. After a delay and arriving at the hotel gone 10pm, it was a quick drink at the bar and off to bed for our early departure at 7:30am.

We woke the next morning not just to the freezing temperatures but also to this white stuff that was falling from the sky and settling fast on the ground. By the time we walked from the hotel to the coach I looked like a snowman. I honestly can say it has been a very long time since I have seen snow like this and although pretty, I was cold.

We finally reached our destination of Skegness just after mid day and it was straight to lunch before conference kicked off at 1pm.

Over the next few days we had presentations from not just our own company departments with news of what to expect in 2018, but also from our cruise trade partners. We had presentations from MSC, Princess, Celebrity, P&O, Fred Olsen. APT, Regent Seven Seas and Royal Caribbean. With exciting news for new ships, refurbishment programmes, up and coming itineraries and new cruise offers and deals… so keep an eye out on my Facebook page for many of these exciting announcements to come. Click here for my Face Book Link

It wasn’t just about work, we also had time to socialise with our colleagues, bosses and the cruise lines over the weekend. First up was our 60’s themed private party. There was some great fancy dress costumes and it was night of fun with karaoke and dancing.. oh and not forgetting a drink or two..

Gina and I ready to party 60’s style

Monday after breakfast it was time to head home. Gina and I had the epic journey of getting to Manchester for our flight home. Unfortunately there was nothing from any regional airport close to Skegness for a few days so this was our only option. Originally we was booked to come back with Monarch, but again it was up to Ryanair to fulfill the gap left by their collapse.

We left Skegness at 8:30am on the coach back to Redditch, but our driver was kind and dropped us at Birmingham airport. Some of my colleagues were flying back to Belfast that same evening, whilst we then had to get two trains to Manchester Airport. We finally reached our hotel just after 3pm and stayed put for the rest of the night! It was then a 4:30am start for us in minus 5 degrees on Tuesday morning. We finally arrived back home and was sitting in the sun and the warm 18 degrees by midday with a nice cup of tea.

Butlins was great, they provided fantastic facilities, service and food. It was a laugh from start to finish and although the journey was not ideal, I would do it again to spend a fantastic weekend with my cruise.co family.

I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and hope you have a fantastic time with all your loved ones.. until next time.

Dawn

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