You should start a cruise group!

Since the financial meltdown of late 2008, the economy has been pretty tough on middle class people.

Sure, the stock market has soared, but the working classs has been decimated.



Lots of people have simply dropped out of the work force, many taking unplanned early retirements.

College graduates find themselves baristas at Starbucks or, far worse, playing video games in their parents' homes rather than establishing careers in their chosen fields.

Many nascent small businesses have become barely natant, whether because of weak demand from struggling middle class or competition from ever-evolving technology.

And yet, cruises continue to sell out, with recent strong demand for added amenities outpacing discounted price.  Those who do still have the means to travel want to do so in greater style.  I'm sure many of these folks are among your friends and family.

Wouldn't you like to travel with them?

If only you could figure out how to supplement your travel budget.

Hey, kids, let's put on a show!



When we were grade school children back in our blue collar Westminster neighborhood, my sister Darlene would regularly organize a variety revue featuring kids who lived nearby.

Without question, Darlene was the top box office attraction.

She had her award-winning cat, Blackie, who would do her sit-like-a-human act.

Darlene also took dance lessons, so she had some costumes from her recitals which she would use when she re-appeared from behind the drapes hanging from a garage ceiling beam.

Sometimes, she would add backup dancers or even sing a number.

A few years later when she tried out for choir, she didn't make it, which came as quite a shock to our family, since many kids gladly paid 10 cents for admission to our garage shows in the summer.



This was a variety show, so others performed, too.

Laurie from across the street might do a tightrope walk on a jumprope stretched across the concrete floor, without elevation.  It wasn't quite as impressive as a high wire, but the effort was appreciated by the crowd.

Donning white laboratory coats, my friend Jeff, who was a few years older and a foot taller than me, and I did our immitation of Clyde Crashcup and Leonardo.  Jeff put on a novely nose and mustache combo, even though the included glasses weren't strictly in keeping with the popular cartoon show, while I for the most part stood around watching his foolishness, occasionally whispering something inaudibly in the style of Leonardo.  I'm surprised Ed Sullivan never called.

Every show turned out to attract an overflow crowd, a precursor to the destination-cruise industry which emerged in 1966 by providing great entertainment at reasonable prices.

While we made money to spend on Helms Bakery Truck donuts and banana splits from the soft-ice cream truck, you can do the same for a cruise.

And you don't even need our talent or star-power.

All you need is a cruise that you want to take and on which you think your friends might want to join you.


I'll help you do the rest.

You probably won't earn enough for your cruise to be free, but it could be if you can get enough others to join your group.

Or we could devote amenity points and tour conductor credits to help a worthy cause or to enhance amenities or gifts for everyone in your group beginning with the first booking.  In fact, I'll send a CD copy of "On My Way" to them just for signing up.

If you happen to have some special talent, such as world-class photographer, Biblical scholar, ballroom dancer or Bridge-master, all the better.  Tempt your group by sharing your skills during the trip, and I'll arrange for onboard venues.  We can even set up themed shore excursions.

Worst case scenario, if no one decides to join you, you cancel your own trip before penalties start.

Or you can go and come back with stories to tempt others to join you next time.

It is a proven fact that if you get one successful group off the ground, you will find it much easier to form a bigger and better group in subsequent years.  It can be an annual event.  We call this being a Pied Piper.

And if you want to pursue this even further, we can put you through training in Florida to become an associate agent, but quite frankly you need to sell quite a few cruises year-after-year to make the training costs and ongoing expenses worthwhile.  It's certainly not as lucrative as being a barista at Starbucks, where you can get pretty good benefits and still be a Pied Piper on the side.

"Better service leads to better trips!"