Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia (Jacksonville)

Chapter Updates

  • April 2024 Luncheon in Jacksonville to Feature a Presentation About Cruising Around the World

    The Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia TCC Chapter will meet on Monday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m. at the Seasons 52 restaurant in Jacksonville. At this venue we will enjoy having a private dining/meeting room with dedicated audio/visual equipment. The restaurant features a rotating menu of seasonal American dishes alongside international wines in an upscale setting. It is conveniently located in the St. Johns Town Center area just a few minutes off I-295; 5096 Big Island Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32246; 904-645-5252. This location is easily accessible to TCC members on the Florida/Georgia I-95 corridor as well as central Florida locations such as Gainesville, The Villages and Orlando. I hope you can join us for this meeting!

    Patrick and Shari Sanders will be our featured speakers for this meeting, and both have traveled extensively in their respective careers. Pat began his career as an oceanographer and soon became founder and CEO of Hypack, Inc., a software company specializing in mapping and searching the ocean floor. His travels around the world to over 120 countries were mostly work-driven and often included giving seminars in remote, seldom-visited nations, and joint projects with the naval branch of foreign nations. That is a round-about way of saying that he never went on a proper cruise ship until he met Shari. He considers himself a cruise “rookie” with just eight passenger cruises under his belt.

    Shari worked extensively in the travel industry as a district sales manager for Carnival (selling that brand plus Holland America, Seabourn and Windstar), a regional sales director for Orient Lines, and Vice President of Leviathan Meetings at Sea before starting her own company, Destination CSI, (Concerts, Seminars & Incentives), specializing in groups to the Caribbean. She has lived overseas in Greece, Sweden and Norway, has been to over 136 countries and onboard 108 cruises.

    Last year, Patrick and Shari sailed around the world with Holland America Line — a 128-day adventure departing from and returning back to Fort Lauderdale. And just this past November, they flew from Miami to Dubai, sailed on Silversea nine nights to Mumbai, then flew to Singapore where they sailed on Holland America 28 nights to Hong Kong, then flew back to the states with stops in Taipei and San Francisco before returning to their home in Florida. Twice around the world in just over a year! Clearly there is a lot to talk about.

    Pat and Shari will primarily speak about their world cruise and provide insights on how to get the most from your port visits, sea days, and “jumping off the boat” for independent overnight stays. Join them for a humorous and entertaining recap on what it’s like to go around the world in 128 days. I think their presentation will be very interesting for everyone!

    As always, members will also be able to share their latest and upcoming travel experiences with fellow travel enthusiasts while enjoying a light lunch. Dress is casual, and everyone will be responsible for their own check. Please RSVP to chapter coordinator Susan Rosenberry (crus.sun@gmail.com) about your attendance as soon as possible, but no later than April 19 so that we can have enough seating. Whether you live in the Northeast/Central Florida or Southern Georgia area or in another part of Florida you are welcome to join our luncheon meeting. We look forward to sharing “around the table, around the world.” Suggestions for special topics, guest speakers, presentations and possible venues for future meetings are also encouraged.

    Susan Rosenberry
    Northeast Florida Chapter Coordinator


Travelers' Century Club