Why do I do this?

It seems to be always the same when organizing SQL Cruises:  the first couple weeks are a flurry of action, stress, bureaucracy, stress, and stress… then the months of waiting… then bring back the stress, bureaucracy, and stress for the two weeks leading up to the cruise.  Add that this work is done in bursts over weekends, lunch hours, and late nights and I always question why I choose to keep doing it.  It’s not for the money – that is for sure.  It’s not for the fame – I’m training small groups of 15 or so at any given time on one of my SQL Cruises.

This is why.

It all becomes clear after the inevitable hassles with modern air travel including the TSA making it to second third base with my wife and me.  This moment when those that have taken the plunge to try something different when it comes to technical training – those whom were able to convince the purse-holders of the training and travel budgets that SQL Cruise is not the same as SQL Cruise – gather in one place to meet in person for the first time after months of shared emails.  I look around and see that I’ve been able to bring together two dozen strangers and convinced them that their lives will be different the next time they return to port; they will be more productive in the workplace and will be more rounded in their life taken as a whole.  It’s a wonderful feeling and it makes me immediately want to do it all over again… and again… and again.

Miami Beach, January 27, 2012

We gathered today to do it all again.  Thanks to the financial support of our sponsors: SQL Sentry, Brent Ozar PLF, Red Gate, Idera Software, and B-Side Consulting and the support of all those former SQL Cruisers and friends in the SQL Server Community I’ve been able to organize two more SQL Cruises in 2012 and they started today.  We met as we always do prior to the sail date of a SQL Cruise at a local venue to meet (many of us for the first time) with fellow Cruisers, and their friends and family for a relaxing meal, introductory conversation, and the requisite distribution of swag from sponsors and SQL Cruise.  This time around SQL Cruise 2011 Miami Cruiser Richard Zuech graciously offered his apartment to us for hosting the event.  Richard is going to be joining us for both 2012 cruises this year and it was great to catch up with him.  The food and drinks were great; the conversations pleasant and insightful; the view – spectactular!  It’s really shaping up to be another great week for SQL Cruise and it’s Cruisers.  We have a record this time around with an attendee as far away as South Africa joining us for SQL Cruise Caribbean 2012 thanks to winning Idera Software’s SQL Cruise contest this Fall.

Travel takes it’s toll on you the first day or so – another reason why we try to give the cruisers this bonus day of SQL Cruise prior to embarking.  It makes the first day on board so much more enjoyable when you’re not carrying the emotional and physical baggage that comes with a full day (or in the case of De Wet Erasmus joining us from South Africa 26 hours) of travel.  We capped off the night back at our hotel sharing some left-over key lime pie between my wife, Aaron Bertrand, and Missy (our delightful bartender.)

Join Us in Alaska

While it’s definitely too late to join us in Miami for our Caribbean 2012 training session it is certainly not too late to join us in Alaska.  If interested you can do so via our registration page.  Please be patient with us though.  Our staff is at sea this week so all registrations will be recorded and processed once we return to port in regards to the SQL portion of SQL Cruise Alaska.  Our personal cruise consultant at Norwegian Cruise Lines is aware of the number of open seats we have for SQL Cruise Alaska however so he can take care of your Cruise registration in the meantime.  Right now with lower deposit costs and free balcony upgrades I can’t think of a better time to commit to joining us on SQL Cruise Alaska 2012!