The Juice - The Official Blog of Apple Vacations

Our Guest Bloggers



Nicole Allen
Associate Manager, E-Commerce Marketing

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Anything with a little umbrella in it. Most resorts have a “drink of the day.” Those are always my choice!

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Four…and more to come!

Where have you traveled?

The list is endless…too many places to name.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Capri, Italy

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

I could lay on a beach all day and be happy!

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

Lounging around. I have an action-packed life, so my vacation time is a time to relax.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

Lip gloss

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

4.5 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

In E-Commerce Marketing, I am solely responsible for trafficking all things “web”. I take care of all www.applevacations.com updates and campaign changes as well as banner and text link placements on other outside media sites. Most of my day consists of reporting and thinking of ways to improve website traffic. I love working at Apple Vacations because even after two and a half years of employment, no one day is exactly the same. Things are always changing!

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

I am a pretty active and social person. I love to hang out with my friends and family. I like to try my hand at a new recipe, drink tasty new wine, read a good book or put my green thumb to the test. I am always on the go and only truly relax when I am on vacation. Even though I love working at Apple Vacations, I live for the weekends - I always have something going on. I am a planner and my schedule is full for months!


Jay Battiste
Supervisor Group Sales

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Tequila Sunrise

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Over 20

Where have you traveled?

Cancun, Jamaica, Bahamas, Punta Cana, Bermuda

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Cancun / Riviera Maya

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

More of a Beach Person

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

More lounging around, and activities planned at my own pace.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

Lifetime supply of Matches or something to light fires in order to cook food!

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

11 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

I am responsible for supervising our Groups Sales Staff. I establish and maintain relationships with hoteliers for group contracting and negotiating purposes, and I create special group pricing. In my 11 years with Apple Vacations, I have been able to take my operational and product development knowledge and translate that into the new and improved Group Sales Department.

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

I keep myself super busy. My number one responsibility and love in life is spending time with my family, especially with my two beautiful and precious little girls. They are my everything, and wouldn’t be who I am in life without them. I also enjoy exercising, and playing whatever sport I can get involved in (Football, Basketball, Softball, and Golf). I love being involved with sports and I have my oldest daughter involved in many athletic programs. My life is all about being active!


Maggie Broadhurst
Reservations Sales Agent

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Strawberry Daiquiri

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Total of 4

Where have you traveled?

With Apple, I’ve traveled to Mexico and Punta Cana. I’ve also traveled to Park City, Utah for a ski trip last January, and I’ve also been to Boston and Florida for vacation with my family.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

I love Punta Cana, the beaches there are beautiful!

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

I’ve grown up with an in-ground pool, so definitely a beach person.

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

A little of both, I am an active person, I usually engage in any pool or beach activities, but some days I prefer to lounge around.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

My laptop.

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

2 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

I am a sales agent, I work in the reservations department.

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

School work, I am graduating from Neumann University next year, I am always working on something for one of my classes.


Sarah Flook
Product Manager Dominican Republic & Costa Rica

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Mojito

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Too many to count

Where have you traveled?

Europe, Asia, Caribbean.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Samana, Dominican Republic

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Beach

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

Either, depending on the location. Costa Rica is great for activities and exploring and Punta Cana with its spectacular beaches is perfect for lounging around

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

Sunblock & a good book

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

10 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?


Shauna Hyswick
Product Development Manager, Hawaii

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Lava Flow

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Not enough!

Where have you traveled?

Canada, Mexico, several states on mainland US

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

I’m already here in Hawaii, but I also love Canada - great skiing!

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Beach person, definitely.

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

A little bit of both, but I do like to lounge.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

If it is only one thing it would have to be a Kindle, I love reading.

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

About 19 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

I handle the contracting of hotels, tours, transfers & other product for Apple Vacations Hawaii program. I also oversee our Hawaii office that handles the customer service for all of Hawaii.

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

I am either out hiking, biking, swimming or sitting at the beach with a good book.


Liz Levine
Associate Creative Manager

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Mojito

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

I’ve been on 8 or more Apple Vacations.

Where have you traveled?

With Apple, I have traveled to Mexico and the Dominican Republic. I hope to visit Costa Rica at some point. I have traveled throughout the United States, Canada, London and Paris.

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

I am more a beach person.

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

I like a combination of both.

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

I’ve worked in this industry for 6.5 years.


Shanna Massad
Learning and Development Specialist

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Dirty Monkey (it’s grown up chocolate milk!)

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

7

Where have you traveled?

Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, La Romana, Jamaica

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

La Romana, D.R. - because I like to pretend I’m all posh. ha

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Yes, and thank you. If I absolutely HAD to pick one - Beach: touching the ocean is one of the best things in life.

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

Yes, and thank you. I want to canopy zipline, climb on ruins and then lay around and be waited on.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

Gerard Butler…. um… I mean… a bowie knife or something useful like that…yeah.. that’s it… (but really, Gerard Butler)

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

7 years of big fun! (aside from the odd hurricane)

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

Learning and Development Specialist. Which is a really high-falutin’ way of saying I teach people skill sets so they can do their jobs better and more efficiently. Oh, and I also spread sunshine everywhere I go. It’s in the job description.

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

I have three specialties:
1. Raising spectacular human beings
2. Making music with my acoustic band Crackerjack Gypsies (shameless plug) and
3. Acting in regional theatre.


Mike McGowan
Revenue Analyst

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Golden Margarita

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

8 and counting

Where have you traveled?

With Apple Vacations, I have only gone to Cancun and Riviera Maya.

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Riviera Maya. I enjoy the towns in Riviera Maya like Puerto Morelos and Playa Del Carmen.

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Without a doubt a pool person. I like long walks on the beach. But until they figure out how to get a beach bar to absorb waves, I will stick with the pool.

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

A good vacation is usually a solid mix of both. Naps are very important for the veteran vacationer like myself. It extends the nights a little longer! But I will never miss a good game of Pool Volleyball or Beach Soccer.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

My subscription to the Philadelphia Daily News

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

2 Years going strong

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

I am a Revenue Analyst


Eileen Monroe
Sr. Manager Customer Service

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Malibu Bay Breeze w/ Lime!

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

30 vacations

Where have you traveled?

Cancun, Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, St.Lucia, Antigua,

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Riviera Maya

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Beach

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

A little of both…. active morning/beaching it in the afternoon.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

My family

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

15½ years


Karen Spinelli
Media Supervisor

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Dirty Monkey (chocolate, banana and liquor blended together in a milkshake-like consistency is heavenly)

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

More than I could count

Where have you traveled?

Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Cozumel, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

Puerto Vallarta - love the blend of beach, city and mountains. And the food in town is fantastic.

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

Pool

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

Both. I enjoy some quality down time, but like to explore a destination and understand the people and culture.

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

A soft pillow

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

4

How long have you been with Apple Vacations?

4


Gina West
Senior Sales Manager, Northeast USA

What is your favorite tropical drink?

Mojito

How many Apple Vacations have you been on?

Dozens - I’ve lost count

Where have you traveled?

Throughout Mexico, the islands of the Caribbean, Hawaii and even Europe

Where is your favorite place to go on vacation?

La Romana in the Dominican Republic

Do you consider yourself a beach or pool person?

I’m a BEACH person!

Do you prefer an activity-packed vacation or lounging around?

A combination of both but mostly water related activities

If you were trapped alone on a deserted island, what is the one thing you would want with you?

Room service! Ha!

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

14 years

What do you do at Apple Vacations?

I’m the Senor Sales Manager for Northeast USA

What do you do when you’re not at Apple?

Play with my dogs and take photographs