When deciding how to use her five-year Trip of a Lifetime benefit, HCP Engagement Lead Annie White knew she wanted to plan something her whole family would enjoy.
She considered a trip to the mountains, maybe to a national park. Camping sounded like fun—making s’mores, hiking, horseback riding. She thought her sons, ages four and seven, might enjoy experiencing things they don’t often get to see living in Florida.
Despite the appeal of a quiet, nature-filled getaway, Annie kept coming back to her sons’ real interests at the moment—superheroes.
“They’re not especially interested in theme parks,” Annie said, “so going to Disney wasn’t really something I considered. But when I saw Disney had a Marvel-themed cruise, I was sold.”
With some planning assistance from one of her friends who is a travel agent, Annie purchased the cruise in March of 2022, a full year before they were scheduled to set sail.
“I wanted to surprise, not just the boys with the trip,” she said, “but my husband, Jon, too.”
Over the course of the next nine months, Annie collected Marvel-branded gifts to tuck into everyone’s Christmas stockings. She bought matching T-shirts and ordered customized boarding passes from Etsy for Jon and the boys to unwrap on Christmas morning.
And then they began the countdown until it was time to board the Disney Dream, one of five ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet.
While onboard, Annie and her family got to meet Spider-Man, Iron Man, Groot and a handful of other characters that her boys love. Their trip also included a stop in Castaway Cay, a private, Disney-run island in the Bahamas, where they spent the day enjoying waterslides, gorgeous beaches and crystal-clear water.
With a port of call in Grand Cayman, they visited the Cayman Turtle Centre, a 23-acre conservation facility, where Annie and her family snorkeled with sea turtles.
“It was amazing seeing the turtles up close and being able to spend time exploring their environment,” she said.
Between the variety of dining options on the ship, five pools, multiple kids’ clubs, a mini-golf course, fireworks and a private balcony off of their room, Annie and her family had plenty to keep them entertained while at sea.
“Arthrex has afforded me and my family numerous opportunities to create memories both locally and abroad,” Annie said. “I am extremely thankful to be a part of the Arthrex family and continue to be Arthrex Proud each and every day!”
Annie’s plans for her next Trip of a Lifetime look a little different than their superhero-studded Caribbean cruise.
“Our next Trip of a Lifetime will be out West,” Annie said. “Maybe a dude ranch in Montana or Wyoming.”
For every five years of employment with Arthrex, employees are eligible for a company-paid Trip of a Lifetime to recognize their dedication. Look for more Trip of a Lifetime highlights on the Arthrex Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages.