Working hard at a cruisy job

Taupō travel consultant Melissa Duder.

Taupō travel consultant Melissa Duder couldn’t have picked a worse time to start her new career – just before a global pandemic – but it has all paid off with a major award in Sydney on the weekend.

Melissa flew over on Saturday to collect the Rising Star, New Zealand Award at the annual Cruise Lines International Awards.

It was something of a false start for Melissa, joining House of Travel Taupō in late 2019. A few months later the borders were closed, and she was made redundant.

Her passion for the industry never wavered and in April 2022, she was invited back to the Taupō team.

“I went somewhere else in the middle but when the borders opened again, Megan was like ‘do you want to come back?’”

She sells all sorts of travel packages, but cruises are her favourite.

“You unpack once; you are in a new country every other morning.”

She has set up all sorts of adventures, and European river cruises were particularly popular with Taupō people.

One of her favourite bookings was for an extended family of 29 people from Taupō and Rotorua who wanted to go on a 10-night Pacific Islands cruise.

“When the client first reached out, she was overwhelmed and unsure how to organise such a big trip for her family.”

She worked closely with the cruise line to secure eight cabins near each other, with a mix of balcony and ocean views.

“Even Nana’s ashes made it onboard, not for scattering, she just went along for the holiday.”

The trip to Sydney for the awards was a quick 23 hours there and back but well worthwhile, and the entertainment included The Wiggles.

“Which is a bit random, but they are doing a residency on Royal Caribbean.”

She said House of Travel Taupō is a small store and to be competing on the Australasian stage and taking home the win was amazing.

She thanked her colleagues for all their support and encouragement.