Sub Sea Systems’ Employees Celebrate Their Own “12 Days”

At Sub Sea Systems, we decided to put our own spin on The 12 Days of Christmas. Check out our personalized list of SSS activities and featured staff, based on the popular theme!

One new baby 
VP of Marketing, Hannah de Bie and her husband Evan, welcomed their first child, Henry into their family!

Two amazing families in charge
We are so fortunate to have these incredible people leading the pack! Jim and Melissa Mayfield and Miles Crail make us feel like family!

Three office doggies
Barking all the way! Actually, they’re very well behaved! Each has a unique personality, and they keep us laughing daily!

Four custom Aquaticar wheels 
That’s right! Even the wheels on Aquaticar are custom made, not ‘off-the-shelf’! We’re continuing our work on perfecting Aquaticar, our awesome underwater car/ride!

Five trade shows 
Euro Attractions Show, Amsterdam, Netherlands; DEAL, Dubai, UAE; Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico; World Waterpark Association Show, Las Vegas, Nevada; IAAPA Expo, Orlando, Florida. Whew! That’s a lot of exposure for our products and people! Our staff has traveled all over the world to attend shows and connect with others in the industry.

Six new Sea TREK locations
Atlantis Sanya, China; Wonders of Wildlife, Missouri, USA; Sea TREK Discover at Xel Ha park in the Riviera Maya, Mexico; Reef Magic, Great Barrier Reef, Australia; Viva Wyndham, Bayahibe, Dominican Republic; and, Wonders of the Barrier Reef, Rendezvous Caye, Belize. We continue to introduce more people to their first breaths underwater and the magic beneath the sea!

Seven Facebook pages
With the addition of Aquaticar, we have increased our exposure on Facebook to seven pages of fun! Additionally, we have presence on several other social entities such as Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Eight Italy travelers
Eight staff/family traveled to Venice, Italy and worked with Heineken’s brand, Desperados (tequila-flavored beer), to bring Sea TREK to the "World’s deepest underwater dance party" (skip to #11 to read more!)

Nine FunCats sold
We sent off nine FunCat solar-electric catamarans to exciting destinations such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island Harvest Caye in Belize, Carnival Cruise Line’s private port Mahogany Bay in Honduras, and Carlsbad Lagoon in California.

Ten websites managed
All of our products are represented online with sites that feature beautiful photos, easy-to-use maps, and even the opportunity for Sea TREK and FunCat customers to chat with us live! Check out subseasystems.com, sea-trek.com, clearlounge.com, clearloungecozumel.com, funcats.com, aquaticar.com, driveunderwater.com, reefalliance.com, sharksinteractive.com and our blog– subseasystems.blogspot.com.

Eleven helmets used in the "World’s deepest underwater dance floor"
Desperados Deep House utilized eleven Sea TREK helmets for their over-the-top event. Read about it here.

Twelve grateful staff members
From our headquarters’ team in California, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year!

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Celebrating Sassy, Seasonal Sea Life!

‘Tis the season to enjoy friends, family, food and frolic. While adults rush around checking off to-do lists and decorating their homes, kids anxiously await Santa’s arrival.

Creatures under the sea don’t have to worry about what to buy Aunt Martha for Christmas, but some sea animals do share the holidays, in a sense. These animals are named after familiar holiday symbols, or even Christmas itself.  Below are just a few of the many ocean residents with unique, festive names.

Candy Cane Shrimp
Candy cane shrimp resemble the famous holiday treat for which they are named. They share their living space with goby fish. The goby will hover over the shrimp, always keeping its fin attached to the shrimp’s antennae. If there is danger, the goby will flick its tail and send a signal to its shrimp partner. Their relationship extends beyond safety, as the two also share living and eating arrangements. The shrimp (who have very bad eyesight) bury themselves into the ground while the goby will use its great eyesight to keep watch. Even after the goby finds a mate, it will still inhabit the same burrow with its family and the shrimp. What a partnership! Check out the video here

White Christmas Tree Worm
The festive Christmas tree worm lives on tropical coral reefs, and resembles a fluffy fir tree, including its own unique “ornaments”! Its appendages look like branches, which are used to breathe and to catch floating plankton. Yum!

Angel Shark
The angel shark buries itself into sand and mud at the bottom of the ocean floor, with only its eyes poking out. They can lie there for days at a time, waiting for the perfect holiday meal to swim by. When this shark strikes its prey, its front half rises and it ambushes the prey from below. It can attack and capture its prey in a tenth of a second, making its behavior less than virtuous.

Snowflake Moray Eel
They say no two snowflakes are alike, and each is beautiful in its own way. However, this particular snowflake is a bit scary! A snowflake moray eel eats its prey by utilizing two toothy jaws. It has a second set of jaws in its throat, which shoot up and grab its meal from the main pair of jaws. Its saving grace is its distinctive appearance. The snowflake moray eel has white, black and yellow splotches all over its body, which come together to look like snowflake designs!

Christmas Tree Worm
The Christmas tree worm isn’t interested in eating your fir tree. The name for these worms is derived from their appearance, not their habitat or diet. Each worm has two brightly colored crowns that protrude from its tube-like body. These Christmas tree-like crowns are composed of radioles, which are hair-like appendages. The appendages are used for respiration and to catch dinner, which typically consists of microscopic plants, or phytoplankton, floating in the water. The worms are sedentary, meaning that once they find a place they like, they don’t move much. In fact, while the colorful crowns of these worms are visible, most of their bodies are anchored in burrows that they bore into live coral. Much like the brightest of holiday lights, Christmas tree worms come in a variety of lively colors. Learn more about them here.

Reindeer Wrasse
The reindeer wrasse is a stunningly beautiful fish. Their heads are nearly scaleless, except for two scales on the upper part of the gill coverings and an almost vertical row of small scales behind each eye. The most obvious characteristic that gives this fish its common name is only present when the fish are juveniles. As youngsters, they possess distinctive, long ‘antlers’ (these are formed by the elongation of the dorsal fin). Their color resembles algae, which helps them avoid danger. Reindeer wrasse mimic the movements of detached, drifting seaweed by swaying back and forth in the currents.

Fairy Basslet
Fairy basslets are small, vibrant fish. While not adorned with traditional Christmas colors, their body is split into two colors– a purple front and a yellow tail, with a black spot on their dorsal fin; a truly stunning sea resident! Fairy basslets are known to swim upside-down under ledges and along cave ceilings. They live in colonies and defend their territory from other species, and even other fairy basslets. Male fairy basslets are excellent Dads, who guard and care for eggs and nests.

Cookie-cutter Shark
Looking more like a Halloween character than a Merry Christmas one, the cookie-cutter shark’s appearance is menacing. Even scarier, their name comes from how they feed. They eat smaller animals (like squid) whole, but also take large, round, cookie-cutter shaped bites out of larger animals, such as tuna, whales, dolphins, and seals. The shark suctions onto its larger prey, and twists around to take a bite of flesh using a row of sharp teeth.

Snowflake Coral
Appearing sweet and innocent, the snowflake coral possesses white frilly tentacles which, when extended, resemble rays of a snowflake. Primarily found in sheltered and shaded crevices, or in shallow caves on deeper reefs, snowflake coral have tiny stinging cells in their tentacles, which enable the capture of motile zooplankton. This species is of high concern due to its invasive nature. It causes the mortality of black coral, which it has been known to smother. So much for Christmas cheer.

Pinecone Fish
Pinecone fish look like real pinecones! They are covered in large scales with a dark trim. They are found lurking in caves and under ledges in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Pinecone fish have a light-producing organ on both sides of their head. The light is produced by luminescent bacteria, but its function is unknown.

Harp Sponge
This newly discovered sponge was found 10,000 feet below the water’s surface, using robotic submersibles operated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. This carnivorous sponge traps small crustacean prey with barbed hooks found along its branch-like limbs. Check it out!

Sea Stars
Sea stars have toothless mouths on the underside of their bodies, which are lined with hundreds of tiny tube feet. Christmas-colored sea stars include the red velvet star and green linckia, which despite its name, comes in other colors as well. Sea stars can also be reddish or almost golden in color. When small, they often look like Christmas cookies! Sea stars may have spines, knobs, bristles, or a smooth-feeling texture. Most can regenerate an arm if they lose one.

Sea Angels
Reminiscent of a freshly made snow angel, sea angels are actually shell-less sea snails. Unlike most snails, they flap their adapted foot ‘wings’ to get around in the water. They are extremely small, with the largest species reaching only 5 centimeters long. Sea angels' mostly eat their own relatives, the sea butterflies.

Do you know of other sea residents with fun holiday names? Share your discoveries below!

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Globetrotting Again...with Carl Hanson

Sub Sea Systems Director of Water Operations and Safety (and our resident fish nerd) Carl Hanson has once again hit the friendly skies and traveled long distances in a short period of time, to bring good TIDE-ings and his expertise to several Sea TREK operators. Carl added some serious frequent flyer miles to his account and returned with intriguing stories and fond memories of his travels. We interviewed Carl about his latest adventures!

Where did you go on your last two trips?
I went to Saint Lucia first, arriving on November 9th. Then I traveled to Puerto Rico on the 13th and Roatan, Honduras on the 14th. After a brief break, I moved on to Western Australia, leaving on November 25th and returned to the States December 3rd.

How many miles did you travel, round trip? 

I traveled from Sacramento, California and back again. The miles break down like this:
Sacramento to Charlotte, North Carolina 2,244
Charlotte to Miami, Florida 650
Miami to St. Lucia 1,504
St. Lucia to Miami 1,504
Miami to Puerto Rico 1,045
Puerto Rico to Miami 1,045
Miami to Roatan 766
Roatan to Dallas 1,317
Dallas to Phoenix, 868
Phoenix to Sac 647

The trip to Australia was next:
Sacramento to Los Angeles, California 373
L.A. to Sydney, Australia 7,488
Sydney to Perth, Australia 2,041
Perth to Sydney 2,041
Sydney to L.A. 7488
L.A. to Sac 373

TOTAL MILES: 31,394!

I really lucked out in Sydney and scored a first class seat, just by chance. My seat included a bed!

What kind of work did you do while visiting each location?

St. Lucia – I did a site inspection, checked in on the team, and made sure training was current. I updated the staff on new Sub Sea products (Aquaticar, helmet advancements), and asked for feedback on what they would like to see in the future. I also checked out a new dive site for a potential Sea TREK operation, which would cater to hotel guests. The site would be on a different part of the island, about a two-hour drive from the current operation.

Puerto Rico – This post-hurricane visit included follow-up on how the recovery and rebuilding are going. I also checked on staff to see how they are doing. The island seems to be recovering well, outside of the hotels, which are taking longer to reopen. The cruise lines have returned, and will soon be selling Sea TREK excursions.

Roatan – This was a super cool trip! The Sea TREK helmet diving equipment was in storage for quite a long time, and is finally being utilized. Unfortunately, we were not able to get in the water while I was there, due to rough seas. I did a lot of land-based work, including staff training. We also discussed marketing tactics, and I checked out three other possible locations for future Sea TREK operations.

Western Australia – The team at Busselton Jetty introduced me to a potential new location, Rottnest Island. It’s a unique island off the coast of Perth, about a 30-minute ferry ride. The island sees about 700,000 tourists a year. It’s a new tourism entity. It is one of the few places you can find quokka! We checked out three different locations on the island for potential new Sea TREK operations (crystal clear waters abound throughout Western Australia). We then drove from Perth to Busselton Jetty, our current operation. I completed a site inspection, went through the Sea TREK manual with the team, and visited the Jetty. The walkway from the beach to the end of the Jetty, where the helmet dive takes place, is 1,841 meters (6,040 ft.)! A trek all its own. People can walk or take a train to the end of the Jetty, where there is also an underwater observatory and gift shop.

We completed staff training in the water and reviewed safety drills. The water was a “refreshing” 64ºF (18ºC)!

We had a little free time and visited Canal Rocks, massive banks of granite, which eroded along a dead-straight line, forming a striking “canal” feature.

The next day, Sea TREK Busselton Jetty offered its first day of tours for the season. It was exciting to be present for the “season opener”!

At the end of the trip, I traveled around, took in an aquarium called AQWA, and scouted out some potential sites for other Sub Sea products (Aquaticar and FunCats).

What is the best (or most unique) feature of each TREK operation?

St. Lucia is an open ocean location, with a cool sunken car that acts as an artificial reef for sea life. Sea TREK St. Lucia pays homage to some popular St. Lucians; there are typewriters to honor local writers, and other unique photo props.

In Roatan, the landowners (where Sea TREK is located) work with an animal rescue group, and there is a shelter and monkey rescue right next door to the location. The animals are free to leave, but return frequently!

Western Australia - In terms of places I’ve been, this is one of the most remarkable. The landscape is similar to the US, but wildlife is so different! The Jetty itself is man-made, but attracts an insane amount of sea life. Western Australia is home to 2/3 of the world’s sea grasses, which provide shelter, oxygen, and food for a wide variety of underwater animals such as crabs, octopuses, fishes and squid. Even whales have come through the area and have broken the Jetty! It’s a heavily populated region.

What animals did you encounter while traveling?

Quokka! Kangaroos, some very unfamiliar-looking birds. There were no koalas in this area of Australia. In Roatan, we checked out the monkeys at the preserve.

What surprised you the most?
St Lucia is not known as a diver’s island, but they have some amazing dive sites because of the nutrient-rich waters caused by volcanic ash. In Puerto Rico, I was impressed to learn that they are ready to receive tourists. In Roatan, the weather was surprising, as I didn’t expect it to be raining and windy the entire time I was there; it is not typical for the area.

In Western Australia, I admired the commitment of the staff to operate Sea TREK above and beyond expectations. They go “all out” for their guests, to ensure they have an incredible experience.

What are you going to do with all of those frequent flyer miles?
My best friend is getting married next month. The bachelor party will be in Vegas and the wedding in Phoenix.

Where will Carl head next? Stay tuned to find out!

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Baby, It’s (Getting) Cold Outside!

Here in most of the US, days are darker and temperatures are dropping, as humans are wrapping themselves in scarves and hats. While many of us are preparing for skiing and sledding season and are donning our fuzziest sweaters, we may not be aware of what other living creatures are doing to prepare for winter. While we’ve heard about snoozing bears and bird migrations, what does sea life do when the colder weather hits? Where do fish go when it freezes?

Totally Tolerant

Creatures such as some shark species that have been around for millions of years have learned to adapt to different surroundings, and are not bothered by cooling temperatures. Sharks living in icy waters are known as endotherms, with the biological ability to raise their blood temperature to complement their surroundings. Endothermic creatures are usually large, with well-insulated bodies. They store fat immediately beneath their skin, which helps generate warmth. Their diets contain an abundance of high-energy, easy-to-digest foods that constantly keep their body temperatures high.

Unique to endotherms is the ability to shiver when cold. This rapid, rhythmic contraction of skeletal muscles creates its own source of heat by the physics of muscles burning energy.

Dolphins, sea lions and walruses are also endotherms. In fact, pudgy newborn harbor porpoises pack an astounding 43 percent of their total body mass in blubber!

Movin’ On Down the Road

Not every sea creature increases its body weight to protect itself from icy waters. Like many land animals (and heat-loving humans), some fishes and aquatic life migrate. Many animals that frequent coastal waters - from herrings to great white sharks - head south for warmer waters during winter.

Humpback whales, for example, migrate about 3,000 miles on average; one of the longest migratory journeys of any mammal on Earth. Humpbacks migrate to give birth. The water in Antarctica, where humpbacks spend their summer months, is just too cold for newly born baby whale calves to survive. They use their time up north to get nice and fat on their mother’s milk, which allows their little bodies to build up strength and withstand the colder waters on the journey home. Humpback whales return to Antarctica, when water temperatures warm up, for food! Antarctica is teaming with delicious krill, and the whales spend their summer feeding and building up their strength for the next winter migration.

Southern right whales are similar to humpbacks, in that they feed in Antarctica in the summer and then migrate north to Australia to breed and give birth (especially in southern corners of Australia, around the Great Australian Bight).

Atlantic herring migrate in schools to areas where they feed, spawn, and spend the winter. This superfish swims rapidly, allowing it to migrate over great distances in a short period. And, speaking of great distances, Adélie penguins travel about 11,000 miles to migrate to their winter-feeding grounds, the longest migration of any penguin.

Let This Sink In

Some animals have to take special steps to withstand lowering temperatures. In areas with extreme freezing temperatures, it’s often hard for creatures to find warmer waters. These creatures, known as ectotherms, have become accustomed to lowered temperatures and, as such, they have developed ways to stop themselves from freezing.

Ectotherms are cold-blooded animals, which means that the animals’ regulation of body temperature depends on external resources, such as sunlight or warmed rocks. Ectotherms include most fishes, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. The body temperatures of aquatic ectotherms are usually very close to their aquatic environments.

For ectothermic creatures to survive the cold winters, they have developed specific strategies to ensure they can keep warm. Using the technique of basking, creatures such as turtles lie in the heat to increase their body temperatures. When their body temperatures become cooler, they move around less and slower, to help conserve heat and energy. In this resting state, fishes' hearts slow down, their need for food and oxygen decreases, and they move very little. Certain species of cod, flatfish and polar fish have a reduced metabolic rate and produce antifreeze molecules called glycoprotein to reduce the freezing point of their body fluids.

Burrowing strategy is also used to protect creatures from cold air and cooling waters. The layer of ice that forms on top of a lake, pond, river, or stream provides some insulation that helps retain water temperature. Because warm water sinks in very cold freshwater, fish in these water bodies often gather in groups near the bottom. Some species, like koi, may burrow into soft sediments and go dormant like frogs and other amphibians, but the majority of fish simply school in the deepest pools and take a "winter nap."

Most turtles burrow into the mud in winter, and become inactive during the coldest months. However, some turtles have an unusual ability to survive very long periods of time without oxygen. These turtles enjoy their normal activities throughout the winter.

So, next time you’re feeling chilled, and you’re ready to crank up the heat, be grateful that you don’t have to pack on extra pounds or find a warm pool of mud to borrow into!

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Aquaticar Takes A Journey!

It’s a busy time of year at Sub Sea Systems, with several staff members journeying to trade shows. Last week, our crew spent serious time and energy at the massive International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) expo in Orlando, Florida. Sub Sea joined forces with our partner, Cloward H2O in our decked out 20 ft x 30 ft booth on the eye-popping trade show floor.

The IAAPA expo provides a platform for companies in the amusement and attractions industry to showcase their best products and services, make connections, and share ideas. According to Blooloop, an attraction industry publication, this year’s expo was notable for its record-breaking scale. The expo hosted 42,000 registered attractions industry attendees, more than ever before. And, 1,151 companies exhibited, covering over 9 miles of trade show floor! Attendees had the chance to converse and form partnerships…and get a great workout at the same time!

IAAPA got things rolling with a kickoff event that showcased the latest news and hottest trends in the industry. The event featured a 60-minute, multi-media presentation and had an audience of nearly 1,800 Expo attendees. A presentation of what’s new in the industry highlighted new projects and rides that debuted in 2018, and provided a preview of what’s to come in 2019 and beyond. 

Another exciting event at IAAPA was its awards presentation. IAAPA’s Brass Ring awards are presented to amusement parks, water parks, zoos, aquariums, museums, family entertainment centers, and suppliers from around the world to honor excellence in food and beverage, games and retail, human resources, live entertainment, marketing, new products, and exhibits. Last year, Sub Sea Systems won the 2nd place Brass Ring award for Best New Product / Best New Concept for a Major Ride / Attraction. Additionally, IAAPA offers a prestigious Applause Award, which honors one park whose management, operations, and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with foresight, originality and sound business development. We’re excited to congratulate this year’s recipient, Xcaret Park– who also happens to be a distinguished partner of Sub Sea Systems, and home to the largest Sea TREK program in the world!

For Sub Sea Systems, participation was quite the undertaking. Preparation started at headquarters in Diamond Springs, California, where each product was carefully packaged for the lengthy trip. Crates were built with the greatest of care, to ensure items arrived in perfect condition. It’s quite a challenge to ensure a 1300 lb. Aquaticar traverses the nearly 3,000 miles without damage! The vehicle on display showcased our latest model, which included updated viewing lenses on the canopy and a new interior finish, underwater communication, emergency air supply, self-steering components, and a new wheel/tread design. And, the lime green body finish generated a lot of buzz at the show! The booth also showcased a Sea TREK demonstration helmet and custom display stand that enabled guests to try on the helmet, a scale-model replica of the Clear Lounge underwater oxygen bar, a scale-model replica of the Aquaticar vehicle that individuals could push along a segment of track, swag, brochures and more!

While the truck did the lengthy transport, our team departed airports from several locations…China, Amsterdam, and of course, California. They convened at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, and rolled up their sleeves to unpack and set up. Between unpacking, set up, time spent at the booth, and the final, 6-hour breakdown and repacking, our representatives spent over 40 hours in just four days. They shook hands, handed out brochures, and met with leading innovators in the industry. Although the expo requires hours of hard work, the real work begins after the show closes– business cards to sort through and follow ups to be made. We’re excited for new business partnerships and can’t wait to share details as they develop!

The team did have opportunities for a break. Vice President of Production, Kyle Mayfield said, “It’s hard to spend a week in Orlando and not have a little fun. We managed to get away and bowl, golf, experience a quick ride called Starflyer, and race go-carts. Nothing over the top, but I don’t think we had energy for much else.“

We appreciate the opportunities that IAAPA offers for businesses like Sub Sea Systems and our partners. And, we are thankful to our amazing staff for taking it all on!

Sub Sea Systems is exhibiting at IAAPA’s European Attractions Show in Paris, France next year and at the Orlando Expo in November 2019.

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Get Ready for Holiday Travel

Traveling during the holidays can be exciting. The hustle and bustle, combined with the anticipation of spending time with loved ones, can really enhance the spirit of the season. But, traveling during holidays can also be expensive and unnerving without thoughtful planning. Here are a few money saving, stress-reducing tips that will ensure your trip will be joyful!

Travel ON the holiday
While airline prices might skyrocket the closer you get to a holiday, prices are generally lower if you travel on the actual holiday. Although it may not always be ideal, Thanksgiving and Christmas travel can save you a lot of extra cash. According to online travel agency Kayak, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day are two of the most economical times to fly. You can also save big if you fly out Christmas Eve. The flight booking tool, CheapAir, estimates that travelers flying out Christmas Eve will save an average of $76 compared to a flight just two days earlier. You’ll also find quieter airports and less road traffic.

Consider alternatives to (bland) hotel reservations
Hotels often charge top dollar at holiday time. If you aren’t staying with family, check out airbnb.com, vrbo.com or similar sites. Not only can you score an apartment or small home for what you might typically pay for a hotel, digs often include a full kitchen, which can save you money on dining out. For example, a very popular, lower-priced hotel in Boston charges $133 per night for a double room during the holidays. For $135 per night during the same time period, you could rent a charming studio apartment with a full kitchen, and a private patio to watch the snowflakes fall. Another five bucks a night gets you an apartment that sleeps 4 and offers a washer/dryer all to yourself, and even a gorgeous gas fireplace to open gifts by.

Utilize other (smaller) airports
If you’re fortunate enough to live within a reasonable distance to multiple airports, seeking out smaller airports can really save you time and stress during the holidays, and might save you some cash, too. For example, the bustling San Francisco International airport forecasts 130,000 passengers flying in and out between Friday, November 22nd and Sunday, December 1st! SFO’s daily maximum parking rate for long-term parking is $18 per day; the international garage is $28 per day; and the domestic garage is $36 per day.  In comparison, one could drive to the smallish, low-key Sacramento Airport, with economy parking at just $10/day.

Seek alternate routes when driving
Sometimes the fastest route isn’t the quickest! If you’re driving, avoid a last-minute scramble or traffic nightmare by ensuring you’ve got directions for a different route ahead of time. Mapping out an alternative and having it ready can save you a major headache. We recommend the Waze app for real-time, user generated traffic updates and alternative routes. Or, consider taking that scenic drive right out of the gate. Taking in holiday scenery, colorful lights, and winter’s beauty can put you in the right frame of mind before attending those high-energy family gatherings.

Don’t wrap before you go
It might seem more convenient, but wrapping your gifts before flying off to spend time with distant family is not ideal. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has very specific rules regarding restricted items, and your gifts could end up getting opened for inspection or, worse, confiscated and destroyed. Whether the presents are going into checked luggage or a carry-on, ignorance of TSA regulations regarding prohibited items can leave you gift-less. Even simple gifts such as a child's snow globe or gel candles are prohibited. Rough baggage handling can also result in your homemade cookies crumbling, while your vac-packed gourmet coffee can set off an x-ray machine. If you can, ship gifts ahead of time to family members. You might even save money on baggage fees. For additional savings to both your wallet and your back, you can ship your own gifts home, too!

Be phone ready at the airport
Dreaming of a White Christmas? Snowy weather may look festive, but it can wreak havoc on travel plans. Flight delays and cancellations are not uncommon during the holiday season. Before you depart for the airport, put the phone number of your airline customer service department into your phone’s address book. If you have a flight delay or cancellation, you may be asked to line up with all the other delayed travelers, to attempt a rebooking. Calling the customer service department while you wait in line gives you an advantage over those just queuing up. You might reach someone on the phone faster than you can get to the rebooking counter. Consider, too, adding travel insurance to your trip. While severe weather cancellations might mean your trip doesn’t go forward, at least you can rest easier knowing you won’t experience a financial punch.

Traveling during the holidays doesn’t have to turn you into a stress-riddled Scrooge. With careful planning, you can enjoy those tasty turkey trimmings during the “most wonderful time of the year!”

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OdySea Aquarium for the Win!

Even though October is in the books and many of us are thinking about turkeys and football, Sub Sea Systems has one more nod to Halloween and all things orange.

With a focus on tricking out their locations, Sea TREK Operators were challenged with a Halloween decorating contest, with the only stipulation being that they could not add anything permanent to their Sea TREK locations or equipment. Otherwise, they were free to be as creative as they wished!

Operators donned costumes, submerged scary creatures, and decorated to the max for Halloween, hoping to grab the top prize. We are delighted to share some cool images from the contest, and also want to recognize the winner, OdySea Aquarium, for their dynamic displays and fun frights!

We checked in with OdySea’s Sea TREK Manager, Shannon Aldridge, and asked her to share with us their approach to the contest:

What was the inspiration for your displays?

The inspiration for our SeaTREK during A-scare-ium weekend at OdySea Aquarium was monsters! We brainstormed to come up with a theme that would work well for decorating our deck as well as the helmets. We printed a photo of all the Monsters University characters to get some helmet ideas! Underwater, we went with more classic Halloween items that work well for sinking – pumpkins, skulls and bones, tombstones, etc. Our sign for the weekend read “Monster Mash”.

Who helped put the displays together?

Putting everything together was a team effort! Many of us enjoy crafting/decorating/holidays, so everyone jumped on the project once I was given the green light to deck out SeaTREK. One team, one dream!

How long did it take to put the displays together?

We worked on getting all the decorations made (we made almost everything from scratch), starting Thursday night and running throughout Friday. A-scare-ium officially started at 4pm on Friday, October 26th, so we had many of the exhibit items sunk and ready to go. Then, Friday night into Saturday morning we finished decorating the SeaTREK deck and all 8 of our guest helmets.

What was the most difficult part of putting the displays together?

The most challenging part of our display was decorating the helmets! We had to come up with materials that wouldn’t damage the helmets or cause any harm to our animals, so electrical tape ended up being our best option. I now have a wide variety of colored tape available for the next event! It was also challenging to come up with designs that were not too alike, did not interfere with safety and did not take away from guests’ sight. We made it work and came up with some very fun designs!

What was the reaction when guests saw the displays?

We received a lot of positive feedback from guests! Our Guest Relations Manager came up to the deck at one point because he had heard some SeaTREK guests talking about how cool our theming was and he didn’t realize we had gone all out decorating helmets and all; he was blown away when he got up here. All other team members were very impressed with what we were able to accomplish as well.

How did sea life react to the displays?

Our animals were hardly phased by the decorations on the helmets, but the items we sunk in the exhibit were extremely fun for them. They mostly enjoyed the pumpkins, as they provided both enrichment and a fun new menu item!

What other events does OdySea have coming up? 

Our big event coming up at OdySea Aquarium right now is National Geographic’s Monster Fish traveling exhibit! We are currently installing everything this week and we will have all the displays from November 10th, 2018 through May 5th, 2019. The displays and interactives are very impressive!

Our Night Life theme for November 2018 will be “Fish & Sips”, where some of our team members will be leading a painting session during the event, like Painting With A Twist!

We will also see the return of SeaTREK Santa in December for the holiday season with some fun changes compared to the last two years of appearances! I am also hoping to deck out SeaTREK for the holidays, like what we did for Halloween!

Congratulations, OdySea, for winning the top prize! 

We would also like to recognize other fantastic contest entries! The best photo was taken by Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas. Their photo of a sea turtle munching on pumpkin “brains” was selected as our favorite pic. And, De Palm Island wowed us with a spooky video of their underwater “graveyard”.

Special thanks to all operators who participated! 

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