Lucy Marshall: Travel Broker, Virtual Assistant & Expert Organiser

02/09/2026

Talk about social media overload! But that's what happens when I've been working flat out between trips!

But, once again, bags packed, out of office on, and I am ready for take-off! ✈️🐫 (currently in the beautiful Qantas lounge as a guest of my friend and colleague Claire - thank you Claire and Koby)

So, after two weeks of absolutely manic desk activity (you know the feeling!), we're heading off today on the Uniworld Mega Famil — "Splendours of Egypt & The Nile" — and I honestly cannot believe it's finally here. Egypt and cruising the Nile has been on my all-time absolute bucket list forever, so this one is personal as well as professional! (who didn't love Poirot in Agatha Christie's 'Death of The Nile!')

The routing to Cairo alone has been a journey in itself — after a few changes along the way in the planning stages, I'm flying out with Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur, then Oman Air via Muscat, into Cairo. Coming home I'll retrace via Muscat and Doha, then Qatar Airways back to Auckland. So on top of getting to experience the wonders of Egypt firsthand, I'll also be adding fresh, first-hand knowledge of three airlines to my toolkit — invaluable when it comes to helping you plan your own journeys to this part of the world.

Pyramids, temples, the Nile at sunset and the new Grand Egyptian Museum... I am SO ready. Watch this space — I'll be back with all the details, insider tips and (no doubt) way too many photos once I'm home!

02/09/2026

What a whirlwind way to wrap up an incredible few weeks! ✈️

Fresh off my AmaWaterways Danube cruise famil, I flew straight into Melbourne for The Travel Brokers Conference 2026 — and made sure to build in a couple of days beforehand to properly enjoy the city. My dear friend Karen and I spent a beautiful afternoon at the Cartier exhibition at the NGV (an absolute must if you're in Melbourne right now, as you can tell from the photos, I loved it!), followed by a gorgeous dinner at ChinChin. The perfect way to unwind before conference mode kicked in!

Then it was down to business — three jam-packed days of "Powered by People" content, hearing directly from our incredible supplier partners including Air New Zealand, Qantas, Amadeus, Globus, Singapore Airlines, Silversea and so many more, plus insights from Helloworld leadership on everything from marketing to cyber security and AI. There's nothing quite like being in a room with this calibre of industry knowledge, and it's always a great reminder of why touching base with colleagues — some of whom I only see once a year — is so valuable.

But it certainly wasn't all work work work! We were treated to a fabulous night out at the Regent Theatre for Pretty Woman, plus a stunning afternoon at Jack Rabbit Vineyard for a masterclass, wine tasting and lunch overlooking the vines.

And the cherry on top? The TTB Awards Dinner, where we celebrated a huge year of success across the network — and I was honoured to receive a High Achiever Award for the fifth year running! 🏆 So grateful for the amazing clients and colleagues who make this job so rewarding.

Conference, celebration, catch-ups and culture all in one trip — you really can't beat this industry and the people in it. Onwards to the next adventure! 💛

02/09/2026

✈️ A top notch ending to an Incredible Journey! ✈️

What a trip it was! Fresh off the unforgettable AmaWaterways cruise ending in Munich, we headed to the airport for our Emirates flights via Dubai to Melbourne for The Travel Brokers Conference — and Emirates gave us the perfect send-off.

We were lucky enough to enjoy the brand-new Emirates Lounge in Munich, which is one of the very first in the world to receive the airline's stunning next-generation signature design — making it, alongside Frankfurt, an important test case for the future of Emirates lounges worldwide. Emirates is investing over AED 50 million into each of these new lounges as part of a redesign that goes far beyond a cosmetic refresh.

The new look draws inspiration straight from Emirates' newest cabin interiors, with distinct zones created for relaxation, work, socialising, and dining. The dining experience alone was worth the visit — reimagined around culinary theatre and live cooking, with international menus, regional specialities, and live cooking stations serving dishes made to order. There's even a dedicated barista bar with a mixologist serving cocktails, mocktails, and specialty coffee and tea.

Talk about the perfect way to close out an amazing cruise before the next adventure! It's this kind of premium experience that makes travelling with the right partners so special — and exactly why I love sharing incredible journeys like this with my clients. 🌍

02/09/2026

Part three: Linz, Passau, Vilshofen and Munich... in an ideal world I would have also liked a few nights in Munich post-cruise.... however I had a conference to get to!

02/09/2026

Part Two: Bratislava, Melk & Durnstein, as well as a walk through of AmaSofia... just beautiful 😍

02/09/2026

What an incredible week I had sailing the Danube aboard AmaSofia! Just 2 weeks back from AmaWaterways' "Melodies of the Danube" itinerary and still dreaming about it, so here's the recap I promised!

We started in BUDAPEST, Hungary — and this time I'd booked 2 extra nights pre-cruise, which was absolutely the right decision. Budapest is one of the most beautiful, walkable cities I've ever visited, and having those extra days meant I could really soak it in: the illuminated Parliament Building, Buda Castle, and those unbeatable Danube views by night, all at a relaxed pace.

Next stop was BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, a compact old town packed with charm, castle views, and delicious local food. Then on to VIENNA, Austria, where imperial palaces and grand boulevards made for a truly elegant day ashore. From there we cruised into the WACHAU VALLEY, stopping in WEISSENKIRCHEN — think terraced vineyards, apricot orchards, and fairy-tale medieval villages tumbling down to the river. Next was LINZ, Austria, our jumping-off point for an unforgettable excursion to Salzburg (hello, Sound of Music vibes!). We wrapped up in PASSAU, Germany, where three rivers — the Danube, the Inn, and the Ilz — meet in a striking confluence of blue, green, and black waters, and the old town is postcard-perfect, before disembarking in VILSHOFEN to head home.

Now let's talk about the ship, because AmaSofia deserves its own post! Brand new for 2026, she's an intimate 152-passenger vessel with just 76 staterooms, and it shows — everything felt spacious, calm, and beautifully finished. Highlights on board included the Sun Deck pool with a swim-up bar, a cosy lounge for the nightly Sip & Sail cocktail hour, a fitness room, and complimentary bikes for exploring ashore.

Dining was a real feature too: the Main Restaurant, the intimate Chef's Table tasting menu, and the Al Fresco Terrace for fresh-air meals, plus all-day tapas and a 24-hour coffee station for the caffeine addicts. Honestly, the food onboard was superb and easily rivalled many of the top ocean ships' gastronomy — every meal felt like a real occasion.

And the stateroom! I stayed in a twin balcony cabin on Cello Deck, and it was honestly one of my favourite parts of the trip. These rooms have a genius layout: a full step-out balcony PLUS a French balcony right beside it, so you can throw open the doors and let the whole room fill with river air and sunshine, or step right out and watch the scenery drift by with a coffee in hand. Inside it was beautifully appointed — climate control, a flat-screen TV, a proper desk and chair, and a spacious bathroom. Waking up to castles and vineyards floating past the window every single morning is something I won't forget in a hurry.

If a European river cruise has ever been on your bucket list, I honestly cannot recommend this one enough. Ask me anything — happy to share more!

(These are just the Budapest photos - I know, I know... but I love taking photos! The next photos will be of the rest of the cruise destinations!)

11/06/2026

Such a wonderful contribution to the local.economy, and a superb event! 👏
https://www.facebook.com/share/1P5qGqMD9e/

THE NUMBERS ARE IN and they're impressive!!!! The Economic Impact of Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 has been put at $57.1million up 40% on 2024. Some 84% of visitors were from outside the local reegion including 8.6% from overseas. Total bed nights exceeded 130,000 and the average length of stay was an impressive 4.6 nights. Local tourism boss Mat Woods says the numbers show how important Warbirds Over Wanaka is for the region.

23/05/2026

Take Balinese luxury to new heights with 5 nights at Paradisus By Meliá Bali, freshly reopened after a complete transformation of the former Meliá Bali – and equally as iconic. This beachfront oasis is a destination in itself, where ‘all-inclusive’ takes on a whole new meaning. From free-flowing drinks and dining to late night room service: whatever you want, whenever you want it, it’s all yours. With an adults-only wing, Nusa Dua’s best water park for families, and daily excursions to the island’s iconic attractions, everything you need is within reach.

Dive into unlimited dining across 10 restaurants and bars from sunrise to sunset, starting with coffee with a view at Kopi Petani then choosing from Spanish flavours at Peseta Restaurant, Japanese masterpieces from Tokimeku, and so much more. Sip on free-flow cocktails by the pool, challenge friends on the tennis or futsal courts, or explore Bali’s stunning temples, beaches and rice paddies.

Parents can drop the little ones at Kidsdom before heading for a massage at YHI Spa, while couples and honeymooners can escape to The Reserve wing, complete with adults-only accommodation and facilities, its own pool with cabanas, and exclusive perks for guests staying in the wing. Paradisus By Meliá Bali caters to every type of traveller, with Nusa Dua’s pristine shores and tranquil sunrises right on your doorstep for when you manage to peel yourself away from your private slice of heaven.

Let's check flights for your preferred travel dates, and take advantage of this amazing 5-night all-inclusive opening offer...

22/05/2026

Set sail and SAVE in 2026 & 2027 with Ponant & SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS...

WHAT ARE SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS?

The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it includes 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, and numerous research centers. It is dedicated to education, science, history & research. These exclusive sailings with PONANT, feature WORLD renown Smithsonian lecturers onboard for the entire journey to truly enrich the experience.

PONANT EXPLORATIONS and Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, have formed a unique alliance to offer themed sailings featuring experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destinationʼs history, cuisine, language, environment and wildlife.

In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, these voyages include transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each stopover that immerses guests in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of each destination, and helps provide a deeper understanding of the places we explore.

What’s included on your voyage:

• Luxury accommodation with private balcony*
• Gourmet meals on board at selection of restaurants.
• Hand-crafted afternoon teas including signature experiences.
• Captain's cocktail welcome reception and farewell gala dinner.
• Complimentary 24-hour room service.
• Open Bar including Champagne, wine, beer, spirits.
• Non-alcoholic beverages.
• Complimentary in-room mini bar restocked daily.
• Complimentary Unlimited Wi-Fi.
• Guided Shore Excursions.
• Informative lectures, talks and entertainment in theatre.
• Complimentary access to wellness area: fitness room, sauna, & heated pool.
• Complimentary Butler Service in select Suites.
• Opportunity to visit the ship's bridge.
• Port taxes and national park entry fees.
• Arrival and Departure Transfers
• Gratuities

With 60 PONANT Smithsonian Themed Voyages available to choose from, all with BONUS Shipboard Credit Offers, make sure to contact me today if you'd like to go deeper into a destinationʼs history, cuisine, language, environment and/or wildlife.

There really is something to interest everyone, so do check out the brochure here: https://www.calameo.com/books/0081915543003718fbbcf and then call me to curate you next adventure...

Terms & Conditions apply.
Offer for sales until 30JUN 2026.

AUSTRALIAN EDITION 2026 –2027 SMALL-SHIP EXPLORATIONS TO INSPIRE YOUR SENSES

19/05/2026

It was wonderful to be part of the 60th birthday celebrations for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions today, and to be hosted by Neil Rodgers, GM Adventure World, at the exclusive Northern Club in Auckland. I was privileged to be sat next to the dynamic Natalya Leahy, CEO National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, for lunch and to have the opportunity to chat with her prior to her presentation. We also enjoyed hearing from Gabriela Rolden, a Historian, Naturalist and social scientist specialising in Antarctica. Her stories of awe and wonder really helped explain just how special expedition cruising can be. I'm already making plans for 2027 😉