Life in the time of COVID-19 with Azamara’s Belle Osmic

This week, we caught up with Azamara’s newly appointed sales director for Australia and New Zealand, Belle Osmic, to find out how she’s been faring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are you reading?

I haven’t found too much time to read, as my family and I got our new puppy last August and he tends to think books are tasty!

What are you watching?

I’ve been busy dreaming of my next trip and have engrossed myself in Anthony Bourdain’s back catalogue, including Parts Unknown. But for some light-humoured travel viewing, I have to recommend Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father – you can’t help but binge the episodes.

What are you listening to?

Working from home has been a huge change to my usual fast-paced travelling lifestyle, so I find upbeat music in the mornings is helping my mood in the office – lots of dance playlists on Spotify.

What are you cooking?

This is where I like to support small businesses in my area, I am not a cook, so my family and I have been trying out all of our local cafés and restaurants.

How are you staying fit both physically and mentally?

I joined a gym this year and have been taking an hour a day (most weekdays) to join in the classes or complete circuit training. This has helped both physically and mentally to take some time away from the screen (laptop or phone) and clear my head.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

I believe we have seen great respect for the wider community here in Australia and in New Zealand. People are following the regulations given and staying home to protect others when needed.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

I love travel more than I ever realised. After 13 years living away from Australia and mostly on the world’s largest and amazing cruise ships, I was very lucky to see a lot of the world already, but I never thought I would be so long between flights and or new destinations to visit. I miss it.

What’s your advice for others in the industry on coping with the crisis?

I saw a quote last week, “You cannot control everything that happens to you, you can only control the way you respond to what happens”. This is so true right now within our beloved cruise industry and the wider travel community. We need to focus on the things we can work towards and try not to get stuck on each setback, or we will never be able to move forward.

Where is your favourite domestic travel destination?

We were lucky enough to get away to the Whitsundays in February this year, and it is high on my list, but I’m planning for the next big trip to take my husband to Tasmania. It’s such a beautiful place with so many fantastic spots to adventure.

What is the one international travel memory keeping you going through this time?

At many client events with our Queensland travel partners, I have recalled my experiences around Europe on our AzAmazing evenings. In Barcelona, having the cast of the Carmen opera give us an exclusive concert in front of a beautiful private castle, and the White Night party on a night in Monte Carlo. These one-off moments have me dreaming for more.

Where do you want to travel to once international travel restrictions ease up?

I have a countdown on my phone set for the inaugural season of our new ship, Azamara Onward, in May 2022, and I’m hoping my team and I will be able to celebrate this moment with the whole Azamara family in Monaco.