© 2012 The Texas Lawbook.
By Patricia Baldwin
Lifestyle Writer for The Texas Lawbook
Haynes and Boone corporate finance partner Janice Sharry has a nifty solution for empty nesters who want to rekindle family togetherness. Offer the possibly far-flung, now multiplied and extended family members a free cruise, and they “show up with their swimsuits.” The best part, Sharry adds, “ I don’t have to worry about the cheese dip.” It’s entertaining at its easiest.
Here’s her short list of “favorites” and advice.
* Best thing about a cruise: “You unpack once, and they take you where you need to go,” Sharry says.
* Favorite cruise lines: Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Her “favorite” designation, Sharry notes, means there is an emphasis on service.” Look for an all-inclusive sailing, she advises.
* Small versus large ships: “Small.” Sharry says there are more staff members for every customer. Also, the rooms often are better because the small ships are used for the longer, around-the-world cruises.
* How to get the most from a shore excursion: “When I go to a city, I hire a really good tour guide.” The best tour guides will give visitors an insider’s view, she says. One time, a tour guide took Sharry and her husband to a local grocery store. In Vietnam, a tour guide reminisced about life during the Vietnam conflict.
As for favorite destinations, the list is long. Sharry says they are becoming more adventuresome, such as the cruise to Antarctica in the past year. Next: the Arctic. The “to do” list includes China and Russia.
And she especially likes cruises that are combined with learning experiences, such as an African safari or Italian cooking school.
Sharry, an M&A lawyer who represented Service King Repair in its recent sale to the Carlyle Group, recommends building in extra time before the cruise starts. “At the end, I’m ready to get back to work.” Sometimes, she says, she takes work with her, adding that “Cellular at Sea” makes conference calls easy and WiFi available. Sharry travels with an iPad, which not only helps with work tasks but also provides access to special televised events, such as the SuperBowl.
Client Cathy Bonner, chairman of Service King Collision Repair Centers, supports Sharry – on whatever continent or however smooth the ocean. “Janice guided us through the difficult waters of a complicated transaction and made it an enjoyable and successful experience,” Bonner says. “She is a superb business lawyer with knowledge and experience that is truly helpful to a client.”
Stating the obvious, Sharry is a proponent of vacations. “Everyone has to get out of their comfort zone. That’s part of being a good lawyer,” she says, adding that travel helps her have a sense of curiosity and an acceptance of new things. “I have some of my best work ideas when I am traveling … new things the firm should do … an idea for an article.”
Case closed.
Do you have a special hobby – or other lifestyle interest – to share? Please email patricia.baldwin@texaslawbook.net.
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