Before you read up about this great departure I thought I would start by introducing myself to  to you and give you a bit of background about myself and my motivation for putting this event together.

My name is Francin and for those of you who do not already know me, I am the Head Admin for the BG Masters backgammon ladder, a multI-site ladder for the more experienced players of backgammon online. 

By profession I've been a Travel Executive for over 25 years and have managed many major travel companies in Canada. In addition I have been a Travel Director for the Federal Government Of Canada's Travel Office at Foreign Affairs.

I'am a travel editor for a Canadian newspaper as well as have written freelance travel articles for such magazines as Redbook, Canadian Living, Cosmopolitain, Travel and Leisure and Cruising Magazine to name a few. In addition I've participated and been a contributing editor in numerous "Travel Travel" televison specials. 

My travel specialty has centered around the cruise industry and  I am the President of my own travel consulting firm and online magazine, The Grand Voyager. We handle mainly upscale and specialized luxury leisure travel focusing primarily in corporate and  incentive group cruises and all-inclusive vacations. These center around social-interest groups, executive business meetings and sales campaigns, and professional continuing education at sea in the fields of medicine, law and finance. 

Personally I have taken over 52 cruises both for business and pleasure to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Antarctica, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Russia, Scandinavia, Egypt, South America, Canada & US, Asia and Africa.

A few years ago I discovered Backgammon online. I made many friends  playing this fabulous and frustrating game and thought it would be great to finally meet them in person. It was then that I got the idea to organize a group cruise for my Backgammon friends. I thought this would be a great way for me to combine my two favorite pastimes, backgammon  and cruising while having fun finally meeting my internet friends while on vacation.  

Thus began the concept of the yearly Backgammon At Sea Tournament........