Ohio Restaurant Takes Entire Staff on Bahamas Cruise
A Toledo restaurant shut down for three days to treat dozens of employees to an all-expenses-paid Caribbean cruise. For some workers, it was their first time flying, cruising, or even stepping into the ocean.
When Jeff Dinnebeil and Megan Lingsweiler planned their restaurant's holiday celebration, they skipped the usual party and did something unforgettable instead. The married couple, who own The Standard Restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, closed their doors for three days in January and took their entire team on a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas.
The owners paid for flights and cruise tickets for dozens of employees, plus a few former staff members and loyal customers. The three-day trip stopped in Bimini and Nassau, giving the team a chance to relax together away from the busy restaurant kitchen.
For cook Andrew Jackson, who goes by Duke, the trip brought a string of life firsts. He had never been on a plane, taken a cruise, or even felt ocean water before boarding the ship.
"At first, I was nervous because I've never been on a cruise. I've never been in a plane. I've never been anywhere," Jackson told the Toledo Blade. Chef Dinnebeil encouraged him to step into the water, and once he did, Jackson said it was "everything."
The trip included karaoke nights, beach visits, scavenger hunts, basketball games, and group dinners where coworkers bonded outside their usual roles. Server Allison Latta called it one of the best jobs she's ever had, describing her coworkers as family.
Dejah Griffith, another server, praised the owners for caring about employees beyond just their work performance. "They not only care about you as an employee, but also truly care about your overall well-being as a person," she said.
Sunny's Take
The restaurant closed during the trip so no one lost shifts or wages. Staff members also received holiday bonuses on top of the vacation, ensuring everyone could enjoy the experience without financial stress.
Jackson said the trip transformed how the team relates to each other. "Everybody went on there as employees, and when we left and went back home, everybody was like family," he said.
The idea came to Dinnebeil and Lingsweiler during their own family cruise the year before. After experiencing how meaningful the trip was, they wanted to share it with the people who make their business successful.
"It was the best thing we've ever done," Dinnebeil said. "Our staff is everything. They're the blood, life, and the heart of that restaurant."
Based on reporting by Sunny Skyz
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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