blog

Cruise Planners, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise, is recognized by the South Florida Business Journal with awards for business leadership.

We believe in surrounding ourselves with dedicated, hard-working team players who exemplify our corporate culture

Roundtrip cruise from Miami on the new Norwegian Getaway for LGBT couples looking for a week-long Caribbean getaway celebration

More than 20 MBA-level online courses are available as part of the Certified Cruise Planners Expert Degree, an accreditation recognized by the Cruise Line International Association.

Cruise Planners is off to a strong start in 2014, having already surpassed total land tour sales from the previous year.

The Franchise Business Economic Outlook for 2014 cites business services, such as travel agencies, as a driving force behind job creation.

Michelle Fee, CEO and Co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, smashes record by raising more than $291,000 to help fight cancer 

The brand saw a 15% increase in passengers cruising with children or multi-generational groups over the past 12 months*.

Cruise Planners implements regional training programs this year and expects more than 150 travel agents to attend its new two-day boot camps in Florida 

Cruise Planners is honored by multiple travel industry and franchise awards demonstrating the company’s growth and commitment to travel agents and partners 

Vicky Garcia, COO of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel representative, was honored as godmother of a new Viking Cruises ship at a charity event that raised more than $20,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, will be participating in Miami Beach Gay Pride for the first time as a premier sponsor. Partnering with Imagine Weddings and Events, Cruise Planners will partake in the weekend celebration by hosting a booth at the festival and parading in a float at Sunday’s Extraordinary Day OUT parade.

Each Cruise Planners franchise owner now has enhanced website allowing for easy mobile viewing and interaction.

Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners - American Express Travel hosted a fundraiser aboard the Azamara Club Cruises ship.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, announced at The New York Times Travel Show that Viking Cruises has selected COO, Vicky Garcia, to be the godmother of the new longship Viking Magni. 

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel provides the top tips for owing your own business or work-from-home franchise

As one of the top franchises to own, Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, is providing entrepreneurs with a list of tax benefits of being self-employed. 

The South Florida company expands with new Human Resources Manager position

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, is pleased to announce that Lisa Granata will be joining the team in a new role as Human Resources Manager.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, is already off to a strong start in 2014. With four new industry awards, the work-from-home travel franchise company continues to be a leader in the travel industry. 

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, continues to edge out its competition and this year has launched its way into the No. 19 spot on Entrepreneur’s Annual Franchise 500 List – the highest ever in the “Travel Industry” category.

Each year, Cruise Planners-American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, makes an effort to give back through its CP Cares Program. This year was no exception and the company and the entire Cruise Planners family of travel agents and partners gave back in a big way.

According to Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, there are still last-minute holiday cruise deals for savvy travelers.   

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, was named at the Franchise Partner of the Year for Norwegian Cruise Line for the third consecutive year. This announcement was made even before year’s end by Andy Stuart at the annual Cruise Planners Convention in Hollywood, Fla.

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, has been named as the Top-Producing Agency of the Year by Europe Express, a leading American wholesale tour operator.

Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, has been nominated to the South Florida chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society® as Woman of the Year for 2014. Under Fee’s leadership, Cruise Planners has given back to the community through its CP Cares program.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, is pleased to announce that Caitlin Murphy has joined the award-winning team as Director of Public Relations and Danielle Spano has been promoted to Director of Marketing. 

The entire military community is invited to enter a contest on Facebook to win their own travel franchise, worth $10,000

To enter, qualified people can share why they would make a great work-from-home travel franchise owner in 200 words or less and include one photo. Participants need to have a Facebook page and can enter by visiting our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/CruisePlannersFranchise 

Roughly 72% of Americans believe study abroad programs are critical to a student’s development and improving global relations. However, according to a recent survey done by Allianz Global Assistance USA+, only 12% participate in programs mostly due to a lack of financial resources.

The company’s annual event kicked off strong with positive news, powerful speakers and a wealth of information for agents

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel hosted its annual convention at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla. this past week, and kicked it off with an opening session that unveiled exclusive new technology and important industry announcements. With nearly 500 travel advisors at the sold-out event, the company predicted another successful year ahead based on strong sales and interesting projections. 

Cruise Planners--American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, announced today the keynote speaker for this year’s sold-out convention along with confirmed cruise line executive speakers and top breakout sessions.

October is National Cruise Vacation Month and Cruise Planners–American Express Travel, is celebrating with The World’s Largest Cruise Event (WLCE) all month long, offering incredible values and exclusive promotions on cruise travel to the world’s top destinations. Travelers have a chance to win $1,000 just by booking a cruise within the month of October.
 

Cruise Planners–American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, has once again been recognized by Travel Weekly, earning 11 coveted Magellan Awards for innovation, marketing and promotional videos. The awards honor the best in the travel industry and are bestowed upon travel organizations, such as Cruise Planners, representing the highest standards of excellence in hospitality.

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, is celebrating its 20 year anniversary at its upcoming annual convention. As it’s come to be expected, this year’s convention will be bursting with Cruisitude™ in signature Cruise Planners style, with  more festivities than ever before to mark this company milestone. 

Beatles fans can “Come Together” to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of The Beatles Invasion in America at Beatlemania, a five-day celebration of all things Beatles. From February 5-10, 2014, Beatlemania takes the celebration to the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, opening this winter near Cancun, Mexico, where rockers and fans will be able to mark this international milestone with celebrities and renowned Beatles enthusiasts.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel announces their latest endeavor, a Sea of Love cruise, the first of its kind for the company: a one-time only seven-night Caribbean cruise packaged with a group destination ceremony in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands devoted to same-sex couples.  Taking place September 27, 2014 through October 4, 2014 aboard the brand-new Norwegian Getaway, the Sea of Love cruise includes exclusive onboard events, plus the planning and coordination of what is sure to be one of the happiest commitment ceremonies ever to land on St. Thomas’ shores.

Cruise Planners- American Express Travel CEO and Co-founder Michelle Fee was honored at CLIA’s recent Cruise3sixtry event by being inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame with the Travel Advisor Award on Friday, June 21 at a gala in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is celebrating the success of the company’s social responsibility program, CP Cares, having raised $137,000 in 2012 for charities including the South Florida chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society®, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and other local organizations.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced that CEO Michelle Fee, CFO Tom Kruszewski and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Vicky Garcia together purchased the company from Palm Beach Capital, a private equity investment firm that had been the majority owner of Cruise Planners since 2005.  The transaction price for the deal, which closed on Dec. 31, was not disclosed.

Company ranked No. 1 in travel industry category and among Top 25 for African-American franchisee.

Cruise Planners – American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry has, once again, ranked high in Entrepreneur magazine’s Annual Franchise 500 issue. Jumping an impressive ten spots since 2012, from No. 44 to No. 34, Cruise Planners – American Express Travel is now in the top 6.8 percentile of franchises in the country, according to the magazine.  Moreover, in Entrepreneur’s “Travel Industry” category, Cruise Planners – American Express Travel ranked No. 1 for the tenth consecutive year, an outstanding testament to the company’s innovative style and longevity within the industry.

As Cruise Planners - American Express Travel’s annual convention is just a couple weeks away, the company is putting the finishing touches on its plans for the Cruisitude™ Revolution, taking place at that Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida from November 28 – December 1, 2012.

October is National Cruise Vacation Month and Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is celebrating with The World’s Largest Cruise Event (WLCE) throughout October, offering incredible values and exclusive promotions on cruise travel to the world’s top destinations.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel is preparing for its annual convention, which is themed “Cruisitude™ Revolution.” Complimented by the company’s positive spirit and unique marketing style, Cruisitude™ Revolution redefines the travel agent model by creating innovative tools, unmatched support, and award-winning partnerships with not only cruise, but land and ancillary product partners as well.

Host agency for travel agent franchise network strengthens management team

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is pleased to announce that Jodi Ornstein  has signed on as the company’s new director of marketing.

Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, has once again been recognized by Travel Weekly, winning nine coveted Magellan Awards for marketing, training and community programming. The awards honor the best in the travel industry and are bestowed upon travel organizations that represent the highest standards of excellence in hospitality.

Cruise Planners/American Express today at a press conference during Cruise3sxity in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, announced it has joined forces with Imagine Weddings and Events, an international full-service wedding and event company, to create Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners, a complete wedding planning service for shore side ceremonies and celebrations in ports of call around the globe.  Destination Weddings by Cruise Planners is part of the Cruisitude™ Revolution, Cruise Planners’ campaign to provide its advisors with innovative tools, award-winning relationships and third party partnerships that foster positive business opportunities.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, this week released a completely new engine for its travel advisors website.  Developed to build consumer confidence and boost customer engagement, the new website design establishes a clear brand message for all Cruise Planners home-based travel advisors.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was once again recognized by Royal Caribbean International as its Home-Based Partner of the Year for 2011, for the fifth consecutive year.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was honored with the “Best of the Best Globe Award” by Travel Impressions, one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide. 

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was recognized by Norwegian Cruise Line as its 2011 Franchise of the Year, honoring the outstanding sales partnership and overall commitment to the success and growth of the cruise line.  

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is ranked No. 44 out of 500 franchises in Entrepreneur magazine’s 33^rd Annual Franchise 500 Issue and for the ninth year in a row ranked the No. 1 franchise in the travel industry category.   

The National Minority Franchising Initiative (NMFI) has compiled its annual list of the “50 Top Franchises for Minorities” and Cruise Planners/American Express was selected one of the fifty top franchises for minorities. The results were featured in the November 4, 2011 issue of USA TODAY in the Franchising Today section.

We can’t believe we have reached the final day of 2011 CP Con in Riviera Maya, Mexico!  Cruise Planners/American is running “Full Speed Ahead” as we prepare to close out another successful event celebrating who we are and what we do best – sell unforgettable vacations for our clients!  

Coral Springs, Fla. – July 13, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, announced its partnership with Honeymoonwishes.com, an online registry provider, to create a travel registry website for honeymoonsand other celebratory travel. The registry will link directly from a Cruise Planners/American Express travel advisor’s website to their own branded registry tool powered by Honeymoonwishes.com or Celebrationwishes.com.

Coral Springs, Fla. – June 17, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, celebrated the hard work and dedication of a group of top producing travel agents by coordinating an enlightening biblical voyage through Israel with Educational Travel Services (ETS), a travel company specializing in trips to the Holy Land.     

Coral Springs, Fla. – June 16, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was selected as a 2011 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs magazine for the second year in a row. The honor reflects the company’s efforts to provide programs and incentives created to support successful veteran entrepreneurs.   

Israel, Holy Land,

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, announced advancements to its popular bookings and reservations management tool, eREZ^SM, along with new training courses for Cruise Planners University (CPU) and innovative technology coming soon for all home-based travel agents. The announcement was made during a press conference at Cruise Line International Association’s cruise3sxity travel agent conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Friday, April 15.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – April 11, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, won two ADDY® Awards recognizing creative excellence in advertising. The franchise company was honored with a gold ADDY® for its “Cruisidude” brochure and a silver ADDY® for the “My Bucket List” brochure. This is the second notable recognition for Cruise Planners’ “Cruisidude” brochure, which recently won a 2010 Travel Weekly Silver Magellan Award.  

Coral Springs, Fla. – April 7, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced it has promoted Laura Blanco to director of sales. In this position, she will assist Cruise Planners’ more than 700 franchise owners around the country with effective business solutions to increase sales and business growth.  

March 17. 2011

    Hi, everyone! Happy St. Patty's Day and welcome to my first blog.
 You have all most likely have heard the saying “To love what you do you have to do what you love.” .....

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – February 23, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is selling select Princess Cruises as part of its 2011 CP Cares initiative, allocating $50 from each booking made by a Cruise Planners/American Express agent to raise funds for the Wyland Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life.

Coral Springs, Fla. – January 27, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was recognized by Norwegian Cruise Line for the first time as its Home-Based Agency of the Year, honoring the outstanding sales partnership in 2010.

Coral Springs, Fla. – January 21, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was once again recognized by Royal Caribbean International as its Home-Based Partner of the Year for 2010 for the fourth consecutive year.

Coral springs, Fla. – January 10, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, announced the end of another successful year in today’s competitive travel market by winning notable industry awards and launching innovative programs and marketing tools for hundreds of its home-based franchise owners.  

Coral springs, Fla. – December 29, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was one of 52 travel companies presented with the coveted Globe Award from American Express Vacations, one of the country’s premier private-label tour operators selling destinations worldwide. Award recipients are selected based upon business growth, innovation and partnership.

Coral springs, Fla. – November 29, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today officially announced agent accreditation has increased 100 percent with 50,000 courses taken since introducing Cruise Planners University (CPU) nearly one year ago. The news follows the launch of the CPU senior track, which went live within the online site during the company’s annual convention last month in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Earlier this year, CPU won the coveted Gold Magellan Award for its innovative approach to training.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – November 19, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was named 2010 Travel Agency of the Year by American Express at the company’s annual U.S. Representative Network Conference in Phoenix, Arizona held earlier this fall.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – November 16, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, closed out its three-day 2010 Convention on November 13 when more than 400 of its agents boarded the Celebrity Eclipse for a two-night sailing from Miami. The theme for this year’s convention centered on “C.H.A.N.G.E” to help agents learn how to adapt to the ever-changing travel industry. Agents attended training, educational courses and peer-to-peer breakout sessions intended to lead agents toward a successful 2011 season.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – November 12, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is in the midst of hosting its sold out 2010 Convention with more than 400 home-based agents in attendance showing off their “Cruisitude” while participating in training courses, executive breakout sessions and panel discussions.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – November 11, 2010 – Launching this year’s 2010 Convention with the theme of “C.H.A.N.G.E.,” Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, kicked off day one of its sold out annual convention with presentations by industry professionals, agent-to-agent breakout sessions and several new launches, including the announcement of an upgraded version of its exclusive eREZ^SM platform.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – October 15, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced it will be partnering with the Wyland Foundation for its 2011 CP Cares initiative, a program created to support charitable organizations in the U.S. and around the world. Wyland Foundation, founded by renowned marine muralist and environmental advocate Wyland, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways, and marine life while striving to increase environmental awareness through programming, public artwork and community events. 

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – October 4, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, continues to raise the bar within the travel community winning four coveted Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly. The Magellan Awards honor the best in travel and the professionals working in the industry. 

Coral Springs, Fla. – September 27, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, has recently signed on Dan Hicks as the company’s new director of franchise development. Hicks joins the home office team with more than 18 years of experience in franchise sales and development.     

Coral Springs, Fla. – September 20, 2010 – Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners/American Express, was named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential Business Women” by the South Florida Business Journal, a weekly regional publication covering business, global and political news.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced that its annual convention scheduled this fall for agents and home office executives has sold out in record time.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today launched CP Savers, an exclusive franchise program for first responders in the public service and emergency medical professions. The limited-time program provides a variety of incentives to assist emergency personnel – including paramedics, law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians – with starting their own franchise travel business. 

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today reported an 80 percent increase in agent accreditation with supplier partners since the company launched Cruise Planners University (CPU) in November 2009.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, celebrated the inaugural sailing of Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest and largest ship, the Norwegian Epic, from the Port of Miami on July 8. More than 60 top selling Cruise Planners agents joined members of the executive team on the two-night sea excursion to get first-hand experience of the ship’s amenities, dining and nightlife.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today launched eREZ^SM, the company’s first web-based customer relations management program that allows agents to organize and store in-depth client information in an easy to navigate system accessible from any computer or smart phone with Wi-Fi.  

Cruise Planners/American Express, selected as a Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs magazine for 2010.

Carnival Breeze has been selected as the name for the line’s new 130,000-ton cruise ship scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. 

Specifically designed to enable users to practice the selling skills of listening, exploring and asking open-ended questions, agents using the program will build the techniques they need to respond to commonly asked questions, objections and other concerns that stand in the way of a successful sale. 

Oceania Cruises celebrated two milestones on Friday, February 26, at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa. The building dock for its new 1,258-guest, flagship Marina began filling with water and the first steel was cut for Riviera, a sister ship. Marina is scheduled to sail her maiden voyage on January 22, 2011; plans call for Riviera to debut in April 2012.

Cruise Planners has shown their commitment to improving the quality of life both locally and nationally.

Cruise Planners announced the availability of a “GroupScoop Video” program for its travel agents.

Company helps veterans start their own businesses with Corps Care program.

Our vision was to develop a program that is simple to use but creates professional output while cutting costs and time.

Cruising enthusiasts can register to win a spot on the inaugural voyage of the highly anticipated Norwegian Epic.

2008 ROYAL CARIBBEAN ‘HOME-BASED PARTNER OF THE YEAR

Top-rated cruise franchisor wins ‘Globe Award’ from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations.

CRUISE PLANNERS/AMERICAN EXPRESS CELEBRATES
15YEARS OF EXCELLENCE!

National cruise agency extends cruise industry’s biggest night of the year event into a week-long sales event.

CRUISE PLANNERS NAMES TOM KRUSZEWSKI CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Entrepreneur - USA Chief executive Michelle Fee says nearly 130 new franchisees joined last year, despite the poor economic outlook.

CRUISE PLANNERS UPGRADES CRM TECH TOOLS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF ‘CP POD’ Exclusive, easy-to-use Web-based program provides comprehensive prospecting, relationship management tools

New travel agent educational program offers broad curriculum covering 20+ topics in ‘08

New initiatives designed to help entrepreneurial veterans transition to home-based civilian career opportunities

CRUISE PLANNERS AGENT, NANCY BOGERT, ATTAINS MEMBERSHIP IN CARNIVAL’S PINNACLE CLUB

Cruise Planners wins American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award Top cruise agency franchisor receives prestigious honor for 4th consecutive year

Cruise Planners inducted into Carnival’s Pinnacle Club

Cruise Planners Ranked #1 cruise agency franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 5th straight year

Cruise Planners is named Home Based Partner of the year by Royal Caribbean

Cruise Planners agent, Nancy Bogert, wins award Royal Caribbean International

Carnival names Cruise Planners as Agency of the Year