Cruise Planners

CRUISE PLANNERS RANKS HIGH IN ENTREPRENEUR

Cruise planners RANKS HIGH ON ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE’S TOP FRANCHISE LIST Company is also ranked No. 1 in cruise industry for the 7th consecutive year Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – December 16, 2009 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, is ranked No. 62 in Entrepreneur’s 31st Annual Franchise 500 Issue. For the seventh year in a row, the company is ranked No. 1 in the industry. “While other industries struggled this past year, Cruise Planners saw a significant increase ...

Posted on 16/12/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS LAUNCHES CUSTOMIZED VIDEO MARKETING TOOL

Cruise planners launches customized video marketing toolFranchise owners can now order “GroupScoop Video” to promote their businessFort Lauderdale, Fla. – December 9, 2009 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced the availability of a “GroupScoop Video” program for its agents that offers customizable marketing videos at affordable prices through a partnership with Digital Design Video, a production company based in Ohio. The new program allows Cru...

Posted on 10/12/09 in 2009 press release
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Cruisitude Convention – Fireside Chats with Execs

One of the benefits of being a Cruise Planners franchise owner is that each agent receives support and has direct access to the Home Office team. CP’s four agent levels (Shooting Star, Rising Star, Superstar and Rockstar) were all invited to intimate fireside chats where CP agents were able to voice concerns, share success stories and offer comments from 2009. As CP continues to grow (we’ve seen our largest growth in 2009) the Home Office team uses the information from the chats to bring around change and improve the support from agents. This year, the main topic agents kept ch...

Posted on 23/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude Convention – Celebrity and Royal Caribbean’s Recipe for Success

Vicki Freed and Dondra Ritzenthaler from Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises put on quite a show when they threw raw eggs and flour at each other and discussed how agents can cook up a “Recipe for Success.”Dressed in aprons as Lucy and Ethel, the comic duo highlighted how cruise lines provide all the ingredients for CP agents to cook up success. Below, their Recipe for Success:1 cup – Truly leveraging your preferred suppliers and strategic partnerships and selling exclusive deals with cruise lines. (Sell the innovations the cruise lines are unveiling, like ...

Posted on 23/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude Convention – Epic Changes in Cruising

Size matters in the cruise industry, and this year more than $4.7 billion was invested in 15 new (and some extremely large) ships, which is a great sign for travel agents.Andy Stuart, Executive VP of Global Sales & Passenger Services for Norwegian Cruise Line revealed what the cruise industry is doing to continue to innovate and stand out. He chatted about new localized ports, exotic products and new staterooms.All of these new innovations and investments have created a lot of buzz about the cruise industry in general, which ultimately drives cruisers to reach out to CP agents to close ...

Posted on 23/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude Convention - Carnival Cruise Lines' Adolfo Perez

Adolfo Perez, VP of Worldwide Reservation Sales for Carnival Cruise Lines kicked off the morning with tips on how agents can make more money without spending a dime. Adolfo’s message resonated the sentiments of many speakers from the first day of the conference by stressing the importance of having a strong customer contact strategy. His tips include:• Put as much effort into contacting your clients after they book as you do before they book.• Keep them excited throughout the post-booking phase.&bul...

Posted on 23/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude convention – Results-driven Social Media Marketing

Social media has grown exponentially since last year’s conference, so this year, we invited Ashley Norman, the director of social media at CP’s PR firm, to share her insight on how our agents can use these tools to help grow their businesses. Ashley gave practical tips for agents to take home and start implementing to enhance their social media presence. She delved deeper into the topic and below are some of the highlights from her presentation. Starting the conversation: Consumers don’t want advertising pushed on them anymore, so agents need to move away from traditional ...

Posted on 20/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude Convention - It's a Family Fued

It's a Family Feud at the Cruise Planners ConventionDid you all do your homework? Not a question we'd necessarily expect to hear at the Cruise Planners convention breakout session on cruise line loyalty programs. Terri Burke, Cruise Planners senior VP of relationship marketing, wanted to make sure the room was prepared to win prizes, but not without a little work first - Cruise Planners very own version of Family Feud! Michelle Homoky, director of SE sales for Celebrity Cruises and Theresa Scalzitti, national account manager for Royal Caribbean International, provided an ov...

Posted on 19/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude convention - Cruise line executive panel

This morning, top executives from major cruise lines got their cruisitude on by trading in traditional business attire for funky and memorable firefighter, Uncle Sam and pilot costumes. Each executive shared how agents can benefit from their line's incentive programs. Below are the top take away tips from each panel presenter:"Corporate Group Incentive Travel, Meeting Groups & Individual Incentive Travel" - Ron Gulaskey, Director of Corporate Sales & Charters for Celebrity Cruises / Azamara: - Avoid old-school thinking by selling to corporations and using incentive sales- Whe...

Posted on 19/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude convention - Celebrity Cruises' Dondra Ritzenhaler

The only person who inspires a positive cruisitude more than me is Dondra Ritzenhaler from Celebrity Cruises. She is ebullient, energetic and electrifying. The theme of her presentation was attitude (or in today's case cruisitude!) and believing in what you do. And, most importantly, never giving up. You have to be driven and remind yourself what drives you. Everyday. The four pillars of her drive are: believe, inspiration, purpose and attitude. Believe in not only what you are doing, but that you can do it. And to drive the point home showed the very poignant scene from The Pursuit of H...

Posted on 18/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude convention - Princess Cruises' Lee Robinson

Lee Robinson, VP of Field Sales for Princess, provided agents with a lesson in how a little time travel can teach survival tactics for the future. In his presentation, "Damn the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead," he illustrated the fact that, while these are extremely challenging times, the industry has experienced difficulties in the past in different forms...and agents can learn from this. Just in the past year, the industry has dealt with "wait and see" attitudes from clients, cruise line layoffs, retailers closing and investigation of crimes on cruise ships, just to name a few. There have...

Posted on 18/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude Convention 2009 - Opening ceremonies

Here in sunny Fort Lauderdale, it's always a great day for cruising! The Cruise Planners / American Express annual convention kicked off this morning with CEO Michelle Fee and company executives recognizing all of the amazing work our agents have done this year in an extremely challenging business environment. Though sales were down and revenue was generally flat in '09 compared to '08, cabin count was up, and that is a testament to the dedication, tenacity and intelligence Cruise Planners agents have displayed over the past year. To better assist the fantastic Cruise Planners agents, Home...

Posted on 18/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruise Planners American Express launches CPU - industry’s first virtual education platform

Cruise Planners launches industry’s first virtual education platform Agents now have access to leading online educational content, social networking opportunities and the industry’s highest accreditation Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – November 18, 2009 – During today’s opening ceremony of the Cruise Planners/American Express annual convention, company executives unveiled their upgraded Cruise Planners University (CPU) educational program, which now integrates Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and select cruise line and tour company universities with ...

Posted on 18/11/09 in Convention 2009
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Cruisitude Convention 2009 - Kick-start!

Check in starts at 11:00 a.m. Some of our early birds are able to take a CLIA class entitled "Better Listening Skills" at 2:30 p.m. Our convention really begins with our welcome to SoFla cocktail party and our fantastic tradeshow featuring our cruise line partners, tour operators, vendors and all of our Home Office Team. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. where our signature drink for the evening's cocktail party is the "cruisitude adjustment" (which is green of course!). The tradeshow is a convention favorite and has something for everyone. CP'ers know to bri...

Posted on 17/11/09 in Convention 2009
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THE CRUISITUDE IS SET FOR CRUISE PLANNERS’ ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The Cruisitude is Set for Cruise Planners’ Annual ConferenceCompany will unveil new tools for franchise owners Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – November 16, 2009 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, will host its annual convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, November 17-22, 2009 with the last two days taking place aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas during its inaugural sailing. The “Cruisitude” theme will set the tone for the high-energy convention, which wil...

Posted on 16/11/09 in Convention 2009
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS LAUNCHES INDUSTRY’S FIRST VIRTUAL EDUCATION PLATFORM

Cruise Planners launches industry’s first virtual education platform Agents now have access to leading online educational content, social networking opportunities and the industry’s highest accreditation Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – November 18, 2009 – During today’s opening ceremony of the Cruise Planners/American Express annual convention, company leaders unveiled a new virtual educational platform that integrates Cruise Planners University (CPU) with Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) certification process and cruise line traini...

Posted on 16/11/09 in Convention 2009
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CRUISE PLANNERS’ AWARDS AIR FORCE VETERAN WITH $11,000 FRANCHISE

Cruise Planners’ Awards Air Force Veteran with $11,000 Franchise and Announces Charitable Partnership Coral Springs-based company expands its charitable contributions and community outreach Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – July 29, 2009 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, reached out to the local veteran community on July 28 with an event to celebrate the donation of a Cruise Planners franchise worth more than $11,000 and the announcement of the company’s year-long charitab...

Posted on 30/7/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS GIVES $10,000 FRANCHISE TO ARIZONA VETERAN

Cruise Planners Gives $10,000 Franchise to ARIZONA Veteran Company helps veterans start their own businesses with Corps Care program Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – May 21, 2009 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, has awarded Air Force veteran Chris Silman with a franchise worth $10,000. The Arizona veteran was notified in honor of Memorial Day. Cruise Planners hosted the nationwide giveaway competition to celebrate the launch of the company’s Corps Care veterans program...

Posted on 27/5/09 in 2009 press release
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Michelle Fee on Travel Pulse TV

MIchelle Fee on Travel Pulse TV.

Posted on 8/5/09 in Inside the cruise industry
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS LAUNCHES REDESIGNED TECHNOLOGY

Cruise Planners Launches Redesigned Technology Web-based platform provides agents with complete franchise management system Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – April 9, 2009 - Cruise Planners/American Express, the largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, unveiled its completely redesigned franchise management system at CLIA’s Cruise3Sixty on Friday, April 3. “Our vision was to develop a program that is simple to use but creates professional output while cutting costs and time,” said Michelle Fee, Cruise Planners co-founder and ...

Posted on 16/4/09 in 2009 press release
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NEW MICROSITE COUNTS DOWN TO NORWEGIAN EPIC LAUNCH

New Microsite Counts Down to Norwegian Epic Launch NewNCLShip.com is the only site to win a trip on the inaugural sailing Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - March 2009 -Cruise Planners/American Express, the largest homet-based travel agent network in the cruise industry, today announced the launch of CoolNewShip.com, where cruising enthusiasts can register to win a spot on the inaugural voyage of the highly anticipated Norwegian Epic. “The Epic will revolutionize the cruise industry, so this is an exciting time for cruise lovers and travel agents to get a glimpse of history i...

Posted on 16/4/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS WELCOMES TERRI BURKE TO EXECUTIVE TEAM

Cruise Planners/American Express Welcomes Terri Burke to Executive Team Industry veteran named Senior Vice President of Relationship Marketing Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – March 16, 2009 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the largest at-home travel agent network in the cruise industry, is pleased to announce that Terri Burke has joined the company’s executive team as Senior Vice President of Relationship Marketing. In this newly created position, Burke will be responsible for developing training and certification programs, designing and implementing market...

Posted on 16/4/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS NAMED 2008

CRUISE PLANNERS/AMERICAN EXPRESS NAMED 2008 ROYAL CARIBBEAN ‘HOME-BASED PARTNER OF THE YEAR’ National cruise agency remains only company to receive prestigious award with second consecutive win CORAL SPRINGS, FL – (February 24, 2009) – Cruise Planners/American Express is making room in its crowded trophy case for its second Home-Based Partner of the Year award from Royal Caribbean International. With the win, Cruise Planners/American Express remains the only company to receive the prestigious award. “It’s a tremendous honor ...

Posted on 25/2/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS LATEST AWARD WIN

Top-rated cruise franchisor wins ‘Globe Award’ from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations CORAL SPRINGS, FL – (February 11, 2009) – Cruise Planners/American Express was one of 40 travel agencies and organizations receiving a coveted “Globe Award” from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations, one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide. Award recipients are selected based upon criteria including business growth, innovation and partnership. The award was presented at the tour operator...

Posted on 18/2/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS CELEBRATES

CRUISE PLANNERS/AMERICAN EXPRESS CELEBRATES 15YEARS OF EXCELLENCE! With a new logo and branding that’s a fresh update for 2009 CORAL SPRINGS, FL – (February 3, 2009) Cruise Planners/American Express is celebrating its 15th anniversary. And to kick-start the celebration, they gave their logo and branding a fresh, updated look. Designed by the Cruise Planners/American Express award-winning, internal marketing team, the updated logo and branding are featured in a new ad campaign which also launched this year. Plus, it was unveiled to their entire network of travel profe...

Posted on 11/2/09 in 2009 press release
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CRUISE PLANNERS-AMERICAN EXPRESS LATEST AWARD WIN

CRUISE PLANNERS/AMERICAN EXPRESS’ LATEST AWARD WIN ‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’ Top-rated cruise franchisor wins ‘Globe Award’ from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations CORAL SPRINGS, FL – (February 11, 2009) – Cruise Planners/American Express was one of 40 travel agencies and organizations receiving a coveted “Globe Award” from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations, one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide. Award recipients are selected based upon criteria including business gro...