Eat, Sail, Love: Cruise Planners Hosts River Cruise Academy During ASTA River Cruise Expo
Elizabeth Gilbert keynote, immersive Dutch experiences, and the christening of AmaSofia anchor a week of education and industry engagement
April 1, 2026 (Coral Springs, FL) – Cruise Planners travel advisors are returning from the ASTA River Cruise Expo with enhanced expertise and renewed inspiration following a week of education and cultural immersion aboard AmaVenita. In partnership with AmaWaterways, Cruise Planners hosted its annual River Cruise Academy, an onboard training program designed to help advisors deepen their river cruise knowledge and better serve growing client demand.
The weeklong program included sessions on river cruise operations, sales strategies and positioning, as well as how to effectively communicate the value of river cruising to clients seeking unique, experiential travel. Advisors also gained firsthand insight into the AmaWaterways product, complemented by curated excursions and onboard experiences.
The fifth annual ASTA River Cruise Expo brought 1,600 travel professionals to Amsterdam for nine days of masterclasses, peer exchange and ship tours, including 900 first-time attendees. Participating brands included Emerald Waterways, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Tauck and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
A group of 153 Cruise Planners advisors and guests participated in the River Cruise Academy, which began March 7 aboard AmaVenita and provided a firsthand look at the AmaWaterways experience. AmaWaterways Co-Founder and Chief Brand Ambassador Kristin Karst and Florida Regional Business Development Manager Herlan Ruiz led sessions highlighting the cruise line’s fleet and destinations, while also sharing strategies to help advisors better articulate their value to clients. Cruise Planners Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf and Business Development Manager, CP Tools & Programs, Melanie Segnorile, also played a key role in directing the Academy’s programming and guiding advisors through the training experience. ASTA Marketing Manager Jaclyn Miller outlined the benefits of ASTA membership, including education, advocacy and industry resources.
“River cruising continues to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, but there’s still a lot of mystery” said Scott Koepf, Chief Strategy Officer of Cruise Planners. “The River Cruise Academy provides that hands-on learning environment where advisors can live on the boat and get a feel for the product while building the confidence and expertise to grow their business.”
Open to advisors at all stages of their careers, the River Cruise Academy was designed to deepen understanding of the river cruise sector, from converting ocean cruise clients to river experiences to an ASTA-directed media relations session that helped advisors leverage their expertise into press opportunities and bookings.
Throughout the program, attendees explored nearby destinations through guided excursions, including visits to the tulip fields of Kampen and the coastal town of Bruinisse, home to the Netherlands’ “Mosselboulevard,” while also experiencing regional cuisine and onboard accommodations and programming.
“Attending the River Academy and the River Cruise Expo reinforces my existing knowledge while giving me the opportunity to explore new cruise lines and better match clients with the right experience,” said Honolulu-based Cruise Planners agent Jennifer Hardy. “There are so many nuances to consider, and these training opportunities are well worth the investment. The River Academy helps you begin developing a plan before you even get to the Expo, giving you the best chance for a strong return on investment.”
Hardy added that the program also provided opportunities to collaborate with other advisors, work alongside business development managers and develop strategies to implement within their agencies. “The market is growing quickly, and staying on top of changes is essential, as clients rely on advisors to help determine which river cruise line is the best fit,” she said. “I am developing a virtual series targeting my small ship and river cruise clients to showcase brands and itineraries they may not be familiar with, with the goal of growing my business and generating referrals.”
The Expo concluded with the christening of AmaSofia, AmaWaterways’ newest river cruise ship, marking a milestone moment for the brand and the broader river cruise sector. Attendees also heard from keynote speaker Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Eat, Pray, Love,” who shared reflections on creativity, overcoming anxiety and the transformative power of travel.
The River Cruise Academy, alongside the ASTA River Cruise Expo, underscored both the continued growth of the river cruise market and the increasing importance of advisor expertise in guiding client decisions. With the information acquired through a combination of hands-on experience, education and industry engagement, Cruise Planners advisors return better positioned to match travelers with river cruise experiences tailored to their preferences.
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About Cruise Planners
Cruise Planners was founded in 1994 and is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network. As a leader in the travel franchise industry, Cruise Planners positions a nation-wide network of 3,000 franchise owners for success by providing innovative marketing programs, proprietary and cutting-edge booking and technology tools, as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives. The company continues to be an industry leader and was named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 18 consecutive years and was awarded by Franchise Business Review as “Best-In-Category” for 3 years.
Cruise Planners received a 99% franchise owner satisfaction report from Franchise Business Review for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Franchise Business Review also ranked Cruise Planners #3 OVERALL on their list of Top 200 Franchises. Cruise Planners was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology, has been consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, and was recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel.
Visit our website, www.cruiseplanners.com, for more information or to view the complete list of awards and honors. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit https://www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com/.
