Forward-Thinking Cruise Planners Champions Diversity and Fosters Culture of Inclusivity

Cruise Planners, an American Travel Representative, excitedly kicked off its first-ever Diversity and Inclusion Celebration at headquarters, affectionately known as Home Office, for its 130 Home Office Team members.

Diversity Makes the World Go Round

October is LGBT History Month and it is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Currently, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing three landmark cases about LGBTQ+ rights and employment discrimination. Cruise Planners choose to celebrate its incredibly diverse team members as they’re from all walks of life, with a series of influential speakers representing various types of diversity.

“No matter what the ruling is on LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace, we accept all of our team members just the way they are,” says Vicky Garcia, COO and co-owner of Cruise Planners.

Cruise Planners’ Inclusion and Diversity Celebration spotlights the extraordinary differences and similarities of its employees to show support and appreciation of everyone who makes up the DNA of the Cruise Planners family. It enabled team members to learn more about the multi-dimensions of diversity. Keynote speakers provided unique perspectives and powerful personal stories, including:

• Michelle Homoky, Director Market Sales, Southeast, Celebrity Cruises

• David Nelson, IT Business Relations Manager, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. and Founding Chairman of RCL Employee Resources Group, Anchored in Pride

• Devika Ramkisoon, Director of Workforce Operations, Dan Marino Foundation

• Sherylle A. O. Francis, Special Counsel, Litigation, Akerman

• Josh Zorn, Senior Coordinator Global Partnerships & Convention Sponsorships, International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA)

• Emmanuel Trenche, Partner, Trifecta Creative Collective

Inclusivity Lead to Change

Michelle Fee founded Cruise Planners 25 years ago and continues to believe a culture of diversity and inclusivity is a key driver of innovation and delivering exceptional services by cultivating a community of talented team members who are strengthened by a broad range of experiences and perspectives. Today, Cruise Planners is the nation's largest network of home-based travel agents with more than 2,500 travel advisors across all 50 U.S. states and has evolved to sell all types of travel – cruises, guided land tours and all-inclusive resort vacations.

Cruise Planners fun-loving and positive culture, coined Cruisitude^®, is clearly evident from the vibes from its Home Office Team members, franchise owners and the industry partners they do business with. There is a true sense of belonging for everyone. Inclusivity is part of Cruise Planners’ fabric, it was never a trend, fad or afterthought.

“We like to be different and we hire only the best people who fit our fun, encouraging and positive work environment and who are service oriented to support our growing network of home-based travel advisors,” Fee said. “We call them ‘Unicorns’ as we know such rare talent can be hard to come by.”

Commitment to Promoting Diversity and Inclusion

One of these unicorns, part of the stellar executive team is Garcia who joined Cruise Planners in 2004. She is a proud Latina who passionately advocates for LGBTQ+ travel and is known for her philanthropic efforts, notably CP Cares™ – Cruise Planners’ non-profit organization supporting local, national and international charities and other noble causes. Garcia married her wife, Carol Alexander in New York City in 2013 and renewed their vows in 2015, one month after same-sex marriages in their home state of Florida became legal.

“I work with an incredible group of people. We have every age, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation and education background here,” Garcia reflected. “Everyone, starting with Michelle, makes you feel welcome and accepted. When I first joined Cruise Planners, I was able to be transparent, direct and honest. I didn’t have to be deliberate and hide elements of who I am.”

The company with its strong and fearless female leadership team and ethnically, racially and LGBTQ+ diverse-team is committed to promoting inclusion, acceptance and tolerance allowing Cruise Planners to continue adapting and remain agile.

Garcia adds, “Regardless of the outcome on LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace, Cruise Planners is a safe place for everyone. We accept team members just the way they are and support them regardless of their skin color, gender or sexuality.”

Stay tuned for more posts on diversity and inclusion from the panel of speakers.

—Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, Authors of “No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work”