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CRUISE PLANNERS PRESENTED WITH GLOBE AWARD FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS VACATIONS

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS INCREASES AGENT CERTIFICATION BY 100 PERCENT

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS HONORED WITH TRAVEL AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS AGENTS GEARED UP TO TACKLE UPCOMING TRAVEL SEASON

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS AGENTS SHOWING OFF THEIR “CRUISITUDE” AT SOLD OUT 2010 CONVENTION

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS KICKS OFF 2010 ANNUAL CONVENTION FOR AGENTS

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.

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Breakout with Home Office Execs

Home office executives and industry professionals hosted breakout workshops immediately following the cruise line executive panel held during day two of 2010 CP Convention. The goal was to provide agents with a slew of business and marketing advice that ultimately helps them build their client base and increase sales in today’s challenging travel market. From tricks to using Cruise Planners’ online reservation tools to learning how to sell luxury and river cruises, day two of convention kept agents learning, growing and embracing the change that’s on the horizon. &nbs...Read More...

Top Cruise Line Execs Address Changes in the Industry before Hundreds of CP Agents

Being a Cruise Planners agent has its benefits and one of the best, most valued benefits, is the company’s strong relationship with its cruise line partners. Day number two of Cruise Planners’ 2010 Convention kicked off on Friday morning with the most anticipated session so far – the cruise line executive panel.    Industry executives Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International’s SVP Sales; Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity Cruises’ SVP Sales; Edie Bornstein, Azamara Club Cruises’ VP Sales & Marketing; Lynn Torrent, Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo...Read More...

Agents Helping Agents

Rock Stars shared their secrets of success with peers at the agent-to-agent breakout workshops held during day one of 2010 CP Convention. Cruise Planners’ top selling agents gave travel selling advice and described what tools they use that help build their client base and increase sales in today’s challenging travel market.   Cruise Planners agent JJ Kuykendall told her peers that long-lasting relationships with clients are made by one simple rule: “following up, following up, following up!” Stressing the point that connections are key, Kuykendall said she rea...Read More...

Cruise Planners Kicks Off 2010 Convention

It was a beautiful day here in sunny Fort Lauderdale for the first day of our anticipated Cruise Planners/American Express annual convention. Agents awoke to the sun shining across the blue Atlantic and as Royal Caribbean’s new Allure of the Seas sailed into port, we were all reminded just how much we love what we do…Selling cruise experiences! Convention kicked off with a keynote address by Rick Sasso, president of MSC Cruises, which recognized the perfect position agents are in to embrace change and capitalize on the ever changing and ever growing cruise industry. Though the...Read More...

CRUISE PLANNERS ANNOUNCES 2011 CP CARES INITIATIVE

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. 

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CRUISE PLANNERS HONORED WITH FOUR GOLD AND SILVER MAGELLAN AWARDS

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. 

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CRUISE PLANNERS WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT

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.     

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CRUISE PLANNERS CEO AND CO-FOUNDER NAMES ONE OF THE TOP MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS WOMEN FOR 2010

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS GEARS UP TO HOST AGENTS AT SOLD OUT 2010 CONVENTION

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS HELPS THOSE WHO SAVE LIVES, SAVE MONEY

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. 

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CRUISE PLANNERS AGENTS EARN TOP ACCREDITATIONS THROUGH CRUISE PLANNERS CURRICULUM

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.

 

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CRUISE PLANNERS EXECUTIVES AND TOP PRODUCING AGENTS CELEBRATE INAUGURAL SAILING OF NORWEGIAN EPIC FROM THE PORT OF MIAMI

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS introduces online Client management and reservations tool for home-based Agents

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.  

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Cruise Planners named a Military Friendly Franchise for U.S. Veterans by G.I. Jobs Magazine

Cruise Planners named a military friendly franchise for U.S. Veterans BY G.I. Jobs magazine Honor reflects company’s commitment to incorporate initiatives for veteran entrepreneurs      Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – June 16, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was selected as a Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs magazine for 2010. The honor reflects the company’s efforts to provide programs geared to create and support successful veteran entreprene...Read More...

Carnival Cruise Lines' New 130,000-Ton Ship To Be Named Carnival Breeze

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. 

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Cruise Planners Introduces Online Communication Coach Program For Home-Based Agents

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. 

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Oceania Cruises Holds Dual-Ship Celebration at Fincantieri Shipyard

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.

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CRUISE PLANNERS DONATES $18,000 TO FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION

CRUISE PLANNERS DONATES $18,000 TO FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION Donation funds collected through t-shirt sales and silent auction during annual convention MIAMI, FL – February 24, 2010 –Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, donated $18,000 to the Fisher House Foundation as part of its CP Cares initiative. The funds were collected at the company’s annual convention late last year through Cruise Planners t-shirt sales and a silent auction. “Cruise Planners has shown their commitment t...Read More...

CRUISE PLANNERS ADDS NEW INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO ITS SUCCESSFUL

CRUISE PLANNERS adds new INDUSTRY experts to its successful Cruise planners UNiversity on-Line Curriculum Experts to assist home-based agents with business and sales-related skills FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – February 16, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, announced they will add new industry experts to its Cruise Planners University (CPU) sophomore class curriculum beginning in March. The online educational platform provides access to vigorous training courses, social networking op...Read More...

HSMAI RECOGNIZES MICHELLE FEE AS ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MINDS

HSMAI recognizes Michelle fee as one of the “top 25 most extraordinary minds” in sales and marketing The annual “hot list” pays tribute to those who define innovation, vision and achievement  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – January 15, 2010 – Michelle Fee, Co-Founder and CEO of Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, has been named one of the “top 25 most extraordinary minds” in sales and marketing for 2009 by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Associati...Read More...

NEW FRANCHISE WEBSITE MAKES IT EASY FOR PEOPLE TO “FIRE THEIR BOSS” AND INVEST IN THEMSELVES

NEW Franchise Website makes it easy for people to “Fire their Boss” and Invest in themselves Remaining Innovative, Cruise Planners launches franchise recruitment website Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – January 5, 2010 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today announced the launch of its new franchise website designed exclusively for budding entrepreneurs seeking flexibility and personal career investments. At www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com, entrepreneurs interested in franchise o...Read More...