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Entrepreneur Magazine and Black Enterprise Rank Cruise Planners-American Express Travel High in Top Franchise Ratings

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.

CRUISE PLANNERS – AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL CELEBRATES SUCCESS OF CRUISITUDE™ REVOLUTION

Cruise Planners – American Express Travel Executive Team including CEO & Co-founder Michelle Fee, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Vicky Garcia, and Chief Financial Officer Tom Kruszewski set the stage for what the company expects to be a successful 2013 at the opening session of the Cruisitude™ Revolution, the company’s 16th annual convention that took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, late last week and concluded with a special two night preview cruise aboard Celebrity Reflection.

The Cruisitude Revolution was packed with the best breakouts in the biz.

Day two of the Cruisitude Revolution was packed with the best breakouts in the biz.  From Home Office marketing and technology sessions to destination specialists and social media experts, Cruise Planners secured the best of the best in their fields to provide agents with a slew of business and marketing advice. 

The Cruisitude Revolution Rocks the House.

Cruise Planners – American Express Travel’s annual convention started off with a bang as nearly 500 travel advisors, many dressed in their green and bling gear, gave CEO Michelle Fee and the Home Office team a round of applause as they entered the main ballroom of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

THE CRUISITUDE™ REVOLUTION GOES SOCIAL AT ANNUAL CRUISE PLANNERS CONVENTION

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.

THIS ELECTION YEAR, CRUISE PLANNERS ENCOURAGES TRAVELERS TO VOTE FOR VACATION

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 IGNITES A CRUISITUDE™ REVOLUTION FOR ANNUAL CONVENTION

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.

CRUISE PLANNERS ANNOUNCES JODI ORNSTEIN AS NEW DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

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 honored with NINE TRAVEL WEEKLY Magellan awards

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.

WHY DO YOU LOVE TO CRUISE?

If you are here, odds are you probably already love to cruise. Or at least have included cruises in your travel repertoire.

Conversation with 2012 LLS Woman of the Year: Vicky Garcia

It’s been a little over a week since Vicky Garcia, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, was named Ft. Lauderdale Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 2012 Woman of the Year.

After an intense 10 week-long campaign that raised an unprecedented $115,000, we caught up with Vicky to gain some insights on her success.

Royal Caribbean International’s "World's Largest Travel Agent Appreciation Event" pit stops at Cruise Planners.

It was a great surprise to be visited by Royal Caribbean International’s CEO and Chairman, Richard Fain; Laura Hodges, Director of National Accounts; and Arnie Weissmann, Editor in Chief of Travel Weekly for an impromptu sales call at Cruise Planners’ headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida.

NEW MENU DEBUTS AT 150 CENTRAL PARK

We love guest bloggers. This one in particular is from Gerry Barker, friend and avid traveler.

NEW MENU DEBUTS AT 150 CENTRAL PARK

When the biggest cruise ship in the world teams with a James Beard-award winning chef and local Florida farmers offering the freshest seasonal produce, everyone wins, and especially the diners at 150 Central Park on Oasis of the Seas.

CRUISE PLANNERS ADDS DESTINATION WEDDINGS TO PORTFOLIO OF SERVICES

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.

CP Cares: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Woman of the Year campaign 2012

CP Cares: Change the World is an outreach program created by Cruise Planners/American Express that builds on our commitment to support organizations throughout the United States and around the world. Through this umbrella program, we have committed to raising and donating funds to various charities as well as providing hands-on service to the community. It's another example of their positive Cruisitude, embraced by Home Office, our franchise owners and great partners.

CRUISE PLANNERS FOCUSES ON THE POWER OF THE BRAND

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 HONORED WITH HOME-BASED PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD BY ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

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 HONORED WITH TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS’ ‘BEST OF THE BEST GLOBE AWARD’

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. 

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE HONORS CRUISE PLANNERS WITH FRANCHISE OF THE YEAR AWARD

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 RANKS HIGH ON ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE’S 2012 TOP FRANCHISE LIST

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.