Our Story

Franchise Development Team

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    Dan Hicks

    Director of Franchise Development

    16 years in Franchise Sales & Development. Previous executive positions with Lady of America Fitness Centers, NutriSystem and Kenny Rogers Roasters.

    954-840-0560 or email danhicks@cruiseplanners.com

    Birthplace: Terre Haute, IN
    Hobbies: Reality TV (was I on Survivor?), swimming, Crown Royal, dodge ball (it’s more fun as an adult)
    Favorite Vacation Spot: Santorini/Oia, Greece
    Number of Cruises: 19
    Fun facts:
    - I’ve been politely asked not to return to Chicago
    - I’m a great charades player despite what my friends say
    - I appeared on national television as Britney Spears

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    Don Luria

    Franchise Sales Specialist

    28 years in Franchise Sales & Development. Previously with Subway and Quizno’s and former Director of Franchise Development with CruiseOne.

    954-840-2093 or email dluria@cruiseplanners.com

    Birthplace: Hackensack, NJ
    Hobbies: Music, sports, reading, naps on cruise ships
    Favorite Vacation Spot: Positano, Italy
    Number of Cruises: 12
    Fun facts:
    - I attended Woodstock – Oh, the stories I have
    - I am a huge NY Yankee fan
    - I have 2 Golden Doodles

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    Laura Martin

    Franchise Sales Specialist

    23 years in the travel industry previously with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Resorts, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines & Celebrity Cruises.

    954-840-2092 or email laura@cruiseplanners.com

    Birthplace: Miami, FL
    Hobbies: Boating, scuba diving, socializing with friends and hanging out with my husband and 2 children
    Favorite Vacation Spot: Too many to mention.  Anywhere I can have fun, explore and have a great margarita or 3 (extra salt please).
    Number of Cruises: 50+
    Fun facts:
    -     I hiked to the base of an erupting volcano in Costa Rica and got ashed.
    - I am a thrill junkie and want to cage dive with great white sharks!
    - As a child I always wanted to be a Marine Biologist, unfortunately I hated science.

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    Dan Chiafair

    Franchise Sales Specialist

    16 years in Franchise Sales & Development. Former Publisher of Rolling Stone and held executive positions with Esquire magazine and GQ. Also held marketing positions with Procter & Gamble, Heublin, Block Drug and Segrams.

    877-992-0998 or email danchiafair@cruiseplanners.com

    Birthplace: Brooklyn NY
    Hobbies: horses, travel, movies
    Favorite Vacation Spot: Tahiti
    Number of Cruises: 60+
    Fun facts:
    - I love visiting Whale Cay, Bahamas
    - I’m a huge Orioles Fan
    - Champagne will be my undoing

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    Diane Chiafair

    Franchise Sales Specialist

    26 years in the travel industry, retired VP of Franchise Development with Cruise Planners/American Express, former Director with CruiseOne, and previous travel agency owner.

    877-992-0998 or email dianec@cruiseplanners.com  

    Birthplace: Mineola, NY
    Hobbies: Equestrian, travel, vegetable gardening, baking
    Favorite Vacation Spot: Tahiti, St. Lucia, West Indies, Whale Cay Bahamas
    Number of Cruises: 60+
    Fun facts:
    - Don’t come to my house if you’re on a diet
    - Friends want to come back as our pet when they pass on
    - Do whatever you’re able to do to help others

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  • Meche

    Meche Roeder

    Franchise Coordinator

    15 years in the travel industry and former Franchise Manager with CruiseOne.

    Birthplace: Lima, Peru
    Hobbies: Dancing, travelling, bowling, watching Brazilian soap operas
    Favorite Vacation Spot: Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast with the company of a fine glass of red vino!
    Number of Cruises: 26
    Fun facts:
    - I was in the national bowling league in high school
    - I did theatre acting in school and appeared in plays
    - My childhood dream was to be a singer but ended up in business school instead – not as fun!

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