Cruise Planners

As fireworks light up the sky and the nation celebrates freedom this Fourth of July, many Americans reflect on what freedom truly means. For some, it’s about patriotism and pride. For others, it’s about seeking independence in their own lives, especially from the daily grind of corporate life.

In a competitive travel market, standing out as a cruise expert requires more than enthusiasm; it requires credentials, connections and continuous growth. That’s where Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)steps in. For advisors who want to take their cruise business to the next level, CLIA is now essential.

June is Pride Month; a time to celebrate love, identity, and the freedom to be your authentic self. At Cruise Planners, we believe travel is one of the most powerful ways to embrace diversity, build community, and experience the world through a lens of inclusivity.

After years of climbing the corporate ladder and holding management positions with several Fortune 500 companies, Chandra Brown made a bold leap—leaving the predictability of corporate life behind to pursue her passion for travel. She considered several host agencies and early on even looked into the Cruise Planners franchise, but settled on trying her luck as an independent agent .

When it comes to selling river cruises, there’s one piece of advice that rings true time and time again: you have to experience it to sell it. There’s something uniquely magical about river cruising—the intimacy, the cultural immersion, the luxury—that simply can’t be fully understood until you’ve sailed one yourself. For new travel advisors, river cruising might seem scary, but it holds massive potential for building a loyal, high-value clientele. So, how do you go from zero experience to elite river cruise seller? The answer lies in a combination of first-hand experience, expert training, and knowing your clients needs.

Cruise Planners Franchise Owner Carmen Palogruto (aka "Captain Carmen") poses beside Pluto on Main Street.