Thuy Phan

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – May 24, 2022 – With 2023 marking a year that will induct more top producers into the top echelons of sales tier than ever before, Cruise Planners hosted the second of two bi-annual Elite Summit trips on the magnificent Seabourn Encore from May 14-20. The trip is a chance to celebrate and congratulate top producers and also learn about new destinations that will enhance their knowledge. The itinerary included ports of calls in Haifa, Kos, Mykonos, Antalya, Athens, Marmaris, Limassol and Naousa. Cruise Planners CEO and Founder Michelle Fee, Chief Operations Officer Theresa Scalzitti and Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf hosted the eight-day event. “You’re looking at the best of the best and when these movers and shakers all gather in one place, magic, memories and Cruisitude is abound,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “To be able to celebrate and recognize these top producers for a successful 2022 is one of the most rewarding experiences for me personally.” The Elite Summit featured supplier partner one-on-one meetings and exclusive Cruise Planners receptions, dinner events, a private excursion, entertainment and more. Industry partners in attendance included: Seabourn - Steve Smotrys, Vice President, Global Sales Seabourn- Wendy Whitener, Director, North American Sales Allianz - Tim Behm, District Director Sales AmaWaterways - Kristin Karst, Co-Owner & Executive Vice President AmaWaterways- Rudi Schreiner, Co-Founder, Co-Owner & President Azamara - Lori Nojaim, Key Account Manager Carnival Cruise Line - Adolfo Perez, Senior Vice President Global Sales & Trade Marketing Celebrity Cruises - Yolanda Sheppard, National Sales Manager Holland America Line - Rob Coleman, Vice President - North America Sales MSC Cruises - Koreen McNutt, Senior VP of Sales & Trade Engagement Norwegian Cruise Line - Richard Sims, Key Account Sr. Manager Princess Cruises - Mary Jencen, Manager, National Accounts Royal Caribbean - Joanne Schimelman, Vice President, Sales & National Accounts Viking Cruises - Sandra Marshall, Director, Field Sales The Elite summit is essential for advisors to network and learn more from suppliers through one-on-one meetings and executive presentations. Excursions included options to see Ephesus, enjoy wine-tastings, island hopping in Greece and highlight tours of Tel Aviv to name a few. Guests also learned firsthand how premiere olive oil is made and partook in a group cooking lesson that showcased the traditional cuisine of Kos in Turkey. Cruise Planners hosts two Elite Summits each year, and recently completed their previous Elite Summit on Avalon Waterways’ Envision in Europe in March.

CP Travel Ambassador Therese LeGrow recently went on a river cruise with Avalon Waterways Expression ship for their Storyteller Series and what a story she has to tell! Join her as she takes us to Europe and what to look for when you visit.

There comes a point in everyone’s life when they consider if the work they’re doing has meaning and checks off all the boxes that make it feel fulfilling and full of purpose. The good news is there are many options to consider in alternate careers, such as the travel industry, that are both fulfilling and allow you the chance to be your own boss and travel the world. But before you do, these are a few things to consider. Take it from David Rodrigues, who left the corporate world to try his hand at being a travel franchise owner with Cruise Planners and made the leap front and center.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – April 27, 2022 – Classic Vacations has chosen Cruise Planners Travel Advisor Angela Kelso as the recipient of a Scholarship to attend the 2023 E3 Summit in the name of Cruise Planners late COO and Co-Owner, Vicky Garcia. The scholarship will cover the cost for participation as well as air accommodations. “Classic Vacations wants to honor Vicky and her legacy by offering a Cruise Planners franchisee the opportunity to take part in this event which focuses on entrepreneurship and education for the travel professional,” said Jeff Verlotta, business development manager. “We know these are core attributes that Vicky held dear.” Kelso has been franchise owner since 2019 and is a Mega Star sales tier and has a focus on selling luxury land vacations including Classic Vacations. “It is a tremendous honor and participating in the event focusing on entrepreneurship and education for the travel professional is truly appreciated,” said Kelso. “The first time I met Vicky was at a Cruise Planners training event. She left a lasting impression on me then that I still carry with me today. Her passion and enthusiasm was infectious and an inspiration to me.” This is Classic’s 5th year of E3 and it stands for Elite, Education, Experience. “This is a beautiful tribute to our beloved Vicky is a testament to the lasting legacy she left behind,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “Thank you to Classic for this gesture to honor her memory in the way she would have wanted: empowering travel advisors to soar.” The conference will take place Aug.27-31, 2023 at the Secrets Bahia Mita in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and will feature workshops, seminars and chances to network.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – April 25, 2022— Earlier this year, Cruise Planners CEO and Founder Michelle Fee deemed 2023 the “Year of Travel” and judging by the robust and strong wave season that just wrapped up, 2023 is set to be the “Year of Travel and BEYOND”. According to the company, 2023 departures are up 22% over the full year of 2019 and 13% up over the full year of 2022. Cruise Planners is currently pacing at 73% ahead of 2022 in purchases, and although the timeframe coincides with the effects of the Omicron variant from early 2022, the company does expect this number to decrease but notes the expectation is to still finish the year incredibly strong and well above 2022. Nearly 50% of the weekly bookings are for 2024 Departures, meaning the demand for travel extends to the year ahead which allows Cruise Planners to be set for another strong year in 2024. These numbers are exciting, considering the setback of the last few years, and Cruise Planners advisors are busy booking quality trips and vacations for their clients. “What a year it’s been so far, and I mean that in the best possible way,” said Fee. “It’s been heartwarming to see our advisors going full speed ahead and it doesn’t look like they’re stopping anytime soon. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to 2023!” In addition to these astounding numbers, Cruise Planners already has a 20% increase in the number of franchises who will be inducted into the Millionaires Club Member tier of sales ($1 million+ in total sales volume) and are on pace to end the year at 50% more set to join this prestigious club in 2024. This bodes well for the industry and the company as a whole, as advisors are building strong, sustainable travel businesses. Cruise Planners recently was awarded Celebrity Cruises highest honor, the Chairman’s Award and was named by Franchise Business Review as a 2023 Top Low-Cost Franchises and Top 50 Franchises for Women. Allianz also honored Cruise Planners as a top partner for 2022, and Entrepreneur Magazine noted Cruise Planners 22 years of being on the Franchise 500 list.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – April 21, 2022 – Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced the recipients of the 2023 Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards and Cruise Planners top agent Michael Consoli took home the prestigious “Travel Innovator or the Year Award”. Award winners were inducted at the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards Gala Dinner during the CLIA Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday, April 20, 2023. “I am so incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized with this award,” said Michael Consoli, a franchise owner since 2002. “Our success is a team effort and I am very proud of what we have accomplished in bringing positive ideas and influence to the travel sphere.” The awards identify individuals and organizations whose efforts and accomplishments represent a significant contribution to the cruise industry. This award specifically recognizes a CLIA Travel Agency Member that has demonstrated innovative and visionary leadership in their approach in promoting cruise travel, growing their cruise travel sales and supporting their affiliated travel advisors. Consoli has achieved unbelievable sales through sharing his expertise through social media, hosting consumer events and providing his guests with exceptional service. In addition, he curates and personally escorts several unique, invitation-only journeys throughout the year traveling with his guests whom he calls his “Wanderlust Society.” Consoli posted an astounding $20 million dollars in sales in 2021 (despite the pandemic) and beat that by increasing his sales to $24 million in 2022. An amazing feat considering his team consists of just 4 people. “Michael has broken record after record and shown us how mighty a small, but experienced and dedicated, team can achieve amazing sales,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “CLIA couldn’t have picked a better recipient for Travel Innovator of the Year and we are very proud of Michael and his team.” Consoli is the top producing agent at Cruise Planners and has been named their #1 producing luxury agent as well as being named Viking Cruises Global Top Producer for the past nine years.