Thuy Phan

Alaska is hands down one of the most unique, beautiful and popular destinations when it comes to cruising, and Cruise Planners Travel Ambassador Vik Bhatnagar got a chance to visit the famed frontier on Holland America's Koningsdam ship!

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – April 6, 2022 – On the heels of an incredibly busy and successful wave season, Cruise Planners proudly hosted their bi-annual Elite Summit for top producers on Avalon Waterways’ Envision in Europe. The event had over 85 attendees from all over the U.S. Advisors, Cruise Planners executives and supplier partners gathered on the Danube to network, learn and revel in the fruits of their labor.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – March 29, 2023 – Allianz Partners, a leader in travel insurance and travel assistance, has named Cruise Planners one of their top travel agency partners for 2022. Allianz Partners recognized Cruise Planners for their outstanding efforts in protecting their clients travel investments in a year that saw strong demand for travel. “Cruise Planners has a longstanding relationship with Allianz Partners that we are proud of because it allows our advisors to give their clients peace of mind and an ally when they are traveling,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “We are thrilled to be recognized and know our advisors do all they can to help protect their client’s travel investment.” “It’s a pleasure to recognize Cruise Planners for their outstanding efforts in protecting their clients’ valuable travel investments,” said Richard Aquino, Vice President and Head of Sales at Allianz Partners USA. “Travel has rebounded tremendously and we’re proud to play a role in both protecting travelers non-refundable travel deposits and provide them with travel assistance when they need us.” Allianz Global Assistance provided travel insurance to millions of Americans in 2022. Cruise Planners has been an exclusive Allianz partner for over 15 years and has been previously recognized as a top partner.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – March 27, 2023 – Military veterans and their families are the lifeblood of America and their sacrifice to serve our country is commendable. After they leave military life, there is so much more out there for them than just retirement. For many, a second career is exactly the right way to transfer the incredible skills they learned while in the military. Cruise Planners has a robust community of veterans and has been ranked by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Veterans. And for good reason—Cruise Planners offers the flexibility for veterans to create a life that works for them. Isaiah Banks, a Navy veteran says being a franchise owner has been a great way for him to segue his skills into an encore career. “As a former naval officer, it taught me how to prepare, plan, adapt, and overcome challenges and obstacles,” said Isaiah Banks, a veteran and franchise owner. “After I retired, I wanted a profession where I was in complete control of my destiny and a career as a travel advisor at Cruise Planners has been the perfect fit.” Similar to military life, once a new travel advisor has undergone extensive training, Cruise Planners’ technology, training, marketing and support helps them succeed. Cruise Planners’ best-in-class technology, industry experience and Home Office team experience and support have helped the organization become the leader in the industry. Being a business owner is also appealing to veterans because of the flexibility and freedom it provides. They can set their own hours and make decisions that will directly impact their success. Being their own bosses is also a great way for veterans to continue to serve their communities by creating jobs and providing services. “We are proud of the myriad of awards that we have won that highlight our commitment to veteran entrepreneurs,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “From day one, you'll benefit from having access to cutting-edge technology, award-winning creative marketing campaigns, as well as professional coaching and advisor development throughout your ownership journey.”

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – March 17, 2023 – Innovation is the root of technology and how it makes our lives easier. When it comes to travel, there are countless new ways that companies are making the experiences more seamless, more enjoyable, and less stressful. “What propels Cruise Planners forward as a trailblazer in the travel industry is our award-winning technology,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “We invest heavily into developing proprietary technology tools that are the driving force for our marketing programs and tools that help our advisors elevate their business.” With 2023 proclaimed as being the “Year of Travel,” here are some travel technology trends we are keeping our eyes on. Here are the top 4 tech trends for travel advisors to pay attention to in 2023: 🔮 Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Solutions: AI-powered technologies like chatbots and virtual assistants are becoming increasingly popular in the travel industry. These solutions are being used to help customers make travel decisions, book flights, and more. While AI will allow customers and advisors to work together to narrow down destination options, it will never replace the “human touch” of an advisor offering personal recommendations for tours, restaurants, hotels, and more. ⚡ LivePlanner: With the rise of online meeting/webinar services, consumers are more comfortable with online presentations from the comfort of their homes. LivePlanner is a new, patent-pending, interactive travel planning and presenting tool from Cruise Planners that allows travel advisors to share information about cruise lines, tour companies, all-inclusive resorts, and activities with images, videos, itineraries, and more to educate and make recommendations that will help plan the perfect vacation for their clients. 👩‍💻 Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): AR and VR technologies are being used to create immersive experiences for travelers. It can be used to simulate a variety of travel experiences, from exploring a breathtaking tropical beach to taking a close-up look at a famous architectural landmark. VR technology is also used to create immersive experiences for travelers, from virtual tours of cities to interactive activities such as zip-lining through a forest or scuba diving in an exotic location. VR can also be used to create an immersive educational experience for travelers, allowing them to learn about the history, culture, and natural wonders of a destination. This technology can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the travel experience and provide travelers with an unforgettable journey. 📱 Mobile Applications for Travel Advisors: Mobile applications are becoming increasingly popular in the travel industry. From booking flights to checking in at airports, customers are using mobile applications to make their travel experience more efficient and convenient. Cruise Planners' award-winning Cruise Planners app allows clients to keep all their travel updates and reminders in one space. With CP Maxx mobile, clients can book activities, integrate with Yelp for recommendations while traveling, and keep important documents and schedules in one place. “We never rest on our laurels when it comes to technology,” said Brian Shultz, CIO of Cruise Planners. “We are constantly evolving and taking into consideration the needs of our advisors and how we can make them more efficient—it’s what drives our innovation.” With all these innovations geared toward helping travelers plan and book vacations with ease, Cruise Planners will continue to harness emerging technologies to help their network of expert advisors be successful.

Have you been to the heart of the Amazon River? Join CP Travel Ambassador Karen Chin as she heads to Peru and the exotic lushness of the Amazon.