Cruise Planners/American Express University

You have your business plan already outlined. You just signed all the papers. You are so excited to be starting your own franchise, still not believing what you are getting for under a $10,000 dollar investment.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, closed out its three-day 2010 Convention on November 13 when more than 400 of its agents boarded the Celebrity Eclipse for a two-night sailing from Miami. The theme for this year’s convention centered on “C.H.A.N.G.E” to help agents learn how to adapt to the ever-changing travel industry. Agents attended training, educational courses and peer-to-peer breakout sessions intended to lead agents toward a successful 2011 season.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, today reported an 80 percent increase in agent accreditation with supplier partners since the company launched Cruise Planners University (CPU) in November 2009.

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, announced they will add new industry experts to its Cruise Planners University (CPU) sophomore class curriculum beginning in March. The online travel agent educational platform provides access to vigorous training courses, social networking opportunities and the ability for agents to gain the Cruise Planner Experts Certification (CCPE).

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., During today's opening ceremony of the Cruise Planners/American Express annual convention, company leaders unveiled a new virtual educational platform that integrates Cruise Planners University (CPU) with Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) certification process and cruise line training programs. The online university, accessible at www.MyCPU.com, will allow Cruise Planners agents to graduate as Certified Cruise Planner Experts (CCPE,) the gold standard in the industry.