WOMEN IN BUSINESS

On this Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, we shine a spotlight on the incredible women redefining success in the dynamic world of travel entrepreneurship. We had the privilege of interviewing our very own Michelle Fee and four remarkable female leaders, each at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they share a vision for what it means to be a resilient and passionate business owner in a constantly evolving industry. Steph Lee - Founder of Host Agency Reviews; Joanie Ogg - Founder of Travel Professional News; Yamy Malcolm - Cruise Planners Franchise Owner; Caroline Swift, Cruise Planners Franchise Owner

Travel Advisors Extraordinaire

South Florida Business Journal honors Cruise Planners® as Business of the Year Last night, Cruise Planners® won the Woman-Owned Business of the Year Award from the South Florida Business Journal. This is yet another example of Cruise Planners’ innovative growth, commitment to Cruise Planners agents and strong leadership. Cruise Planers two female majority owners, Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder, and Vicky Garcia, COO, couldn’t do it without all the women and men who positively impact Cruise Planners.

For those flying American Airlines this month, the in-flight entertainment is offering something particularly insightful for business-minded travelers. Presented by Business 360, an exclusive interview with Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners, will be available in-flight, highlighting the advantages of owning a Cruise Planners franchise and how a love for travel can be turned into a profitable business venture. In the video, Michelle Fee delves into the lucrative opportunities available for people who have a passion for travel. She talks about how, as a Cruise Planners franchise owner, you can not only make a living by selling travel packages but also enjoy the perks of being your own boss and exploring the world. The feature further includes real-life success stories from Cruise Planners franchise owners, each recounting their own unique and inspiring journeys to franchise ownership.

The New York Times recently published an article featuring Cruise Planners CEO and founder, Michelle Fee discussing “skip-gens,” a popular travel trend where grandparents take the grandchildren on vacation without the parents in tow. Michelle also noted cruise lines are expanding their travel services for families with special needs, such as Royal Caribbean International’s dedicated services for autistic children.

Cruise Planners has once again earned the prestigious American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award, marking the 11th consecutive year of this recognition. The award serves as a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to quality in the travel industry. "Our partnership with American Express Travel is something that truly makes us stand out from our competitors," said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. "Our franchise owners benefit from the instant credibility that comes with our American Express Travel Representative relationship." According to American Express Travel, their annual Representative Excellence Program honors the top 25 agencies in their network that have most significantly contributed to their success. Qualifying agencies are recognized for their concentrated efforts toward meeting Preferred Supplier goals, active engagement with American Express products and programs, as well as a consistent commitment to embodying the pillars of the American Express brand. “This award is a result of our dedicated franchise network and Home Office Team that, together, strive for top performance, industry leadership and proven progress as the Cruise Planners family,” Fee added. For Cruise Planners franchisees, this award not only reaffirms the company's reputation for excellence but is also proof of the strong support and unparalleled benefits that come with being part of the Cruise Planners network, setting each franchisee up for continued success in the competitive world of travel planning.