vacations and travel experiences

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Cruise Planners continues to pave the way in the field of technology and was recognized at the 5^th annual Franchise Innovation Awards in Atlanta, GA during the Franchise Customer Experience Conference. The company took home the coveted “Most Innovative Use of Technology: Products” award for their patent pending LivePlanner™ tool that they unveiled in November 2022 at their annual convention. The goal of the awards is to identify and recognize the franchisors creating and implementing the most original and successful innovative strategies and tactics to build their brand.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized for the undisputed talent of our technology team,” said Michelle Fee, CEO & founder of Cruise Planners. “LivePlanner™ is a gamechanger and will help our advisors deliver the best experience they can for their clients and we’ve only seen the beginning.”

An independent jury of judges evaluated the innovation and objective of each of the more than 150 entrants, and we’re proud to say that we were one of the 22 recognized. Franchise innovators, game-changers, and disruptors competed in four categories: Marketing & Branding, Products & Services, Operations, and Human Resources.

Twenty-two winners were chosen from among the four categories. Each winner will be profiled in Franchise Update magazine.

Cruise Planners’ LivePlanner™ is the first interactive vacation planning tool of its kind within the travel industry. Hosted within Cruise Planners’ proprietary business management software, CP Maxx, LivePlanner™ gives franchises the opportunity to complete a live walkthrough of vacation options with their clients. These options include cruise itineraries with all major cruise lines, all-inclusive resorts, custom vacation packages, and more. With Cruise Planners advanced technology, there will be even more travel options available to advisors as the program evolves.

• Cruise Planners agents have had thousands of sessions since launching in 2022
• Average sale is 26% higher than a traditional sale without the use of LivePlanner™
• The average close rate is above 45%

“I’m immensely proud of our team for consistently creating tools and applications that make a tangible difference for our advisors,” said Brian Shultz, CIO. “We always want to be one step ahead of their needs and continuously innovate to have more great things coming down the pike for them, so stay tuned.”

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — With an unwavering commitment to innovation, Cruise Planners launched a new interactive product called “LivePlanner” during its annual Convention. This product allows Cruise Planners agents to showcase vacation options with imagery, videos, and more to help their clients plan the perfect vacation whether it’s a cruise, all-inclusive resort, and FIT Packaged trip.   All of it is done live and in real-time, making this an innovative technology for the travel industry and is patent-pending.

Clients can use either a laptop or desktop device creating a live session experience between themselves and their travel advisor and plan a vacation in real-time. This revolutionary software will have the capability for clients and agents to be on video and screenshare, further contributing to the interactive experience. All of this without needing to install any special software.

“We have been diligently developing this tool by using focus groups made up of team members and experienced advisors to ensure it’s both easy to use and to fine-tune important details,” said Brian Shultz, Chief Information Officer. “Our advisors can now add this to their arsenal of proprietary tools to help them close more sales and showcase their expertise in travel.”

New clients can access this feature and request a consultation from the agent’s website while existing clients can schedule their own sessions via their myTrips account on the agent website. Once a client makes a request for a LivePlanner session, they’ll be able to:

• View their upcoming consultation dates scheduled
• View all past consultations with the option to view a session “summary” which outlines the information shared during the consultation

During the session, clients may utilize the built in video feature if they wish to share their camera. They can also “favorite” or “unfavorite” items shared during the session by their agent, which helps the agent narrow down the search toward the perfect vacation. Any items that are favorited will be captured in their CP Maxx client profile and once the consultation has ended, clients will be sent to the “Session Summary” screen. There they can view any attachments sent by the agent during the consultation and share any and all trips with others via email.

“LivePlanner will change the game on the consultation aspect of working with clients to plan travel,”  said Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners. “We are excited to create a tool that will help advisors better understand what excites their clients about a vacation and helps clients understand more about the experiences and trip options, allowing agents to interactively consult with clients located anywhere in the world. Additionally, LivePlanner allows advisors to personalize a unique experience for their customers. We’re proud to offer this industry-first tool to our Cruise Planners advisors.”

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Cruise Planners Chief Sales Officer, Theresa Scalzitti, celebrated the naming of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Traveller as its godmother in the fjords of Beagle Channel’s Glacier Alley in Chile this past weekend. The dual naming ceremony included the World Navigator, which has been in service since last year but was never formally named. Adventurer Karen Lundgren serves as the godmother of the World Navigator.

Scalzitti, Cruise Planners chief sales officer, has spent the majority of her nearly 30-year career in the cruise and travel industry, championing travel advisors.

“This was a surreal moment for me. To be asked to be the godmother of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new ship World Traveller is a dream come true,” said Scalzitti. “Thank you Atlas for this once-in-a-lifetime honor.”

VIP guests at the dual naming ceremonies included travel advisors, shareholders, media and dignitaries from Argentina and Chile. World Traveller was named Nov. 19, followed by Zodiac sightseeing of Pia Glacier. In the evening the portraits of the godmothers were unveiled at a gala welcome reception prior to dinner. The naming festivities for World Navigator took place on Nov. 20, preceded by a celebratory luncheon on that vessel.

“Both yacht-style vessels specialize in expeditions to some of nature’s most spectacular destinations,” said James Rodriguez, Atlas’ president and CEO. “What a historic weekend for Atlas. It was inspiring to name these two spectacular ships surrounded by majestic glaciers.”

Both expedition ships are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and cater to global travelers with a passion for exploring both iconic and off-the-beaten-path destinations. The intimate vessels offer every five-star comfort, from an all-inclusive onboard experience and luxurious accommodations to in-depth excursions and customized private tours for a truly personalized voyage.

With only 100 suites, guests enjoy nearly a 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio and a special camaraderie and bond with their fellow explorers. This allows discerning travelers to immerse themselves in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations, from the Arctic to Antarctica, as well as discover destinations in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Americas.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — To infinity and beyond! Cruise Planners is excited to announce that they are working with Space Perspective to offer their clients a chance to break barriers and go beyond the final frontier: space. Cruise Planners has reserved two full capsules scheduled to fly in 2025 & 2027 respectively on Spaceship Neptune, developed to be the most accessible, most sustainable, and safest spacecraft on or above Planet Earth.  The six-hour journey takes eight Explorers and a pilot to the edge of space in a luxurious pressurized capsule propelled by a SpaceBalloon™.

Spaceship Neptune will differ from other spacecraft by being attached and secured to the SpaceBalloon for the entirety of the flight, making it a safe and seamless journey for the traveler. Other vessels separate mid-flight and transfer to different flight systems. According to Space Perspective, Spaceship Neptune will be lifted to space by the SpaceBalloon, powered by renewable hydrogen with no rockets and no carbon footprint. Guests won’t have the jarring blastoff that is typical of space travel, but instead will ascend steadily at 12 mph, making the experience accessible for anyone who is able to fly with a commercial airline.

“Cruise Planners has always been a pioneer and at the forefront of innovation in the travel industry,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and founder of Cruise Planners. “We are excited for our advisors to be able to offer such a unique experience to their clients that pushes all boundaries of travel as we know it.”

The interior Space Lounge layout has been designed to maximize comfort and enhance the quintessential astronaut experience of seeing the beauty of Planet Earth from space. Explorers can take advantage of the telescope and interactive screens that share key information as the journey unfolds or celebrate with a champagne toast from the bar. Guests will be able to enjoy the view from the largest windows ever flown to space, giving Explorers  360-degree visibility. A high-speed Wi-Fi connection will be available, allowing guests to share the transformative experience with friends and family.

“Space Perspective is changing the face of space travel,” said Edyta Teper, Head of Global Sales-Trade Partnerships. “We are delighted that Cruise Planners is one of the early pioneers to present this exciting and life changing experience to their clients.”

Cruise Planners hosted the first of many seminars to train advisors on this unique experience so they can help answer any questions their clients may have. While this rare opportunity is not for the general consumer, Cruise Planners is thrilled to be able to provide rare and curated experiences for every type of traveler, with no boundaries and ready to conquer the next frontier.

Space Perspective is the world’s first luxury spaceflight experience company, led by industry luminaries Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum.  Starting in late 2024, Space Perspective will take Explorers to space inside Spaceship Neptune’s pressurized capsule propelled by a high-performance SpaceBalloon™ without using rocket fuel or high G forces. Space Explorers see the world anew through its vast windows, 450 miles in any direction. The ultra-comfortable, accessible, and gentle six-hour journey redefines space travel.

• Spaceperspective.com
• Instagram @thespaceperspective
• Twitter @SpacePerspectiv
• Facebook @TheSpacePerspective

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — Cruise Planners is excited to announce the selection of Chief Sales Officer Theresa Scalzitti as the distinguished godmother of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ newest yacht-style expedition ship, World Traveller. Atlas also announced adventurer Karen Ludgren, as the godmother of sister-ship World Navigator. Both Lundgren and Scalzitti will be present at the Dual Naming Ceremony and christening on November 20, 2022 at the massive Garibaldi Glacier, as part of an invitation-only preview cruise to Chilean Patagonia.

Scalzitti is the third executive at Cruise Planners to be named a godmother of a cruise ship. Cruise Planners CEO Michelle Fee christened the AmaSerena as godmother in 2015, and Vicky Garcia, the company’s late COO, was named the godmother of the Viking Magni in 2014.

“I couldn’t think of a more deserving and fitting godmother for the World Traveller than Theresa,” said Fee. “She leads by example and is a beloved member of the Cruise Planners family as well as a highly respected leader in the industry and I’d like to say, welcome to the club!”

Scalzitti, a nearly 30-year travel industry veteran, has led the sales, marketing and business development teams at Cruise Planners since 2016, and has been on both the supplier and agency side of the industry. Her work has been invaluable in ensuring profitability and growth, with a special focus on championing travel advisors and the important role they play.

“I am incredibly honored to represent Cruise Planners as the godmother of the World Traveller,” said Scalzitti. “Atlas Ocean Voyages draws in a community of explorers with authentic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and it is an honor to be a part of a brand that puts exploration and breaking barriers at the forefront.”

Both the World Navigator and World Traveller are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and cater to curious, global adventurers and offer every five-star comfort, from an all-inclusive onboard experience and luxurious accommodations to in-depth excursions and customized private tours, for a truly personalized voyage. The ships offer a truly intimate experience, with 94 staterooms, offering a perfect balance that allows travelers an immersive experience in captivating destinations.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Aug.2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Cruise Planners recently partnered with Travel Market Report to produce a free, in-depth eBook titled: “How to Choose Your Perfect Travel Niche To Increase Profits”.

The study takes a comprehensive look at the world of travel niches and how being a specialist can further your sales. The eBook features a trove of valuable suggestions and data along with anecdotal input from seasoned Cruise Planners franchise owners on how choosing a niche helped them succeed. 

“From day one, we encourage our agents to pick a niche they’re passionate about to focus on, especially if they want to reach higher sales volumes,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners. “Our advisors who have followed that have found much success and, in this eBook, they generously share their insights on best practices that have worked for them.”

Highlights include:

• How selecting a niche gives travel advisors a distinct advantage in the marketplace
• Over 50 examples of travel niches for you to consider
• The most common mistakes travel advisors make when developing a niche
• How Michael Consoli, Cruise Planners’ top producing travel advisor, marketed his niche to sell $20M in travel, during a pandemic!

Travel advisors who niche down, and who position themselves as experts in a certain type of travel tend to earn greater profitability, and experience better satisfaction.

“This eBook expands on our mission by exploring all the ways in which niching down is beneficial to travel advisors,” Anne Marie Moebes, Travel Market Report publisher, said. “We are grateful to Cruise Planners for opening its franchisees’ doors to us for a look at how positioning oneself as a niche expert pays off in so many ways.”

The eBook is available for free to download here.

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. — After two years in the making, Cruise Planners’ Elite Summit finally made its way along the Danube river aboard the magnificent AmaMagna for a scenic and productive tour of Eastern Europe. Cruise Planners proudly hosted the event to celebrate the achievements of their top producers at the 2022 Elite Summit on AmaWaterways luxury ship last week. Over 170 travel advisors from all over the U.S. convened on the Danube to network, learn and revel in the fruits of their labor.

Cruise Planners CEO and Founder Michelle Fee hosted the eight-day event alongside Cruise Planners Senior VP of Strategic Development Scott Koepf and Chief Sales Officer Theresa Scalzitti. Although this trip was originally planned for March 2020, it had a spate of delays due to the covid-19 pandemic and travel restrictions.

“It was definitely worth the wait,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. “These agents are the equivalent of travel advisor royalty. They are successful self-starters and experts in their fields and this summit is a chance to celebrate their achievements in an undeniably difficult year. They have led by example to show that it’s possible to turn lemons into lemonade—topped with a splash of sparkling champagne.”

This is the first time Cruise Planners has had a full ship charter and the trip began on March 13^th in Vilshofen, Germany with stops in Passau, Linz & Grein, Melk & Spitz, Vienna, and Bratislava before wrapping up in Budapest on March 20^th.

The Elite Summit featured supplier partner one-on-one meetings and networking. Industry partners in attendance included:

• AmaWaterways – Kristin Karst, Co-Owner & VP
• AmaWaterways – Diane Marie Curchy Horan, Director, Strategic Partner Networks
• Carnival Cruise Line – Jodi Kinmon, Director of Strategic Partnerships
• Silversea – Laurie Bohn, Senior Director, National Accounts
• Norwegian Cruise Line – Soleil Domagala, Sr. Manager, National Accounts
• Oceania Cruises – Nikki Upshaw, Senior Vice President
• Princess Cruises – Mary Irene Jencen, National Account Business Development Manager
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Lisette Thurman, Strategic Accounts Director
• Allianz – Jeff Schafer, Regional Sales Director
• Celebrity Cruises – Yolanda Sheppard, Manager, National Accounts
• Royal Caribbean Cruises – Vicki Freed, SVP, Sales and Trade Support & Service
• Kensington – Stephanie Governali, Director, Agency Sales
• Disney – Jodi Bainter, Director, Travel Agency Sales
• Seabourn – Wendy Whitener, Director, North America Sales

The AmaMagna features multiple dining venues, and is twice the size of traditional river cruises, adding space and luxury to the river cruising experience. Guests on board also had access to a massage and hair salon, a fitness room, a swimming pool and whirlpool. AmaMagna is also the first of AmaWaterways’ ships to feature a water sports platform complete with the Sundowner boat for evening river excursions.

“The Elite Summit is always one of the most amazing experiences of the year,” said Joel Wilder, who has been on nine top producer trips. “It’s always so uplifting and inspiring to exchange ideas, visit with CP and cruise line executives, see old friends– all while seeing the world! I have sailed on most European rivers onboard Viking, Uniworld and Avalon and now AmaWaterways, which certainly did not disappoint. The AmaMagna is an amazing ship and I’m planning on putting a group cruise together to sail on her.”

The summit included executive presentations, one-on-one meetings with suppliers while also giving top producers a chance to network and immerse themselves in the culture of these historic, top destinations. Sample excursions include, “Hungarian goulash making class”, “wine tasting and castle walking tour”, “Passau River biking tour” and ” Cesky Krumlov Excursion with Czech Beer” to name a few.

“This year feels extra special because 1) the ship was chartered for just Cruise Planners 2) because it feels like we are back on track after the two past difficult years,” said Mellanie Ingle, who is based in Huntington Beach, CA. “I love that all of us have a bond that encourages sharing information, helping each other when we can, and looking forward to our time together each year.  We all understand what it takes to achieve this level of sales, and support each other.”

AmaWaterways co-owner Kristin Karst also hosted a special surprise dinner for its top producer and Cruise Planners Executives with Count Carl Philip Clam in Austria.

Cruise Planners hosts two Elite Summits each year, with the second one slated for May 1-5  at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau. In addition, there will be a series of four, in-person Boot Camp events including around the country with locations in Las Vegas, Connecticut, Dallas, and Orlando. To culminate, Cruise Planners annual convention will take place in Miami and complete on the Norwegian Prima as it makes its inaugural sailing.

“They truly earned this,” said Fee. “You can’t ask for a better setting, for a more dedicated and talented group of travel advisors to recharge, innovate and immerse themselves into the world of travel before they get out there and keep doing what they do best. It’s only going to go up from here.”