Cruise Planners Launches Enhanced Veterans Initiative Program

Cruise Planners named Top 10 franchises for veterans – Military community invited to become Cruise Planners franchise owners with new benefits program

Coral Springs, Fla. – November 11,2014 – Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the industry, announced today a new program for veterans, military spouses, and active military persons in honor of Veterans Day. Cruise Planners unveiled advanced franchisee benefits to appeal to the military community and attract more franchise owners. Recently, Cruise Planners was named in the Top 10 franchises in Franchise Business Review’s Veterans & Franchising 2014 Special Report.

“Cruise Planners has always supported the military community and this Veterans Day we are proud to launch a revamped benefits package for them,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. “The Veterans Initiative Program will incorporate all that Cruise Planners has to offer a franchise owner to be successful as well as additional marketing, technology and training support.”

Cruise Planners’ Veterans Initiative Program gives all military persons the opportunity to become their own boss and build a successful franchise through the company’s award-winning marketing campaigns, innovative technology, and top-notch training. Participants will receive up to $3,000 in these benefits, incorporating additional tools for success such as a marketing survival kit that contains all the necessary equipment needed to kick start a successful business including 10 free leads each month for three months after training. Along with these exclusive deals, Cruise Planners will also invite an additional person to experience Cruise Planners’ training program since most people who invest in a franchise join with a business partner.

This program – with more than 30 percent in savings – will enable the military community to build a travel advisor career, be their own boss and invest in their own business with all the fundamental support to ensure successful franchisee business. Veterans and military spouses already make up 18 percent of Cruise Planners franchise owners, and Cruise Planners is eager to gain more franchisees from the military community as the company continues the advancement of this program.

“People with military experience typically think of Cruise Planners because they enjoy helping others, have a passion for travel, and have a large network within the military community,” Fee said. “We provide them the support they need to be successful since we don’t make money unless they make money.”

About Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry. Cruise Planners operates a franchise network of more than 1,000franchise owners who are experienced travel professionals who independently book amazing vacation and travel experiences for their clients. The Florida-based Home Office team positions franchise owners for success by providing them with innovative marketing, booking and lead-generating tools as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry’s top executives. The company continues to be lauded and was named No.1 Cruise Tour / Travel Agency by Entrepreneur for 11 consecutive years. Cruise Planners was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology and named to the Fast 50 by theSouth Florida Business Journal.

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla. for 20 years, Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include a record 11 Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly in 2013, Special Needs Group Accessible Travel Advocate Power Partners™ for 2012, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Award for eight years in a row (2004 – 2011), American Express Agency of the Year (2010), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007 – 2013), Royal Caribbean International President’s Award for Overall Achievement for 2012, Norwegian Cruise Line Franchise Agency of the Year (2011-2013) and Home-Based Agency of the Year (2010), Celebrity Cruises Home-Based Account of the Year (2013) and Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year (2010), American Express Vacations Globe Award (2008 – 2012), Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2009- 2012), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises (2009-2012) and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer. Cruise Planners is one of the Top 50 franchises for Veterans according toGI_magazine, has been named one of the Top 25 franchises for African-Americans by_Black Enterprise magazine and is a member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association. For information, visitwww.cruiseplanners.com.

Stay in Touch: Media can stay up-to-date with Cruise Planners by visiting our media room, following us on Twitter @Cruisitudeor onFacebook. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should locate a travel advisor near them. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit our franchise site.