Why We Became Cruise Planners
After working with a company for 15 years, the company downsized to just two people, giving me an opportunity to change careers. It’s said that when one door closes, another door opens. I did some soul searching to find out what door that was. What exactly was I passionate about? This was a very big opportunity and I wasn’t about to let it pass me by.
I have always loved to travel. My father worked as an Air Traffic Controller which meant we moved a few times during my youth and the conventions he attended turned into family vacations giving me my first taste of traveling.
When searching for what my passion was, my husband and I talked a lot, and we often discussed our passion for travel…for cruising and diving. Since our very first cruise 6 years ago, we sail every chance we get and choose a variety of lines (we love Royal Caribbean, it really suits our style!) In fact, we find it difficult to go on a vacation that is NOT a cruise. If you weigh the value of a cruise, there really is no better way to travel. Just look at what’s included: Your accommodations, meals, daytime activities, nightlife, port and departure charges, a number of exotic locations on one trip with only needing to unpack once! If you have to fly to your departure port, the cruise lines often have discounted airfare so so you save even more money over a traditional fly and stay vacation.
So, the question was, is there a way to turn this passion into something I could do for a living? We live a nice life and I wasn’t interested in making a quick million, I wanted something that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life. If we could find something that brought that passion to others, what a great job that would be! I coordinated travel for the employees of my previous company, sometimes going the extra mile to get things done in a hurry. We thought perhaps we were on to something here…
We searched the internet for countless hours and one name kept popping up for us – Cruise Planners. Our research found that a) Cruise Planners has established itself as one of the most highly professional, reputable and well known companies in the cruise industry. b) Cruise Planners’ leadership has over 85 years experience in the travel business for it's franchise members to draw from. c) Cruise Planners is licensed, bonded and insured and is a member of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association, NACOA (National Association Of Cruise Only Agencies) and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). d) Cruise Planners also has lots of ways it promotes it's superior product and gets the word out that Cruise Planners is number 1. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, Cruise Planners also has Top National Account Status with major cruise lines: Carnival –
To top it all off, in 2004, Cruise Planners became an American Express Travel Services Representative agency. As a result, Cruise Planners agents have access to AMEX Mariners Club benefits such as additional special fares, Mariner's Hosts, exclusive pre and post cruise tours, free shore side events and elegant dining, additional shipboard credits, and more.
After finding all this out, I e-mailed a number of existing Cruise Planners franchisees and almost everyone responded. Those who did, responded with nothing but praise on the helpful staff at Home Office as well as the camaraderie and helpfulness of other franchisees. Cruise Planners exists almost like a family, working together for the success of all its members!
Well, how could we say “No”? We both believe this is where we are supposed to be.
