CRUISE PLANNERS HONORED WITH TWO ADDY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN ADVERTISING

Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, won two ADDY® Awards recognizing creative excellence in advertising. The franchise company was honored with a gold ADDY® for its “Cruisidude” brochure and a silver ADDY® for the “My Bucket List” brochure. This is the second notable recognition for Cruise Planners’ “Cruisidude” brochure, which recently won a 2010 Travel Weekly Silver Magellan Award.

“To be recognized with these two awards for our creative skills in advertising is an amazing accomplishment for the in-house marketing team,” said Vicky Garcia, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Cruise Planners/American Express. “The marketing materials we develop for our home-based agents truly set us apart in this industry because we understand that not every agent is an expert in advertising. Our desire to help them increase their sales is what drives us when we create each marketing initiative, so to be awarded for our hard work is very fulfilling.”

About Cruise Planners/American Express

Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Services Representative, is the largest home-based travel agent network in the cruise industry with more than 700 franchise owners across the country that independently book cruises and associated travel. Named No.1 Cruise Tour / Travel Agency by Entrepreneur magazine for the past eight years, Cruise Planners positions franchise owners for success by providing them with innovating marketing, booking and lead-generating tools as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry's top executives.

Headquartered in Coral Springs, Fla., Cruise Planners has achieved top producer status with every major cruise line. Accolades include Agency of the Year from American Express (2010), Royal Caribbean International Home-Based Partner of the Year (2007 - 2010), Norwegian Cruise Line Home-Based Agency of the Year (2010), Southeast Region Travel Agent Partner of the Year from Celebrity Cruises (2010), four coveted Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly in 2010, American Express Travel Representative Excellence Awards (2004 - 2010), Globe Award from American Express Vacations (2010), Globus Family of Brands Premier Agency Partner (2010), Platinum Circle Member with Viking River Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Top Producer (2009). For more information, please visit www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.

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Media Contact:
Holly Zawyer / Deseraé E. del Campo
Cheryl Andrews Marketing
P: 305-444-4033
holly@cam-pr.com / deserae@cam-pr.com