CRUISE PLANNERS NAMED A MILITARY FRIENDLY FRANCHISE

Coral Springs, Fla. – June 16, 2011 – Cruise Planners/American Express, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry, was selected as a 2011 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs magazine for the second year in a row. The honor reflects the company’s efforts to provide programs and incentives created to support successful veteran entrepreneurs.

G.I. Jobs magazine listed Cruise Planners/American Express as a military friendly franchise within the travel category. The company fits the criteria as a franchise to invest in because of its many military-friendly programs such as franchise fee discounts to veterans, a $500 credit towards marketing materials, three months of free website support and for implementing programs designed to educate and recruit veterans.

“It is an honor to once again be recognized as a military friendly franchise by G.I. Jobs magazine. We are proud to honor our retired veterans and showcase our commitment to the military community seeking new career paths,” said Vicky Garcia, senior vice president of Cruise Planners/American Express. “The incentives we create for veterans to become franchise owners gives them a solid path to finding a career that works for them when they return from service.”

The full list of military friendly franchises is now published in the June issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and also online where veterans can access a web tool that helps them decide which franchise best fits their career needs. The list highlights different companies and their initiatives designated solely for U.S. veterans looking for franchise opportunities in the travel industry, real estate and business-related services along with automotive and computer service industries, to name a few.

“We hope that the number of U.S. veterans interested in Cruise Planners increases as they look to us for career opportunities in the travel industry,” continues Garcia. “Unemployment after years of service is a difficult transition for some of our men and women in the military community, which is why we offer significant incentives for them to learn the travel business and have the comfort of working from home.”

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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Holly Zawyer / Deseraé E. del Campo
Cheryl Andrews Marketing
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