The travel industry continues to expand as travelers seek more personalized and meaningful experiences, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs to build profitable businesses in a trusted franchise network. Today’s franchise business owners want flexibility, brand recognition, and the technology tools to serve clients efficiently, and Cruise Planners delivers all three through a proven travel agency model supported by strong leadership and an award-winning community.
At Cruise Planners’ 2025 annual convention, CP World: Rock On, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Insider Travel Report sat down with our executive team to uncover what drives the company’s continued growth.
From record sales to groundbreaking technology, innovative marketing, and outstanding support, these conversations highlight how our network empowers travel advisors across the country while setting the standard for excellence in the franchise industry.
Leadership That Inspires Growth (w/ Michelle Fee 📼)
Marketing That Rocks: Surround-Sound Support for Every Advisor (w/ Theresa Scalzitti 📼)
Training That Turns Passion Into Expertise (w/ Scott Koepf 📼)
Technology That Simplifies and Strengthens Your Business (w/ Brian Shultz 📼)
Expanding Opportunities in the Travel and Franchise Industry
Cruise Planners was founded on innovation and heart. That combination has powered more than three decades of success. Founder and CEO Michelle Fee shared that the company’s billion-dollar sales milestone was never just about the numbers.
“To reach a billion dollars in sales and to have achieved what our members have helped us achieve—it’s all about them,” Fee said. “They’re the reason we’re here.”
Even as the company grows, the family connection remains at the center of everything we do.
“Our love for our agents and our family feel—that’s what stays the same,” Fee added. “The energy in that room was the best we’ve ever had.”
Fee is also passionate about innovation, particularly when it comes to artificial intelligence. She believes it is a vital advantage for Cruise Planners’ franchise owners.
“We’re going to lead with AI,” she explained. “Agents shouldn’t be afraid of it. They should be excited that we’re empowering them with incredible tools that will change how we do business.”
For anyone considering the best travel franchise opportunity, this combination of vision, technology, and personal support makes Cruise Planners stand out.
Marketing is often the biggest challenge for new business owners. Cruise Planners solves that problem through powerful, done-for-you programs. At CP World, Chief Operations Officer Theresa Scalzitti explained how our marketing team makes it easy for advisors to connect with clients.
“For years, we’ve had our Full Sales Direct Mail program where our in-house team handles everything—from creative and offers to targeting and mailing,” Scalzitti said. “Advisors don’t have to take any action at all.”
This “full surround sound” approach means every campaign connects across multiple channels, including direct mail, digital ads, websites, and social media. Advisors benefit from professionally designed materials that keep their business visible and consistent, while the Cruise Planners team handles the execution.
Scalzitti also highlighted CP Insights, a system that uses data to help advisors understand client preferences and recommend experiences that fit their lifestyle and budget. By knowing what clients truly value, advisors can personalize their offers and close more sales.
Cruise Planners continues to innovate with new programs like the Port Shopping Program, which gives clients access to special coupons and gift cards in destinations around the world.
“It’s another value-add our advisors can offer that sets them apart,” Scalzitti said. “These programs don’t just promote travel—they build loyalty.”
For franchise owners, this marketing infrastructure means more visibility, better engagement, and a faster path to growth.
We believe that education is the foundation of long-term success. Whether you are brand new to travel or an experienced professional, our training programs help you build confidence and skill from the start.
Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf described how the company’s approach makes learning accessible to everyone.
“We divide our training into two sides—online learning and in-person events,” Koepf explained. “From webinars and self-paced modules to our signature programs like STAR University and Boot Camp, every advisor can learn at their own pace or dive deep face-to-face.”
New franchise owners begin with STAR University, an immersive introduction to Cruise Planners’ systems, culture, and marketing tools. Throughout the year, advisors can attend specialized events such as Boot Camp, Sales Academy, Luxury Forum, and River Academy to expand their expertise and network.
Koepf emphasized that these programs do more than teach. They create lasting connections.
“You can’t describe our culture until you experience it,” he said. “When you come to one of our events, you feel it. Everyone supports each other.”
That sense of support is what makes our training programs unique. When you join Cruise Planners, you learn from industry experts, but you also become part of a community that celebrates your success.
Every Cruise Planners franchise owner has access to an award-winning suite of tools designed to make business operations faster and easier. Chief Information Officer Brian Shultz explained how our technology team constantly looks for new ways to save advisors time and reduce manual work.
“AI is all about optimizing tedious tasks,” Shultz said. “We created tools that extract booking data automatically, saving advisors time and reducing errors.”
These innovations live inside our proprietary system, CP Max, which lets advisors manage everything from marketing to client relationships in one secure platform.
Recent upgrades include Trip Summary 3.0, an intuitive itinerary builder that delivers beautiful, professional travel proposals, and Flight Checker, a built-in airfare search tool that allows advisors to compare flights instantly.
“Everything we do is designed to empower advisors to work faster and smarter,” Shultz said. “And now that we’ve moved CP Max to the cloud, we’ve elevated our performance, security, and scalability to a whole new level.”
Cruise Planners’ hotel booking platform, Navatrip, also gives advisors the ability to compare millions of properties and adjust commissions with a simple slider.
“We get a lot of recognition for our technology,” Shultz added. “But it’s really our advisors who inspire that innovation.”
Our technology helps advisors work more efficiently, freeing them to focus on what matters most, building relationships and growing their business.
The travel industry continues to evolve, creating exciting possibilities for entrepreneurs who want to combine their love of travel with business ownership. As part of an established franchise network, our travel agency model offers the freedom of entrepreneurship supported by a proven system that has stood out in the franchise business for decades.
Our approach goes far beyond what traditional franchise opportunities provide. Advisors receive comprehensive business development guidance, ongoing mentorship, and access to resources that make growth achievable at every stage. The result is a strong foundation for anyone entering the franchise industry who wants both flexibility and professional backing.
Advisors also benefit from exclusive relationships with premium cruise lines and luxury travel suppliers. Modern technology tools simplify day-to-day operations, from itinerary design to client communication, helping franchise owners deliver personalized service that travelers truly value.
With the strength of an award-winning brand behind them, advisors enjoy the confidence of built-in brand recognition, established partnerships, and the scalability that comes from a forward-thinking business model. This balance of independence and support is what makes our network one of the most trusted names in the travel agency world today.
Across every interview at CP World, one message was clear. Cruise Planners is not just a franchise. It is a community of entrepreneurs who share a passion for travel and a commitment to helping one another succeed.
Whether you are attending your first STAR University or celebrating your achievements at convention, you are surrounded by a network of people who understand your goals and want to see you thrive. That is what makes Cruise Planners the best travel franchise opportunity for anyone ready to turn their love of travel into a successful business.
At Cruise Planners, we believe that success is built on partnership, innovation, and trust. Our systems, training, and technology are designed to help you start strong and keep growing year after year.
If you are ready to explore how we can help you build a rewarding travel business, there has never been a better time to take the next step.
Watch the Cruise Planners Franchise Walkthrough and see how our proven model can help you create the future you deserve.