Everyone loves a great vacation and with these insider tips, you can get a head start on your next vacation. Michelle Fee, CEO & Co-founder of Cruise Planners has the top travel tips to help you navigate the vast ways to travel by land or sea. From finding a travel agent and deciding where you want to go, to hot cruise and travel packages and even the best ways to get upgrades, Michelle has the scoop on booking the dream vacation, whether your embarking with a group or going solo!
Michelle Fee, CEO & Co-founder of Cruise Planners
Twenty-two years ago, as owner of a flourishing full-service travel agency startup, Michelle Fee had dreams bigger than what the four walls of her office could contain. That love of travel and passion for entrepreneurship is what led Fee and partners in 1994 to join forces in founding Cruise Planners.
With just five franchisees in the first training class, Fee believed the newly founded Cruise Planners would create a new business model that would change the travel world.
She never looked back.
Today, as CEO of the nation’s largest home-based travel franchise organizations, Fee’s commitment to her Home Office Team and nationwide network of travel consultants is undeniable. Under her leadership, Cruise Planners has empowered franchise owners for success through access to award-winning marketing programs, hands-on training and evolving technology, allowing them to operate efficient and competitive travel businesses in a fast-changing industry.
From the company’s bright green façade—a contrast to common travel company blue—to the frequent professional development opportunities offered to franchise owners, Fee insists on distinguishing Cruise Planners as a solution for aspiring entrepreneurs and consumer travel needs alike.
Fee’s business and marketing prowess has been acknowledged with recent accolades including:
· Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for Hospitality and Leisure, EY (formally Ernst and Young)
· One of three EY Entrepreneur of The Year® 2016 National Finalist
· The Ultimate CEO Award, South Florida Business Journal
· Cruise Lines International Association, Inc® (CLIA) Hall of Fame
· “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds” in sales and marketing by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
· Stevie Awards Top Women in Business finalist in the “Best Entrepreneur”
· “Top 25 Most Influential Business Women,” South Florida Business Journal
· Travel Agent magazine’s “Most Powerful Women in Travel”
· “Travel Agent of the Year” by Travel Trade magazine.
· In 2015, Fee was selected to be the godmother of AmaWaterways’ newest ship, the AmaSerena.
As a standout marketer specializing in multi-generational travel, cruise industry education, moms in the workforce and franchise ownership, Fee has earned spots on the advisory boards for: American Express Travel, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Cruise Lines International Association, Inc® (CLIA), Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Holland America Line.
Beyond her role as an innovative business leader, Fee believes in corporate responsibility and giving back within the community in order to create positive change. The Company’s CP CaresSM social giving program raises awareness and funds for philanthropic organizations and is built on Cruise Planners’ commitment to supporting such organizations throughout the United States and globally. Fee was named Woman of the Year 2014 by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, CP Cares has also funded: Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, Susan G Komen, Kids In Distress, Shoes for Africa, Fisher House Foundation, Wyland Foundation, Angel Notion and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, among other organizations.
When Fee is not busy leading the Cruise Planners family in reimagining travel and in doing her part to help those in need, she is happiest with family. Fee is married to her high school sweetheart, has two children and is a proud grandmother of three.
Produced for: Cruise Planners
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