Press Releases
CRUISE PLANNERS/AMERICAN EXPRESS’ LATEST AWARD WIN
‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’
Top-rated cruise franchisor wins ‘Globe Award’ from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations
CORAL SPRINGS, FL – (February 11, 2009) – Cruise Planners/American Express was one of 40 travel agencies and organizations receiving a coveted “Globe Award” from Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations, one of the country’s largest tour operators selling destinations worldwide. Award recipients are selected based upon criteria including business growth, innovation and partnership.
The award was presented at the tour operator’s annual “Best of the Best” celebration held at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort in Miami for more than 170 top travel agencies and organizations that book travel through Travel Impressions or American Express Vacations.
“This is truly out of this world,” said Vicky Garcia, SVP of Sales and Marketing of Cruise Planners/American Express, in reference to the string of awards recently won by the top-rated cruise franchisor. “We are, indeed, honored to receive such a wonderful award from our friends at Travel Impressions/American Express Vacations.”
The Globe Award win continues an impressive string of honors and awards bestowed upon the company in the past year. Just last month, Cruise Planners/American Express achieved the #1 ranking among all cruise agency franchises on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500® list of the world’s top franchises for the sixth consecutive year. In September 2008, the company was honored with a Silver Magellan Award from Travel Weekly. Additional awards earned in 2008 included NCL’s President’s Elite Award (seventh straight year), and the American Express Travel 2008 Representative Excellence Award (fifth straight year). In February 2008, Cruise Planners was inducted into Carnival’s Pinnacle Club, while Royal Caribbean International also named Cruise Planners “Homebased Partner of the Year” in 2007 and 2008.
Cruise Agents Gain Knowledge from Major Cruise Industry Executives
Sharon R. Viotto travels to Cruise Planners’ Convention in Orlando, Florida
Rockville Centre, NY – May 21 2007 – Cruising has become one of the fastest growing methods of travel. Last week, local Cruise Planners agent Sharon Viotto got a firsthand look at the latest trends in the industry at the Cruise Planners’ convention.
Hearing from representatives of all the major cruise lines, Viotto joined over 300 Cruise Planner agents for four days of intensive training and cruise-specific orientation.
The convention keynote speaker Tracey Kelly, Senior Vice President of Sales, Holland America Line, spoke about marketing to Generations. He explained how various generations have different expectations from their vacations and knowing their aspirations will help agents target their marketing efforts.
Other key cruise line personnel at the meeting included Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice-President of Sales for Celebrity Cruises, Scott Rogers, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales for Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Maurice Zarmati, Vice President of Sales for Carnival Cruise Line.
A special panel session on Luxury cruising was given by Phil Devillier of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Peter Adamowich of Silversea, Gene Shulman of Crystal Cruises and Richard Hickey of Oceania Cruises highlighting the wants and needs of the luxury traveler.
As an added perk, all convention attendees sailed aboard the all-new Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas for two nights prior to the convention in Orlando. The experience was not only exciting, but also allowed Sharon Viotto firsthand knowledge of the newest and largest cruise ship afloat to date. The Liberty of the Seas, at 160,000 gross tonnage, has unique features such as the amazing FlowRider® (surfing onboard!), a rock-climbing wall, 9-hole miniature golf, ice-skating rink, cantilevered whirlpools, an H2O Zone waterpark,and so much more!
“While other forms of travel have slowed, more and more people are taking cruises every year,” said Viotto. “Many people think of cruises for honeymoons or only for couples, but we're finding many more families going also. It's become one of the best values in travel.”
In addition, Viotto attended sessions hosted by Disney Cruise Line and were their guests at the Epcot Illumination Show and signature fireworks display.
Cruise Planners also announced their new acquisition of International Conferences, a unique company exclusive to Cruise Planners, which provides excellent accredited programs of continuing Medical, Legal, Nursing and Dental educations seminars at sea. “We are very excited to offer our professional clients a venue for exceptional continuing education while on vacation with their colleagues and family members,” states Viotto.
Cruise Planners is 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.
As an experienced travel professional, Viotto independently books cruises and other associated travel. Cruise Planners provides its members with preferential cruise pricing, superior booking opportunities, and advanced training.
Anyone interested in booking a cruise should contact Sharon for “the best value and service afloat” by calling 1-(800) 799-7447 or logging onto www.designacruise.com.
Licensed, bonded, and insured, Cruise Planners is a member of CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), NACOA (National Association of Cruise Only Agencies), and the BBB (Better Business Bureau).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sharon R. Viotto
Phone:(888) 799-7447
Mobile: (516) 314-9974
CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR PHYSICIANS, NURSES, DENTISTS AND ATTORNEYS COMBINED WITH FAMILY VACATIONS
Rockville Centre, NY May 28, 2007 – Sharon R. Viotto of Rockville Centre, NY – based Cruise Planners today announced a partnership with International Conferences to offer physicians, dentists, nurses, and attorneys an opportunity to participate in an accredited continuing education program in conjunction with cruises on Royal Caribbean International and Crystal Cruises. Through its new affiliation with International Conferences, Sharon is able to book clients on 21 exciting cruise itineraries worldwide, where medical and legal professionals can earn between 18 and 24 continuing education credits (CME category 1, AMA/PRA, CLE, and CEU).
“We’re excited about this exclusive partnership with International Conferences and look forward to making it possible for medical and legal professionals to earn continuing education credits while traveling with their families”, said Sharon Viotto of Cruise Planners. “What a perfect way to mix business with pleasure: sailing with both family and colleagues, and at the same time having access to excellent academic programs, nationally recognized faculty, and cultural tours.”
Each of the 21 voyages will offer a unique seminar, designed for the specialist, sub-specialist and primary care physician. The 2007 program includes course offerings in Legal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, and Urology.
The voyages are scheduled to popular destinations, including the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Canada/New England, Europe, Mexico, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia/Russia, British Isles/Norwegian Fjords, Hawaii and Asia.
These programs have been sponsored by The School of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and have been approved for up to 18 or 24 category 1 credits towards the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. The seminars have also been approved for up to 18 or 24 prescribed hours by the American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition, the legal medical seminars have been approved for up to 18 or 24 hours of continuing legal, nursing and dental education. Also, qualifying physicians may be eligible for a discount in their professional liability insurance premiums by participating in the legal medical program.
If you are a physician, dentist, nurse or attorney interested in joining your colleagues on a continuing education cruise, please contact Sharon Viotto at Cruise Planners by calling 1-(888) 799-7447
Located on Long Island, Sharon Viotto is part of the Cruise Planners network. Cruise Planners, an award winning national cruise agency headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida, operates a franchised network of experienced travel professionals who independently book cruises and other associated travel, and is an American Express Travel Services Representative agency.