Cruise Planners/American Express, the home-based travel agent franchise network that focuses on cruise sales, opened its annual conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 18 by introducing new marketing programs, a revamped technology platform and a major new educational program for its franchisees. With the theme “Cruisitude,” the conference gave more than 300 Cruise Planner franchise owners a look at what’s ahead for 2010, a year that Cruise Planner executives say seems ripe for a rebound in travel bookings.

“Cabin count is increasing, so the tides are definitely shifting and we’re starting to come to the surface,” said Cruise Planners CEO Michelle Fee. “It’s critical our agents have the tools necessary to capitalize on this shift. We are going to use this year’s convention to present new practical applications for our agents and provide direct access to industry leaders.”

Cruise Planners unveiled a completely new Cruise Planners University (see related story in Travel Agents section), with all courses online and content from CLIA and major cruise lines, as well as unique Cruise Planners courses. There are six levels of accomplishment – freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, MBA and PhD – leading to a Certified Cruise Planner Expert designation.

Cruise Planners also said its long-awaited new software CP Central for franchisees is now set to make its debut in January. The system, which is split into CP Agent and CP Client interfaces (each color coded), will feature live pricing for customers. Agents can book, populate client information, track bookings and get back office accounting support in one easy tool. The system is designed to create “folders” for each client complete with all electronic and scanned documents, such as passports. It also keeps track of cruise payments, commission and group sailings.

On the marketing front, Cruise Planners introduced a new program at the conference that it is calling Sketch, which will help agents mine their existing client database to find new sales opportunities based on demographics, psychographics, past travel and household income. Another new program called Home Office Onboard Program Sales (or HOOPS) helps agents follow up on sales for clients already cruising on Princess, Holland America, Cunard, NCL, Globus, Avalon, Monograms, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara.

Under this program Cruise Planners agents are notified directly each time one of their clients puts money down for cruise while on a sailing. The system automatically issues a scripted communication from the agent to their client either by email, phone or other media so the agent is immediately in the loop for a future booking. While such information is available on individual cruise line websites, HOOPS puts it all together for its franchises from several lines. Cruise Planners said it expects to sign up more cruise companies in the near future. For more, visit www.CruisePlanners.com.  For information on franchise opportunities, call 888-582-2150 or visit www.beacruiseagent.com.  

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