Joel Libava
Cruise Planners unveiled a slate of travel franchise technology upgrades at its annual convention aboard Wonder of the Seas. These tools are free for its network. They aim to streamline workflows, boost efficiency, and help advisors serve clients better.
With those things in mind, the message is clear: Cruise Planners is doubling down on travel tech and innovation.
Cruise Planners Travel Franchise Technology Vision
Leadership took the stage. Founder and CEO Michelle Fee outlined the vision. CIO Brian Shultz and COO Theresa Scalzitti detailed the product roadmap. Chief Strategy Officer Scott Koepf spoke to advisor impact.
AI is a core theme. The company previewed several projects:
- Reservation Intelligence Engine. It will use AI to recommend trip components. Think shore excursions, hotels, and ground transport. Suggestions adapt to client booking patterns.
- AI Search Filters. CP Maxx, the proprietary CRM, will add natural language search. Advisors will be able to speak or type prompts instead of clicking through filter forms.
- AI Confirmation Import Tool. Advisors can import confirmation emails into CP Maxx. The system will auto-create reservations and process pricing and commissions. Manual entry goes down. Speed goes up with this new technology.
Trip Summary Software And More
Trip Summary 3.0 is live. The travel franchise technology interface is new and clean. Advisors can drag and drop components. Options now include cruise tours, flights, and rail. Multiple itineraries can be bundled into one proposal for side-by-side comparison. And a new consumer view invites client feedback. Finally, advisors get actionable insights to tailor trips.
Next, client management gets smarter. CP Maxx now surfaces more client data with stronger sorting and filtering. New Favorites and Pinned client features help advisors prioritize high-value accounts. These upgrades were shaped by advisor input. Let’s continue.
Air search is simpler. CP Maxx integrates Google Flights pricing. Advisors can compare “Best Flights” and “Other Flights” without leaving the platform. Air booking tools stay in one place.
Notably, content is now centralized. Maxx Media lets advisors upload, record, and manage images, videos, and documents. Assets flow into documents and marketing across CP Maxx.
Translation: Because of Cruise Planner’s travel franchise technology upgrades, content creation gets faster and more consistent.
Finally, the platform moves to the cloud. CP Maxx now runs in a secure cloud environment. Users should see gains in speed, reliability, and scalability.
“Technology is central to our advisors’ success,” said Michelle Fee. She emphasized time savings, better client interactions, and growth. And more AI-driven tools are on the way.
About Cruise Planners
Cruise Planners was founded in 1994.
It’s the nation’s largest home-based travel advisor franchise network with 3,000+ owners.
The brand is known for it’s low-cost entry and heavy support, and has been Entrepreneur Magazine’s No. 1 travel franchise for 18 straight years.
Learn more on the Cruise Planners franchise website.
About the Author
The Franchise King®, Joel Libava, is a leading franchise expert, author of "Become a Franchise Owner!" and "The Definitive Guide to Franchise Research." Featured in outlets like The New York Times, CNBC, and Franchise Direct, Joel’s no-nonsense approach as a trusted Franchise Ownership Advisor helps aspiring franchisees make smart, informed decisions in their journey to franchise ownership. He owns and operates this franchise blog.
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