Cruise Planners Honored with Prestigious ESGR Seven Seals Award Recognizing Cruise Planners Commitment to Supporting the National Guard and Reserve
The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and the U.S. Department of Defense, acknowledging significant individual or organizational achievement, initiative, or support. Named for the seven reserve components of the U.S. military: the Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve; the award represents the shared commitment to America's defense and the employers who support citizen service members.
"ESGR is proud to recognize and work alongside Cruise Planners, whose unwavering support for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve exemplifies the values we stand for," said Rita M. Broadway, Retired Army Major General and Chair, Florida Committee, ESGR. "We commend Cruise Planners for their continued efforts and thank them for being a true partner in supporting those who serve."
The Seven Seals Award is presented to employers who demonstrate exemplary efforts in creating a supportive environment for service members. The Cruise Planners business model allows for Guard and Reservists, active military and their spouses to maintain their thriving travel business from anywhere in the world.
"At Cruise Planners, we recognize the sacrifices made by our military service members and their families and are proud to stand behind those who serve our country," said Michelle Fee, CEO and Founder of Cruise Planners. "It is an incredible honor to be recognized by ESGR with the Seven Seals Award and reinforces our ongoing commitment to supporting our military heroes both at work and at home."
This recognition follows Cruise Planners' previous honor from ESGR, having received the Department of Defense Patriot Award, which acknowledges supervisors and employers nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for extraordinary support.
"As the organizer of the Fleet Week Military Employer Recognition Breakfast, it was my honor to nominate Cruise Planners for the Seven Seals Award and present it to them during our event," said Peter Caspari, Florida ESGR Volunteer and Employer Outreach Director. "Their steadfast support of the military- particularly their commitment to employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve- sets a powerful example for others."
Cruise Planners formally accepted the Seven Seals award during the 2025 Fleet Week Port Everglades Military Employer Recognition Breakfast and Award Ceremony, part of the annual U.S. Navy Fleet Week celebration in Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades. The traditional event has celebrated the vital role of civilian employers in national defense for over 20 years.
Company Background: Cruise Planners was founded in 1994 and is the nation's largest home-based travel agent franchise network. As a leader in the travel franchise industry, Cruise Planners positions a nation-wide network of 2,500 franchise owners for success by providing innovative marketing programs, proprietary and cutting-edge booking and technology tools, as well as professional development and hands-on training with the industry's top executives. The company continues to be an industry leader and was named the No.1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur magazine for 18 consecutive years and awarded by Franchise Business Review as "Best-In-Category" for 2 years.
Cruise Planners received a 99% franchise owner satisfaction report from Franchise Business Review for 2024. Franchise Business Review also ranked Cruise Planners #3 OVERALL on their list of Top 200 Franchises of 2022. Cruise Planners was recently featured in Entrepreneur as one of the top 30 franchise innovators in technology, has been consistently named as one of the Top Women-Owned Businesses by the South Florida Business Journal, is on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America, and was recognized as one of the Top Workplaces by the Sun Sentinel.
Visit our website, www.cruiseplanners.com, for more information or to view the complete list of awards and honors. For those interested in becoming a franchise owner, please visit https://www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com/.
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SOURCE Cruise Planners Franchising, LLC
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