Press Release

Michelle Fee, Cruise Planners CEO, Triumphs as Ultimate CEO Honoree

For the second time, she is considered an Ultimate CEO from SFBJ. For over 23 years, Fee has been recognized as an astounding leader throughout the travel industry and across South Florida because she thinks differently. The travel agency landscape has evolved over the years – from a travel agency at every corner of yesteryear to the home-based business model flourishing today – and Fee has been part of that forward-thinking initiative. 

“Being the Ultimate CEO means challenging yourself and your team to think differently,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-owner of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative. “Cruise Planners continues to be the round peg in the square hole, and we celebrate standing out because we do things differently. It’s our secret sauce in a sea full of sameness.” 

Due to Fee’s excellence in providing the best leadership and inspiring those with a passion for travel to live their dreams, Cruise Planners has grown tremendously; starting with just five franchises and gradually expanding to more than 1,800 nationwide. Cruise Planners is considered one of the nation's largest home-based travel franchise organizations and continues to be an exemplary model in the travel industry with home-based travel agents in all 50 states.  

Fee is passionately dedicated to her franchisees and believes in pushing the envelope, which allows her to continuously surpass the leadership benchmark she raises each year, while making a positive impact in her community and the travel industry. 

“As the CEO, I am in a unique position to help inspire our franchise owners to define their own success,” Fee said. “Travel is a relationship business, and I value our strategic alliances with our home-based travel agents, land and tour partners and our long-lasting cruise industry partnerships.”

Fee is the ultimate woman in power and a great role model for female entrepreneurs. 

Back to Cruise Planners, an American E...
The South Florida Business Journal (SFBJ) honored Michelle Fee, CEO, and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, at the 2017 South Florida Ultimate CEO Awards. The awards ceremony was held on Sept. 28 in Fort Lauderdale, where Fee was recognized as a top executive officer for her business acumen, travel expertise and philanthropy