Cruise Planners: Cruise purchases up 29 percent in 2013 – Sun

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel has seen a 29 percent jump in cruise purchases in 2013 compared with last year, and land-based vacations have climbed 121 percent, executives announced Friday at the company’s annual conference in Hollywood.

And 2014 is shaping up to be another successful year, officials told a gathering of nearly 500 of its home-based travel agents.

“We have reached critical mass, which means we can leverage our power and partnerships even more for our agents,” said Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder. “This has been a fantastic year with the launch of some amazing technologies such as our mobile app and … the Sea of Love LGBT Commitment Ceremony Cruise.”

The Coral Springs-based operator of a network of more than 800 home-based agents is also forecasting a spike in reservations January through March, a popular period when cruise lines typically offer their best promotions to entice early bookings.

Several new technologies for agents were announced Friday, including an improved online reservations and management system, updated tool that tracks bookings and alerts agents when perks or savings are available for customers. Starting next year, agents will get new mobile-friendly websites.