After spending the past 20 years in corporate America, Noblesville’s Christopher Lingren decided it was time to branch off on his own. In December, Lingren began his travel agent career by opening Cruise Planners Neverland Adventures Travel.
“I traveled a lot for both jobs … it was a natural progression,” Lingren said.
Cruise Planners is the largest home-based travel agent network in the cruise industry with more than 700 franchise owners across the nation that independently book cruises and associated travel. Affiliation means Lingren can now offer customers exclusive pricing on a wide range of cruise packages, a choice of thousands of group departures, private cruise sales and cabin upgrades and special amenities, such as shore excursions, discounted fares, travel gifts and more.
“As a Cruise Planners agent, my mission is to create the ideal vacation experience for my customers tailored to where they want to go and what they want to do,” said Lingren. “Cruise Planners gives me the knowledge and tools to make sure my clients are satisfied with their travel arrangements, and because we are so connected in the industry, I know Cruise Planners will keep me informed on new ships and their amenities, as well as what the top cruise lines have in store for the savvy traveler.”
While the Internet has provided travelers with a number of resources, Lingren said travel agents can save time and money, and provide insights and experiences hard to find online.
Lingren receives inside information on Disney Destinations, which is especially important if visiting the 43-mile resort of four theme parks, two water parks and “a plethora of recreation activities.”
“I put together a plan to help them (travelers) actually enjoy their vacation and not come home needing a vacation from their vacation,” he said.
Lingren said the economic state has affected the travel industry and most are looking to vacation domestically or take shorter trips.
Lingren can be contacted toll free at 855-776-1733 or online at www.neverlandadventurescruises.com for cruise information, or www.neverlandadventurestravel.com for Disney Destinations vacation information. Lingren is also available on Facebook, where he posts travel information and specials.
