---
title: "Cruise Planners Earns Top Honors and Advisory Role at Scenic Group’s Night of the Stars"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e258db8b-ce67-4622-9545-2cc5715da767
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260109_cruise_planners_earns_top_honors_and_advisory_role_at_scenic_groups_night_o.html
category: "Travel"
industry: "Lodging & Travel"
segment: "Travel"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2026-01-09T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T16:56:49.083Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1497366216548-37526070297c?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Cruise Planners Earns Top Honors and Advisory Role at Scenic Group’s Night of the Stars

**TL;DR:** Cruise Planners earned the Outstanding Partner—Franchise Network award at Scenic Group's Night of the Stars gala, recognizing its exceptional contributions to Scenic Group's success. Scenic Group unveiled an ambitious fleet expansion, including new ships such as Emerald Kaia and Scenic Ikon.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-01-09. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260109_cruise_planners_earns_top_honors_and_advisory_role_at_scenic_groups_night_o.html).*

## Key facts

- Cruise Planners earned Outstanding Partner—Franchise Network award
- Scenic Group unveiled new fleet expansion
- Theresa Scalzitti joins Scenic Group's Travel Advisory Council

## Story

## Awards and recognition

The glamorous affair honored Cruise Planners for its exceptional contributions to Scenic Group’s continued success across its award-winning brands, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours. Industry leaders and travel advisors gathered to celebrate innovation, partnership, and the shared commitment to delivering extraordinary travel experiences.

"Our collaboration with Scenic Group has been truly inspiring. We’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary care they invest in creating unforgettable experiences for every guest," said Theresa Scalzitti, Chief Operating Officer at Cruise Planners. "Their meticulous attention to detail, thoughtfully curated destinations, and commitment to innovative design set them apart as one of the most respected names in the industry. We are proud to play a role in their remarkable growth."

## Scenic group expansion

During the gala, Scenic Group celebrated excellence across multiple categories, spotlighting partners who delivered outstanding performance throughout the year. Cruise Planners proudly earned the coveted “Outstanding Partner—Franchise Network” award, a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation and client service. Since joining forces with Scenic Group in 2016, Cruise Planners has been a trusted collaborator, helping elevate the luxury travel experience for discerning guests worldwide.

Scenic Group unveiled an ambitious fleet expansion, introducing a new generation of innovative ships set to launch in the coming years. Among them are Emerald Kaia, Emerald Astra, Emerald Lumi, Emerald Raiya, and Emerald Xara, culminating with the highly anticipated ultra-luxury Scenic Ikon. "As partners, Cruise Planners is excited to help deliver extraordinary, next-generation travel experiences to clients worldwide through Scenic Group’s innovative new additions, especially the highly anticipated Scenic Ikon," praised Scalzitti.

"Looking ahead, we see these enhancements as a catalyst for creating even more immersive journeys and setting new benchmarks in luxury travel."

Scenic Group unveiled its Travel Advisory Council, a powerhouse of industry expertise featuring leaders from key partner agencies across North America -- including Theresa Scalzitti-- marking a bold step toward deeper collaboration and innovation as Scenic and Cruise Planners continue to set new standards in luxury travel.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- partnership (topic)
- Multi-Unit (sector)
- award recognition (topic)
- Cruise Planners (company)
- travel industry (topic)
- luxury travel (topic)
- fleet expansion (topic)
- Theresa Scalzitti (person)
- Scenic Group (company)
- Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours (company)
- Emerald Cruises & Tours (company)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260109_cruise_planners_earns_top_honors_and_advisory_role_at_scenic_groups_night_o.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e258db8b-ce67-4622-9545-2cc5715da767).