Cruise Planners/American Express has promoted Vicky Garcia to executive vice president of sales and marketing and Brian Shultz to vice president of information technology.

The promotions signal a strong movement in the company’s development as it moves full speed ahead into 2012 with a long list of new technologies, products and partnerships.

Garcia has more than 24 years of cruise industry experience. Having spent over 10 years at Royal Caribbean International, Garcia also worked for Norwegian Cruise Line before joining Cruise Planners/American Express in 2004 where she was hired as director of group operations and quickly promoted to senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Responsible for overseeing training, operations, and all sales and marketing initiatives, Garcia has spearheaded many of the company’s recent achievements.

“I am confident Vicky will continue to keep this company moving forward and upward with innovative ideas and marketing strategies in typical Cruise Planners fashion,” said Co-founder and CEO Michelle Fee. “Both Vicky and Brian are invaluable assets to the Cruise Planners family and they both embody the drive, commitment and outside the box perspective we encourage. Their fresh ideas are really what make our travel advisors successful by enhancing their businesses and increasing overall commission and sales.” 

In just over a year, Shultz has not only managed Cruise Planners’ IT department but has successfully developed and launched more than nine new technologies and products for the company’s home-based travel advisors. One of the most important technology announcements made this year came during the company’s recent convention when it was announced the release of a consumer iPhone app called Crusitiude Finder, which is branded for every Cruise Planners travel advisor to interact with their clients.