How Theresa Curbelo, a Trendsetter Awards Runner-Up, Is Finding Success With Group Travel

Cruise Planners franchise owner Theresa Curbelo was recognized earlier this year as a runner-up for TravelAge West’s Trendsetter Award for Best Group Booking Effort, thanks to a Dublin, Ireland, trip she planned for first responders.

We sat down with her to chat about everything from the recognition and her beginnings to her agency’s dedication to first responders and the future of the cruise industry.

How does it feel to be recognized as a runner-up in the Trendsetter Awards?

Truthfully, it has been a whirlwind. One day, I’m just me, and the next day, I’m heading off to California for a gala. It was such an honor to be among all the other winners and hear their stories and accomplishments. Of course, being in a room with all of the “who’s who” of travel was incredible.

RELATED: Here Are the Winners of the 2024 TravelAge West Trendsetter Awards 

How did your journey lead you from being a firefighter/paramedic to a Cruise Planners franchise owner?

I was getting to the end of my 30-year career in the fire and EMS [emergency medical services] field, and needed to decide what I was going to do next. I felt I was way too young to really retire, so while I was getting everything in order to start my final three years in the fire department, I purchased my franchise. I started part time, and when things were going well, I transitioned to full time and retired from the fire service in October 2018.

Sure, there was a lot of doubt and panic, but my husband helped me get through it. I feel the timing was great for me. COVID-19, of course, tossed a wrench into our plans, but we were able to make it and stay open. I am truly thankful we were able to.

What about cruising specifically do you think most resonates with first responders, who you often cater to in your business?

First responders are a great group of people. They come from all walks of life. What makes them special is that once you meet another first responder, you already feel like part of their family. So, it is pretty easy to get a group of them to together and sail. We have started to do a fundraiser cruise every year, so this also makes it fun. Sailing for a cause that helps first responders really works for us.

First responders are a great group of people … What makes them special is that once you meet another first responder, you already feel like part of their family.

What other kinds of travel opportunities do you think could be dedicated to first responders? Are you planning any in the near future?

We are planning another trip to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day in 2026. This will be our third trip to Ireland with the first responders.

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The firefighters will tour Ireland for a couple days, then spend time in Dublin, where they will meet up with the Dublin Fire Brigade, tour their training facility and walk with them in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. They will get to interact with them and a few other fire departments from all over the world.

I love that this creates friendships and allows the firefighters to trade stories and patches. It really makes it special for them.

Are there particular cruise lines you predominantly sell to the first-responder community or other clients? Do you sell mostly group travel or individual?

We have done most of our groups with Celebrity Cruises, as it has a great program for fundraising. We are going to also start using Norwegian Cruise Line — its group programs and fundraising are really good, as well.

I think having two different cruise lines we can partner with will provide a variety of ships and itineraries that will work for all our groups.

We do sell a lot of group travel, but we also have clients who have been with us for years who do FIT bookings. Our group travel is just really picking up.

RELATED: What Is FIT Travel, and Why Is it a Growing Market for Travel Advisors? 

What do you foresee for the future of your agency and the travel industry as a whole?

For our agency, I see us growing a little more. We are going to continue to sell group travel since that really has been working well for us. We have even had a couple charter inquiries, but we are still waiting to see if that happens.

I see the travel industry, especially the cruise industry, becoming more and more popular. I am surprised how many first-time cruisers we get with our groups. I really get excited because I know they will book again. Cruising is the best way to travel, and I think more and more people are starting to find that out. And we are here for it.