Who is Cruise Planners - Nikki Peyton?

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As a child I loved globes and maps. I would collect globes of all sizes, shapes and textures. Was that love preparing me for something bigger?

I’ve always been a thrill seeker and somewhat a leader. An organizer. I enjoy traveling, spending time with my daughter and family, reading, and planning. I have explored 23 of the United States, Toronto Canada, Nassau & Freeport Bahamas, Cozumel, Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Costa Maya and Riviera Maya Mexico, Amber Cover and Punta Cana Dominican Republic, Montego Bay, Runaway Bay, Negril, & Ocho Rios Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands, Grand Turks, and San Juan Puerto Rico. I sailed on cruise lines such as Carnival, Princess, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian. So where did this desire to be a travel agent come from? My love and passion for travel and geography!

In 2001, I enrolled in a Travel & Tourism program that was offered online through a trade school. I never completed that program. However, I did achieve an Associate Degree in Business Administration from a community college in Jacksonville, Florida. At 26 years old, living in Atlanta, I returned to school earning a Teacher Education Degree in Middle Grades and didn't stop no matter what obstacles came my way until I earned a Master's Degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child & Adolescent Development. I spent two years working in middle schools in Atlanta Public Schools located in the some of the worse neighborhoods before putting my Business & Child Psychology Degrees to use at an Atlanta family shelter. 

As a hobby, I would organize bus trips to nearby cities, cabin trips with themes, girls trips with friends and family, in the city trips that consisted of friends and family gathering at a location and sharing experiences from wine tastings to bowling or laser tag, to white water rafting. Little did I know, Travel Agent was, and still is, a true career title.

In 2010, I delivered my daughter via c-section. From the moment I looked into her eyes, I wanted to give her as much time as I could. I didn't want to rely on a day care or other family members to instill morals and values into her. I needed a way to be able to that while continuing to earn an income to support us both without having to settle for government assistance.

I begin to research different agencies in the travel industry looking for my spot. I worked independently with Prestige Travel Systems for a little over a year before becoming an Associate to Jackie Williams of Cruise Planners. For two years she and I along with another young lady, Danita Browne sold destination Weddings  Honeymoons, Luxury Caribbean vacation packages, Family vacations and Cruises on 7 of the major cruise lines. Eventually the growth and specializations of us three lead us to separate paths.

December of 2018 I was ready to open my own business and purchase my own franchise under the Cruise Planners brand. I had finally become a little less fearful of failing at what I felt in my heart I should be doing. My current specialties or concentrations of the craft are Family and Group travel in which I organize vacations for families with children, couples, girlfriends, guys, schools and youth groups.

I take pride and pleasure in what I am able to do and I look forward to continuing to grow in this business and large industry of travel all while continuing to explore the world one destination at a time.