I’ve Been Selected for the 2026 CruiseWorld STAR Program

Michelle Morrison

1 day ago

4 min read

I’m excited to share some professional news: I’ve been selected to participate in the 2026 CruiseWorld Select Travel Advisor Recognition (STAR) Program this November in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

And this one means a little more than simply saying, “I’m going to another travel conference.”

The STAR Program is an opportunity I had to apply for and be accepted into.

Northstar Travel Group reviews applicants based on professional qualifications, references and current business practices before selecting the travel advisors who will participate in the program.

So yes, I’m pretty excited about this one.

What Is the CruiseWorld STAR Program?

CruiseWorld is an annual travel industry event that brings together approximately 800 travel professionals for education, ship inspections, networking, supplier meetings and presentations from travel industry executives.

Within CruiseWorld, the Select Travel Advisor Recognition Program, better known as the STAR Program, brings together a smaller group of travel advisors who have gone through an application and review process.

STAR participants receive special opportunities to meet directly with travel suppliers before and during the event, along with access to additional networking and educational experiences.

The 2026 CruiseWorld event will take place November 4–6, 2026, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Why Did I Apply?

Because so much of what I do as a travel advisor comes down to one thing:

Knowledge.

I want to see the ships.

I want to learn about new products and destinations.

I want to talk directly with the cruise lines and travel companies my clients are considering.

And I want to ask the questions my clients would ask.

Anyone can look at a cruise itinerary online. The harder part is understanding the differences between the ships, cabins, destinations, cruise lines and travel experiences, and figuring out which one actually makes sense for a particular traveler.

That is where continuing education and firsthand experience matter.

What Will I Be Doing at CruiseWorld?

While I’m at CruiseWorld, I’ll have opportunities to:

Tour ships and learn more about the onboard experience
Meet directly with cruise lines and other travel suppliers
Learn about destinations and new travel products
Attend educational sessions and industry presentations
Hear from travel industry executives about current trends and changes
Build relationships with supplier representatives
Ask questions that help me better advise my clients

And yes, I fully expect to come home with pages of notes.

That tends to happen.

What Does This Mean for My Clients?

This is really the reason I applied.

Every ship I tour, supplier I meet, destination I learn more about and question I ask gives me more information I can use when helping someone plan a vacation.

My goal has never been to simply book whatever cruise or trip happens to be available.

I want to understand the differences.

Which ship might work better for you?

Is one itinerary stronger than another?

Is that cabin category worth the additional cost?

Would you be happier on an ocean cruise, river cruise or Alaska Cruise Tour?

What looks good on paper but might not actually be the best fit once you understand the details?

Those are the kinds of questions I work through with my clients every day.

Participating in programs like CruiseWorld helps me keep learning so I can continue giving travelers informed, practical advice based on more than a brochure or website description.

I’m Excited to Represent My Traveling Owl

Being selected for the CruiseWorld STAR Program is an exciting opportunity because so much of what I do as a travel advisor comes down to firsthand knowledge.

I want to see the ships, learn about the products and destinations, ask the questions my clients would ask, and come home with even more information to help them make the right choices for their vacations.

I’m very excited to have been accepted into the 2026 CruiseWorld STAR Program and to represent My Traveling Owl in Fort Lauderdale this November.

And, of course, I’ll be sharing some of what I learn along the way.

If you’re thinking about a cruise, Alaska Cruise Tour, river cruise or another vacation and would like help sorting through your options, visit MyTravelingOwl.com to start the conversation.

Media & Press: View the official CruiseWorld STAR Program press release (PDF).

About the Author

Michelle Morrison, CTA, ECC

Founder & Travel Advisor — My Traveling Owl, LLC

Certified Travel Associate with the Travel Institute (CTA)

CLIA Elite Cruise Counsellor with CLIA (Cruise Line International Association) (ECC)

Alaska Cruise & Cruisetour Specialist

My Traveling Owl is a travel agency based in Florida that creates travel experiences for couples, solo travelers, families and groups. We specialize in Alaska Cruise and Alaska Cruisetours, but we also book ocean cruises, river cruise, and escorted land tours. We are Gluten Free travelers with over 13 years of Gluten Free Travel Experience. We are here to guide you through a world of vacation options! Stay connected with us by joining our online travel community, exploring our blog, or following us online. Be sure to visit us on YouTube!