Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Chen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I worked in the corporate sector for over 25 years. Recently I worked for Caterpillar Inc and then Cat Financial. After a personal tragedy, house fire, I looked at priorities and decided that I wanted to be home more with my family. I left Caterpillar after 16 years and headed into the travel industry. I was not sure what to expect, but I thought I love to travel and want to help others make lasting memories like our family has over the years.
I have been in the travel industry and with Cruise Planners (my host company) for 5 years, and have owned my own travel agency, Simply-Traveled since 2021. I love this job and have been able to use knowledge taken from 25 years in the corporate sector to build my business day by day. I think what I love about this particular job is not only the flexibility of working from anywhere and be able to attend to my clients, but finding out how I was able to help them plan an amazing trip. Changing jobs helped me focus on things I love and my family.
My clients become more like friends and family, and my job is to take care of them from the first initial meeting until they return back from their trip! My job is to make things simple for their vacation or adventure, hence Simply-Traveled. My business has grown through referrals, word of mouth, and marketing through social media.
When I see pictures of my clients and know that I am helping them reach their traveling goals, my heart is full!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the words of one of my favorites, Walt Disney – “If you can dream it, you can do it,” along with – “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” I started in February 2020 and as we all know a little thing called Covid happened. It was a blessing and a curse!
Here I had just started this new business, but making no sales since the world was basically shut down! Talk about bad timing! What now? TRAINING!! We do a lot of training and when you are starting out, sometimes you are trying to build the business so much, training happens but late at night and when you have time. So, for the rest of the year, I would reach out to people to add to my database, but I completed all of my training and then some! It was great for me because I was ready to go when the world opened up!
There are also client struggles. You have to make sure that your client fits your business. You find out that it is ok to say no. It is not something I do, but you can. I have other agents who send Disney clients to me or Universal because I have a deeper knowledge and I LOVE Disney and Universal.
No matter what the struggles are, they are only struggles if you let them be that – struggles. I see them more as opportunities and it is more about how do we look at this “opportunity” and find a solution. The solutions are how we get past the struggle and achieve the what this struggle (opportunity) holds.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Simply-Traveled?
I own Simply-Traveled, a company associated with Cruise Planners, and have been in the Nashville area for over five years. Simply-Traveled covers all of Middle TN and then some. I have clients all over the world and each one is a priority. I am a full service Travel Company and can reserve any and all travel. I started in this business with all things Disney and Universal, and now I do international/domestic land; sea; river cruises; expeditions; groups (affinity, generational, destination weddings, bachelorette, bachelor, etc); anything and all things travel. We have partnerships with hundreds of vendors, flight packages, and insurance assistance.
I do specialize in all things Disney and Universal. I am an authorized Disney Specialist with Disney and have completed all my Universal Resorts training. In addition, I assist in planning European trips that are all bucket list adventures. I also do a great deal of cruise and river cruise bookings.
I am known for working with my clients to find the best options for the trip or adventure that they want to take. Some take extensive planning and others are last minute. I make sure that each client feels at ease with their decisions and if there are any concerns, we work through them to find the perfect solution. I meet with clients via video conferencing or will meet for coffee to work through the planning steps thru providing them the final documents prior to the trip.
Cruise Planners brand is top notch in the travel industry. Although we are a $1 Billion company, which is amazing and we have received many awards and accolades throughout the travel industry, what I am most proud of is CP Cares.
CP Cares shows our passion about travel, but we’re also passionate about giving back to our global community. CP Cares™ started as a humble effort to support causes that we, as a family, care about a great deal. Fortunately, we’ve been able to go from selling a few signature Cruise Planners “bling” shirts to establishing an outreach program that has helped thousands of people around the country and throughout the world. CP Cares isn’t simply a corporate initiative. Our commitment to helping non-profit organizations throughout the nation and around the world starts with our leadership and extends to our franchise owners in all 50 states. Together, we raise awareness and donate funds to various charities, as well as providing hands-on service to the community. It’s another example of how our Cruisitude™ is embraced by the entire organization. My heart is full knowing that we as a company, as a family can give back.
Simply-Traveled can help any and all who want to travel in any way shape or form. In today’s world, we’ve truly seen the benefits of having a Travel Advisor. With your personal Cruise Planners Advisor, you’ll have a true advocate working on your behalf and helping to make sure your vacation exceeds your expectations.
Travelers can save time, money and a whole lot of headaches with a Cruise Planners Travel Advisors, who can provide everything you need to book a perfect vacation:
-Insider access to exclusive offers due to Cruise Planners unequalled Buying Power
-Exclusive access to special inventory and upgraded amenities
-Early booking discounts
-Cruise, Hotel, Resorts, Tours and more
-Your own Travel App
-Quickly and easily rebook canceled vacations
-Exclusive travel insurance options
We offer:
-Personalized Services: We offer expert advice and personalized service that you can’t get from an internet search. We work hard at building long-lasting relationships with you.
-Value-Added Benefits and Amenities: Cruise Planners are top producers with the best brands in travel and can offer you the most unique travel experience at a very competitive price and added value – plus exclusive vacation packages, low fares and special amenities.
-Your Travel Advisor: Travel is complex especially if you are not sure where you want to go, traveling abroad, with little ones, or in a group.
-Peace of Mind: We are here for you. We stay abreast of the most current and timely promotions. No two travelers are alike.
-Your Personal Advocate: We have a pulse on the industry and have up-to-date information on what’s hot and happening in travel. We are here to help if something should go wrong before or during your trip, such as canceled flights or revised itineraries.
-One-Stop Shop: Like a personal shopper, we can provide one-stop travel shopping for you.
What are your plans for the future?
My goal would be to schedule more “Come Travel with Me” events to see the world! Currently I am working on doing a Christmas Markets River Cruise in 2027 and developing a “Oktoberfest” trip to Germany in 2026. Also, looking at pulling together a Trip to Salem MA during the fall of 2026. I currently have a “Come Sail with Me” on an adult only cruise, Virgin Voyages for Spring of 2026 – there are still some cabins available!
I am always looking to add new associates to my team that are hungry to see the world like me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simply-traveled.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADCSimplyTraveled
- Twitter: https://x.com/amychen_st
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8RLUNsitJOBY8r28VDPNNQ
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2527839064220239
