Tracy Nicholson Selected for CruiseWorld’s 2026 STAR Program

Atlanta Cruise Travel Advisor Receives Industry Recognition

I’m excited to share a professional milestone that means a lot to me: I’ve been selected for CruiseWorld by Northstar’s 2026 STAR Program — Select Travel Advisor Recognition.

If you’ve been following Nicholson Travel Group for a while, you know how much this business has grown. What started as a one-person travel business built around my love of travel and cruising has become a growing agency serving clients who want expert guidance, personal service, and a travel advisor who truly understands the experience they’re booking.

Being selected for the CruiseWorld STAR Program feels like recognition of that growth.

What is the CruiseWorld STAR Program?

CruiseWorld is one of the major professional events in the travel industry, bringing together travel advisors, cruise lines, tour operators, hotels, destinations, and other travel partners.

The STAR Program is designed for pre-qualified travel advisors who are reviewed based on professional experience, business practices, sales, references, and commitment to growth within the industry.

That is what makes this recognition especially meaningful to me. It isn’t simply about attending another travel conference. It reflects the work that has gone into building Nicholson Travel Group and continuing to grow as a professional travel advisor.

Why this matters to me

I’ve always believed that being a good travel advisor requires more than being able to make a reservation.

I travel extensively. I sail the cruise lines I recommend. I experience the ships, destinations, hotels, excursions, and logistics firsthand whenever possible.

That experience helps me answer the questions that aren’t always obvious from a website or brochure:

Which ship is actually the better fit for you?

Which cabin category is worth the upgrade?

Is a particular cruise line really luxury, or is it simply marketed that way?

Which itinerary gives you the experience you’re actually looking for?

Those details matter, and they are a big part of why I continue investing in professional education, supplier relationships, and firsthand travel.

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Another milestone for Nicholson Travel Group

This recognition joins several other professional accomplishments I’m proud of.

I’m an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) and a Virgin Voyages Top 100 Travel Advisor, and I’ve completed advanced training with several leading cruise brands.

Being selected as a CruiseWorld STAR advisor is another indication that the work behind Nicholson Travel Group is being recognized within the travel industry.

But the part I’m most proud of is still the trust my clients place in me.

Every referral, repeat booking, group trip, and message asking, “Where should I go next?” has helped build this business.

What’s next

I’ll be attending CruiseWorld in Fort Lauderdale November 4–6, 2026. I’m looking forward to meeting with cruise lines and travel partners, learning what’s coming next in the industry, and continuing to build the relationships that help me better serve my clients.

And yes, technically it’s research.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Nicholson Travel Group along the way. I’m incredibly proud of how far this business has come — and very excited about what’s ahead.

Dream. Pack. Relax. Let me do the rest!

— Tracy Nicholson, PhD, VTA, Founder, Nicholson Travel Group