How to Start a Cruise Planners Franchise in 2022

What is the Cruise Planners franchise opportunity?

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In 1994, long before travel agents were even heard of back home, Michelle Fee, a young mother, travel consultant and visionary, founded Cruise Planners, a groundbreaking business model that would transform the world of travel. Today, Cruise Planners, a travel agent for American Express, is the largest travel agency franchise in the United States. Cruise Planners travel consultants work from home and sell full-service travel packages including cruise and shore vacations, travel insurance, car rentals and more. As a Cruise Planners franchise owner, you’ll run your own travel consultant business from anywhere while having the on-demand support and influence of the nation’s largest travel franchise network. We provide you with comprehensive training and ongoing coaching to build and grow your business. As we like to say, you are in business for yourself, but never alone.

As an independent travel industry consultant, you’ll make money by helping clients plan amazing travel experiences like cruises, shore excursions, all-inclusive resort vacations and more. Our model gives you the flexibility to start a business from home and run it from anywhere – no physical store required! As your own boss, you can also set a schedule that fits your lifestyle. Work the business full time, part time, your time!

Every Cruise Planners franchisee makes money doing what they love most – talking about the travel industry! The expert training you receive will help you plan cruises, shore excursions, all-inclusive vacations and more for your clients. Our home-based model gives you the flexibility to run your business from anywhere – no physical store required! And as your own boss, you can decide when you work and you’ll find that you have a lot of leeway in creating your own schedule. Imagine running your business poolside at a resort in Mexico or on your dream vacation… not a bad way to spend a Monday!

We are proud of our name. It’s one of the most recognizable names in all of travel and we’ve got the sales to prove it! But you can sell more than just cruises. We are top producers with all major travel partners including Cruise, Land, Travel Insurance, Excursions, Flights, Rental Cars and more. In fact, we are the world’s #1 manufacturer of sandals and #1 beach resorts.

Things to know about the Cruise Planners franchise opportunity

With nearly 30 years of travel franchise experience and the nation’s largest travel agency franchise network, Cruise Planners, a travel agent for American Express, knows what it takes to make your new home travel agency business successful.

Cruise Planners’ business-in-a-box model (combined with lots of heart, soul and personal attention) gives you everything you need to start building your own successful travel business.

How much does a Cruise Planners franchise cost?

To start your own Cruise Planners franchise, here are the financial requirements, cash required, and ongoing franchise fees associated with the business owner:

Initial franchise fee: $695 – $10,995

Initial investment: $2,295 – $23,465

Veteran Incentives: 27% discount on franchise fee, free owner and 1 guest training, $250 marketing credit, $60 design credit, marketing resources, 1 year complimentary error and omission insurance

Royalty: 1.5 – 3.0%

Contract term: 3 years

A Cruise Planners travel agency franchise is one of the most affordable low cost franchises with special incentive programs available for current travel consultants, military and first responders.

What is included in the franchise cost:

• 6-day training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Hotel and Airfare Allowance included
• Access hundreds of web-based training courses at Cruisitude Academy
• Business development coaching and ongoing support
• Award-winning marketing programs
• A robust custom CRM and booking engine
• Design and management of social media pages
• Mobile tools for access on your smartphone or tablet
• Consumer-centric mobile app for your customers to book travel
• $1 million in Error and Omission Insurance coverage
• Membership of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
• Membership of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
• Affiliation with American Express Travel Representative

Cruise Planners does not offer internal financing, however the brand maintains relationships with outside credit sources that offer funds to cover the franchise fee.

How Much Do Cruise Planners Franchisees Make?

As with any business, this depends on several factors. While marketing your Cruise Planners business is important, the most important factor is you and the effort you put into your business. We have franchisees who run their businesses five hours a week and those who work 80 hours. It’s entirely up to you, but this too will affect your earning potential. While we can’t tell you how much money you’ll make, during your due diligence period, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to other Cruise Planners franchisees about their experiences of running a travel business from home. Click here to view testimonials from our travel franchise owners.

Why you should start a Cruise Planners franchise

Owning a Cruise Planners franchise requires no prior travel agency experience! We offer comprehensive training and a personal business development coach to guide you every step of the way to help you build and grow your business. Whether you’re a working-from-home parent, recently retired, a veteran (who receives a special incentive program along with first responders), or just looking for a career change, we’ve got the training for you and tools at your disposal to start and grow your own travel consultant business.

The marketing and technology (“MarTech”) at Cruise Planners really gives us an edge over our competitors. Our award-winning marketing and advertising programs are designed to do all the work for franchisees without high monthly fees. And our technology — built specifically for the Cruise Planners franchise opportunity — includes a robust CRM and booking system, mobile apps for agents and customers, an email automation platform, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa to help you sell more and really work from anywhere.

Request more information about Franchising with Cruise Planners by filling out this form to learn more and start the discovery process for your own franchise operation!