2022 Franchise 500 Rank
#135 Ranked #37 last year
See the Full List
Initial investment
$2K - $23K
Units as of 2022
2,585 15% over 3 years

Company Overview

About Cruise Planners

Industry
Recreation
Related Categories
Travel Agencies
Founded
1994
Parent Company
CP Franchising LLC
Leadership
Michelle Fee, CEO
Sponsored Content

More from Cruise Planners

Company Overview

Cruise Planners is the most awarded travel company period, and has been named the # 1 home-based travel franchise by Entrepreneur for 18 straight years.

In 1994, long before home-based travel agents were even heard of, Michelle Fee, a young mom, travel advisor, and visionary founded Cruise Planners, a groundbreaking business model designed to change the travel world.

Today, Cruise Planners is the largest home-based travel agent franchise with over 2,500 advisors nationwide. Cruise Planners travel advisors work from home selling full-service travel packages, including cruises, land-based vacations, travel insurance, car rentals and more.

Cruise Planners Team

The Cruise Planners Model

As a Cruise Planners franchise owner, you will run your own travel advisor business from anywhere while having the support and leverage of the nation’s largest travel franchise network at your beck-and-call. We provide you thorough training and on-going coaching to establish and grow your business.

Each franchisee earns money by doing what they love most – talking about travel! The expert training you receive will help you to plan cruises, land tours, all-inclusive resort vacations and more for your clients. Our home-based model gives you the flexibility to work your business from anywhere you choose—no storefront required! And as your own boss, you get to decide when you work, all you’ll find there’s plenty of room to play when you make your own schedule. Imagine running your business poolside at a resort in Mexico… not a bad way to spend a Monday!

Capitalize on the Surge in Travel
The demand for travel is rapidly growing—already, future bookings at Cruise Planners are up —and travel advisors will be key to the rebirth of the travel industry. The travel industry has proven to be incredibly resilient because travel never goes out of style.

Machu Picchu

Cruise Planners Travel Advisors are true travel professionals who offer a full range of travel services. Any vacation you dream up can be precisely planned out to accommodate your vacation needs.

 

More than just cruises
We’re proud of our name. It is one of the most recognized names in all the travel industry, and we have the sales numbers 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, car rentals and more. In fact, we are the #1 top global producer for Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

Marketing + Technology = Your Passport to Success
The “MarTech" at Cruise Planners is what truly gives us an edge over our competitors. Our award-winning marketing and advertising programs are designed to do all the heavy lifting for you, without any hefty monthly fees. And our technology – created specifically for Cruise Planners – includes a robust CRM and booking system, agent and client mobile apps, email automation platform and Amazon Alexa compatibility allow you to sell more and truly work from anywhere.

Anita at Computer

Cruise Planners provides you the tools to start your own travel agency that matches your lifestyle and goal, while working from anywhere in the world.

 

Anyone and Everyone Can Succeed—No Experience Needed!

Owning a Cruise Planners franchise requires no previous travel agent experience! We provide comprehensive training and a personal business development coach who will be with you every step of the way to help establish and grow your business.

So, whether you’re a work-from-home parent, a recent retiree, a veteran (who, along with first responders, receive a special incentive program) or just looking for a career change, we will provide you the training and tools to start and grow your own travel advisor business.

Low-cost Franchise Opportunity
A Cruise Planners travel agency franchise is one of the most affordable low-cost franchises to own with special incentive programs available for current travel advisors, military and first responders.

What’s included with the franchise cost

  • 6-day training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, hotel & airline allowance included
  • Access to 800+ web-based training courses in CP Genie
  • Business development coaching and ongoing support
  • Award-winning marketing programs
  • A robust, custom CRM and booking engine
  • Social media page design and supplemental management
  • Mobile tools for access on your smart phone or tablet
  • Consumer-facing mobile app for your clients to book travel
  • $1 million errors & omissions insurance protection
  • Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Membership
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA) Membership
Prosperous in the Pandemic: How One Man Turned Loss into Profit in the Travel Industry

Franchising Overview

Franchising Since
1999 (23 years)
# of employees at HQ
107
Where seeking

This company is seeking new franchisees throughout the US.

# of Units
2,585 (as of 2022)

Franchisor Information

Corporate Address
3111 N. University Dr., #800
Coral Springs, FL 33065

Information for Franchisees

Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in opening a Cruise Planners franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here’s what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee
$695 - $10,995
Initial Investment
$2,295 - $23,465
Veteran Incentives
27% off franchise fee, free training for owner and 1 guest, $250 marketing credit, $60 design credit, marketing assets, 1-year free errors & omissions insurance
Royalty Fee
1.5-3%
Term of Agreement
3 years
Is franchise term renewable?
Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing
Cruise Planners has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

Classroom Training
66 hours
Additional Training
Training available
Ongoing Support
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?
Yes
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
Yes
Can this franchise be run part time?
Yes
# of employees required to run
1-2
Are exclusive territories available?
No

Franchise 500 Ranking History

Compare where Cruise Planners landed on this year’s Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.

Additional Rankings

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise by Entrepreneur Media. Our franchise listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare franchise operations. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise. That should include reviewing the franchisor's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees.
Updated: February 8th, 2021