Cruise Planners vs Expedia Cruises Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Cruise Planners vs Expedia Cruises including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Cruise Planners Franchise	Expedia Cruises Franchise
Investment	$2,295 - $23,665	$169,950 - $299,645
Franchise Fee	$695 - $10,995	$39,000
Royalty Fee	1% - 3%	9%
Advertising Fee	-	$600/month
Year Founded	1994	1987
Year Franchised	1999	1987
Term Of Agreement	3 years	-
Term Of Agreement	3 years	-
Renewal Fee	-	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Cruise Planners Franchise	Expedia Cruises Franchise
Experience	-	Minimum Cash Required: $100,000 Minimum Net Worth Required: $300,000 "People that would be team leaders. Our franchise partners... recruit, train, mentor and motivate a commission-based sales team. So, the larger their team, the better trained and coached they are, the more successful they will be." -Jeff Warkentin, franchise sales manager A proactive, outgoing leader who wants to build a profitable business in the exciting travel industry,
Financing Options
	Cruise Planners Franchise	Expedia Cruises Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/Yes	-/Yes
Start-up Costs	No/No	-/Yes
Equipment	No/No	-/Yes
Inventory	No/No	-/Yes
Receivables	No/No	-/Yes
Payroll	No/No	-/Yes
Training & Support
	Cruise Planners Franchise	Expedia Cruises Franchise
Training	On-The-Job Training: Ongoing Classroom Training: 58.5 hours Additional Training: Available	Expedia CruiseShipCenters' in-depth training will give you the knowledge you need to succeed in all core business areas from marketing to operations. The annual National Conference and quarterly "ANCHOR" Meetings are exclusive Franchise Partner events where you can be challenged and inspired by keynote speakers, participate in workshops, and meet with other Franchise Partners to share your experience. On-The-Job Training: 96+ hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations	Franchise can be run from home. Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 1 - 2	Absentee Ownership Allowed
Expansion Plans
	Cruise Planners Franchise	Expedia Cruises Franchise
US Expansion	Yes	Yes
Canada Expansion	No	Yes
International Expansion	No	Yes

Company Overviews

About Cruise Planners

Since 1994, agents for Coral Springs, Florida-based Cruise Planners/American Express Travel Service have been connecting business and leisure travelers with the ideal cruise. Franchisees work from their homes, selling cruises full or part time. 

Veteran Incentives

About Expedia Cruises

Join North America's Top Retail Travel Agency Franchise
Expedia CruiseShipCenters is North America's largest retail travel agency franchise and a leading seller of cruise travel. Build equity and enjoy a great lifestyle with our proven franchise model with 30 years of success.
Have you imagined pursuing your passion, working with the most recognized name in travel and actually owning the business? Well now you can. With an Expedia CruiseShipCenters Franchise, you can enjoy a great lifestyle as the owner of a retail travel agency franchise, backed by the most recognized brand in travel. As a full service travel agency that specializes in cruises, your Expedia CruiseShipCenters location will offer travelers in your community a wide range of travel products along with outstanding service and Expedia prices.
 




Booming Industry

Growing Demand for Cruise Expertise
Today’s cruisers are overwhelmed with information and options. With a growing number of ships, staterooms and destinations to choose from, travelers are looking for expert, in-person advice from a trusted professional. That’s why 82% of cruisers tend to book through a travel agent according to Cruise Lines International Association. Plus, with hotels, flights and shore excursions required to complete the vacation experience, your earning potential as an Expedia CruiseShipCenters Franchise Partner is enormous.

Part of the #1 Brand in Travel
With an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise, you can own a retail travel agency connected to your community - backed by the largest travel brand in the world. As part of Expedia Inc., a $88 Billion company, you can offer your customers a trustworthy brand and the best choice and prices, in addition to the personal service and advice they expect from a locally owned and operated business. With the most recognized brand in travel on your door, you’ll attract new customers and build market share in your protected market area.

Track Record of Success
For more than two decades, our sales have grown more than 11% a year on average - three times the rate of the cruise industry overall. Now a market leader, our network includes over 250 independently owned franchises who support over 5,000 Vacation Consultants across North America. Our continued success and outstanding franchisee support has earned us recognition as a top-ranked franchise year after year. By joining the Expedia CruiseShipCenters family, you can leverage 30 years of experience while also enjoying the true benefits of owning your own business.
 
Proven Franchise Model
A manageable initial investment enables you to support a large number of commission-based Independent Contractors who will sell travel from your store or their home office. With no limit on team size, you can continuously grow your team and your business as large as your dreams. The initial and ongoing support provided by our 125+ corporate team will help you build out your store and keep you on track to meet your business goals every step of the way.


More Information
If you’re a proactive, outgoing leader who wants to build a profitable business in the exciting travel industry, find out more about Expedia CruiseShipCenters Franchise opportunities in your area by submitting an information request. You will immediately begin the first phase of our franchise discovery process with access to our interactive virtual brochure that will allow you to explore the details of our marketing, technology and support at your own pace. We look forward to speaking with you soon and helping you discover how you can build wealth, equity and the life you’ve been dreaming of with an Expedia Franchise.


Financing Options:
Expedia CruiseShipCenters is an SBA approved franchise, ask us how you can leverage your retirement funds to finance your franchise. 

Testimonials:

“I have always dreamed of owning my own business and had extensive experience in corporate America. The support of the Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise system allows me to capitalize on my experience while taking advantage of a proven system. I'm not left to re-invent the wheel." Jon Harvill Birmingham, Alabama -  Franchise Owner
“The idea of a big digital company also doing brick-and-mortar locations to appeal to every segment of the market was attractive to me and I felt that it was very forward-looking. Expedia is a household name that has instant credibility and instant familiarity with our customers. That is a big differentiator from most of our competitors who don’t have a big brand for people to connect with.”Chris Meyer Orange County, California - Franchise Owner

Canadian Franchise Association (CFA)
Hall of Fame Inductee
Franchise Business Review
Top 50 Franchise
Entrepreneur Magazine
#399 in Franchise 500 for 2020.