Cruise Planners Franchise Reviews Cost Profit Income

 

Have you ever dreamed of taking your passion and turning it into your own business? What if we told you that’s possible with the Cruise Planners franchise? With cruise planning being a billion-dollar industry and an ever-growing demand for travel services, Cruise Planners offers one of the best franchising opportunities available.

From profits to reviews, there are plenty of things to consider when it comes to starting a Cruise Planners franchise. Perhaps you already know the advantages and disadvantages, or maybe this is all brand new to you. Let’s get started!

How much does a Cruise Planners franchise cost?

The cost of a Cruise Planners franchise depends on a few different factors. The first expense is the $10,000 franchise fee, though this may alter in the future. After that, you’ll need to spend money on things like marketing supplies, outfits, and any other opening-related expenses.

Additionally, the costs of operating your company will be influenced by your location and the services you decide to provide. Additionally, you’ll need insurance for your company and any liability protection associated with trips.

Depending on the size of your company, the people you employ, and the size of your advertising budget, you can anticipate paying between $3,000 and $12,000 in working capital. The ongoing fees differ based on how much revenue you produce each year in addition to this one-time expense.

Finally, you can expect to pay an ongoing royalty fee of 4–10% per booking or monthly support fees based on your annual gross bookings. These fees are in place to help grow and support the brand, as well as provide you with tools and resources as a CREATE PLANNERS franchisee. Although these costs may seem hefty at first glance, they’re an important part of running a successful travel agency with Cruise Planners.

How much does it cost to franchise a cruise line in the United States?

Cruise Planners will cost you around $10,000 to sign up as a Cruise Planners franchise. This amount covers the costs associated with joining the franchise; however, you should also factor in other start-up costs such as marketing expenses and recruiting fees.

Cruise Planners stress that buying into a franchise doesn’t guarantee success—that’s down to you and your hard work, their comprehensive training and ongoing support packages are designed to help you get up and running quickly and efficiently.

In addition to the initial fees, there’s also an ongoing cost that you’ll need to pay each month. This covers membership services such as travel marketing campaigns, cruise access, web-based technology platforms, and more. The exact amount depends on a few factors, like location, but on average it’s between $100 and $400 a month.

How much do Cruise Planner franchise owners make?

You’re probably wondering about the income potential for a Cruise Planners franchise. Well, the truth is that it really depends on factors such as how much work you are willing to put in and how well you market yourself.

Cruise Planners franchise owners have reported gross income or profit between $30,000 and $70,000 a year in commission-based income while working full time. Some experienced owners have even reported making as much as $100,000 in yearly income. What’s great is that your success extends beyond yourself—you’ll also get to reward your employees with high commissions and bonuses based on their sales performance.

Cruise Planner Franchise Requirements

If you’re interested in becoming a franchisee, Cruise Planner’s provides both low-cost (around $10,000) and expensive ($20,000+) options. The amount of cruises or vacations you can arrange for customers is the primary distinction between these options. More offers and discounts are available to you when making reservations for clients if you choose the more expensive choice.

According to their financial criteria, Cruise Planners demands a minimum of $4,000 in cash and $30,000 in net worth. Those who want the cheap choice must demonstrate that they have at least $10,000 in liquid capital on hand or have a business partner who can provide the remaining $6,000 in funding.

Additionally, Cruise Planners needs specific office supplies to run your company on a daily basis, such as laptops, printers, and other office-related equipment. All these costs will be included in your initial franchise fee when you join up with Cruise Planners.

 

What are cruise planner franchise owners reviews?

Cruise Planners franchises reviews have generally been positive. Since Cruise Planners is a home-based business and the cost of entry is relatively low ($10,000) compared to other franchise models, it’s attractive to many entrepreneurs who want to work in the travel industry.

The Cruise Planners franchise system offers ongoing training and support for franchisees, helping you launch your business quickly and efficiently. They provide access to their reservation system as well as marketing materials like flyers and postcards that you can use to generate leads.

They also offer “Franchise Connect,” a private online community where you can connect with fellow franchisees, share strategies, and ask questions. This tight-knit community of experienced travel agents can help you stay ahead of the curve when it comes to running your cruise planning business.

Overall, customers tend to be happy with their Cruise Planners experience, citing access to exclusive deals and personalized customer service as key selling points for the franchise model.

Cruise Planner Franchise Rankings

A lot of people don’t know what to think of the Cruise Planners franchise. So, if you’re considering investing in a franchise, it’s important to know what the reviews say.

Fortunately, Cruise Planners ranks highly, both in terms of profitability and overall customer satisfaction. Here’s a look at some of the rankings:

• Profitability

Cruise Planners has been ranked among Entrepreneur Magazine’s top franchises, with high recognition for its profit potential. In 2016, they ranked #1 in the Travel Agency Category and #15 overall, earning them a spot on the Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Companies list that year.

• Customer Satisfaction

Cruise Planners is also highly rated when it comes to customer satisfaction. According to Franchise Business Review’s 2016 survey, Cruise Planners had an 85% customer approval rating, placing them among the top franchises for customer experience and satisfaction.

• Other rankings include: 

1. 128 in 2023 under Franchise 500 Ranking 
2. 12 in 2022 under Top Franchises for Veterans
3. 10 in 2022 under Top Franchises for less than $50,000
4. 1 in Travel Agencies in 2021 under Best of the Best 
5. 30 in 2022 under Homebased ranking

Overall, Cruise Planners has good ratings from customers and investors alike, which makes it an attractive option for anyone looking to invest in a franchise.

 

What is the Cruise Planners?

Are you thinking about opening your own Cruise Planners franchises? If so, you’re in luck! Cruise Planners is a home-based travel agency franchises that allows you to become your own boss and take control of your career. With over 25 years of experience in the industry and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, Cruise Planners is an ideal business venture.

Cruise Planners helps entrepreneurs manage their travel businesses while earning commission on cruise line and tour operator bookings. The company provides marketing tools as well as professional development seminars that help business owners increase their profit margins. 

Additionally, Cruise Planners provides access to discounted rates on hotels, airlines, rental cars, tours, and more—allowing you to offer competitive prices to your clients. Their innovative technology allows customers to access their itineraries from anywhere at any time, making it easier than ever for clients to plan travel without any hassle.

Is a career as a cruise planner a franchise opportunity?

The short answer is yes! The Cruise Planners franchise offers a unique opportunity for you to take control of your own business, become an entrepreneur, and enjoy the security of a full-time job. Since its start in the mid-1990s, this travel agency franchise has grown to become one of the largest cruise and vacation planning networks in the world, with almost 2,000 franchisees and more than $5 billion in annual sales.

The Cruise Planners Franchising models itself off of other successful franchises by providing its franchisees with a turnkey solution instead of starting from scratch. You’ll get access to their proprietary cruise management system, which puts you at the forefront of technology and provides you with advanced analytics to help you make better decisions when booking cruises. Plus, they will provide you with extensive marketing materials and training sessions so that you can start off on the right track. All these features come together to give you an unbeatable competitive advantage.

Overall, Cruise Planners is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a proven business model with unbeatable support so that you can maximize your success potential with minimum hassle.

Facts That Nobody Told You About Cruise Planners

What should you know about cruise planners? Well, here are a few facts that nobody told you about:

• Low Investment and Start-up Cost

First off, the cost of starting your own Cruise Planners franchise is quite low compared to other business opportunities. The one-time fee is based on territory size and starts at only $10,000! Plus, it includes many benefits that come standard with any franchised business.

• Unique business model

Cruise Planners has a unique business model that encourages flexibility and convenience. You can either work remotely or in an office; you decide when your hours are; and you don’t need to worry about stocking products or managing inventory. All of this makes working in the travel industry much easier.

• Training and support

Cruise Planners also offers terrific training and support programs that provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the travel business, from basic operations to marketing strategies. Plus, they give you access to their premier online booking tool so you can make bookings for clients quickly and easily.

Plus, they have an exclusive travel agent portal where you can find discounts, deals, and incentives for booking certain destinations. So whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years, cruise planners can help you succeed!

Cruise Planner Training Franchises

When you become a Cruise Planners franchisee, you get access to a wealth of training and support. Once you sign up, you’ll be assigned an experienced franchise coach who will work with you every step of the way.

You’ll get hands-on training from the start. This includes participating in four days of online webinars followed by one day of on-site classroom training at the Cruise Planners headquarters. After that, you can look forward to helpful online workshops covering sales, marketing, and other business functions.

In addition to receiving training on how to gain bookings for cruise trips, you’ll get access to a wealth of resources from Cruise Planners that will help you get your business up and running quickly and efficiently. This includes marketing tools, specialised software programs, top-tier supplier relationships, industry relationships, and more—all designed to help you increase customer satisfaction and generate higher profits.

Cruise Planners is dedicated to giving its franchisees all the resources they need to succeed—from educational materials like tutorials and manuals to professional assistance from their own assigned coach. With training and support like this, it’s no wonder Cruise Planners consistently earns high marks among customers and franchise owners alike!

Cruise Planners: From Operations to Franchises

Ever wonder how Cruise Planners got from small operations to becoming a large franchising company?

It’s all about growth and success. Here’s how.

• Re-inventing cruise planners

The evolution of Cruise Planners from small operations to franchising began with the determination and risk-taking spirit of Co-Founders Michelle Fee and Vicky Beilby. They had a plan for their own business growth, but their ultimate goal was for others to experience similar fortune and success as travel professionals. So, in 2004, Cruise Planners began franchising with the intent to re-invent the travel industry.

• Rapid Expansion

In order to scale rapidly, they embraced and optimized emerging digital technologies to develop enhanced marketing solutions. This approach allowed them to significantly expand their reach across the U.S. within just a few years, leading them to be recognized as one of the country’s fastest-growing franchises in 2008 by Entrepreneur magazine.

• Solid performance since day one

Over the years, Cruise Planners has received numerous awards and accolades for its stellar performance as a franchisor, including being regularly acknowledged by Entrepreneur magazine since 2008 in an array of categories that span from the technology tools and support services offered to its franchisees to the global marketing effort, training and support, and leadership team among other elements that compose an effective business opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to become travel advisors with their own home-based business.

How is Cruise Planners’ territory granted to franchises?

If you’re interested in becoming a Cruise Planner franchisee, you might be wondering how the territory will be granted to you.

It’s key to know that the Cruise Planners’ philosophy is based on a “non-exclusive” territory model. Depending on the geographic area and population density of your target market, you could have as many as or fewer than 200 clients while still maintaining a healthy business.

In terms of the exclusive rights agreement, Cruise Planners limits their franchisees to one exclusive geographic area each. You’ll be granted an exclusive territory within a predetermined geographical area, so no two franchisees will have overlapping territories.

Cruise Planners also uses demographic models to assess the potential growth of each franchisee and help guide them to their best markets for growth. They promise prime territories for those who qualify and take part in the CP Advantage loyalty program.

The company also stresses that continuous professional development is essential to its franchisees’ success, which means ongoing education and support from Cruise Planners are essential for any aspiring Cruise Planner franchisee’s success.

What is the term of the franchise agreement and renewal?

When it comes to the Cruise Planners franchise, one of the most important things to consider is the term of your agreement and whether or not it’ll need to be renewed. Luckily, the term of your agreement is usually five years, with automatic renewal subject to certain conditions.

The exact details of these conditions can vary, but you can expect some kind of performance requirement. For example, meeting an established minimum gross sales level and following best practices set by cruise planners when it comes to marketing and customer service

But even if you don’t meet these standards, you may still be able to renew your agreement with Cruise Planners utilizing alternative renewal options such as a reduced royalty or a renewed commitment date. By doing this, you’ll have the chance to get back on track and continue running your business for a few more years.

All in all, sailing off with a Cruise Planners franchise means committing for a minimum of five years or more—but it could be well worth your while in terms of making plenty of profits along the way.

Does Cruise Planners provide financial assistance to franchisees?

You might be wondering if Cruise Planners provides any financial assistance to its franchisees. The answer is yes! Cruise Planners offers multiple sources of financial assistance to its franchisees in order to help them get their businesses off the ground.

Here are some of the financing options available through cruise planners:

1. Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs

 This program offers local and regional financial assistance for qualified franchisees.

2. The Cruise Planners’ Franchise Loan Program

This program can help franchisees secure up to $125,000 in funding from the United Franchise Group (UFG).

3. Local Bank Financing Programs:

This program provides access to competitive rates from local banks and lending institutions.

4. Credit Card Financing

Through this program, franchisees can finance up to $50,000 with a major credit card issuer.

These are just a few of the financing options available through Cruise Planners.

Pros & Cons of owning a Cruise Planner Franchise

Choosing any kind of franchise can be a complicated decision, and one should consider all the pros and cons before deciding if a Cruise Planners  is the right choice for them. Here is an overview of some of the pros and cons that come with owning a Cruise Planners franchises

Pros

• Since it was founded in 1994, Cruise Planners has been in business for more than 25 years.

• No travel industry experience is necessary.

• Low capital investment to get started

• Unique business model with unlimited earning potential—you can work from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.

• A comprehensive training program and ongoing support from Cruise Planners headquarters

• Proprietary CRM (customer relationship management) platform designed specifically for travel professionals

• Opportunity to join an exclusive network of experienced professionals

• Marketing and advertising opportunities to gain more visibility

Cons

• Franchise fees are not refundable and must be paid to open your business.

• Renewal fees are required on an annual basis.

• Additional fees may be charged when using their platform services. 

• You’re responsible for managing your own business and generating leads. 

• There’s competition in this market, so success will depend on how well you market yourself compared to others.

Franchise Deck Analysis and Overview

Are you thinking of investing in the Cruise Planners franchise business? Let’s do analysis” and compare the pros and cons of this franchise opportunity.

As with any franchise, there are potential risks to consider before investing in the Cruise Planners. First, you should be aware that this business requires a significant amount of capital for startup costs, as well as ongoing operational costs and advertising fees. You’ll also need to invest significant time into your business to build it up and grow your customer base.

However, when done correctly, owning a Cruise Planners franchise can be highly profitable. The franchise fee is relatively low at $10K, and there are no ongoing royalties or renewal fees, which keeps more money in your pocket. Plus, Cruise Planners provides extensive training and support, including marketing materials, so you can be successful right from the start.

So it ultimately comes down to weighing the potential risks against the potential profit of being a Cruise Planners franchises owner. Is the cost worth the potential income? Only you can answer that question.

Competition Analysis of Cruise Planner Franchise

Cruise Planners Franchise	Cost to Franchise	Franchisee Fees	Royalty + Ad fees	Expected Profit	Recoup of Capital	FD Rating
Cruise Planners Franchise	$2,295-$23,665	$4,000	4-10%	$6.4 Million	–	3.3/5
Dream Vacation Franchise	$3,245 to $21,850	$10,500	1.5-3%	$2-$5 Million	–	4/5
Matco Tools Franchise	$76,819 – $309,133	$8,000	–	–	–	4.5/5
UPS Store Franchise	$185,000 to $508,000	$29,950	5+2.5%	$606,750	–	3/5
Kumon Franchise	$64,428 to $145,640	$2000	$15 for new students $34 for fully paying students $19.13 for partially paying students	$36,000–$120,000	–	3.3/5

The Franchise Deck rating for the Cruise Planner franchise is 3.7/5.0.

Conclusion : Is the Cruise Planners franchise a good choice?

Cruise Planners franchise is an excellent choice for franching who want to get into the travel industry without the risks associated with starting their own business from scratch. It offers a solid support system and an established brand, making it an attractive choice in the franchising space.

The reviews have generally been positive, with many franchisees stating that they have experienced high levels of success with the Cruise Planners franchise. However, there are some complaints about issues like training and customer service, which you should consider before making any decisions about buying a franchise with Cruise Planners. Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh all of these factors when deciding whether or not to invest in a Cruise Planners franchise.

Entrepreneurs who want to open a franchise in a low-cost service business can look at these options:

1. UPS Store Franchise 
2. Kumon Franchise 
3. Kiddie Academy Franchise 
4. Roof Maxx Franchise 
5. College Hunks Franchise
6. Matco Tools Franchise
7. Dave And Buster
8. Jani-King franchise
9. Costco franchise
10. CMIT Solutions Franchise
11. Aldi franchise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s dive into some of the most commonly asked questions about Cruise Planners to help you understand all that is offered with this popular franchise.

1. Is the Cruise Planner franchise profitable?

Absolutely!  The Cruise Planners franchises has grown leaps and bounds since its inception, earning an impressive $3 billion in sales each year! With Cruise Planners, business owners can make a steady income while enjoying the freedom of owning their own business.

2. Can you make money owning a cruise agency?

Yes!  With over 9,000 successful franchises worldwide, it is evident that people make money with their Cruise Planner businesses. From regularly scheduled commission payments to additional income opportunities through membership programs and marketing incentives, business owners can easily find ways to quickly boost their bottom line.

3. Is Cruise Planner a franchise?

Yes!  From its humble beginnings in 1994, today there are over 5,000 independently owned and operated Cruise Planner franchises across the world. Franchisees benefit from a proven business model with no need for prior experience in travel planning or hospitality industry knowledge.