Starting your own travel business

The Best Home-Based Travel Franchise 

If you have a passion for travel and want to earn extra income, starting a travel agency franchise with Cruise Planners® is the perfect opportunity. Recognized as the #1 travel franchise in the U.S. by Entrepreneur since 2002, Cruise Planners gives you everything you need to start your own business from home. 

Whether you’re looking for a career change or a flexible side income, Cruise Planners lets you work full-time or part-time, be your own boss, and sell travel from anywhere in the world. With more than 30 years of success in the travel industry, multiple awards, and one of the lowest franchise fees, Cruise Planners is the best franchise to own if you’re ready to build a rewarding travel business. 

Why a Travel Franchise Is an Amazing Business Opportunity 

Unlike starting a small business from scratch, a franchise business model gives you credibility from day one. With Cruise Planners, you’ll benefit from: 

Affordability 

Our franchise fee is just $8,995 (discounted from $10,995)—making Cruise Planners one of the most affordable low-cost franchise opportunities in the travel industry. We also offer incentives for veterans, first responders, and current travel professionals. Because we’re a home-based franchise, your startup costs are minimal with no storefront required. 

Flexibility 

Work when and where you want. Cruise Planners franchise owners enjoy total flexibility, whether running their home travel business full-time or part-time. 

High Commissions 

Earn the highest commissions in the industry across cruises, car rentals, tours, hotels, travel insurance, and more. With no middlemen, you keep more of what you earn. 

Training and Support 

Our success depends on your success. That’s why Cruise Planners provides every new franchise owner with comprehensive training and support, including: 

  • 6-day in-person travel agent training in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida through STAR University 
  • Access to hundreds of on-demand courses through Cruisitude® Academy 
  • Personal business development coaching 
  • Award-winning marketing programs and social media support 
  • Proprietary booking tools, CRM, and a mobile app for you and your clients 

Award-Winning Recognition 

In addition to being ranked as the #1 travel franchise by Entrepreneur for more than 20 years, Cruise Planners has won countless awards in technology, training, and marketing—further proof of our strong franchise brand. 

Travel Franchise vs. Starting a Small Business 

Factor 

Cruise Planners® Travel Franchise 

Independent Small Business 

Business Model 

Proven franchise business model with 30+ years of success 

Must build your own model, high trial-and-error risk 

Startup Costs 

Low franchise fee of $8,995, minimal overhead 

Higher startup costs: rent, staff, marketing 

Training & Support 

Comprehensive training program + ongoing support 

No built-in support, must self-fund education 

Franchise Brand 

Recognized national franchise brand with credibility 

Must build brand awareness from scratch 

Customer Service Tools 

Proprietary booking platform, CRM, and marketing systems for great customer experience 

Must purchase or build your own tools 

Franchise Agreement 

Transparent franchise disclosure document (FDD) and clear franchise agreement 

No FDD or support framework, higher risk 

The Perks of Being a Travel Agent 

Owning a Cruise Planners franchise isn’t just about running a business—it’s also about embracing a lifestyle. Franchisees enjoy travel discounts, FAM trips, and exclusive perks that let them experience the world while growing their business. Learn more about how to travel more as a travel agent and why this career path is as rewarding personally as it is professionally. 

Cruise Planners also offers travel industry discounts for franchise owners, making it easier to explore destinations while building expertise you can share with clients. 

What Makes Cruise Planners Stand Out in Franchise Ownership 

When evaluating a travel agency franchise, it’s important to look beyond the initial investment and compare the long-term value. Cruise Planners has built a proven franchise business model that balances affordability with world-class support. 

  • Franchise Ownership With Confidence: As a Cruise Planners franchise owner, you operate under a transparent franchise agreement backed by a clear franchise disclosure document (FDD). This ensures you know exactly what to expect with your franchise fees and ongoing support. 
  • Low Startup Costs, High Value: With one of the lowest initial investments in the industry, Cruise Planners makes it possible to launch a home-based business without the burden of heavy overhead or hidden marketing fees. 
  • Powerful Marketing Materials: Franchisees receive ready-to-use marketing materials and done-for-you campaigns, from social media to direct mail, eliminating guesswork and saving valuable time. 
  • National Brand Recognition: As part of a top-ranked travel franchise system, you benefit from strong brand recognition that gives instant credibility and trust with clients. 
  • Customer Service That Scales: With proprietary booking tools and CRM platforms, Cruise Planners helps you deliver exceptional customer service and seamless client experiences from day one. 

This combination of low cost, strong support, and a trusted franchise system makes Cruise Planners one of the smartest franchise opportunities available today. 

Build Your Future With the Best Travel Franchise 

A Cruise Planners® franchise isn’t just a business opportunity—it’s a way to create freedom, flexibility, and financial independence. Backed by more than 30 years of experience, a trusted franchise brand, and the lowest startup costs in the industry, Cruise Planners is the partner you’ve been searching for. 

Intrigued? Download the Guide to Cruise Planners to learn more about our travel franchise opportunity

DOWNLOAD THE CRUISE PLANNERS GUIDE

Best Travel Agency Franchises FAQs   

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Cruise Planners’ franchise fee is $8,995 (discounted), making it one of the lowest-cost travel franchise opportunities in the U.S. 

No. Cruise Planners provides a complete training program and ongoing training and support so anyone can succeed. 

You’ll get training, technology, booking tools, marketing campaigns, a mobile app, and business development coaching—all designed to help you grow your travel business.