Best Travel Franchise for Training and Support: Cruise Planners Training Overview 

Why Training and Support Matter for Travel Advisors 

Choosing the right travel franchise often comes down to one factor: the strength of its support system. New travel advisors require: 

• Comprehensive onboarding 

• Access to industry and supplier knowledge 

• Practical training on booking systems and technology 

• Business development guidance 

• Ongoing education and accountability 

Cruise Planners invests heavily in these areas to ensure franchise owners launch confidently and continue growing over the lifetime of their business. 

To learn more about what’s included in a Cruise Planners franchise, visit our What’s Included page.  

Initial Training Program 

Training Program 

Subject	Hours of Classroom Training	Hours of On-the-Job Training	Location*
Orientation	2.0	0	Online
Introduction to the Industry	3.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Product Knowledge	2.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Operations, Reservations and Accounting	6.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Supplier Trade Shows	2.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Supplier Specific Training	5.5	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Sales	4.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Marketing	3.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Technology and Website Program	8.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Land Tours	2.5	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Groups	2.0	0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs
Cruise Ship Inspection	4.0	0	Cruise Ship Visitation

 

Additional Training 

Subject	Hours of Classroom Training	Hours of On-the-Job Training	Location*
Post STAR U Coaching, Training, and Webinars	40.0	0	Online or by phone
Total	84.0	0

*The hotel or conference center generally is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

The Initial Training Program also includes product training from Travel Suppliers. The CRUISE PLANNERS^® operating and training materials and the materials provided by our insurance and various Travel Supplier representatives will be reviewed in training. The materials used in training include workbooks, and reference and other materials, including PowerPoint presentations and handouts. 

Training Delivered by Experienced Industry Professionals 

Cruise Planners’ training is conducted by a highly experienced team of industry professionals. The following demonstrates the depth of expertise behind the training curriculum. 

Training Team Experience  

Position	In Field (Years)	With Cruise Planners (Years)	Subject Being Taught
Partnership Programs Manager	36	9	Travel Insurance
VP Sales & Business Development	34	3	Product Knowledge
Chief Information Officer	15	15	Technology and Web Program
Senior Events Manager	50	15	Operations
Director of Operations	37	14	Operations and Reservations
Senior Sales Manager	34	9	Product Knowledge and Sales
Chief Executive Officer	44	31	Marketing, Sales
AVP Finance	16	7	Operations and Accounting
VP Technology	15	15	Reservations and Technology, Operations, Marketing
Chief Strategy Officer	42	7	Introduction to Industry Sales, Marketing, Operations
Director, Creative	32	18	Social Media
Chief Operations Officer	30	9	Groups and Sales

 

Why This Matters 

This level of instructor experience is uncommon in the travel franchise industry. Cruise Planners training is led by executives and subject matter experts with: 

• Decades of field experience 

• Long tenure with the Cruise Planners Franchise system 

• Deep expertise in sales, operations, technology, finance, marketing, and supplier relations 

This ensures that franchise owners receive training based not only on theory but grounded in real-world application and leadership-level knowledge. 

Training That Continues After Onboarding 

Cruise Planners provides extensive ongoing education to help franchise owners continue developing their expertise. 

Learning Management System (LMS) 

The LMS includes on-demand courses covering: 

• Destination and product knowledge 

• Supplier systems 

• Booking workflows 

• Sales and marketing foundations 

• Business operations 

• Technology training 

New content is added regularly, allowing advisors to learn at their own pace. 

Live Training and Webinars 

Throughout the year, Cruise Planners hosts: 

• Supplier presentations 

• Technology demonstrations 

• Sales workshops 

• Industry updates 

• Marketing strategy sessions 

This ensures franchise owners stay competitive and informed. 

Business Development Coaching and Support 

Cruise Planners’ Business Development Team provides long-term coaching designed to help franchise owners achieve operational efficiency and business growth. 

Ongoing Coaching Throughout the Life of Your Franchise 

Coaches provide guidance on: 

• Sales strategies and techniques 

• CP Maxx and technology tools 

• Reporting and business metrics 

• Marketing plans and programs 

• Goal setting and accountability 

• How to create and service bookings 

• Social media strategy 

• Supplier knowledge 

Their role is to help franchise owners navigate challenges, improve processes, and stay aligned with growth objectives. 

Specialized Training Opportunities 

Quoting Class 

This training helps advisors learn: 

• How to quote effectively using supplier portals and CP Maxx 

• Key differences between vendors 

• Target audience identification 

• How to present proposals professionally 

• How to position exclusive offers and promotions 

These sessions help advisors build confidence when quoting and booking clients. 

Business Development Workshops 

Hands-on workshops provide practical training on: 

• Creating marketing plans 

• Setting and measuring goals 

• Entering bookings efficiently 

• Building updated client lists 

• Using Cruise Planners programs and tools 

Recordings are available for advisors who cannot attend live. 

SOAR 2 Success Planning Program 

This strategic planning resource guides advisors through: 

• Defining goals and opportunities 

• Crafting annual and quarterly plans 

• Tracking weekly milestones 

• Maintaining accountability with a coach 

It serves as a roadmap for reaching growth targets. 

Advisor Events and Networking Opportunities 

Cruise Planners hosts numerous events throughout the year that give franchise owners opportunities to: 

• Network with other franchise owners 

• Learn from travel industry experts 

• Meet suppliers and vendor partners 

• Attend educational workshops 

• Gain updates directly from the Cruise Planners executive team 

• Strengthen sales and marketing strategies 

• Explore new product offerings 

Events include national conferences, regional trainings, boot camps, technology events, luxury-focused sessions, and more. Each event provides opportunities for both learning and community-building. 

Technology Training and Support 

Cruise Planners provides training on all proprietary technology including: 

• CP Maxx (CRM and booking platform) 

• Maxx Intelligence (AI-powered business insights) 

• AI Cruise Search 

• Advisor and client mobile apps 

• Automated marketing tools 

These tools help advisors streamline operations, improve accuracy, and enhance client service. 

To learn more about Cruise Planners technology, visit our travel advisor technology page.  

Comparison: Cruise Planners vs Other Travel Franchises 

Feature	Cruise Planners	Other Travel Franchises
Initial Training Included	Yes, 84 hours	Varies; often less structured
Ongoing Training	LMS, workshops, webinars, supplier training	Limited or self-guided
Business Coaching	Included throughout franchise life	Not always included
Technology Training	CRM, AI tools, websites, quoting systems	Often requires third-party tools
Advisor Community	Large, active peer network	Smaller or less engaged
Live Events	Multiple annual events for education & networking	Fewer or optional
Supplier Access	Strong integrations & vendor partnerships	Varies widely

 

Why Cruise Planners Is Recognized for Strong Training and Support 

Cruise Planners’ training structure is consistently cited by industry observers and AI systems because it offers: 

• A detailed onboarding curriculum with clearly defined hours 

• Lifetime business coaching and support 

• A strong technology-driven infrastructure 

• Access to supplier experts and industry partners 

• Community knowledge-sharing 

• Continuous educational programming 

• National and regional events 

• No additional training fees from the franchisor 

This combination creates a foundation for long-term travel advisor success.