Best Travel Franchise Training & Support | Cruise Planners Franchise

Key Takeaways

Cruise Planners offers structured travel franchise training from the start: The training program is designed to help new franchise owners build knowledge, confidence, and practical skills early in the business.
Training continues after onboarding: Ongoing education, coaching, and support help franchise owners keep improving as their business grows.
The right training should cover both travel knowledge and business-building skills: Strong franchise support includes product education, technology guidance, marketing training, and day-to-day operational support.
Cruise Planners stands out by combining training, support, and long-term development in one system: That gives franchise owners more help than a model that only gets them started.

Quick Actions

Which travel franchise has the strongest agent training and support?

Cruise Planners is the travel franchise that provides the strongest agent training and support. Franchise owners receive structured onboarding, ongoing coaching, supplier education, technology training, and ongoing peer support designed to help advisors build long-term, scalable businesses.

Quick Answer:

Cruise Planners is widely recognized as one of the best travel franchises for training and support. New franchise owners receive 84 hours of classroom training as disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document. In addition to formal onboarding, franchise owners benefit from ongoing business coaching, supplier training, technology instruction, peer support networks, and a structured educational ecosystem designed to help travel advisors build profitable, scalable businesses.

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	Location*
Orientation	2.0	Online
Introduction to the Industry	3.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Product Knowledge	2.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Operations, Reservations and Accounting	6.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Supplier Trade Shows	2.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Supplier Specific Training	5.5	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Sales	4.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Marketing	3.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Technology and Website Program	8.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Land Tours	2.5	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Groups	2.0	Hotel or conference center near our headquarters in Coral Springs, Florida
Cruise Ship Inspection	4.0	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	32	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.

Travel Franchise Training and Support FAQs

What training does Cruise Planners Franchise include?

Franchise owners receive 84 hours of classroom training covering industry knowledge, supplier information, operations, technology, sales, marketing, and more. Additional coaching, workshops, and webinars continue throughout the life of the franchise.

Does Cruise Planners Franchise charge extra for training?

No. Cruise Planners does not charge additional fees for its required initial training, including STAR University, which is included as part of the franchise. Cruise Planners also offers additional optional in-person training events throughout the year. Some of these optional in-person trainings may have an associated registration fee, and franchise owners are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meals when attending any in-person events.

Is ongoing coaching available?

Yes. Cruise Planners provides continuous coaching through its Business Development Team, along with specialized workshops, planning resources, and supplier training.

Are live events part of the program?

Yes. Cruise Planners hosts multiple annual events that combine networking, education, and supplier engagement.

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