The cruise market is vibrant and continues to grow, and research shows that over the next three years, 51 million North Americans intend to take a cruise vacation. In addition to numerous travel industry awards, Expedia CruiseShipCenters has been recognized for its leadership in the franchise industry, winning the Canadian Franchise Award of Excellence in both 2006 and 2007. Expedia CruiseShipCenters retail franchise locations from coast to coast are the anchor point for marketing and sales activities. The typical location is home to both retail and home-based Cruise & Travel Consultants. Franchise Partners receive the benefits of running a self-owned business, backed by over 20 years of experience and the power of the most recognized brand in travel.

Investment Required

The fee for an Expedia CruiseShipCenters Start-up franchise is $25,000.  The fee is $18,000 for a Conversion franchise and $7,500 for an Add-on franchise.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides the following range of investments required to open your initial franchise. The range assumes that all items are paid for in cash. To the extent that you choose to finance any of these expense items, your front-end investment could be substantially reduced.  The following figures refer to a Start-up Franchise.

On-going Expenses

Expedia CruiseShipCenters Start-up and Conversion franchisees pay a service fee equal to the greater of 9% of gross revenues or $600 per month ($300 for Add-on franchises), a management information systems fee equal to $285 per month ($150 for Add-on franchises) and a marketing fee equal to $570 per month ($285 for Add-on franchises)

What You Get—Training and Support

The initial trainee receives one week of basic training through self-directed studies, and is provided with the supplemental manual and DVDs for the training. Four days of in-person training is provided on-site at the head office of Expedia CruiseShipCenters International in Vancouver, BC. Basic training is offered on demand and on-site training is offered monthly in Vancouver. Expedia CruiseShipCenters may also offer additional training through periodic refresher courses or internet-based training programs. A local Franchise Development Manager works with Franchise Partners on a regular basis with marketing, training and sales support.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides assistance with site selection and lease negotiation, and advises franchisees on obtaining a license or registration to sell Approved Travel products and Services. Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides franchisees with an initial supply of promotional materials as well as access to the CruiseDesk system and the operations manual. A direct interface with the cruise line system provides franchisees with a website that features over 10,000 departures in multiple currencies and in-depth content for a variety of travel planning tools. Franchisees receive the advantage of Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ one-to-one marketing, in which each retail location and every individual Cruise Consultant has a personalized version of their leading edge website. Expedia CruiseShipCenters also furnishes franchise owners with assistance in advertising and marketing programs and administrative, bookkeeping, and accounting procedures.

Territory

Expedia CruiseShipCenters grants exclusive territories to Start-up and Conversion franchisees.  Add-on franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory.