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![]() | Cruise HolidaysRelax..You're With Us |

Business Type
FranchiseNumber of Units
130In Business Since
1984* For Current Info See:
Franchise Disclosure Document

Overview
Cruise Holidays is the largest cruise-travel franchise in North America.
The
Cruise Holidays franchise system began operating in 1984 and has been
specializing in one thing ever since-cruises. Considered the
"distribution system of choice" by many cruise-line suppliers, Cruise
Holidays is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and has over 130 locations
throughout North America.
Products & Services

Founded in 1984, Cruise Holidays is North America's largest
cruise-specialty retail franchise, with
130
locations in the United States and Canada. As our name suggests, our
retail
travel storesspecialize in cruise travel, providing unparalleled
expertise in matching clients with the cruise ships and destinations
that are right for them.
In June 2001, Cruise Holidays was acquired by Carlson Travel Network Associates, Inc. (Carlson*), one of the world's largest and most respected travel franchisers. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Carlson owns and manages brands throughout the world.
Because of the size of the Cruise Holidays network, the proven expertise of its owners and agents and the unparalleled strength of its industry connections, Cruise Holidays is considered by many of the world's best cruise lines and travel suppliers to be a distribution system of choice. As a result, Cruise Holidays can offer its clients an amazing array of cruise vacations at highly competitive prices. And since Cruise Holidays agents can arrange travel on any cruise line in the world, the list of destinations seems endless.
Although Cruise Holidays stores and their agents focus specifically on cruise travel, the network's service doesn't stop there. Cruise Holidays can also provide travelers with pre-cruise and post-cruise plans, like hotel packages, shore excursions, tours and even airfare - all at competitive prices.
In June 2001, Cruise Holidays was acquired by Carlson Travel Network Associates, Inc. (Carlson*), one of the world's largest and most respected travel franchisers. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Carlson owns and manages brands throughout the world.
Because of the size of the Cruise Holidays network, the proven expertise of its owners and agents and the unparalleled strength of its industry connections, Cruise Holidays is considered by many of the world's best cruise lines and travel suppliers to be a distribution system of choice. As a result, Cruise Holidays can offer its clients an amazing array of cruise vacations at highly competitive prices. And since Cruise Holidays agents can arrange travel on any cruise line in the world, the list of destinations seems endless.
Although Cruise Holidays stores and their agents focus specifically on cruise travel, the network's service doesn't stop there. Cruise Holidays can also provide travelers with pre-cruise and post-cruise plans, like hotel packages, shore excursions, tours and even airfare - all at competitive prices.
Training & Support
Cruise Holidays implements
local and national marketing programs that allow franchisees to spend
less time worrying about promotional devices and more time building a
strong customer base. They supply franchisees with information to keep
them up to date cruise-line specials, as well as provide industry news
directly to consumers. Cruise Holidays produces the marketing tools
that franchisees are able to implement locally. And cooperative
advertising funds, provided by cruise line partners, can be used to
maximize your marketing budget and exposure.
Cruise Holidays offers maximum franchisee support. There are Business Development Managers in the field, sales support a toll-free call away, and an extranet site that is available anytime. Another major benefit of being the largest cruise retail system in North America is buying power. Cruise Holidays has been able to direct hundreds of millions of dollars to key suppliers in exchange for competitive pricing and commissions. These are benefits that get passed directly on to Cruise Holidays Franchisees.
Cruise Holidays’ owners are provided with their own proprietary software called CruiseWeb. CruiseWeb manages all aspects of the cruise reservation process, provides a wide array of financial reports and enables users to easily create and segment mailing lists.
Cruise Holidays offers maximum franchisee support. There are Business Development Managers in the field, sales support a toll-free call away, and an extranet site that is available anytime. Another major benefit of being the largest cruise retail system in North America is buying power. Cruise Holidays has been able to direct hundreds of millions of dollars to key suppliers in exchange for competitive pricing and commissions. These are benefits that get passed directly on to Cruise Holidays Franchisees.
Cruise Holidays’ owners are provided with their own proprietary software called CruiseWeb. CruiseWeb manages all aspects of the cruise reservation process, provides a wide array of financial reports and enables users to easily create and segment mailing lists.
Why Cruise Holidays?

The cruise industry is
growing—and it has been since 1980 at an average rate of 8.4%. Since
1980, and estimated 84 million passengers have taken a deep-water
cruise of two days or more. Of that 84 million, 64% has been generated
in the past ten years—33% in the last five years.
In addition to extraordinary historical data, the future cruise market potential is enormous. Over the next five years, the cumulative market potential for the cruise industry is $85 billion. By year-end 2002, it is projected that approximately 8.6 million passengers will cruise on an annual basis. Studies indicate that taking a cruise is a dream of 50% of all adults—particularly in the baby-boomer category. With only 12.3% of the U.S. population having ever cruised, this seems like a virtually untapped market.
Over the past 10 years, the industry has responded to extensive market and consumer research that has guided change in destinations, ship design concepts, on-board/on-shore activities, themes and cruise lengths to reflect the changing vacation patterns of today’s market. And on a comparative basis versus other vacation categories, cruising consistently receives top marks.
Aside from the repeat business anticipated annually throughout North America, today’s array of flight options and stream-lined port processing have opened up cruising as a vacation alternative to an abundance of new individuals. Not only is the cruise industry poised to grow, but it also provides business opportunities with low overhead, reasonable hours and a great clientele—people coming to you looking for a way to have fun. Owning a franchise is more of a lifestyle decision than a business decision. But when it comes to the business side, Cruise Holidays has ready-to-use methods practices that can help you grow your business from day one.
In addition to extraordinary historical data, the future cruise market potential is enormous. Over the next five years, the cumulative market potential for the cruise industry is $85 billion. By year-end 2002, it is projected that approximately 8.6 million passengers will cruise on an annual basis. Studies indicate that taking a cruise is a dream of 50% of all adults—particularly in the baby-boomer category. With only 12.3% of the U.S. population having ever cruised, this seems like a virtually untapped market.
Over the past 10 years, the industry has responded to extensive market and consumer research that has guided change in destinations, ship design concepts, on-board/on-shore activities, themes and cruise lengths to reflect the changing vacation patterns of today’s market. And on a comparative basis versus other vacation categories, cruising consistently receives top marks.
Aside from the repeat business anticipated annually throughout North America, today’s array of flight options and stream-lined port processing have opened up cruising as a vacation alternative to an abundance of new individuals. Not only is the cruise industry poised to grow, but it also provides business opportunities with low overhead, reasonable hours and a great clientele—people coming to you looking for a way to have fun. Owning a franchise is more of a lifestyle decision than a business decision. But when it comes to the business side, Cruise Holidays has ready-to-use methods practices that can help you grow your business from day one.
Are You a Good Fit for Cruise Holidays?
The initial Franchise Fee is
$30,000. The additional estimated initial investment including the
initial Franchisee Fee for start-up franchises ranges from $155,000 to
234,000.
An existing independent cruise only travel agency will have an estimated initial investment of $15,075 to 26,975. Cruise Holidays provides
extensive New Store Training as well as ongoing training and
assistance. Also, Cruise Holidays is unlike most typical travel
agencies, as your expertise will be in a single method of travel. Small
business, sales and marketing experience would be beneficial.