Cruise Planners franchise
A Cruise Planners franchisee operates a travel advisory business selling cruises, tours and other travel arrangements. At the end of 2025 there were 3,125 Cruise Planners locations in the US, 3,124 franchised and 1 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $2K–$21K
- Franchise fee
- $695–$11K
- Royalty
- 1.5%–3% of fares
- Locations, 2025
- 3,125+530 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- SBA loans
- On the SBA Franchise Directory
From CP FRANCHISING LLC’s 2026 filing; SBA status from the SBA Franchise Directory, October 28, 2026.
How much a Cruise Planners franchise costs
Opening one travel advisory business costs an estimated $1,945 to $20,505. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: CP FRANCHISING LLC, 2026 filing, page 18
Cruise Planners franchise fee
The franchise fee is $695 to $10,995, Varies by qualifying travel industry experience; $10,995 for a new travel advisor.. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: CP FRANCHISING LLC, 2026 filing, page 13
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 1.5%–3% of gross commissionable fares, depending on supplier commission rates; qualifying sales incentives can reduce this to 0%. |
|---|
The typical franchise royalty is 6% of sales, plus 2% for marketing. See franchise fees and royalties to compare.
Source: CP FRANCHISING LLC, 2026 filing, page 14
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Cruise Planners publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: Sales and commission results are separated by annual sales volume and operating age; sales are not owner earnings.. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: CP FRANCHISING LLC, 2026 filing, page 35
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,796 (+202) | 1 | 256 |
| 2024 | 3,008 (+212) | 1 | 220 |
| 2025 | 3,124 (+116) | 1 | 209 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Cruise Planners is number 5 for new US locations from 2023 to 2025; see the fastest-growing franchises.
Cruise Planners is number 25 on our list of the largest franchises in the US by locations.
Cruise Planners passes four of the five tests on our list of the best franchises to own; more of its franchised locations closed or left than is typical.
Source: CP FRANCHISING LLC, 2026 filing, page 38
