Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Franchise — Veteran Cost & Requirements (2026)
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchisees run retail travel agencies specializing in cruise vacations and vacation packages. You'll build and lead a team of independent vacation consultants while leveraging the Expedia brand's massive buying power to deliver competitive pricing and exclusive deals to travelers in your community.
Investment at a Glance
Military Fit Score
30-minute call. No pressure. No cost.
What Is Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®?
Veterans and First Responders receive a 15% discount off the initial franchise fee.
Travel agency franchise offering reservations for cruise ships, airlines, car rentals, hotels, and luxury travel experiences.
Quick Facts
Founded
1987
Franchising Since
2008
Total Locations
96+
Headquarters
Washington
Location Type
Commercial Location
Semi-Absentee
No
SBA Approved
Yes
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Franchise Cost Breakdown (2026)
The total investment to open a Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise starts at $149,500. Here's what that covers and what you'll need to qualify.
Investment Breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $49,000 | $49,000 |
| In-person Training - Your Transportation and Accommodation | $1,500 | $6,000 |
| In-person Training – Additional Trainee | $0 | $495 |
| In-person Training – Additional Trainee Transportation and Accommodation | $0 | $1,750 |
| Premises Lease Security Deposit | $2,250 | $7,500 |
| Utilities and Telephone Deposit | $250 | $1,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $30,000 | $80,000 |
| Signage and Merchandising | $9,000 | $14,000 |
| Computers and Software | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| Office Equipment and Supplies | $2,000 | $4,500 |
| Office Furniture and Furnishings | $15,000 | $22,000 |
| Insurance | $800 | $2,000 |
| Professional Fees | $500 | $3,500 |
| Business Licenses and Permits | $500 | $1,500 |
| Additional Funds - Working Capital for the first 12-24 Months | $35,700 | $59,500 |
The total investment for an Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise ranges from $149,500 to $258,745, with a franchise fee of $49,000. This covers your retail location setup, initial marketing package, proprietary booking technology, and comprehensive training program. You'll pay a 9% royalty on gross revenues, which gives you ongoing access to Expedia's booking systems, marketing support, and exclusive cruise inventory. What sets this investment apart is the hybrid business model — you're not just paying for a storefront, but for a scalable system that lets you recruit vacation consultants who can work remotely while you maintain the credibility of a physical location. The franchise doesn't require specific liquid capital minimums, making it accessible to veterans with varying financial backgrounds. However, you'll want adequate working capital for the first 6-12 months as you build your consultant team and client base.
Beyond your initial investment, you'll pay a 9% royalty on gross sales plus a 4% of Gross Revenues marketing contribution. The true monthly cost of ownership includes additional fees most buyers don't account for until they're already in.
→ We break down your realistic monthly overhead during your consultation.
What Do Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Franchise Owners Make?
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® includes an Item 19 Financial Performance Representation in their Franchise Disclosure Document — which means they voluntarily share revenue and earnings data from their franchise system.
Revenue comes from commissions on cruise bookings, vacation packages, travel insurance, and other travel products. The business model offers multiple income streams — direct sales from your retail location, commissions from your team of independent consultants, and repeat business from satisfied customers. Cruise bookings typically generate higher commission rates than other travel products, and the industry has seen strong post-pandemic recovery with booking volumes exceeding pre-2020 levels. The scalability comes from building your consultant network — each successful consultant you recruit and train becomes an ongoing revenue source. Seasonality affects the business, with peak booking periods typically in January-March for summer cruises. Request the full FDD breakdown for detailed financial performance data.
Not every franchise provides this level of transparency. The fact that Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® does tells you something about their confidence in franchisee performance.
But raw numbers don't tell the full story. What matters is how those numbers apply to your market, your investment level, and your operating model.
Want the Full Financial Picture?
We've analyzed Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®'s FDD and can walk you through what the numbers actually mean for someone with your background and budget.
See If This Franchise Fits Your GoalsFree 30-min consultation. We earn nothing unless you find the right fit.
Why Veterans Succeed with Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®
Veterans consistently outperform in this model because the core business activities — team development, process execution, and performance management — are extensions of military leadership responsibilities. The ability to follow proven systems while maintaining high standards translates directly to franchise operations. Your experience managing diverse teams and achieving mission objectives gives you the framework to build and lead a successful consultant network. The trust factor is huge in travel sales. Clients are spending significant money on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and they want to work with someone they can rely on. Veterans typically have strong community credibility and the communication skills to guide clients through complex travel decisions with confidence.
Military Fit Analysis
Military Fit Score
Best Suited For
This franchise directly leverages the team leadership skills you developed in the military. Your day-to-day involves recruiting, training, and coaching independent vacation consultants — essentially building and managing a sales team. The systematic approach to consultant development, from initial training through ongoing performance coaching, mirrors the mentorship and development responsibilities you handled with junior service members. The business runs on proven systems and standard operating procedures, from lead generation and client consultation to booking processes and follow-up protocols. Veterans typically excel at implementing these systems consistently while adapting them to local market conditions. Your community connections and reputation for reliability give you a significant advantage in both attracting clients and recruiting quality consultants who want to work with someone they trust. Veterans receive a 15% discount on the franchise fee, reducing your initial investment by $7,350. More importantly, the combination of systematic processes, team leadership requirements, and community-based networking plays directly to the operational and interpersonal skills you've already developed.
🎖️ Veteran & Military Discount
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® participates in the VetFran program and offers a 15% discount on the franchise fee for qualified veterans, active duty, and military spouses.
Veterans and First Responders receive a 15% discount off the initial franchise fee.
This discount applies to the initial franchise fee. Combined with SBA veteran loan programs and VA small business resources, your actual out-of-pocket investment could be significantly lower than the listed range.
→ We calculate your true cost — including available discounts, financing options, and veteran-specific programs — during your consultation.
Is Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® the Right Franchise for Your Background?
Every veteran's transition is different. Your MOS, leadership experience, and financial goals all factor into which franchise makes sense. We've helped veterans across every branch find franchise businesses that match their strengths — not just their budget.
Find Your Franchise FitTalk to a veteran franchise consultant who's been where you are.
Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Training & Support
Initial training includes a comprehensive online program followed by a 5-day intensive course at corporate headquarters in Vancouver. This covers the booking systems, sales processes, consultant recruitment, and business management fundamentals. You'll learn both the technical aspects of travel booking and the leadership skills specific to managing independent consultants. Ongoing support includes weekly webinars, regional meetings, annual conferences, and one-on-one coaching from a dedicated Franchise Performance Coach. The franchisor provides marketing automation tools, CRM systems, and personal websites for each of your consultants. This continuous support structure helps you adapt to industry changes and scale your consultant network effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions About Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®
How much does a Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise cost?
+
Does Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® offer a veteran or military discount?
+
Is Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® a home-based franchise?
+
Can you run a Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise semi-absentee?
+
What do Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® franchise owners make?
+
Is Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® a good franchise for veterans?
+
What is Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®'s FDD and where can I read it?
+
Veteran-Friendly Franchises Similar to Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®
Your Next Chapter Starts with a Conversation
You've done the research. You've looked at the numbers. Now the question is whether Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® — or one of 500+ franchises in our network — is the right fit for where you're headed.
In 30 minutes, we'll cover:
- Whether this franchise matches your skills & goals
- What the FDD reveals that most buyers miss
- Your true cost after veteran discounts & financing
- 2-3 alternative franchises worth comparing
Free. No obligation. Veteran to veteran.
Book Your Free Strategy Call