expert advice for travelers

24 04, 2024

Expedia Cruises Drops Anchor in Camillus

2024-04-24T23:52:28-04:00April 24th, 2024|Tags: , , , , , |

Local Entrepreneur Opens New Business for Travelers Looking to Book the Perfect Vacation!

CAMILLUS, N.Y. — Planning a vacation has just become a lot easier for families in Syracuse with the announcement of a new Expedia Cruises location, now open at 240 Township Blvd Suite 50, located at Township 5.

The location is owned and operated by local entrepreneur, Karen Guerrette, who has a team of Vacation Consultants on site, with a total of 20 Consultants working to book travelers’ perfect vacations.

Guerrette is a lifelong native of upstate New York, having spent her nearly 20-year career working in sales and account management for an education agency. She has always had a passion for travel and cruising, and wanted to play a role in helping other create their own memories, leading her to seeking out becoming a franchisee with Expedia Cruises.

“As an avid cruiser and traveler myself, being able to be a part of someone else’s memory-making experience is very fulfilling,” said Guerrette. “Having the Expedia brand connected to the franchise allows clients to have confidence that our team is made up of masters of travel, and we can truly help make their vacation planning easier.”

Expedia Cruises – part of the Expedia Group family of brands – offers cruise vacations and much more through its 267 locations across North America. Customers can choose from numerous vacation possibilities including luxury and expedition travel, river cruises, land tours, safaris, all-inclusive resort properties and insurance – all at Expedia prices. In addition to the research and booking features available on their local website, Guerrette and her team offer personal vacation consultations in-person, through email or over the phone, so customers always have the freedom to book when, where and how they choose!

Expedia Cruises Vacation Consultants are provided with extensive training and marketing support which allows them to become navigators of spectacular vacation experiences. For more information, or to research vacation options, visit www.expediacruises.com/camillus https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/900269, 240 Township Blvd Suite 50 or call (315)808-7447.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group powers travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Expedia Group’s family of brands includes: Brand Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia Group™ Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert®, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.

For more information on Expedia Cruises, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia is a registered trademark of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

© 2024 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Expedia Cruises logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

2 06, 2023

Expedia Cruises Drops Anchor in Riverside

2023-06-02T13:58:12-04:00June 2nd, 2023|Tags: , , , , , |

Local Entrepreneurs to Hold Grand Opening Celebration for Travelers Looking to Book the Perfect Vacation!

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Planning a vacation has just become a lot easier for families in Riverside with the announcement of a new Expedia Cruises location opening at 301 E. Alessandro Blvd., Ste. 3D in the Mission Grove Plaza Shopping Center.

The location is owned and operated by local entrepreneurs, Abbie Joseph-Harrington and Neal Harrington, who have a team of Vacation Consultants on site, with a total of 32 consultants working to book travelers’ perfect vacations.

After living in the Pacific Northwest for their entire lives, the Harringtons moved to Southern California 13 years ago when Abbie’s Vacation Ownership sales management position transferred her to Indio in the Coachella Valley. Abbie has spent her career working as a sales representative, sales trainer, sales manager, and sales director as well as owning several small businesses along the way, including two award-winning Allstate Insurance agencies. Before joining Abbie in their Allstate business, Neal taught high school auto shop for many years and after selling their insurance agencies, returned to teaching and currently teaches shop classes at Sherman Indian High School in Riverside.

In 2019, the entrepreneurial couple received a flyer from Expedia Cruises that showcased the brand’s franchising opportunity. Attracted to the combination of business ownership and worldwide travel opportunities, Neal and Abbie made the decision to once again go into business for themselves and bring an Expedia Cruises franchise location to their home community. Although they had plans to open the Riverside location in 2020, they were delayed due to the pandemic, but the couple never lost the vision of opening their Center.

“As avid cruisers and travelers ourselves, helping plan the perfect vacation for our clients is something that just makes sense to us,” said Abbie, owner of Expedia Cruises in Riverside. “Having the Expedia brand connected to our franchise allows clients to have confidence that we are masters of travel, and we can help make their vacation planning easier.” 

To celebrate the grand opening, the location will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, June 6 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., where travelers can meet with consultants and travel experts. There will also be an Information Session that highlights Expedia Cruises’ exclusive 3 Day Sale with Princess Cruises from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., as well as light refreshments and door prizes. Seating is limited, so RSVP today at (951) 386-0111.

Expedia Cruises – part of the Expedia Group family of brands – offers cruise vacations and full-service travel assistance through its 255+ locations across North America. Customers can choose from numerous vacation possibilities by air, land, and sea, including ocean, river, and expedition cruising, customized trips, coach & rail tours, and all-inclusive resort vacations, to name just a few. Expedia Cruises provides peace of mind for its clients through the brand’s travel insurance offerings, as well. And all services are provided at Expedia prices!

In addition to the research and booking features available on their local website, www.expediacruises.com/RiversideCA, Abbie and her team offer personalized vacation consultations in-person, through email, and over the phone, so Expedia Cruises’ clients always have the freedom to book when, where, and how they choose!

Expedia Cruises Vacation Consultants are provided with extensive training and marketing support, allowing them to become navigators of spectacular vacation experiences. For more information and to research vacation options, visit www.expediacruises.com/RiversideCA, or call (951) 386-0111.

© 2023 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia and the Expedia Cruises logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group powers travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Expedia Group’s family of brands includes: Brand Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia Group™ Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert®, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.

For more information on Expedia Cruises, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia is a registered trademark of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

10 09, 2019

Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Sails Ahead; Signs 300th Franchise Agreement

2019-09-10T12:33:35-04:00September 10th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

Cruise Industry Leader Makes Waves in Franchising with Strategic Multi-unit Growth

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Expedia CruiseShipCenters, a leading cruise travel agency franchise, announced the awarding of its 300th franchise agreement, reaching a major milestone for the rapidly expanding retail travel agency franchise. The milestone was achieved as a result of two multi-unit agreements that will bring Centers to Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. Expedia CruiseShipCenters signed its first multi-unit agreement in 2018 and the multi-unit franchise opportunity has proven to play a strong, strategic role in the brand’s rapid expansion.

This milestone only builds momentum for the brand as it works toward an overall growth vision of reaching 500-locations in North America over the next five years. As the cruise industry continues to surge with 30 million passengers expected to cruise by 2027 – a 34 percent increase from five years prior – Expedia CruiseShipCenters is poised to capitalize on the growing industry. The cruise industry has made tremendous waves this year with a $69B investment that will debut 24 new ocean liners and 20 new river ships by year-end.

“The industry is hot and as we continue to grow and innovate, we aim to become the number one retail cruise agency in North America,” said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “This 300th signed agreement milestone is a true testament to the strong Franchise Partners we’ve grown with and our incredible corporate team. It is a time to celebrate and continue to build as we march toward our next growth goals.”

This milestone was achieved on the foundation of a strong 2018 as Expedia CruiseShipCenters awarded 26 new franchises and achieved over $790 million in gross bookings. Most notable, Expedia CruiseShipCenters was ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual Franchise 500 ranking. The prestigious ranking is a testament to the brand’s ability to grow its footprint across North America while continuing to provide unparalleled franchisee support and customer service.

At Expedia CruiseShipCenters, customers can choose from numerous vacation possibilities over land, sea and air, including customized trips, coach and rail tours and insurance – all at Expedia Group prices. Centers offer personal vacation consultations in person, through email or over the phone, so customers have the freedom to book when, where, and how they choose. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, customers get to enjoy the best of two worlds; competitive pricing on a wide range of travel products and expert, personalized advice from a real person connected to a locally owned business.

With plans to open 35 new franchise locations throughout 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters continues to provide business opportunities for driven team leaders who want to build income, equity, and a great lifestyle with a retail business they are passionate about. The brand has eyes set on key development markets including Florida, Texas, California, Georgia, Illinois, and Washington.

To learn more about Expedia CruiseShipCenters please visit https://expediafranchise.com/.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 291 retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,400 Vacation Consultants facilitate the booking of a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

9 07, 2019

Record Breaking Bookings for Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Princess 3 Day Sale

2019-07-09T13:20:09-04:00July 9th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

Travel Brand Celebrates Sales Milestone After Regional Cruise Promotion

BELLEVUE, Wash. — The top cruise travel agency franchise in North America, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, continues to exceed expectations as they book their clients on the perfect cruise adventure. From June 6-8, 2019, all Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise locations worked together to secure a record number of cruise vacations for families and travelgoers.

In a large-scale effort to provide as many cruisers possible a once-in-a-lifetime experience at an incredible value, Expedia CruiseShipCenters collaborated with Princess Cruises in a bold three-day-long promotional event. Travelers had the opportunity to access unbeatable deals, the best value on new itineraries, various exclusive Expedia® Extras such as free drinks, free gratuities, $50 onboard cash credit, over $750 savings in onboard coupons, reduced deposit, and more.

“The Princess 3 Day Sale took the saying ‘It takes a village’ to a whole new level,” said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “Everything fell into place. Our success was due to our dedicated team members who supported each other through the entire weekend. Marketing drove great lead generation and technical support handled our entire back end so bookings could be made seamlessly. This was an all hands on deck experience and everyone came together in stunning fashion.”

Princess Cruises allows travelgoers to take the plunge to discover new things, take in new cultures, try new decadent cuisines and come back home feeling relaxed and refreshed. If you’re looking for an award-winning cruise line that offers world-class entertainment, gourmet cuisines, enriching activities, blissful relaxation, and vast destination options, Princess Cruises has it all.

At Expedia CruiseShipCenters, customers can choose from numerous vacation possibilities over land, sea and air, including customized trips, coach and rail tours and insurance – all at Expedia prices. Each franchise location offers personal vacation consultations in person, through email or over the phone, so customers have the freedom to book when, where, and how they choose. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, customers get to enjoy the best of two worlds: competitive pricing on a wide range of travel products and expert, personalized advice from a real person connected to a locally owned business.

Join a company that cares. With an Expedia CruiseShipCenters travel franchise, you can enjoy the benefits of owning a retail business, while making dream vacations come true. To learn more about Expedia CruiseShipCenters please visit https://expediafranchise.com/.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 291 retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,400 Vacation Consultants facilitate the booking of a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

28 06, 2019

Consumers Save Big with Last Minute Alaska Cruises

2019-06-28T21:32:54-04:00June 28th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

With More Ships Than Ever, Customers can Save Big on Last Minute Sailings to The Last Frontier

BELLEVUE, Wash. — There has never been a better time than now to discover Alaska! With the Alaska season now underway, more passengers than ever are looking to see the icy fjords up close while taking advantage of significant savings for booking a last-minute cruise.

The top cruise travel agency franchise in North America, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, continues to see high demand for Alaska in the Pacific Northwest with the deployment of two brand new ships – Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy – which are offering 7-day roundtrip sailings from Seattle, for prices as low as $599 per person. The Norwegian Joy features the thrilling two-level race track, a virtual world of wonder at the Galaxy Pavilion, new concierge level accommodations, and stunning views from the observation lounges – perfect for families, couples, and anyone looking to relax while taking in The Last Frontier.

Alaska continues to grow in popularity, but this season is like none other with the largest deployment of cruise ships yet,” said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “With this many cruise ships, our customers really win – they get to choose the widest selection of ships yet and get to enjoy significant savings as cruise lines look to fill their unsold staterooms. We see this as a fantastic opportunity for our Franchisees to help their customers check off Alaska from their bucket list, along with introduce new people to cruising for the first time!”

At Expedia CruiseShipCenters, customers can choose from numerous vacation possibilities over land, sea and air, including customized trips, coach and rail tours and insurance – all at Expedia prices. Each franchise location offers personal vacation consultations in person, through email or over the phone, so customers have the freedom to book when, where, and how they choose. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, customers get to enjoy the best of two worlds: competitive pricing on a wide range of travel products and expert, personalized advice from a real person connected to a locally owned business.

For more information about booking vacations and exploring Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ Alaska cruise offerings, please visit www.cruiseshipcenters.com.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 291 retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,650 Vacation Consultants facilitate the booking of a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

11 06, 2019

Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Makes Waves in Florida with Aggressive Franchise Development Plans

2019-06-11T13:17:51-04:00June 11th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

Cruise Industry Leader Announces New Multi-Unit Signed Agreements; Sets Growth Goal for 20 Additional Locations by 2024

ORLANDO, Fla. Expedia CruiseShipCenters, the top cruise travel agency franchise in North America, has announced targeted expansion plans to bring additional retail travel franchise locations to Florida. Joining the 17 existing locations already open and operating across the state, three additional locations in development, and three recently signed multi-unit agreements, the leading travel franchise brand aims to have 20 more locations open and operating throughout Florida over the next five years.

Folded into an overall growth vision for the brand, its Florida development efforts are key to Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ goal to reach its 500-location milestone in North America over the next five years. Kickstarting this latest expansion are two locations set to open this summer in Ocoee and Plantation, and one location set to open this fall in the Bradenton area.

Multi-unit agreements have played a strong, strategic role in the brand’s rapid expansion across the state. So far in 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters has signed three multi-unit agreements that will bring a total of 10 new locations to Florida. Avid entrepreneur Kristan Hamill will bring four locations to the Brandon and Bradenton areas. After 15 years of growing 40 Domino’s franchises, Hamill was ready for her next adventure in travel. Edgardo Rivera, an emergency physician and former U.S. Air Force Officer, will bring three locations throughout Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lake County. Debbie Moreland, a former McDonald’s multi-unit franchisee, is pursuing a second-act career and will add three locations throughout the Jacksonville area. As the cruise industry continues to surge, Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ multi-unit franchise opportunity has provided eager Franchise Partners a path to entrepreneurship that allows for extensive growth.

“According to Cruise Lines International Association, 2.1 million people from Florida took a cruise in 2018, an increase of 14 percent from the previous year. As demand for cruising continues to increase with 30 million passengers expected to cruise in 2019, we are confident that the number of cruisers in Florida will continue to rise,” said Bob Tipple, Vice President, Franchising. “Florida is home to three of the busiest cruise ports in the world: Port Miami, Port Canaveral, and Port Everglades. With a total of five cruise ports in the state, more than any other in the U.S., we’re confident our strategic expansion will remain strong and steady.”

Expedia CruiseShipCenters awarded 26 new franchises, achieved over $790 million in gross bookings, and exhibited 17 percent year-over-year growth in 2018. Riding this wave of success, the brand plans to open even more locations this year with a particular focus throughout Florida including all across the Panhandle, including Tallahassee, Florida’s east coast, from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, and South Florida, including the greater Miami area.  The company is also focusing on a strategy to acquire independent travel agencies with great real estate locations and re-brand them under the Expedia CruiseShipCenters banner.

With plans to open 35 new franchise locations throughout 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters continues to provide business opportunities for driven team leaders who want to build income, equity, and a great lifestyle with a retail business they are passionate about.

For more information about franchise opportunities with Expedia CruiseShipCenters visit www.expediafranchise.com.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 291 retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,400 Vacation Consultants facilitate the booking of a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

28 05, 2019

Welcome Aboard: Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Sails Ahead and Reflects on Annual Conference

2019-05-28T13:39:33-04:00May 28th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

BELLEVUE, Wash. Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® – part of the Expedia group family of brands – recently celebrated its highly anticipated annual National Conference at sea. This year, the franchise company welcomed attendees onboard Carnival Dream®, all while celebrating last year’s big wins and setting major growth milestones for the year ahead.

The theme for the annual event, attended by over 500 Franchise Partners, corporate support staff and travel industry partners, was “Customer First.”  The brand is putting a refined focus on customers and partners at the center of its product, service innovation, and decision making. With the ultimate goal of best understanding its target customers and partners as well as what each individually values, Expedia CruiseShipCenters is striving to find innovative ways to create an exceptional experience with every customer interaction.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters is working to meet this goal through initiatives which include integrating a state-of-the-art search and booking engine into the Center websites, applying market segmentation analysis to find targeted customers in specific neighborhoods, and developing new training resources to build the confidence and skills of both new and experienced Consultants. As more passengers are expected to travel and the industry continues to grow, Expedia CruiseShipCenters is poised for success.

Kicking off the keynote speakers during the week at sea was President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Matthew Eichhorst. His keynote, “An Incredible Journey: The Best is Yet to Come” painted a very promising future for the cruise industry. With 30 million passengers expected to cruise by 2027 – a 34 percent increase from five years prior, a $69B investment, 24 ocean liners and 20 river ships set to debut in 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters is excited to capitalize on the growing industry.

“In four years, we aim to become the number one cruise agency in North America by focusing on a customer centric platform and differentiating ourselves from the competition,” said Eichhorst. “Every individual in our franchise system is passionate about helping cruisers plan and purchase their cruise seamlessly across all channels. With the introduction of new tools and resources, we are confident we will have a successful 2019.”

Other keynote speakers included:

  • Cathy Denroche, Regional Sales Director for Oceania Cruises, who shared the wisdom behind Aristotle’s “Fortune Favours the Bold.”
  • Adolfo Perez, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Marketing for Carnival Cruise Line, spoke of how taking small steps can generate incredible results in business and in life.
  • Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice Present of Sales and Trade Support & Services for Celebrity Cruises, discussed The Three P’s — Power, Passion, and Purpose – and how incorporating these elements in your day-to-day can make a positive impact in your personal and professional lives, as well as those who enter your Centers.

During the conference, Expedia CruiseShipCenters also came together in support of its charity of choice, breast cancer research and awareness. Through fundraising initiatives at the corporate and franchise level, with a matched donation from Expedia Group, the company raised more than $30,000 – contributing to its year-to-date total of more than $320,000.

With plans to open 35 new franchise locations by the year’s end, Expedia CruiseShipCenters continues to provide business opportunities for driven team leaders who want to enjoy the benefits of owning a retail business, while making dream vacations come true. Join a company that cares. To learn more about Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise opportunities, please visit https://expediafranchise.com/.

For more information about Expedia CruiseShipCenters, please visit https://www.cruiseshipcenters.com/en-US/corporate.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 291 retail travel agency franchises. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,400 Vacation Consultants facilitate the booking of a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50 and CST # 20893-43

13 03, 2019

Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Rides Growth Wave in 2019

2019-03-13T19:00:23-04:00March 13th, 2019|Tags: , , , , , |

Cruise Industry Leader Celebrates 2018 Milestones; Looks to Build on Innovation and Growth in 2019

BELLEVUE, Wash. — The top cruise travel agency franchise in North America, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, announced a milestone-heavy year for the growing brand. In 2018, the brick and mortar travel agency awarded its 100th franchise in the U.S., signed its first multi-unit deal, and exhibited 17 percent year-over-year growth. Riding this wave of momentum in 2019, the company expects another high performing year with 35 new franchise locations projected to open.

Adding to the several notable growth achievements over the past year, Expedia CruiseShipCenters awarded 26 new franchises and achieved over $790 million in gross bookings in 2018. The brand also received industry recognition, winning Carnival Cruise Line’s Retail Partner of the Year Award, Holland America Line’s Franchise Agency Network Award, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Canadian Retail Partner of the Year, among several others. Most notable, Expedia CruiseShipCenters was ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual Franchise 500 ranking. The prestigious ranking is a testament to the brand’s ability to grow its footprint across North America while continuing to provide unparalleled franchisee support and customer service.

“2018 was a strong year for the brand, as we achieved some new milestones, won a series of supplier awards, and continued to build on the success from last year,” said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “We hope to keep this momentum going in 2019, and with our continued focus on agent recruitment and retention, and our plan to incorporate technology and data to drive our consumer outreach, I believe this will be another incredible year for us.”

In 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters has eyes set on key markets throughout the U.S. for development including Florida, Texas and California, Georgia, Illinois, and Washington.

With the cruise travel industry expected to continue its rise throughout 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ growth is in part driven by this continued demand. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) report, more than 30M passengers are expected to cruise in 2019 – a 34percent increase from five years prior. Additionally, 24 new ocean, river and specialty ships are scheduled to debut this year, with more than 125 new ships coming online between now and 2027.

For more information about franchise opportunities with Expedia CruiseShipCenters visit www.expediafranchise.com.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 270 points of sale. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,000 Vacation Consultants facilitate the booking of a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

20 02, 2019

Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® Inks First-Ever Multi-Unit Franchise Agreement

2019-02-20T19:40:31-05:00February 20th, 2019|Tags: , , , , |

Cruise Industry Leader Ramps Up North America Expansion with New Multi-Unit Franchise Offering

ATLANTA — The top cruise travel agency franchise in North America, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, has just announced the signing of its first multi-unit franchise agreement. The multi-unit agreement will bring three new locations to Georgia over the next several years. Folded into an overall growth vision for the brand, the new multi-unit franchise opportunity provides motivated entrepreneurs an opportunity for aggressive business expansion. As Expedia CruiseShipCenters continues to expand its presence in North America, the company is on track to reach its goal of opening 500 North American locations in both Canada and the United States over the next five years.

The Georgia multi-unit agreement is spearheaded by husband and wife team, Wil and Ayten Mauk. The long-time residents of Atlanta will debut three new locations throughout the state by 2023. The first location is currently in development in the Dunwoody area and is slated to open April 2019. The new locations will join five existing Expedia CruiseShipCenters locations throughout Georgia in Alpharetta, Lakeland, Lawrenceville, Roswell and Sugar Hill.

“We could not be more excited to open our new locations throughout our home state. We wanted a career that combined our love for travel with the challenge of taking on an entrepreneurial role,” said Ayten. “With a well-known brand like Expedia Group, paired with the value of having a storefront to interact with our customers, we feel well-positioned to help our community plan their perfect vacation.”

Expedia CruiseShipCenters opened 22 new franchise locations and welcomed over 2,000 new Vacation Consultants in 2018. Riding this wave of success, Expedia CruiseShipCenters plans to open even more locations this year with a particular focus on the southeast.

“It is an exciting time to join the Expedia CruiseShipCenters family. After more than 30 years, our proven system has evolved to suit franchise partners interested in building an empire with our multi-unit franchise opportunity.  As the cruise industry continues to surge, our Centers are able to meet the demand in the market,” said Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “We are continuing our expansion into more communities across the country, and we are seeking both single and multi-unit owners like the Mauk’s who want to pursue entrepreneurship in a retail business that they are passionate about.”

With the cruise travel industry expected to continue its rise throughout 2019, Expedia CruiseShipCenters’ growth is in part driven by this continued demand. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) report, more than 30M passengers are expected to cruise in 2019- a 34% increase from five years prior. Additionally, 24 new ocean, river and specialty ships are scheduled to debut this year, with more than 125 new ships coming online between now and 2027.

For more information about franchise opportunities with Expedia CruiseShipCenters visit www.expediafranchise.com.

About Expedia CruiseShipCenters

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of over 270 points of sale. As part of the Expedia Group family of brands, the company’s more than 6,000 Vacation Consultants sell a wide range of vacation products including cruises, flights, hotels, vacation packages, tours, excursions and more. The company has been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for over 30 years. For more information on Expedia CruiseShipCenters, visit www.expediafranchise.com.

Expedia and CruiseShipCenters are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2019 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved.