Cruise Holidays to Expand

Following last week’s announcement that Cruise Holidays and SeaMaster Cruises have merged, Cruise Holidays has announced the expansion of its home-based agent program in Canada starting July 1— a new effort to attract outside agents in both Canada and the U.S. There is also a new fee structure for Cruise Holidays store-front agencies.

The retail franchise is now in the process of inviting qualified home-based professionals to join its ranks in Canada. Cruise Holidays, which has been operating retail franchise locations in Canada and the U.S. for 25 years, has also had a home-based sister company for the past five years, under the name SeaMaster Cruises. But until now, that home-based option was only available in the U.S.. Both the storefront and home-based franchisees will share one powerful brand name across North America: Cruise Holidays.

“As a Canadian myself, I am thrilled to be ushering in a new era of opportunity for Canadians wishing to launch a successful business from home. With the Cruise Holidays brand already well-established in Canada, home-based professionals will benefit from the credibility the Cruise Holidays name will bring to their business, starting from Day One,” said Mark Schiffner, vice president of Cruise Holidays.

There are actually two home-based options: interested parties can open their own home-based Cruise Holidays franchise, or they may choose to act as an outside agent or independent contractor for a storefront location.

Cruise Holidays also announced a new fee structure for its existing storefront agencies and other agencies that convert to the brand in the future. The group has moved away from a royalty system and has instituted a flat fee structure, which is $750 per month, per storefront location. The home-based franchisees will continue to use a royalty system.

“What is most palatable about this new arrangement for franchisees is that there is no guesswork," said Schiffner. "They pay a flat fee per location, and almost everything we provide to them is included in the fee. It doesn’t get any simpler than that.”

Services that Cruise Holidays provides to its franchisees include robust technology and marketing programs; preferred commission agreements with top cruise lines; a proprietary software system; onsite budget, business and market planning assistance; support and business development specialists; and discount business programs.

The Cruise Holidays brand currently includes approximately 250 storefront and home-based.

Visit www.cruiseholidays.com.