Expedia Cruises is a retail travel agency franchise focused on cruise and vacation planning. Most owners operate a local “Center” and grow the business by building a sales organization of independent Vacation Consultants.

If you’re researching the expedia cruises franchise, the questions usually come down to two things: What does the owner actually do day-to-day? and what does it cost to get open? In simple terms, this is a brick-and-mortar leisure travel agency model where the owner leads a local team and runs a community-facing retail location.

According to Item 7 of the 2025 FDD, the total estimated initial investment ranges from $149,500 to $258,745. This guide breaks down the costs, operations, support, territory considerations, and the key due diligence steps to take before you decide.

This article is sponsored by Expedia Cruises and was created in partnership with the brand to provide accurate, compliance-safe information about its business model and franchise opportunity. 

Nothing in this article should be considered legal, financial, or tax advice. Prospective franchisees should always review the most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with qualified advisors before making an investment decision.

Expedia Cruises Franchise Fit Check: Would You Enjoy the Day-to-Day?

Likely a fit if you:

• Want a visible local “hub” that supports walk-ins and appointments
• Enjoy recruiting, coaching, and building team routines
• Prefer a structured system with defined tools and ready-to-use marketing assets
• Can manage a lease/buildout project and maintain ongoing facility standards
• Like relationship-driven service and building a strong local reputation

Use caution if you:

• Want fully home-based operations with minimal fixed overhead
• Prefer doing all client work yourself (and avoiding team leadership)
• Dislike sales coaching, recognition programs, and performance routines
• Want a category with less seasonality and fewer external disruptions

Key Facts at a Glance.

Here are the headline details. For anything that varies by location or isn’t clearly stated, confirm it in the FDD.

• Founded: 1987.
• Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada.
• Footprint: 260+ locations across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada (as reported by the brand in public materials; verify where applicable in the FDD).
• Business model: A retail “Center” plus a network of Vacation Consultants (independent contractors) supported by the owner.
• Typical owner role: Team builder/operator more than a “solo travel agent”.
• Training highlight: Cruise Management Academy (CMA) at corporate headquarters in Vancouver.
• Territory note: Territories may be described using household counts—confirm the exact protections and boundaries in FDD Item 12.

Expedia Cruises Franchise Origins: The Brand Story.

Expedia Cruises says it was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1987, and grew quickly in its early years—opening 36 locations in the first 10 years, according to the brand’s Our Story page.

A quick timeline.

• 1987: Founded in Vancouver, BC.
• First 10 years: 36 locations opened.
• 2008: Partnership with Expedia Group, which the brand credits with expanding technology, resources, and brand recognition.
• 2010: U.S. expansion, with the first store opening in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• Today: The brand describes a network of 7,000+ Vacation Consultants and nearly 300 stores across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Why this history matters for franchise buyers

• Brand + tech leverage: The Expedia relationship is presented as a differentiator—especially around tools, reach, and consumer familiarity.
• Scale of the sales network: A large consultant base and store footprint can influence recruiting expectations, local competition dynamics, and how you think about “team-building” as a core owner skill.

Who owns it today?

Marketing pages don’t replace disclosure. To confirm current ownership, corporate structure, and leadership, use the FDD—especially Items 1–3, which are designed to spell out who the franchisor is and how it’s organized.

For general orientation (not disclosure), you can also review the brand’s franchise site—then validate what matters in writing.

Expedia Cruises Franchise Startup Costs (Item 7): What the FDD Actually Says.

According to Item 7 of the 2025 Expedia Cruises Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), the total estimated initial investment ranges from $149,500 to $258,745. This total includes costs you’ll typically incur before opening, plus additional working capital after opening.

A quick reminder on how to read Item 7: it’s a startup budget summary, not a performance report. It’s meant to help you plan and compare costs—then confirm the real numbers based on your market, site, buildout, and operating plan.

Startup costs and fees listed in Item 7.

Category	Low Estimate	High Estimate
Initial Franchise Fee (non-refundable)	$49,000	$49,000
In-person Training – Transportation & Accommodation	$1,500	$6,000
In-person Training – Additional Trainee	$0	$495
In-person Training – Additional Trainee Travel	$0	$1,750
Premises Lease Security Deposit	$2,250	$7,500
Utilities & Telephone Deposit	$250	$1,000
Leasehold Improvements	$30,000	$80,000
Signage & Merchandising	$9,000	$14,000
Computers & Software	$3,000	$6,000
Office Equipment & Supplies	$2,000	$4,500
Office Furniture & Furnishings	$15,000	$22,000
Insurance	$800	$2,000
Professional Fees	$500	$3,500
Business Licenses & Permits	$500	$1,500
Total Costs Incurred Prior to Opening	$113,800	$199,245
Additional Funds – Working Capital (first 12–24 months)	$35,700	$59,500
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$149,500	$258,745

Disclaimer: Figures are based on the company’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Fees, costs, and ranges are estimates and may vary by location, lease terms, buildout needs, and other factors. Nothing here is legal, financial, or tax advice.

Item 5 explains what the initial franchise fee may include and describes potential discounts or alternate fees for qualifying candidates. Always confirm eligibility and the current terms in the most recent FDD.

Expedia Cruises Franchise Ongoing Fees: The Monthly Reality (Item 6).

Item 7 helps you budget to open. For what you’ll pay while operating, Item 6 is the fee schedule to build your monthly and annual budget (with Item 5 adding important context on the initial franchise fee).

Ongoing fees (typically monthly)

Fee	Amount	Timing	Key notes
Service Fee (Royalty)	9% of Gross Revenues paid to you by suppliers	Monthly (EFT on or before the 15th)	Tiered discount may apply for qualifying new franchisees (years 1–3).
MIS Fee	2% of Gross Revenues paid to you by suppliers	Monthly (EFT on or before the 15th)	Subject to annual threshold/cap terms (per Item 6).
Marketing Fee	4% of Gross Revenues paid to you by suppliers	Monthly (EFT on or before the 15th)	Subject to annual threshold/cap terms (per Item 6).

Important clarification (confirm in Item 6): In many travel agency models, “Gross Revenues” is often tied to supplier-paid revenue (commissions/fees received) rather than the customer’s total trip price. Make sure you’re budgeting off the correct base.

Fees that may apply (as needed)

These don’t hit every month for most owners, but they can matter depending on what happens during ownership:

• Additional CMA trainee fee.
• Transfer and relocation fees.
• Document administration fees.
• Audit-related costs.
• Late/insufficient funds fees and interest on past-due amounts.
• Costs and attorneys’ fees (in specific scenarios).

Verify before you sign: Fees shown are from the 2025 FDD. Always confirm details in the most current FDD you receive and review it with qualified advisors.

What Moves the Budget Up or Down (The “Swing Factors”).

For Expedia Cruises, the biggest “swing factors” are usually lease/buildout choices, furnishings and technology scope, and the working-capital cushion included in Item 7.

• Lease terms: Deposit requirements, tenant improvement allowances, and lease structure can change upfront cash needs.
• Buildout scope: A simple refresh vs. heavier renovation can meaningfully change leasehold improvement costs.
• Location profile: Center type and visibility goals can change signage and merchandising decisions.
• Furniture and fixtures: Consultation/meeting-room buildouts and showroom-style layouts can push furnishing totals higher.
• Technology setup: The number of workstations and hardware standards affects computers/software costs.
• Training travel: Number of attendees and travel distance can move travel and accommodation totals.
• Working capital: Item 7 includes additional funds for 12–24 months—many owners choose a cushion aligned to staffing and marketing ramp timing.

Expedia Cruises Franchise Business Model: Retail Center + Vacation Consultants.

Expedia Cruises is positioned as a full-service leisure travel agency with a strong cruise focus. The model is built around a local retail “Center” supported by a team of Vacation Consultants, who help customers before, during, and after their trips.

What does Expedia Cruises typically sell?

The brand describes offering “every vacation possibility over land, sea, and air,” with cruise vacations as a core focus. Common travel categories include:

• Ocean cruises, luxury cruises, and river cruises
• Customized trips and packaged vacations
• Coach and rail tours
• Travel insurance
• Multi-component trips that may include air and lodging

What does a typical day look like for an owner-operator?

For most owners, the day-to-day work is less “being a travel agent” and more leading a local sales-and-service team while running retail operations. Owners may still jump into complex itineraries or customer escalations, but the core role tends to center on leadership and execution.

Typical rhythms often include:

• Recruiting: promoting consultant opportunities, interviewing, and setting clear contractor expectations
• Onboarding: helping new consultants learn tools, policies, and the sales/service process
• Coaching: weekly huddles, quality checks, and performance conversations (process-focused)
• Lead handling: assigning inquiries, monitoring response times, and fixing breakdowns
• Retail readiness: keeping the Center clean, on-brand, and appointment-friendly
• Community activity: networking, partnerships, events, and referral relationship building
• Admin: scheduling, supplier updates, compliance files, and local permits/renewals

Training, Support, and Technology: What You Get vs. What’s Required.

Expedia Cruises describes a support package that typically includes onboarding, an in-person Cruise Management Academy (CMA), and systems that help with marketing, recruiting, and customer management. Your due diligence should focus on three things: what’s included, what’s required, and what carries ongoing costs.

What support systems and tools are included?

Support area	What’s described	Where to verify
Initial training	Cruise Management Academy (CMA) described in brand materials	Confirm who must attend and any prerequisites (Item 11)
Marketing systems	Marketing Hub with editable/downloadable assets	Confirm approval rules and any required subscriptions (Item 11 + brand standards)
Core technology	CruiseDesk® described as CRM + booking workflow	Confirm required hardware/software and what support is included (Items 6 + 11)
Recruiting systems	Tools to support Vacation Consultant recruiting	Confirm what’s included vs. optional (Item 11)
Ongoing support model	Varies by system and isn’t always clear in marketing	Confirm cadence, field support, and required meetings (Item 11)

Support details that matter operationally.

These are the areas that usually determine whether the day-to-day feels manageable—or frustrating:

• Training format: What’s self-paced vs. live? What must be completed before opening? (Item 11)
  
• Launch + early ramp support: Who helps during buildout, opening, and the first months? How often are check-ins? (Item 11)
  
• Manuals/SOPs: How updates are delivered and how often standards change (Item 11)
  
• Technology requirements: CRM/booking tools, recruiting workflow, marketing platform, reporting—plus required hardware and ongoing fees (Items 6, 7, 11)
  
• Marketing rules: What campaigns are available, what requires approval, and what you’re expected to do locally (Item 11 + brand standards)

Expedia Cruises Franchise Due Diligence Checklist: Questions That Reduce Risk.

The best due diligence questions clarify your obligations and constraints—training requirements, operating expectations, territory rules, marketing approvals, and technology requirements—so you can judge whether the model fits your strengths.

Questions to ask (and where to verify).

• What training is mandatory for owners and for additional trainees? (Item 11; Item 7 training travel line items can be a clue)
• What systems are required (CRM/booking tools, phones, email), and what’s included vs. extra-cost? (Items 6, 7, 11)
• What marketing is required, and what approvals or brand rules apply? (Item 11 + brand standards)
• How does recruiting work for Vacation Consultants, and what onboarding steps are required? (Item 11)
• Are there required conferences, meetings, or travel each year? (Item 11; Item 7 travel estimates can provide clues)
• What does “protected territory” mean in plain language? (Item 12)
• What happens if you sell, relocate, or transfer? (Item 17; also check Item 6 for related fees)
• How do renewal and term work? (Item 17)

Quick jargon translations.

• Item 11 explains training and support
• Item 12 explains territory and restrictions
• Item 17 summarizes key contract terms like renewal and transfer

Territory, Real Estate, and Equipment: Where Most Surprises Happen.

Expedia Cruises is generally a retail location model with protected territory concepts and standard office/retail buildout needs. That’s why two of the most important diligence steps are (1) site selection and (2) territory language in the FDD.

What real estate profile is typical?

The brand describes a “call, click, or come in” approach—so the Center is usually designed to support appointments, walk-ins, and community visibility.

What to evaluate as an operator:

• Visibility and access: parking, foot traffic, signage rules, and ease of finding the Center.
• Lease structure: deposits and timing (ties to the security deposit line in Item 7).
• Buildout scope + timeline: a light refresh vs. larger renovation (ties to leasehold improvements in Item 7).
• Layout planning: workstation count, consultation space, and any meeting/event area (ties to furniture, equipment, and computers/software in Item 7).
• Local compliance: permits, registrations, and renewals (ties to licenses and permits in Item 7).

How does territory protection typically work?

Expedia Cruises describes protected territories publicly, and also describes how certain cruise inquiries may be routed based on customer-provided information and brand criteria. In practice, territory usually includes both contractual rights and operational rules—so the exact wording matters.

Publicly described points (confirm details in the FDD):

• Protected territories may be described using household counts (often referenced in the 20,000–35,000 household range)
  
• Some cruise inquiries may be routed using criteria-based routing, with discretion in how routing is handled
  
• The exact boundaries, exceptions, relocation rules, and any advertising/internet restrictions should be verified in FDD Item 12.

What equipment is commonly required?

Most equipment needs are standard office/retail categories—not specialized vehicles or heavy equipment. Item 7 reflects costs such as:

• Computers and software
  
• Office equipment and supplies
  
• Office furniture and furnishings
  
• Signage and merchandising fixtures

If you plan to do frequent offsite events, clarify what’s expected for portable marketing (signage, printed materials, tablets) and whether any of those items are required by brand standards (typically clarified in Item 11 and operating standards).

Ideal Owner Profile and Time Commitment for the Expedia Cruises Franchise.

Expedia Cruises tends to fit owners who enjoy leading people and being visible in the community, because the model centers on recruiting, coaching, and supporting Vacation Consultants while operating a local retail “Center.”

Signals of a strong fit.

• Leadership + coaching comfort
  
• Systems discipline (CRM/booking workflows, follow-ups, reporting routines)
  
• Community networking energy (events, partnerships, referrals)
  
• Service-first mindset (calm problem-solving, escalations)
  
• Confidence managing independent contractors (clear expectations + accountability)
  
• Retail ownership readiness (Center standards + daily execution)

What’s a “typical” time commitment?

There isn’t one universal schedule—owner involvement usually depends on how you staff the Center, how quickly your consultant team grows, and how active you choose to be in local marketing and community outreach.

To avoid guessing, confirm expectations in:

• Item 11 for training, support, and operational expectations.
• Item 12 for territory terms and restrictions.
• Item 17 for renewal, transfer, and exit terms.
• The Franchise Agreement for required operating standards or hours tied to the Center.

How It Compares to Other Travel Options.

Expedia Cruises is generally more retail- and team-oriented than many home-based travel models. That can be a plus if you want a physical presence and you’re comfortable with lease/buildout decisions, staffing, and local marketing routines.

Qualitative comparison points:

• Retail footprint: startup planning includes lease, deposit, and buildout considerations
• Team-building emphasis: recruiting and supporting Vacation Consultants is central
• Lead channels: retail visibility + local marketing + online inquiry sources described by the brand
• Technology dependence: core systems positioned as central to operations
• Operational complexity: managing a retail hub and coaching multiple consultants is more management-heavy than a solo-agent setup

Expedia Cruises Franchise FAQ: The Questions Buyers Ask Most.

These are the questions buyers bring up most often. When something isn’t clearly spelled out in public-facing materials, the safest approach is to confirm it in the FDD and franchise agreement during due diligence.

Does the expedia cruises franchise require a retail location?

Expedia Cruises is presented as a brick-and-mortar “Center” model. You’ll also see startup cost categories that are typical of physical locations (lease-related deposits and buildout/improvements) in the FDD’s startup budget section.

Due diligence tip: Confirm site criteria, minimum standards, buildout expectations, and any required vendors in the FDD and the franchisor’s site selection process.

Can an owner be a “solo agent,” or is team-building expected?

The model places a strong emphasis on recruiting and supporting Vacation Consultants, which suggests team-building is a core operating lever rather than an optional add-on.

Validation tip: Ask franchisees what recruiting and retention look like in real life—how often they hire, how they onboard, and what systems they use—without asking for or sharing earnings claims.

What training is provided for new Expedia Cruises franchisees?

The franchisor highlights the Cruise Management Academy (CMA) and onboarding support as key parts of getting started.

Due diligence tip: Verify required training steps, length, attendance rules, and whether additional trainees are required or optional in FDD Item 11.

Do Expedia.com or Expedia.ca inquiries automatically go to a franchise location?

The brand indicates that some cruise inquiries may be routed based on criteria. The key idea for buyers: routing is typically criteria-based, not guaranteed.

Due diligence tip: Treat routed inquiries as a potential channel, not a promise—then confirm the exact rules in writing.

Is there financial performance information for the expedia cruises franchise?

If the franchisor provides financial performance representations, they are typically found in FDD Item 19 (if included). Review Item 19 carefully with a qualified advisor and rely on written disclosures—not informal conversations.

What trends support interest in cruise-focused planning?

Industry groups like CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) publish ongoing research and demand indicators for cruising. For industry context, see CLIA’s site.

Is Expedia Cruises the right fit for you?

Expedia Cruises can be a strong fit if you want a community-facing retail business and you enjoy leading a sales-and-service team. It’s worth a little extra caution if your top priority is minimal fixed overhead or if you’d rather avoid recruiting and coaching as a core part of the role.

Likely a fit if you:

• Want a visible local “hub” that supports walk-ins and appointments
• Enjoy recruiting, coaching, and building team routines
• Prefer a structured system with defined tools and ready-to-use marketing assets
• Can manage a lease/buildout project and maintain ongoing facility standards
• Like relationship-driven service and building a strong local reputation

Use caution if you:

• Want fully home-based operations with minimal fixed costs
• Prefer doing all client work yourself and avoiding team leadership
• Dislike sales coaching, recognition programs, and performance routines
• Want a category with less seasonality and fewer external disruptions