Cruise Planners Named Top Franchise for Women and Low-Cost Franchise for 7th Consecutive Year

At Cruise Planners, we’ve always believed in the power of travel to open doors — and in the power of women to lead the way. We’ve built our franchise model to support female entrepreneurs with the flexibility, tools and training they need to succeed on their own terms. Still, it’s always meaningful when that commitment is recognized on a national scale.

That’s why we’re honored to share that Cruise Planners has once again been named a Top Franchise for Women and Top Low-Cost Franchise by Franchise Business Review, marking our seventh consecutive year receiving these prestigious honors. These awards are based on feedback from thousands of franchise owners, making it one of the industry’s most trusted indicators of franchise excellence.

Why Franchisees Love Us

Franchise Business Review’s annual ranking is based on in-depth surveys with nearly 9,000 women across 350 franchise brands. Respondents rate their experience across categories like leadership, support, financial opportunity and work-life balance.

The results speak for themselves:

• 88% of women surveyed said they enjoy being part of their franchise system
• 3 out of 4 would recommend their franchise to others

Cruise Planners' inclusion on this list for seven consecutive years reflects our consistent focus on fostering an inclusive, empowering environment where women can thrive, whether they’re building a full-time career or looking for a flexible way to earn income on their terms.

Cruise Planners’ Legacy of Leadership

From the beginning, Cruise Planners was designed to break the traditional travel agency mold. In 1994, founder and CEO Michelle Fee — then a young mom and established travel agent — saw the future of the industry shifting. She launched Cruise Planners with a bold vision: to create a home-based travel franchise that made entrepreneurship accessible, flexible and fulfilling. That commitment to accessibility has remained core to Cruise Planners’ mission.

“We are honored to be recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Women and a Top Low-Cost Franchise for the seventh consecutive year,” said Michelle. “Consistently winning these awards reaffirms our dedication to providing best-in-class support, innovative tools, and a welcoming community where all entrepreneurs — especially women — can build successful travel businesses.”

A Franchise Model Built Around Your Life

One of the reasons Cruise Planners stands out is its ability to fit into your life, not the other way around. Our flexible business model gives women the freedom to build a travel business that aligns with their personal goals, whether that means working full-time, part-time or while raising a family.

Today, Cruise Planners is the nation’s largest home-based travel franchise network, offering a full suite of tools and training designed to help franchisees succeed regardless of experience. Our support includes:

• 50+ hours of classroom training through STAR University
• AI-powered content and marketing platforms
• A personalized website and mobile app to manage your business from anywhere

Franchisees cite the strong community, collaborative culture and ability to shape their own schedules as key reasons they joined and stayed. For many, it’s not just a business. It’s a vocation that blends freedom, purpose and the joy of helping others experience the world.

Ready to Build a Business You Love?

Cruise Planners has spent over 30 years helping women turn their passion for travel into rewarding, flexible careers. These latest recognitions from Franchise Business Review are a testament to the strength of our model and the community we’ve built.

If you’re ready to launch a business that empowers you to work on your terms — with the support of a nationally recognized brand — we’re here to help you take the first step.

Check out our free behind-the-scenes webinar, then contact us today to learn more about joining Cruise Planners and building a future that’s uniquely yours.