Garry and I bought our Franchise 5 years ago after thinking about it for quite a while. We spoke to some good friends of ours, who are also Franchisees, and they told us all about the company and how GoCruise feels like a family. We were a bit dubious about this but it’s true! GoCruise really has a family feel where help is always at hand. The support and advice we also get from our Head Office is also invaluable, especially when first starting your business, and you never feel alone.
Our business has gone from strength to strength and we can honestly say that buying our Franchise is one of the best things we’ve ever done. We are based at home and work the business around any other commitments. We love every minute of it!
GoCruise & Travel has offered me a great way to build a business with excellent support in the hugely enjoyable environment of cruising and holidays.
Like many other franchisees, I came with no travel background - but with a passion for travel and a desire to help others enjoy holidays. Critical to success and enjoyment of the business is the ongoing support across all parts of the business - including super help on marketing and working with cruise lines, a very knowledgeable (and gentle!) admin team, and full franchise management support.
The brand of GoCruise & Travel opens doors into cruise lines that continually amazes me, and being part of the Fred. Olsen group provides huge financial reassurance to customers. I always feel good and confident when talking to my clients about holidays.
On top of running my own business, this has turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to visit or cruise on beautiful ships - and right now, so many people are bursting to get back onto the water and cruise.
I feel part of a wider family, always great to meet up and enjoy events together - and it’s fun!
Having spent most of my career in retail travel I decided to become a GoCruise & Travel Franchisee 5 years ago. It was the best career move I ever made. I am my own boss and chose my own hours but have the security of the GoCruise team behind me... and best of all keep the majority of the commission earned on all holidays booked! I never feel alone as there is always practical help available from Head Office & fellow franchisees
Amazing opportunity to get into the travel sector with a well established brand, very supportive Head Office team plus the global power of the Fred. Olsen family behind us.
I enjoy the no pressure approach from the partners back in HQ, which enables me to mix the opportunity to own and run a cruise focused travel agency, alongside my own desire to travel regularly and see our cruise partners ships first hand.
I was lucky enough to start full-time employment in the cruising industry straight from college but then similar to many, took a break to have a family and concentrate upon other ventures.
However, I knew my passion was always in the cruise industry, I wanted something which would fit around my family providing the flexibility of working from home but also provide back-up business support in areas such as marketing and administration. A reputable, quality brand was important to me and therefore a GoCruise franchise seemed the ideal opportunity.
The whole process was straight forward yet thorough and with full details of the franchise I knew exactly what I was getting. Over the years I have built up my database through marketing and personal recommendations to provide a personal service to both new and repeat customers and had the opportunity to take stands at county shows, exhibitions and of course, undertaken numerous ship visits.
Now 5 years on, I still have the flexibility I wanted, together with Head Office support provided by a friendly team of cruise enthusiasts who are genuinely eager to support or always at the end of a phone.
“The franchise means I can combine my enthusiasm for travel with a business. With opportunities to visit ships and travel the world, I can build my knowledge along with my business.”
The Head Office team take care of all the administration leaving me to focus on building the business, selling, and looking after my customers. This ability to give the personal touch and customer service does make all the difference.
Anyone who thinks they can work well in this market without some sales skills, particularly based on developing good relationships with people would be misguided. However, with an open mind to look for the positive in every situation you will have every chance of becoming successful.
GoCruise ticked all the boxes - ABTA bonding, flexibility to work any hours, to run my own business the way I wanted and a dedicated support team should I need any help.
We had a three day training course at Head Office. We learned about product knowledge, administration and the systems. They talk you through your own business and all the aspects of it, such as sales and marketing. They give you a good feel for that.
