If you’re wondering whether becoming a home-based travel agent is worth it in 2025, you’re not alone. Thousands of professionals are asking the same question as they look for more flexibility, fulfillment, and financial independence.

To answer whether this career path is a good idea, let’s look at the real-life journey of Sasha and Victor—Cruise Planners franchise owners who traded shift work and long hours for a travel business they could run from home. Their experience highlights both the opportunities and realities of working as a home-based travel advisor.

From Burnout to Flexibility: Why They Made the Switch

Before starting their business, Sasha and Victor were working opposite shifts, juggling childcare, and struggling to carve out family time.

• Victor worked nights.
• Sasha worked days.
• Their son spent long hours in daycare.

Holidays and weekends together were rare. At one point, they felt more like roommates than a family.

That all changed when they invested in a home-based travel franchise. Instead of continuing the grind, they built a business around their passion for travel—one that gave them back control of their schedules and more time with their kids.

Why Travel—and Not Another Business?

Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, they weighed different franchise options. The choice came down to cleaning offices or selling travel.

For Sasha, the decision was easy:

“I don’t want to clean places. That’s not happening.”

Victor’s lifelong passion for cruising sealed the deal. He grew up near the port in St. Thomas, fascinated by the ships, and had already introduced Sasha to her first cruise (which she quickly fell in love with). Turning that shared passion into a business felt natural.

Starting with Zero Experience

Like most new agents, Sasha and Victor had no travel industry background. They were nervous about whether they could make it work.

What made the difference was training and support:

• Structured training: Their very first success came from organizing a group cruise for 11 couples.
• Technology tools: Victor uses Partner Hub for supplier research and bookings.
• Marketing support: Sasha manages CP Social, which provides ready-made campaigns and templates for posting multiple times a day.

They discovered that you don’t need to be an industry insider to thrive—you need passion, persistence, and the right host agency or franchise system behind you.

How Life Changed as Home-Based Travel Advisors

The shift from clocking in and out of traditional jobs to running their own travel agency transformed every part of Sasha and Victor’s lives. The benefits went far beyond income—they gained control of their time, their family dynamic, and their future.

• More family time: Before, Victor worked nights while Sasha worked days, leaving little overlap for family moments. Now, they set their own schedules and never have to miss birthdays, holidays, or school events. Vacations are no longer squeezed into a few rushed days off—they can plan around family first.
• True flexibility: Whether at home, traveling, or even sitting poolside, they can run their travel agency with just a laptop or smartphone. Their business isn’t tied to an office, which means they can balance work and personal life seamlessly. As Sasha says, their kids are “always somewhere in the background,” a natural part of their workday.
• Legacy building: For them, this isn’t just a job—it’s a family business. Their daughter, now preparing for college, is already being introduced to the travel industry. They see Cruise Planners as more than a career shift; it’s an opportunity to create something that can be passed down, teaching their children entrepreneurship and giving them the gift of travel.
• Peace of mind: The constant stress of requesting time off, missing milestones, or worrying about layoffs is gone. They now have a business model that grows with them, offering both financial security and personal freedom.

“This is what we wanted. We wanted to have our own business, something we can keep for a long time.”

For Sasha and Victor, becoming home-based travel advisors wasn’t just a career move—it was a lifestyle change that gave them back control of their lives.

Choosing the Right Host or Franchise Matters

Once you’ve decided to become a travel advisor, the next step is choosing the right support system. Not all host agencies and franchises are created equal.

Here’s why Cruise Planners stands out when compared to other options:

• Brand power: Over 30 years of name recognition gives you instant credibility.
• Affordable investment: A low-cost franchise fee compared to other travel franchises.
• All-in-one technology: Proprietary platforms like CP Maxx and CP Social that independent agents often have to piece together from multiple vendors.
• Marketing edge: Automated campaigns, social media templates, and client targeting that help you scale faster.
• Dedicated support team: Over 150 corporate staff focused solely on franchisee success.

Other host agencies may provide access to suppliers, but Cruise Planners delivers a turnkey business model with tools, training, and coaching already built in. That means you can spend less time figuring out logistics and more time selling travel.

Why Doing It with Cruise Planners Makes Sense

Plenty of people become independent travel agents, but many quickly discover that going solo can be overwhelming building a website, finding clients, negotiating with suppliers, and keeping up with marketing.

That’s where Cruise Planners stands out. Franchise owners like Sasha and Victor succeed faster because they’re backed by a proven system that includes:

• Immediate credibility: Operate under a nationally recognized brand with 30+ years of trust in the travel industry.
• Marketing done for you: From social media campaigns to email and direct mail, Cruise Planners provides professional tools that attract and retain clients.
• Exclusive supplier relationships: Gain access to preferred travel partners, group rates, and promotions you can’t find as an independent agent.
• Cutting-edge technology: Proprietary tools like CP Maxx and CP Social let you manage your business, bookings, and marketing from anywhere.
• Ongoing training and support: Whether it’s your first day or your fifth year, you’ll always have a team of experts and a network of advisors to lean on.

Many independent advisors start strong but struggle to scale—Cruise Planners bridges that gap by giving you both freedom and support. In short, it combines the independence of being a home-based business owner with the resources of a powerhouse host agency and franchise system.

If you’d like to explore how this model works, see Cruise Planners’ home travel business opportunities.

FAQs: Choosing the Right Travel Host or Franchise

Do I need travel experience to join Cruise Planners?

No. Nearly 80% of Cruise Planners franchise owners start without prior industry experience. Our training programs, technology, and one-on-one support make it easy to learn quickly and grow your business.

How much can Cruise Planners franchise owners earn?

Earnings vary depending on effort and client base. Franchisees earn commissions on cruises, tours, hotels, insurance, and more. Many find that Cruise Planners’ exclusive promotions and supplier relationships help them boost sales faster than going independent.

What’s the difference between Cruise Planners and other host agencies?

Most host agencies provide access to suppliers and back-office systems. Cruise Planners goes further by offering brand recognition, award-winning marketing, proprietary technology like CP Maxx, and a dedicated support team of over 150 professionals—making it a turnkey solution.

How flexible is the Cruise Planners model for families?

Very. Franchise owners run their businesses from home or anywhere in the world. Many, like Sasha and Victor, choose Cruise Planners for the flexibility to prioritize family while still building a scalable business.

Why is Cruise Planners a smart choice in 2025?

Travel demand is booming, and Cruise Planners has consistently ranked as a top low-cost franchise for over 30 years. With powerful tools, supplier partnerships, and proven training, it offers one of the strongest paths for long-term success in the travel industry.

Key Takeaways

• Becoming a home-based travel advisor offers flexibility, family time, and the chance to run your own business.
• Cruise Planners franchise owners benefit from award-winning marketing, business development coaching, and turnkey support.
• Strong relationships with cruise lines, suppliers, and access to exclusive travel insurance products help advisors boost sales.
• Compared to an independent advisor, Cruise Planners provides proven training courses, technology, and tools for growth.
• From customer service to market research, Cruise Planners equips franchisees with resources to serve clients and scale faster.

Final Thoughts

So, is becoming a home-based travel agent a good idea?

For Sasha and Victor, the answer is a resounding yes. It gave them flexibility, financial independence, and the chance to build a legacy for their family.

But the real takeaway is this: success comes from aligning your passion for travel with the right business model and support system. If you’re willing to learn, market yourself, and put in the work, becoming a travel advisor can be one of the most rewarding career changes you’ll ever make.

“If you’re looking to own your own business and you’re into travel, I would definitely recommend Cruise Planners.”

The question isn’t whether becoming a travel agent is a good idea—it’s how soon you’ll start building your future in travel with. 

See how Sasha and Victor built their future in travel—and find resources to start your own.

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