GoCruise and Travel Franchisee Success Stories

An interview with Peter Ruck - GoCruise Franchisee Tonbridge, Kent -

History
Peter has spent a considerable amount of time within the travel industry, having worked for an agency for over 40 years. "I'd spent 43 years working on the high street and was considering retirement. After leaving my job, I took a month long cruise to the Caribbean with my wife and said to myself 'I still love the travel industry so why leave it!’"

Having worked in the travel industry for such a considerable amount of time, Peter has seen almost everything there is to see and has taken over 20,000 photos. From travelling to the Arctic, cruising along the River Amazon and exploring the Galapagos Islands; to flying in a light aircraft, following Southern Right Whales and swimming with sea lions - it's safe to say Peter has had many amazing experiences.

Peter was looking for a way forward in the industry and wanted to be his own boss. "After looking at the options, I joined GoCruise and was welcomed with open arms by Bridget Coe (Franchise Manager) and Geoff Ridgeon (Head of Cruise). It was nice to be acknowledged."

"If I had chosen to retire, I would never have had this opportunity."

Support
After joining GoCruise, Peter was overwhelmed with the support and welcome he was given. At the initial interview, he met some of the managers who offered advice with every aspect of the franchise. Upon joining, Peter was welcomed by nearly all the staff - who are always on hand to provide advice and assistance.

"Since joining GoCruise, I've had some fantastic opportunities. I've been able to go to ship visits with Hebridean Princess and the conferences have been great. I'll be going on Anthem of the Seas this weekend. That will be unlike anything else."

"It was nice to be acknowledged."

How to be a Success
Undoubtedly, having a knowledge and addiction for travel will be a significant boost when it comes to working within the cruise industry. If you are able to convey your passion and experience to your clients, they will almost certainly book with you time and time again.

"You have to be confident with the product you are selling and establish a level of confidence with your clients. People trust me." Knowing your product is paramount and if you can relate to every client's individual needs, you instantly have the edge over competitors.

Stories
As previously stated, Peter started his GoCruise career with a handful of core clients and admitted that attracting new clients was not always an easy task. "Sometimes a whole day would pass and the phone wouldn't ring at all. Quite often Holiday TV leads and web leads don't mount up to anything."

But after persevering and getting his name out as much as possible, Peter has attracted new clients and many more travellers are turning to him for their cruises. "I had someone come through who wanted to organise a cruise for their 93 year old mother and her 85 year old friend. I had to ensure their needs were met and they were understandably nervous. They booked through me and were impressed with the service provided. They are already enquiring about another cruise with me again this year."

The emphasis really is placed on knowing your product and ensuring your clients feel confident in you. As Ray Kroc (famous for building McDonalds into the fast food giant it is today) once stated: "Look after the customer and the business will take care of itself."

"Know your product. It's as simple as that."

A Day in the Life of Peter Ruck
To put it shortly "Every day is different." Peter stated that an average day will usually start with swimming in the morning followed by breakfast, which is when the computer is fired up for the day. "After breakfast, I respond to emails and sit by the phone - ensuring everything that needs to be done is completed."

"Some bookings take two or three months to complete - but confidence grows with clients and they continue to make reservations." When Peter isn't in the office, he travels the world - which in turn ensures his knowledge of cruise is always fresh and up to date.

Advice
"Know your product. It's as simple as that."

The philosophy behind Peter's selling technique is to know the product inside out - ensuring you know everything you can possibly know about the world of cruise. "If you don't know the product, your client will, and they'll just book through someone else."

"If you've had a career as a window cleaner and are looking to have a successful career in the cruise industry; there are many training opportunities online. Try to go on as many ship visits as possible." Having completed a course with Princess Cruises, Peter has been invited to go on a cruise with the firm in Japan - which is sure to be another unbelievable experience.

If you love cruising and want to experience the world of travel with a career in an industry you love - why not follow in Peter's footsteps and become a GoCruise Specialist? Whilst we ensure you are in charge of your own business; our dedicated cruise experts are always at hand should you have any queries.

Feel at home with GoCruise Franchise - 25-June-2009

I loved travelling, so after 20 years as an engineer with British Airways I bought a GoCruise franchise which was over six years ago now and I have never looked back….

Having travelled all over the world I have now experienced many different cruises over the years. On my latest adventure I joined a working postal cruise in Norway where the ship delivered the post to local towns. The GoCruise Franchise means I can combine my enthusiasm for travel with my own business, working from home in Farnborough, Hants.

Being part of the GoCruise franchise I have the opportunity to sell all types of cruising to all types of people to a whole host of destinations worldwide. From tall ships to river cruising, from family cruises to luxury cruises, from singles to groups, I have the facility to book most of the worlds cruise lines from the comfort of his home.

I am a cruise expert and offer a very personal service to my customers who come back to me time and time again because of my service, my advice, my recommendations and my in-depth knowledge of the cruise industry. I will match customers to cruises and will very often offer bespoke packages to ensure the customer gets exactly what they want from their holiday.

Working in a fun industry I have been lucky to have been on familiarisation trips two or three times a year as the cruise lines are firm believers in it’s easier to sell a product that you have sampled first hand yourself. With the GoCruise software I can run my business from anywhere using my laptop, always marketing my business in my local territory and networking at every opportunity.

I will be the first to tell you the first year is a challenge building up your customer database but with determination, commitment and enthusiasm for hard work. I would also tell you that that first year is definitely worth the rewards later on.

Passionate about franchising with GoCruise - 25-June-2009

I joined GoCruise as a franchisee in April 2006 and have never looked back. I had been made redundant some 18 months earlier and needed to find something that was right for me. I had always wanted my own cruise business but obtaining things such as an ABTA licence etc. was far too daunting a prospect. I looked at many ‘homeworking’ opportunities but none were right for me. None provided me the flexibility to run my business the way I wanted, to be able to work the hours I wanted to work, and to be able to be totally independent and not tied to promoting any given operator over another.

GoCruise offered all of these factors and more. I am happy knowing that my business is safe with the backing and support of Fred. Olsen Travel, with ABTA and ATOL protection, and likewise my clients feel at ease knowing that backing is in place.

Support and training is second to none and is adapted to individual needs. Ship visits are always in good supply allowing us to experience first hand and provide a better insight into what makes one ship different to the other.
I’m very fortunate to have worked in the cruise industry previously and I appreciate the fact that I am left to run my business very much they way I want to, but I know if ever I need help or support with any aspect of running my franchise the Franchise Manager and Head Office team are there to assist.

Motivation to work from home has never been an issue as I’m passionate about what I sell. Opportunities are there if you want to grab them with both hands. Who would have thought when I started my own franchise, that I would have picked up the award and title of ‘Cruise Sales Person of the Year’ at the UK Cruise Awards 2008 for P&O, Princess, Cunard and Ocean Village holidays and been nominated as ‘Agent of the Year Finalist’ at the TTG Travel Awards in 2010? Hard work it might have been, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of Fred. Olsen Travel and GoCruise.