Join GoCruise & Travel

03/11/2026

A post-it note on his desk changed his career. 📝

In the latest episode of Faces Behind the Franchise, our host Colin swaps seats and takes the hot seat as Head of Franchise at GoCruise & Travel.

His journey runs from children's holiday rep to leading a franchise network. He took on the role just as COVID hit, spending his first six months helping franchisees through the hardest time the travel industry has ever faced.

He describes it as a baptism of fire. It also built the foundations of the community the franchise has today.

Here's what stood out:

🤝 Franchisees are the customers. Many have become friends over the years
🏡 You can start from home, then grow to the high street when your database is ready
🎢 The first 12 months are a rollercoaster. It usually takes 12 to 18 months to see the fruits of your labour
💼 Two ways to join: Go Start for those with business experience, and Go Plus for anyone brand new to travel
❤️ The best franchisees bring honesty, integrity and the ability to really listen

And the one qualification that matters most? Passion for holidays and cruising, and a passport. 😄

As Colin puts it: "If I'd trust them with my holidays, we can teach you the rest."

A big thank you to our franchisees, who rated us five stars in our recent franchisee survey. We're proud of the community we're building together.

▶️ Watch the full episode of Faces Behind the Franchise. Link in the comments.

📩 Interested in joining us? Visit joingocruiseandtravel.co.uk

02/11/2026

Great things happen when the franchising community comes together.

On 12 November, we'll be joining industry peers at the BFA Annual Conference and BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards 2026, a day dedicated to learning, sharing experiences, building relationships and celebrating success.

We're looking forward to gaining fresh perspectives, strengthening connections and recognising the achievements that continue to move franchising forward.

21/10/2026

Great things happen when the franchising community comes together.

On 12 November, we'll be joining industry peers at the BFA Annual Conference and BFA HSBC UK British Franchise Awards 2026, a day dedicated to learning, sharing experiences, building relationships and celebrating success.

We're looking forward to gaining fresh perspectives, strengthening connections and recognising the achievements that continue to move franchising forward.

20/10/2026

In the 1970s, Jane told her careers master she wanted to work on a cruise ship.

He told her to get a proper job. 😂

She went to the gas board. Hated it. Had three kids. Got made redundant. Got remarried. And never once stopped dreaming about the sea. 🚢

Today? She's one of GoCruise & Travel's most successful franchisees — with 20 years of experience, a social media community that follows her every twirl, and clients who've become lifelong friends.

Oh, and she's attended naming ceremonies alongside the Queen. Twice. 👑

Jane's story is everything we love about Faces Behind the Franchise. It's real, it's funny, it's inspiring — and it's proof that building a business on passion and personality will always win.

Her advice for anyone just starting out?

📌 Be patient — it snowballs, but it takes time
📌 Referrals and repeats are worth more than any ad spend
📌 Never pretend to be someone you're not — your clients are buying YOU
📌 Get on every ship visit, do every training, keep your knowledge fresh
📌 And if a dress has a good swish to it? It's in the bag 👗✨

This is one of our favourite episodes yet. Don't miss it.

▶️ Watch Jane's full story in the latest episode of Faces Behind the Franchise — link in bio/comments.

19/10/2026

🚢 5 Myths About Franchising in Travel...

Busted!

Thinking about running your own travel business?

You might be surprised by some of the biggest misconceptions we hear:

❌ You need travel industry experience
❌ You have to invest a fortune
❌ You'll be on your own
❌ You need a high street shop
❌ It's too risky to start a business

The reality? With the right franchise partner, you can build a flexible, rewarding business with expert support, established systems, trusted supplier relationships, and a recognised brand behind you.

At GoCruise & Travel, we help passionate entrepreneurs turn their love of travel into a successful business while enjoying the freedom of being their own boss.

Ready to discover what's possible?
Let's talk.

12/10/2026

"We've come back because we trust you. And when we're spending that amount of money, we only want to spend it with somebody we trust."

That was a client of Tony Blakey's — one of GoCruise & Travel's franchisees — calling to book a £105,000 cruise. 🤯

They could have gone straight to the cruise line. They could have found a bigger agency. But they came back to Tony — because over the years, he'd built something no marketing budget can buy.

Trust.

With 54 years in travel, a family business run from a converted garage, and nine Star Clipper group trips under his belt, Tony's story is one of the most genuinely inspiring we've heard on Faces Behind the Franchise.

And his advice for anyone thinking about joining GoCruise & Travel?

📌 Have a real passion for cruise
📌 Take every ship visit, fam trip and training opportunity going
📌 Don't wait for the business to come to you — go and get it
📌 Be patient — it's gradual, but it's worth it
📌 Never send a client somewhere you know isn't right for them

Building a business on expertise and honesty is a long game. But as Tony proves — the rewards are extraordinary. ✨

▶️ Watch it via the link in bio/comments.

08/10/2026

🚢 Great conversations. Shared ideas. Stronger together.

Today we brought our GoCruise&Travel Franchisee Committee together to share ideas, listen, challenge, collaborate and look at how we can continue to make our franchise network even stronger.

These meetings matter. They give our franchisees a voice, create open dialogue and allow us to learn from each other — because the best ideas come when we work together.

A brilliant day of collaboration, connection and looking ahead. 💙

Together, we’re stronger. Together, we grow.

02/10/2026

We are here stand LC200 at the Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham!

Start your own business journey today!

23/09/2026

22/09/2026

And just like that, we are all set up and ready in Birmingham to talk everything you need to know about Franchising tomorrow!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Could Travel Franchising be right for you?

Start a business for yourself, but not by yourself

Be great to connect to help you with your business journey!