Gianna Borell was awarded the Excellence in Franchising Award because she exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding Cruise Planners franchise owner. She’s dynamic, driven, and deeply committed to excellence. Having built a business with annual sales over $14M, Gianna leads with positivity, gratitude, and an infectious can-do spirit that inspires those around her.
Gianna is not only an exceptional travel advisor who consistently delivers remarkable service to her clients, but also a dedicated leader who pours her heart into the success of her team. She’s always ready to extend a hand, share her expertise, and offer guidance — whether to her own team or to fellow advisors across the network. Her collaborative nature and dedication to lifting others have made her not only a respected leader but a trusted resource.
Another standout quality? Philanthropy. It isn’t something she does for recognition; it’s simply who she is. Recently, Gianna participated in the Sandals Dunn’s River relief and recovery effort, contributing personally to support the local Jamaican community as they rebuild from the devastating Hurricane Melissa. Her willingness to step forward, donate, and inspire further support from others speaks volumes about her heart and her character.
Read Our Q&A With Gianna Borell, Franchise Owner at Cruise Planners
When did you start your business?
I became a Cruise Planners franchise owner in 2018. I am based out of Merrick, NY.
During your research, what made your franchise brand stand out?
I began my career working for another Cruise Planners franchise owner for several years, which provided me with firsthand insight into the company and its business model. During that time, I experienced the strong level of support the corporate team offers and gained a clear understanding of how committed the organization is to helping its franchise owners succeed.
I decided to purchase my own franchise because of the great resources and support provided by my corporate team. Their technology seemed far beyond other franchises, allowing for more efficient operations. Cruise Planners consistently felt like a team-oriented environment rather than a competitive one. This combination of support and technology made my decision to join the brand very easy.
How did your franchisor help you to prepare for and launch your business?
Cruise Planners provides excellent training through a mix of in-person and online programs, making it easy to feel confident and supported from the beginning.
There are so many ways to get help when needed, including live support, social media, and an easy to use technology. Each franchise owner is also paired with a mentor who offers guidance and helps create a clear plan for promoting the business and continuing to improve.
The marketing team at Cruise Planners is a huge benefit, as they create attractive, professional marketing materials that can be automatically sent to the clients you choose. The technology Cruise Planners offers is far beyond that of competitors and continues to improve each year, making sure the franchise owners always have access to the latest tools to run their businesses effectively.
What advice would you give potential franchisees considering your brand?
Take the time to thoroughly research the opportunity and ensure it is the right fit for you compared to other franchise options. It’s important to understand how the business model, support, and culture align with your personal goals and expectations.
I also recommend speaking with as many franchise owners as possible, both within Cruise Planners and with other franchises. Hearing firsthand experiences and asking honest questions can provide valuable insight and help determine which organization feels like the best overall fit.
What specific things set YOUR franchise apart?
What sets my franchise apart is the way I truly connect with my clients. I focus on treating them as real people, not just transactions, and making sure every trip is centered around what matters most to them. Building strong, personal relationships allows me to better understand their needs and create travel experiences that feel personalized.
I also make it a priority to build relationships with our travel partners, including suppliers and the hotels I visit. By traveling as much as possible, I’m able to share firsthand experiences and honest recommendations, which help my clients feel confident in their travel decisions.
What specific things contributed to your success?
Several things contributed to my success, starting with a true love for what I do. Patience and dedication, especially when it came to building name recognition in the travel industry. I put in long hours and focused on learning as much as I could through ongoing training, which helped me grow more confident and knowledgeable over time.
The support from the home office also played a big role, along with being willing to make mistakes and learn from them. Staying organized and keeping consistent communication with my clients helped build strong relationships, which naturally led to word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business. Those personal recommendations have been a major factor in my continued growth and success.
What unique strengths and skills do YOU bring to your franchise?
One of the unique strengths I bring to my franchise is strong communication paired with in-depth knowledge of travel. I make it a priority to truly listen to my clients so they feel understood and heard, rather than feeling like they are part of a business transaction.
By keeping things relatable, approachable, and personal, I’m able to build trust and create great relationships. I am then able to design trips that genuinely reflect each client’s needs and preferences, while providing guidance and confidence throughout the entire planning process.
What is something that might surprise people about franchise ownership?
Becoming an owner doesn’t necessarily require significantly more time or effort than working under another franchise owner. Before owning my franchise, I worked for another owner and assumed the workload would increase dramatically.
Over time, I realized that the level of training, commitment, and responsibility is very similar either way, and ownership simply allows you to apply that same effort toward building and growing your own business.
The Cruise Planners Franchise Opportunity:
As the nation’s largest home-based travel advisor franchise network since 1994, Cruise Planners provides franchise owners with award-winning marketing strategies, cutting-edge technology, dynamic training programs, and powerful lead-generating tools to help them succeed.
With a competitive initial franchise fee, this business opportunity enables aspiring travel agents to work from anywhere in the world while enjoying the flexibility of being their own boss.
Each year, they use the FBR franchisee satisfaction survey to gain unbiased insights into their franchisees, and they have ranked highly on our unbiased awards lists for many years, including:
- Top Franchises for Women
- Top Low-Cost Franchise
- Top Franchises for Culture
- Top 200 Franchise
- Top Franchises for Veterans
- Most Innovative Franchises
Interested in Becoming a Cruise Planners Franchise Owner?
Being a franchise owner means you could benefit from partnerships with leading travel suppliers, including major cruise lines, resorts, and tour operators, along with professional coaching and ongoing support to help you build a thriving business in the booming travel industry. Plus, with our current promotional offer, you could receive free travel to help you get started, giving you valuable hands-on experience while earning commission on your own trip.
