History

The Expedia CruiseShipCenters Story

For over two decades, Michael Drever (CEO and Founder), has been at the helm of Expedia CruiseShipCenters charting the company's course as a cruise industry leader. Now ranked as the #1 brand in travel, the company has grown at an average rate of 30% every year to include over 114 retail locations and 2500+ cruise and travel specialists from coast to coast. After entering a strategic partnership with Expedia, Inc. in 2007, CruiseShipCenters rebranded as Expedia CruiseShipCenters.

With a focus on innovative systems and technology and a widening range of travel options for customers, Expedia CruiseShipCenters continues to make vacation dreams come true!

2008

Expedia CruiseShipCenters welcomes its first USA Home-based Franchise Partner to the family.

A record breaking $13.5 Million of cruises are sold during Expedia CruiseShipCenters' annual One-Day-Sale, breaking last year's sales record by $4.4 million – an astounding 40% increase.

Celebrity Cruises presents Expedia CruiseShipCenters the first ever Overall Top National Account award.

2007

CruiseShipCenters enters long term strategic alliance with Expedia Inc. The new brand Expedia CruiseShipCenters offers Expedia the opportunity to broaden its exposure to offline channels and Expedia CruiseShipCenters to benefit from Expedia's inventory of non-cruise travel options for customers.

CruiseShipCenters wins the CFA Award of Excellence - the first time that the award has been given to the same recipient in consecutive years. (Expedia CruiseShipCenters also won in 2006.)

2006

Former Princess Cruises executive Geraldine Ree joins Expedia CruiseShipCenters as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing.

2005

CruiseShipCenters' further enhances its CruiseDesk system to integrate online bookings directly with Royal Caribbean International.

2004

CruiseDesk directly linked to cruise line inventory systems to provide current pricing, itineraries and availability to all locations.

2003

Matthew Eichhorst joins Expedia CruiseShipCenters International Inc. as Chief Operating Officer. Matthew spearheads 1 to 1 Cruises Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary providing web development and email marketing services to Expedia CruiseShipCenters and select clients including Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International.

2000

CruiseShipCenters launches permission-based email program though 7SEAS Club.

1998

CruiseShipCenters develops CruiseDesk, a proprietary web-based intranet system to support locations with sales, accounting and office administration functions.

1996

CruiseShipCenters debuts Top 100 Cruises group program which guarantees stateroom availability and price advantages for customers up to 18 months in advance.

CruiseShipCenters presented with Royal Bank Franchisor of the Year Award

1991

CruiseShipCenters establishes the International Cruise Academy and graduates first certified Cruise Consultants.

1988

Current CEO, Michael Drever, joins Expedia CruiseShipCenters as a franchisee.

CentredeCroisières brand launched to service the French-speaking market.

1987

First Expedia CruiseShipCenters retail location opens in Vancouver, BC - the gateway to Alaska cruises.