Expedia Cruises’ Record-Breaking Conference at Sea

The Expedia Cruises Corporate Team successfully hosted our 2026 ANCHOR Meeting from April 11–18 aboard MSC World America. With more than 900 attendees — including over 200 Franchisees, 75 Managers, 300 Vacation Consultants, 150 Supply Partners, 40 Corporate Team members, and 150 guests — this was the largest ANCHOR event we’ve ever executed.

Unlike our National Conference in the fall, ANCHOR also brings together our Vacation Consultants, making it a unique opportunity to connect the entire Expedia Cruises network alongside our valued industry partners. This year’s “Elevate & Accelerate” theme came to life throughout the week, woven into every keynote, panel, workshop, and tradeshow experience.

“The Expedia Cruises 2026 ANCHOR Meeting was our most successful ever. Not only did we welcome our largest and most engaged audience to date, but I have never seen our distribution channel more energized about the opportunities ahead over the next decade. Each conference represents a unique moment when our entire industry and system come together to one place. These gatherings help move our industry forward by sharing best practices, strengthening relationships, and reigniting our collective passion for the business.” – Matthew Eichhorst, President of Expedia Cruises. 

Beyond the incredible content and learning opportunities, attendees connected and celebrated together at cocktail receptions, a Great Gatsby-themed party, and a beach day at Ocean Cay. ANCHOR continues to be one of the most anticipated events of the year because it brings our network and supply partners together in a meaningful way to learn, collaborate, and strengthen relationships. To top it all off, we gave away 35 prizes throughout the event, including 10 free cruises.

Watch our ANCHOR recap video below >>

Announcements at Sea

Innovation and growth were key themes throughout ANCHOR 2026, as Expedia Cruises unveiled several new technology enhancements and business initiatives designed to help franchisees and Vacation Consultants stay ahead in an evolving travel landscape. One of the biggest announcements during the conference was the introduction of a new AI-driven consumer website platform for all Vacation Consultants, reinforcing Expedia Cruises’ ongoing investment in tools that help Consultants deliver a more personalized and seamless customer experience.

This announcement builds on a series of recent technology advancements across the franchise system, including the launch of a robust Consultant Dashboard and a Sales Pipeline powered by industry-leading Microsoft Power BI. These tools provide franchisees and Consultants with deeper business insights, improved visibility into sales activity, and more data-driven decision-making capabilities to help grow their business more effectively.

“At a time when the global travel market is seeing unprecedented growth, we unveiled new sales, marketing, technology and training initiatives to help our Expedia Cruises network capture that opportunity. From keynotes and one-on-one coaching to tradeshows and a day at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island, our network is leaving more confident, more connected and better equipped to grow their business. We believe travel is a force for good, and ANCHOR doesn’t just celebrate results; it unlocks our next wave of growth.” – Ealeen Wong, Senior Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Sales at Expedia Cruises.

Benefits of Attending ANCHOR

ANCHOR is more than just a conference at sea — it’s an opportunity to learn, connect, celebrate, and grow alongside the Expedia Cruises network. From educational workshops and supplier partnerships to relationship-building and unforgettable experiences, attendees leave inspired with new ideas, stronger connections, and renewed excitement for their business.

Keep Your Finger on the Pulse

At ANCHOR, every detail of the week is thoughtfully designed with our franchisees and Vacation Consultants in mind. Unlike our National Conference, ANCHOR brings together franchisees, managers, and Vacation Consultants for a truly immersive experience at sea. With dedicated workshop tracks tailored to each group, attendees gain practical insights and strategies that help them work on their business while staying ahead of industry trends.

Throughout the week, attendees participate in educational workshops, hear from inspiring keynote speakers, and connect with corporate leaders, supplier partners, and peers from across the network. Between sessions, there’s also time to relax, recharge, and enjoy life at sea. Franchisees and Vacation Consultants return home energized, inspired, and excited about the future of their business and the travel industry.

“ANCHOR 2026 was one of the most informative and inspirational events we have ever had. I came away with more takeaways and goals this time, and I’m excited to implement some of what I learned — specifically with regard to Power BI. I know that my consultants did as well! Thank you for the awesome event!!”– Expedia Cruises Franchisee

Build Meaningful Relationships

One of the greatest benefits of attending ANCHOR is the opportunity to strengthen relationships across the Expedia Cruises network. Attendees have the chance to connect face-to-face with the corporate team members they work with throughout the year, while also building lasting relationships with cruise line executives and industry leaders, fellow franchisees, managers, and Vacation Consultants.

Whether you’re new to the business or a seasoned owner looking for fresh ideas, the support and collaboration within the network is invaluable. From recruiting strategies to marketing ideas and sales techniques, attendees openly share experiences and insights that help one another succeed.

“There’s no way we would be where we are today without our healthy relationships with the Corporate support team and our franchisee peers — ANCHOR is invaluable in helping us build all of these connections at one time!” – Expedia Cruises Franchisee

Experience the Expedia Cruises Culture

At Expedia Cruises, we believe success should be celebrated and that fun should always be part of the journey. That spirit comes to life at ANCHOR through awards celebrations, themed events, cocktail parties, supplier activations, and memorable experiences shared together at sea.

This year’s conference balanced business and fun with engaging training sessions, networking events, and sunny port days in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Attendees also enjoyed themed evenings including Latin Night, Tropical Night, and 70s and 80s celebrations.

More than anything, ANCHOR reflects the culture behind Expedia Cruises’ Stronger.Together® philosophy — bringing people together to learn, celebrate achievements, and grow as a network.

“The slogan of ANCHOR this year was a perfect two-word description of our experience: Stronger Together! Bringing everyone in the industry — consultants, franchisees, corporate leadership, and suppliers — together provides an amazing forum for ideas to flow back and forth across all of our stakeholders. Consultants are learning from suppliers, corporate leaders are getting feedback from franchisees, and everyone is learning about new industry and company developments together while sharing feedback in the same room. These waves of communication and knowledge energize all of us as we return to our respective communities stronger — both in knowledge and from spending time with a thousand people who share common ground and interests!” – Expedia Cruises Vacation Consultant

 

Celebrating our Vacation Consultants

As part of ANCHOR, we were proud to recognize the Vacation Consultants who are at the heart of our franchise locations. While our National Conference celebrates franchisees, ANCHOR gave us the opportunity to celebrate the Consultants whose passion, dedication, and customer service help bring Our Promise to life every day.

Through our Navigators Club Recognition Program, Vacation Consultants are acknowledged for delivering outstanding sales performance and exceptional customer experiences. Consultants earn Navigators Club designations based on their individual booked sales activity from January 1 – December 31.

During the event, we recognized every Navigators Club tier, celebrating each Consultant’s hard work and achievements. We also invited our Diamond Level Vacation Consultants on stage for a special presentation. Diamond Level Consultants each achieved a minimum of $1 million in annual sales — an incredible accomplishment and a milestone worthy of recognition.

Top-performing Vacation Consultants were also recognized with exclusive dinners hosted by Matthew and Ealeen at MSC’s specialty dining restaurants.

Recognizing our Franchisees

Throughout the 7-night conference at sea, we also celebrated several franchisee milestones and achievements. Our corporate team recognized franchisees who expanded their Expedia Cruises footprint by opening new locations, as well as those who successfully acquired existing locations. We also celebrated recipients of the Star Among Your Peers recognition program, which honors newer locations in their first three years of business that achieve above-average performance.

In addition, franchisees were recognized for achieving President’s Circle status at the Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels based on their sales performance. The President’s Circle program is based solely on received revenue, with Diamond representing the highest level of achievement.

Ready to Start Your Franchise Journey with Expedia Cruises?

At Expedia Cruises, our conferences are more than just events — they’re a reflection of the collaboration, innovation, support, and culture that define our franchise network. From industry-leading training and technology to meaningful relationships and unforgettable experiences, franchisees and Vacation Consultants are empowered to grow their business while being part of something bigger.

If you’re looking for a franchise opportunity backed by the power of a globally recognized travel brand, a passionate support network, and a culture built on Stronger.Together®, now is the perfect time to explore franchising with Expedia Cruises. To learn more about the Expedia Cruises franchise opportunity, fill out the form below, email jeff@expediafranchise.com, or call (778) 928-0053.