There is a couple in Wisconsin with a niche business of arranging land excursions for people on cruises. While cruises have offered land excursions for years, the company Shoretrips offers a cheaper, more genuine experience for passengers, apparently. The founders have been in the travel industry for years so they know the ins and outs of the areas they service. Customers mainly come to Shore Trips via travel agents, who are paid commissions for every person they book. Founders Barry and Julie Karp believe they currently have about 1.5% of the cruise ship tour business, so there is much room for expansion. The company is growing by leaps and bounds since they started in 2001. Last year they booked 100,000 passengers, and revenue was $7.5 million. They are currently offering excursions in the Carribean, Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Baltic, among others. Sign me up!
