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MSC to base Magnifica in UK in summer 2018


Natasha Salmon


natasha.salmon@ travelweekly.co.uk


Agents have welcomed the return of MSC Cruises to the UK with Magnifica set to operate the line’s first full season of ex-UK sailings in 2018.


The 2,500-passenger ship will be based in Southampton from April until November. MSC offered six cruises from Southampton this year, its first since 2014, but has never before operated a full season from the UK.


Simone Clark, managing director


of Iglu Cruise, said MSC would add variety in Southampton. “Magnifica is an absolutely


fabulous ship and as people become familiar with MSC, interest


will be boosted in its new ships, Meraviglia and Seaside,” she said. “It will complement other


products in Southampton, such as P&O, Royal Caribbean and NCL.” Cruise Village managing director Phil Nuttall agreed, urging MSC to stay true to what it’s known for. “It would be a big mistake to try


to anglicise its cruises,” he said. “It has a Mediterranean feel and


MSC Magnifica will sail from Southampton from April until November 2018


should stay that way. Its success will depend on inclusivity and what will be offered to previous customers, such as drinks packages.” MSC UK managing director


Antonio Paradiso announced the


news at an event on board MSC Fantasia in Barcelona on Sunday. “This marks a new dedication


from MSC to the UK market and how we want to be one of the most popular cruise lines in the country,” he said. “We have created


itineraries that make the most of


the British Isles.” Magnifica will operate five new


itineraries from Southampton including a 14-day sailing calling at Le Havre, La Coruna, Leixoes, Lisbon, Malaga, Amsterdam and Hamburg. It will also offer a North Sea sailing to four Norwegian ports plus a round-UK sailing. MSC revealed it would be


operating its first world cruise in 2019 on Magnifica.


5 Royal offers trade 10-day Wi-Fi trial Natasha Salmon


natasha.salmon@ travelweekly.co.uk


Royal Caribbean International’s decision to extend a free Wi-Fi promotion to the trade has been welcomed, but the 10-day limit has been questioned.


From tomorrow (November 18), agents will be able to offer customers free Wi-Fi on selected European and Dubai sailings of six nights or more between January 1 and October 28, 2017. The


promotion ends on November 28. The offer was previously only


available to customers who booked direct for a six-week test period, prompting complaints from agents, although the line said it always planned to roll it out to the trade. Denise Hodgson, a partner at


Travel the World 2 in Cheshire, welcomed the move but said the promotion seemed ‘unbalanced’. “This would have been more


welcome if it had come to agents in the first place. How will they be able to compare? If this is still part of the test, it is unbalanced as it is


6 travelweekly.co.uk 17 November 2016


“If this is still part of the test, it is unbalanced as it is not running for the same time period”


not running for the same period.” Ben Bouldin, Royal sales


director, stood by the promotion, saying: “I said from day one it was a test and we would offer it to the trade. It is for just 10 days, but if successful it will be considered for future campaigns and run for longer. If it works really well it


could become a more mainstream part of our campaigns.” Bouldin added: “Our research


shows connectivity is an absolute priority for holidaymakers. “We have just launched our


November campaign and we thought the free Wi-Fi would be a good overlay before we head into a strong selling period around Thanksgiving and Black Friday.” Royal’s November promotion includes a 25% discount on 2017 European and Dubai sailings, up to $400 onboard spend and low deposits from £25 per person.


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