MSC bosses with agents
AGENTS’ VIEW OF MSC SEASIDE
Simone Clark, Iglu “MSC Seaside is designed for warmer weather as it
has so many outdoor areas. It has incredible kids’ facilities – a vast Lego room, theatre, climbing frames – there is so much for them to do. The Yacht Club is all together on this ship, which is a real plus. On earlier ships you had to go somewhere separate for dinner.”
its UK market share
confidence to sell and generate repeat bookings. UK & Ireland managing director
Antonio Paradiso pledged to invite more agents on board MSC ships in 2018 to give them better knowledge of the product. “In 2017 alone we had 1,100 agents visiting MSC ships, 300
of which were on our new ship Meraviglia. “Next year, Magnifica will
make 23 turnaround calls in Southampton and we’ll have another 25 calls in British and Irish ports from other ships – that’s 48 calls in total and we’ll invite 200 agents on board for lunch and a tour at each.” In total, four classes of MSC
ships will call in the UK next year.
Onorato said Preziosa, like Magnifica for 2018, would have tweaks made to the entertainment and food to optimise its appeal to the UK market. The ship has an indoor as well as
outdoor pool, making it “perfect” for ex-Southampton sailings. Onorato added that MSC would
also make it easier for British and Irish guests to get to its fly-cruises.
“We need to have more and
“We need to have more programmes that appeal to UK and Irish guests”
more programmes that appeal to UK and Irish guests, so that means more itineraries to the Caribbean and Med in particular – and more regional flights from the UK and charters to get them there.”
‘Yacht Club is biggest opportunity for Brits’
The Yacht Club is the biggest single opportunity for the UK market, according to MSC sales director Steve Williams. The exclusive area on MSC ships has 24-hour butler service, private concierge, luxurious suites and all-inclusive food and drinks. Williams said: “Brits love
exclusivity and are comfortable with the butler service. They will love the fact they can be totally self-contained, yet still venture out and enjoy the rest of the ship. But British customers just don’t know about it.” MSC chief executive Gianni
Onorato earlier revealed that the Yacht Club on the two new
Seaside Evo ships, announced last week, would be even bigger. “On Seaside we have 78 Yacht Club cabins, and on the new Seaside ships, there will be 100.” Williams pointed out there were inside cabins among those, which were less expensive. He said: “It means customers can have a premium Yacht Club experience at an affordable price.”
Si Morris-Green, The Travel Network Group “This ship is modern and contemporary
– it reminds me of an upmarket hotel. It has exceeded what I thought the MSC brand was about. The food was exceptional and it ticks all the boxes for the family market. I would bring my kids on here.”
Alison Earnshaw, Cruise118 “MSC Seaside has possibly the largest spa and
gym I’ve ever seen at sea – and I’ve never seen a make-up room before. The outdoor space is impressive – way more than you normally see.”
Tracy Clenshaw, Cruise 1st “I’m surprised this is an MSC ship. They have really
upped their game – from the family facilities to the speciality restaurants, which are like dining in a top London restaurant. I would come on my own holiday on this ship.”
7 December 2017
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PICTURE: STEVE WARD
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