Enlarged Magnifica will homeport in Southampton


Harry Kemble


MSC Cruises has finally confirmed plans to lengthen Magnifica by 23 metres in preparation for the line’s largest-ever ex-UK season. Te Musica-class vessel will go into


dry dock for four weeks in April 2020, and will emerge with 215 additional cabins, a water park, two restaurants and a promenade shopping area. Aſter its revamp, Magnifica will be


able to carry about 4,000 passengers and will offer 24 itineraries from Southampton in summer 2021, with a relaunch party planned at the port. Antonio Paradiso, MSC’s


managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: “Magnifica has always been well received by UK customers. It is a unique ship. It is popular with families in the UK because of the high ratio of multiple-bed cabins.” Plans to enhance a ship for the


UK market have been mooted for nearly a year. Te ship’s 23-metre extension will


create an additional 7,000sq metres in which a redesigned kids’ area and expanded sun deck will also be fited. Ninety-two of the 215 new cabins will be balcony cabins, which Paradiso said are “popular with the UK market”. Magnifica operated 18 departures


Magnifica has always


been well received by UK customers. It is a unique ship


from the UK in 2018. Last year, both Southampton and Hamburg were used as embarkation ports. In 2021, Magnifica will homeport


in Southampton for the entire season, from May to October. Four other MSC ships will


call into the UK in 2021, which will be MSC’s biggest ex-UK


Samantha Stimpson quits Cook


to join STA Travel in November Samantha Stimpson (below) is to join STA Travel Group as group sales and distribution director in November. Stimpson, currently Thomas Cook head of retail, will manage the agency’s country managers. Thomas Cook’s former head of retail west, Torey Kings-Hodkin, is to become head of retail south from November 1.


6 12 SEPTEMBER 2019 MSC Magnifica


season in terms of capacity. Eighteen of the 24 itineraries are


new for the line and a majority of the sailings depart on a Saturday. Cruises range from two to 14


nights and include calls in the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, northern Europe and some Baltic capitals. Magnifica replaces 4,345-berth


MSC Preziosa, which is operating nine sailings out of Southampton this year. Agents can learn about Magnifica’s


revamp through training modules on e-learning platform MSC Masters,


Paradiso added. › Cruise News You Can Use, page 24


Classic Collection hires Oliver


Garner as new chief executive Classic Collection has hired Oliver Garner (below), formerly of On the Beach, as chief executive. He replaces managing director Nick Munday, who becomes an independent director. Michelle Baillie, previously at Thomas Cook, joins as director of agency sales.


BA check-in on Monday


BA ‘ready to talk’ after two days of strikes cost £80m


British Airways said it was willing to talk with pilots aſter having “no option” but to cancel 1,700 flights due to an unprecedented walkout. About 200,000 passengers were


affected by the 48-hour action on Monday and Tuesday, with a further walkout planned for September 27. BA offered full refunds or the


option to rebook on another date or with another airline. Te action is reported to have


cost BA up to £40 million each day, with about 4,000 pilots striking in a dispute over pay and conditions. Te British Airline Pilots’


Association (Balpa) claimed its demands amount to £5 million more than BA’s 11.5% pay increase offer. No further talks were planned


as Travel Weekly went to press, but BA chief executive Alex Cruz said there were “lots of opportunities” to continue discussions. He said an agreement reached


two weeks ago at Acas had yet to be passed on to union representatives. BA said: “We remain ready and willing to return to talks with Balpa.”


Attraction World appoints Olly


Nicholls as commercial chief Olly Nicholls (pictured) has been appointed chief commercial officer of Attraction World. He previously worked for City Sightseeing Worldwide as distribution and commercial partnerships director. Nicholls, who has 17 years’ industry experience, joined the theme park and ticket specialist on September 2.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock

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