NEWS SPECIAL REPORT
UK boss Paradiso says Seashore represents a ‘great opportunity’ for agents to boost sales
The UK & Ireland boss of MSC Cruises has plans to host travel agents on board new flagship MSC Seashore next year. As more than 40 agents headed out to
Dubai for the christening of MSC Virtuousa, Antonio Paradiso said trips on Seashore could include opportunities to visit private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. And he said the new vessel presents agents
with a “great opportunity” to boost sales. MSC now has 19 ships and Paradiso said
each new vessel presented “new and exciting” opportunities for agents. “We are currently planning our fam trip
programme for 2022, and are hoping to be able to provide agents with the opportunity to experience MSC Seashore, and of course our private island paradise Ocean Cay,” he said.
“From new destinations, to new onboard
facilities, there is always so much choice in what to do and where to go.” He pointed to the “huge number” of
direct flights to Miami from the UK and Ireland, and said agents should emphasise the eco-credentials of “one of the most environmentally-conscious ships at sea” for sailings this winter and throughout 2022. Paradiso added: “As always, agents remain
critical to our growth and the success of MSC Cruises in the UK and Irish markets. We have always enjoyed an amazing relationship with the trade, driven by our mutual respect for each other and as such I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued
support throughout the pandemic.” i News You Can Use, page 20
Turtles at Ocean Cay
MSC starts work on marine centre at Ocean Cay island
The MSC Foundation has begun work on a Marine Conservation Centre on Ocean Cay, where passengers will be able to get involved with future projects and learn about MSC’s conservation work, including reversing the decline in coral reefs. A ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of the 64-square-mile centre, which will
include a laboratory and coral nursery, was held as MSC Seashore was named. Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises executive chairman,
said the development was another milestone on the private island – leased from the Bahamian government – that was formerly a sand mine strewn with 7,500 tonnes of scrap metal. He explained: “We did not want to
offer a theme park as we have that on the ship. We wanted to offer customers a natural experience.”
‘Reimagined’ ship honours New York and more
Two-thirds of public spaces have been ‘reimagined’ on MSC Seashore compared with its sister ships MSC Seaside andMSC Seaview. The new flagship combines MSC’s long-standing trademarks, such as glittering crystal-studded
staircases, with new features such as a four-deck LED wall in the atrium displaying changing views of New York City’s skyline. In another tribute to New York, the ship includes a giant model of the Statue of Liberty, an Uptown Lounge and three dining rooms named after New York districts. The ship also
features French-themed lounge Le Cabaret Rouge, while new bars include the bottle-lined Wine Cellar. MSC Seashore is designed to sail in warm waters, with a wide promenade deck with al fresco seating outside the Butcher’s Cut restaurant, and hot tubs and an infinity pool overlooking the back of the ship.
travelweekly.co.uk
MSC SEASHORE IN NUMBERS
131 suites 24-hour butler service 4-deck MSC Yacht Club 15 types of cabins 6 swimming pools 7,567sq ft children’s area 5 speciality restaurants
25 NOVEMBER 2021 11
PICTURES: Ivan Sarfatti; Michel Verdure; Conrad Schutt; Autumn Blum
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