Vikki Coffey, based in Hull, is working with theatrical impresario Steve Steinman, producer and performer of hit shows Anything for Love and Vampires Rock.
Steinman “gambled it all” on his latest venture, a four-night charter of MSC Virtuosa, after he was approached by Coffey.
Coffey told TTG she had taken her partner to the show shortly after Meat Loaf had died in January 2022.
“The lady next to me said she had been five times that year, we were only in February. When Steve appeared, I understood why people see him so many times over. I had worked on cruise ships and thought this would do brilliantly on one.”
Coffey, who joined NJT in February that year, later got in touch with Steinman via Facebook. “I asked him if he would be interested in doing this on a cruise ship. My phone pinged late at night and he replied “No, what have you got in mind? We started the ball rolling in October.”
With backing from NJT, negotiations began. Neal Hussey, NJT’s cruise division senior business development manager, said: "The MSC team immediately recognised the potential of this initiative and has been brilliant to work with.
“MSC was impressed with Vikki’s passion for the cruise offer, and then further impressed by how quickly she has sold a staggering amount of cabins.”
Three hundred cabins sold out within two weeks of going on sale. Currently, more than 900 have been sold for the 24 September Rocking the Boat cruise from Southampton.
Coffey said she was in negotiations for more cabins. “It’s been so successful other cruise lines are coming to me. We are planning a second cruise,” she said.
For Coffey and MSC, there are other benefits to her entrepreneurship. “I know 80% of clients have never cruised before. They’re only cruising because Steve is doing the show, so they’re a big investment for the cruise line itself.
“I feel the majority will cruise again, so I’ll get the rebookings.”
Coffey previously worked in pubs, as a petrol station manager and driving instructor and is relishing her latest venture. “My partner has spent 35 years working on oil rigs. Hopefully with this, he can retire in a few years,” she said.
