Speaking to TTG onboard the new ship on its pre-inaugural cruise from Amsterdam to Copenhagen, where it will be named by screen legend Sophia Loren on Thursday (8 June), UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso confirmed the line wanted to mark the achievements of its leading 80 sellers at an event to be staged at an “iconic London landmark”.
Until now, MSC’s top UK partners have been recognised at its annual All Stars of the Sea awards, which covers all international markets and is held on one of its ships, but Paradiso confirmed the line now plans to honour UK agents separately.
“We wanted a dedicated UK awards event, which I want to hold annually," Paradiso confirmed. "We’ve already set the date in November – details will be announced in the coming weeks."
It is the second major trade event MSC hopes to stage this autumn, with the first due in October when Euribia arrives in Southampton for its winter season, taking over from MSC Virtuosa.
However, an overlap means both ships will be based at the port for a month, spurring MSC to look at a celebration that could host up to 2,000 agents.
“My plan is to arrange a special event in Southampton for when MSC Euribia arrives,” he explained. “It will be an opportunity for the trade to come onboard, and the aim is to showcase MSC Euribia.
“If I can have the ship for a couple of days before the winter season, for an overnight stay, then we could look at around 2,000 agents. If I can only have the ship for a day, the number would be around 400.”
Paradiso said he hoped to firm up details within the next few weeks. These events come as MSC reports another record-breaking year with business up nearly 50% on 2022, according to Paradiso.
“Demand has never been so strong," he said. "There’s a real appetite for ex-UK sailings and fly-cruises. he most encouraging thing is that the Mediterranean is picking up.
“We had our best season ever in Dubai last winter, and cruises from Barbados are flying next winter. Prices are also holding up and are currently 20% higher than last winter, while volumes are up 30%.”
Paradiso conceded competitive pricing between lines from Southampton had affected rates in the past couple of months, but stressed cheaper, shorter cruises of around five nights were attracting more new-to-cruise guests.
