Antonio Paradiso stressed the group’s move to consolidate sales and trade operations for MSC Cruises and Explora under the same umbrella in the UK and Ireland would not bring any disruption to relations with trade partners.

“There will be no changes,” he told TTG. “It is more about using the synergies between the two and leveraging the power and strength of MSC’s brand and connections to further facilitate Explora given that it’s a new venture.

“We already have an amazing team and there will be some additions rather than changes with more public relations and marketing roles.”

He confirmed chief sales officer Chris Austin, who has built up Explora’s sales operation since joining from Seabourn, was heading up the US sales operation, while the new UK structure would be replicated across Europe.

“It’s going to be exciting because we already work with so many agents and the relationships are there,” Paradiso added. “We just want to build on that to support Explora, especially in its very first phase.

“Nothing really changes for the trade community. All the contracts, all the commercial terms already in place will be honoured until 2024. There’s nothing to worry about. Let’s look at this news as an opportunity to do even better and make this bond even stronger for the trade community.”

Paradiso also stressed his new responsibilities would not undermine his role at MSC, with the brand well established in the UK.

The change was announced as MSC’s newest ship, MSC Euribia, departed Amsterdam for its naming by screen legend Sophia Loren in Copenhagen on Thursday (8 June).

The Meraviglia-Plus class ship, will spend its maiden summer season in Europe cruising from Copenhagen, before homeporting in Southampton from October.

Euribia is the first MSC ship to have a decorated hull and the second to run on LNG. It features one of the largest waterparks at sea, an expanded kids club and the line’s new Helios wine bar.