MSC Cruises to invite 200 UK and Ireland trade partners on newest ship

MSC Cruises has committed to hosting 200 agents from the UK and Ireland on board its newest World Class ship at the end of the year.

The line’s third World Class vessel, MSC World Asia, is set to debut in December.

Speaking to Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley at the fourth annual MSC Cup at Stamford Bridge, vice-president of international sales Antonio Paradiso said he wanted the UK and Ireland travel trade to be “strongly represented” at the launch of the ship.

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“The idea is to run a campaign that will reward performance, but at the same time invite agents who are not familiar with cruises yet,” he said.

“It is an opportunity to showcase our amazing ship.”

Paradiso said the event will take place in western Europe, with more details to be announced closer to the date, and agents will be invited on board for five nights and six days.

“We have the opportunity to do some nice initiatives on board to make sure they [agents] discover everything,” he said.

Paradiso added he would also arrange the UK market’s ‘All Stars of the Sea’ event to reward the top-performing partners on board MSC World Asia.