| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 33 |
| Copyright: Other |
Mediterranean shipping cruises
MSC sees popularity with UK market soar
Report by JANE ARCHER
MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Cruises is expecting to end this year with 8,500 UK passengers after seeing a 40% growth in bookings so far.The Italian cruiseline carried 7,000 UK passengers last year.
Managing director Peter Pate attributed the growth to a 25% early booking discount, which brought in a lot of business before February 28 and MSC’s decision to target selected agents.
“We wanted to give our key agents the tools to help them sell by targeting them with educationals and generally working more closely with them,” said Pate.
He said the growth was also helped by the fact passengers like the Italian feel on board and that the ships are small, with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
Pate said strong sales this year mean all three MSC ships – Monterey, Melody and Rhapsody – are almost sold out through the summer and early autumn. “We are in a very happy position, but it does mean we are desperate for another ship,” he said.
UK bookings make up 15% of MSC’s total market, behind the Italians at 40% and the Germans at 30%.
MSC will be operating a new 22-night cruise from Cape Town to Genoa when Monterey repositions back to the Mediterranean next April.
In winter the ship operates cruises from Durban and usually repositions with sailings along the east coast of Africa only. However, this year the ship sails south in November and returns along the west coast.
Busy time: Rhapsody’s summer and early autumn itineraries have proved to be very popular