MSC Cruises says there is still opportunity for UK travel agents to earn a place at MSC Bellissima’s christening by completing its new training programme.
UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso urged agents to complete 11 modules of the line’s MSC Masters online training platform to see the ship, which he said will be the largest ever to be named in Southampton.
MSC announced in August that 2,000 spaces were up for grabs at the March 3 christening when it launched MSC Masters to the trade.
Paradiso said more than 1,000 agents have so far completed the course – and MSC is targeting 5,000 in the first 12 months.
“There’s still space,” Paradiso told Travel Weekly following MSC’s announcement of four new luxury ships.
“We already have 3,500 UK agents that will attend Bellissima in Southampton. Some will come and experience the ship for a day and others will spend a night on board. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our product – the largest ship to be named in Southampton.”
MSC Masters includes modules on the line’s digital onboard system MSC for Me; routes and destinations; the line’s food and beverage offering; and MSC Voyagers Club.
Participating agents will take one exam after completing the 11 modules and, if successful, become an MSC Beginner.
A second training section called MSC Advanced will become available later this year. Agents will become a MSC Specialist once they complete the Advanced section of the programme and then MSC Master after finishing the final stage.
Competitions, incentives and virtual tours of all existing ships within in the MSC Cruises’ fleet are available.