MSC Cruises UK boss Giles Hawke believes the line’s announcement of an order for two new ships can only be good for the market.
Hawke said the move was based on “projected worldwide demand” and that the reactions to the order from other cruise lines had proved “very interesting”.
His comments come after Carnival Corporation boss Arnold Donald said the additional capacity could present challenges for the sector as a whole.
Donald said there was a risk that “psychological pricing” could be introduced by MSC to fill extra capacity while other lines work to improve financial performance.
Hawke said: “MSC Cruises has put in two big ship orders this year for four new ships over the next five years.
“This is measured growth for our business and based on projected worldwide demand and the work we are doing in all of our markets to focus on our brand and differentiation.
“It may not suit some other cruise lines to have more strong competition but this can only be good for travel agents and customers to have more options and more choice.
“There is a massive untapped market for “soon to be” cruisers out there and millions of those people will be travelling with MSC Cruises in the future. It’s very interesting to see the reactions of companies when faced with new and exciting competition.”