MSC Cruises has added four departures to MSC Virtuosa’s UK season and revealed it will be launching a TV ad campaign next month.
The four extra cruises include a Mediterranean sailing; an itinerary visiting Portugal and Spain; a Canary Islands cruise and a repositioning voyage to Genoa. MSC Virtuosa’s UK season now ends on November 4.
The 6,300-passenger ship starts operating ex-UK voyages on April 29 and will offer itineraries ranging from two-night mini cruises to 14-night Western Mediterranean sailings.
MSC Cruises’ UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said the UK season had been extended to “cater to the demand” from agents and customers.
“We’ve been so impressed with the booking trends we’ve been seen in the past few weeks, due to popular demand we have decided to extend the season,” he said.
“Sailings from Southampton have been our best-sold cruises in 2022. Feedback from agents and customers surrounding the wide-ranging itineraries has been great with people praising the variety of sailings offered as well as the timings.”
He added that bookings for ex-UK sailings were currently “more popular” than fly-cruises to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
“I think [the UK] is in a better shape compared to other countries,” Paradiso explained. “I am pretty sure that fly-cruise to the Med will pick up soon but right now I am seeing more and more customers willing to board from UK shores.”
He pointed out that MSC and other lines were “engaging” with countries included within the itineraries about entry requirements to make things easier for passengers.
“There are so many things that you need check before you even leave the country,” he said. “Cruise lines are looking after that.”
He predicted that ongoing pandemic would “improve drastically from spring onwards”. “My gut feeling is these brand new itineraries will go ahead,” he added.
To “maximise current consumer interest” MSC is launching a TV ad campaign in March that focuses on the unique experiences that a holiday with MSC Cruises can provide.
The month-long campaign will run across ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, plus video on demand platforms.
Paradiso added: “It’s been a challenging few years for everyone but as an industry we have done everything we can to keep sailing for our customers.
“Through bookings and enquiries our customers are demonstrating that they want to set sail on cruise holidays, so we owe it to them, and all our agent partners to show what cruises are available and generate excitement around holidays for 2022.”
MSC Cruises has also extended its booking incentive which sees the line give away two cruises every day to travel agents.
The Big Cruise Giveaway incentive had been due to end on Monday (January 31) but the line has moved the closing date to February 15.
To enter, agents must book a MSC sailing which departs between January and November this year. Their bookings are automatically entered into the prize draw.
Meanwhile, all 19 ships in the MSC’s fleet will be operating this summer ahead of the launch of MSC Seascape and MSC World Europa.
MSC Seascape will operate in the Caribbean and MSC World Europa will initially be deployed in the Middle East.
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