MSC Cruises’ UK boss believes the pandemic has created an opportunity to entice new-to-cruise passengers on board the industry’s ships in 2021.
This summer 21 ships – including new vessel MSC Virtuosa – across 16 lines are scheduled to operate sailings around the UK.
Speaking on MSC’s latest flagship (pictured) on Thursday (May 20), the line’s UK & Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso outlined his plans to seize the chance to welcome people who had never thought about a cruise holiday before.
According to Paradiso nearly 55% of the passengers on the Meraviglia-plus ship’s maiden voyage along the south coast this weekend are new to cruise.
The percentage is the highest Paradiso has seen on an MSC Cruises vessel for a sailing in the last five years.
He said: “What has been surprising and encouraging is we have seen so many new-to-cruise people who saw an amazing opportunity to come on board our latest flagship.
“We’ve had the opportunity to engage with completely different customers and audience. In fairness, the whole situation has brought those customers to us.
“People were thinking ‘what are the options available to us?’ You can go to Cornwall or the Lakes, but you know what – what about cruise ships?”
He added: “I think cruise ships are one of the best alternatives for all those customers that are looking for a short stay away.”
Virtuosa’s first five reduced-capacity sailings out of the UK have sold out within five weeks after going on sale.
Offers put out by MSC and other cruise lines have given Paradiso hope that the booking trend can continue throughout the summer.
Paradiso said a mix of product position, new marketing channels and the line’s UK partnerships, including with Chelsea Football Club, had helped boost new-to-cruise sales for MSC.
Between 10% and 15% of passengers have used Future Cruise Credit from sailings cancelled by the line to book one of Virtuosa’s opening five ex-UK voyages.
Explaining the decision to bring Virtuosa to the UK, rather than Germany where it was originally supposed to be deployed, he said: “We realised straight away that the UK was in much better shape than some other European markets. We saw that the UK was one of the first countries off the blocks.”
Maritime minister Robert Courts tweeted it was “brilliant to see the restart of domestic cruises in England” as Virtuosa left Southampton.
His tweet added: “The sector supports 80k+ jobs & contributes billions to the economy, so it’s great to see the first steps taken toward a safe and secure reopening.”
What are your first impressions of MSC Virtuosa and its maiden voyage?
Phil Evans, from Cruise Nation.
“We are massive supporters of MSC Cruises. The whole of the travel industry is looking at MSC right now. It is not just about the cruise ship but holidays generally coming back into the market. MSC has done an amazing job with MSC Virtuosa’s maiden voyage. They have got a unique opportunity to get passengers on board. It is a great product and the lead-in price for this cruise was £499. After today, [demand] will go through the roof.”
Ryan Cunningham, from Cruise 118
“I am very impressed with ship. It’s very modern and contemporary. There was that wow factor when you are walking on deck six and there was that Union Jack flag on the LED dome and then last night it changed design. I thought that was amazing. It does tick quite a few boxes – definitely new-to-cruise passengers and families. I was very impressed with the kids’ club. There were more activities available than on some other lines’ ships. It’s very family orientated like the business itself.”
Carl Newbigging, from Cruise.co.uk
“The ship has been fantastic so far. I think it caters for everyone. I have a daughter myself and I would say it works for families. With all the bars and restaurant areas, it appeals to new to cruise [passengers] and couples. You don’t have to worry about green, amber or red list [on MSC Virtuosa]. There is not much you have to worry about because there is no quarantine or test to release afterwards. You would spend more going to London or Center Parcs.”
More: Cruise restart report: Smooth check-in, but check your travel insurance