MSC chief: 'We've got to match the quality of the flight with the cruise ...

Agents will have a chance to get onboard four different MSC ships this year

Now MSC has a UK-based vessel throughout the year, it is able to offer more ship visit places than ever before.

With a total of 2,000 places available for 2024, Williams tells TTG that by mid-March, around 450 agents have already boarded an MSC ship. The ship visits will take place onboard Euribia, Preziosa, Virtuosa and Poesia in Liverpool, Belfast, Invergordon and Southampton.

Williams reveals there has been a concerted effort to allocate places to agents who are new to the MSC brand, or new to a particular class of ship. “Previously, it was, ‘we’ve got a ship visit, let’s get people onboard’. But now we’re following up with them, monitoring their bookings.”

Williams stresses training is a “key part” of what MSC does. “I’ve been here eight years,” he says. “The perceptions of MSC are so far from where we were. Most agents have now experienced MSC.”

The line plans to “overhaul” the modules on its MSC Masters training platform to ensure cut-through with every agent. “We will work with everybody,” he continues. “We really want people to understand and recommend our product. Every day, we’re signing up more agents.”

With the UK summer cruise season just around the corner, it seems MSC Cruises is being rewarded for its post-pandemic toil.