MSC Cruises has debuted “Fly and Cruise” packages for the Canadian market this winter season to sailings in the Caribbean.
Beginning 02JAN, 2022, MSC will have an allocation of seats on flights operating Sundays from YYZ, and there will be a dedicated representative from MSC at departure at the airport.
Packages include flights, transfers from the airport to MSC Seaview in St. Maarten, and cruise fare in class of choice, including MSC Yacht Club.
The packages serve two, 7-night itineraries sailing from St. Maarten. The first itinerary departs Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and calls at Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries in St Lucia; Saint George,Grenada; Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis, before returning to St Maarten.
The second itinerary will call again at Bridgetown, Roseau, Dominica; St John’s in Antigua and Barbuda; Road Town in Tortola and then back to St Maarten.
Both cruises are also available with a 14-night “cruise only” option, and for added flexibility, 7- and 14-nights from Bridgetown each Tuesday.
Ian Patterson, Country Manager, MSC Cruises Canada, told Open Jaw that this is “a first for MSC Cruises in North America. Several European markets will also adopt this unique approach for MSC SEAVIEW sailings this winter.”
All components of the packages are commissionable for advisors, with Patterson telling Open Jaw that air is commissionable at 10%, including transfers and air taxes and the cruise portion is commissionable at regular cruise commission with a 3 per cent bonus on the cruise commissions for a limited time.
The company is providing consumer incentives for the package for a limited time, too. MSC Cruises’ beverage and wi-fi packages are available for $120 for the week-long itinerary.
“Packaged vacations have long been the chosen solution for Canadian vacationers,” Patterson told Open Jaw. “Travel advisors can offer the added comfort of a one-stop-shop to their guests, with the confidence that the resources of our Global Air Department are managing all aspects of the experience.”
The packages may also be offered through MSC Cruises’ wholesale partners.
Open Jaw asked Patterson about the reasons behind the new initiative, and whether an end-to-end, single travel supplier experience was designed to boost consumer confidence.
“Consumer confidence in cruise vacations is growing as guests see that the industry leading protocols we have in place have been seen to be successful,” Patterson replied. “This confidence will only grow with MSC Cruises offering the complete package including air and transfers.”
To find out more about MSC Seaview’s itinerary this winter visit here.
MSC Cruises says that, in most ports, guests will be able to go ashore independently, however, for select specific destinations, guests will need to go ashore with an MSC Cruises shore excursion. More specific details will soon be available from the cruise line, and Patterson says final flyers are being released Monday, 22NOV.
To learn more details about MSC Cruises’ health and safety protocol designed to protect guests, crew and the communities its ships visit, click here.
