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MSC Cruises has extended partnerships with two European airlines for an expanded Fly & Cruise holiday programme.  The cruise line will continue to partner with Jet2 and Vueling for its Fly & Cruise holidays, offering a more streamlined journey from airport to ship. Guest can fly from Manchester to Rome or Barcelona, Glasgow to Rome, Edinburgh to Naples and Rome, Belfast to Palma and Bristol to Palma. MSC Cruises’ Mediterranean fly & cruise itineraries throughout 2025 include visits to Santorini, Cannes, and Naples. Itineraries include a seven-night sailing visiting Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille on MSC World Europa. Antonio Paradiso, Vice President of International Sales said: "We are offering increased flight seats from more airports than ever before. This is an area we are continuing to grow through the strong relationships our airline partners.” 

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MSC Cruises’ Future Cruise onboard booking programme produce achieved record-breaking sales last month. It saw a huge sales increase of 160% during May 2024. UK and Irish guests took advantage of the programme to secure their next cruise holidays. The MSC Future Cruise Programme allows guests to book their next cruise onboard with benefits such as a reduced deposit, onboard credit and double MSC Voyagers Club points. Guests booking onboard also have up to a year to decide on the cruise destination and travel dates. Travel agents also benefit with commissions from any subsequent onboard bookings during the original cruise the agent booked. Steve Williams, Director of Sales at MSC Cruises said: "With the Future Cruise Programme, the next cruise holiday starts before the current one ends.” “I'm delighted to see our guests enjoying their holiday so much that they choose to book with us again while still onboard.” Williams said Yacht Club bookings were especially popular in May, and customers were choosing longer cruises. 

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Exclusive limited time offer for UK and Irish customers

  MSC Cruises has announced that it is offering a promotion on its Winter sailings with a price reduction of the premium drinks package of up to £130 / €130 along with cabin upgrades on selected sailings. Customers can take advantage of this exclusive offer by booking in-between 20^th June and 30^th September 2024.   Guests can choose to cruise around Northern Europe on board the stylish MSC Preziosa from Southampton this Winter. With her spectacular features such as a real stone piazza, sweeping Swarovski crystal staircases and a magical ‘infinity’ pool, guests can relax in the spa, let their hair down at the themed parties, or treat themselves to something delicious in one of the amazing restaurants. Prices with this exclusive offer start at £729 for a 7-night cruise with the premium drinks package included.   A huge variety of other cruises are also included in the offer and guests looking to holiday further afield while enjoying some winter sun or culture, can book cruises around the Mediterranean, or the Caribbean. Exclusively available for UK and Irish customers, this limited-time offer allows customers to enhance their experience by securing a premium drinks package or a balcony cabin at lower rates and making savings on their next holiday with MSC Cruises.   Commenting on the exclusive Winter promotion, Antonio Paradiso, Vice President of International Sales for MSC Group’s Cruise Division and Managing Director for the UK & Ireland said, "We’re excited to launch this amazing limited-time promotion catering exclusively to our valued UK and Irish customers. This special offer presents irresistible discounts on Winter 2024/25 sailings, providing customers a huge choice of destinations.”   MSC Cruises offers an unforgettable onboard experience with an incredible choice of international dining options, world-class entertainment, award-winning facilities and activities for families and children of all ages, luxurious spas and fitness centres as well as comfortable, stylish accommodation to meet every need.  

Football fans won’t miss the action this summer on a MSC cruise holiday. All MSC ships in Europe will screen Euro 2024 matches lives onboard. Matches will be broadcast live on all of MSC Cruises' ships sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe between 14 June and 14 July. Cruise guests will be able to watch the games in selected bars and lounges onboard, with some ships offering pool-deck screenings. Additionally, some ships, including MSC Virtuosa, will also have a programme of Euro 2024-themed activities such as table football games, penalty shoot-out challenges, trivia competitions, and create-your-own-team-shirt events with prizes up for grabs. Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales, MSC Cruises UK and Ireland said: "We know how popular football is to our British customers. That's why we will be screening the Euros on board our UK based ship, MSC Virtuosa, as well as the rest of the MSC Cruises fleet." England's first game at Euro 2024 in Germany kicks off on 16 June, while Scotland's first game is on 14 June. 

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Emirates and MSC Cruises have renewed their fly-cruise partnership for another two seasons.   Revealed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, the partnership builds on an existing 10-year relationship. The collaboration enables guests to book a Fly & Cruise holiday package with MSC Cruises, which includes Emirates return flights from 21 airports across Europe and South America. Benefits include being met at arrivals with a dedicated bus transfer to the ship. On return, guests can drop their bags in the cruise terminal, and collect them directly once they arrive at their destination. MSC Fly & Cruise packages with flights are available from Italy (Milan, Rome), Germany (Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Dusseldorf), United Kingdom (London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle) and more. Dedicated Emirates check-in counters at Port Rashid allow passengers who are disembarking from their cruise to check in their luggage and get their flight boarding passes up to four hours before flight departure. American cruise guests will also soon be able to book their Emirates flight through MSC Cruises from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando and Washington DC. Nabil Sultan, Emirates' EVP for Passenger Sales said: "We're eager to continue our partnership with MSC Cruises who have been an integral part of Dubai's growing cruise tourism industry.” “Our partnership with MSC Cruises is also one of the ways we're working to strengthen Dubai's position as the world's preferred winter cruising destination." The partnership between Emirates and MSC Cruises will continue to focus on joint promotional strategies such as Fly & Cruise, and marketing campaigns in key markets to boost Dubai's status as a cruise destination. MSC Euribia will sail from Dubai for the winter 2024/2025 season offering seven-night itineraries to Doha, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and more. 

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MSC Cruises unveiled its new summer 2024 'Stay & Cruise' programme This enables guests to extend their seven-night cruise into a nine or ten-night holiday on land and sea. The programme includes a new cruise add-on package to extend their holiday before or after their seven-night sailing. The cruise add-on comprises an additional two-night stay with breakfast included at a four-star hotel in Athens, Venice and Rome. There is also a three-star hotel in Miami option as well as two or three nights at a four-star hotel in New York. Included in the package is a half-day city excursion. The 'Stay & Cruise' offer features private ground transfers from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the ship or vice versa. Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales for MSC said: "We know guests enjoy the flexibility of tailoring their perfect holidays as well as exploring new destinations.” The 'Stay & Cruise' offer is available on various MSC Cruises summer 2024 sailings in the Mediterranean and Caribbean and currently available to book through MSC Cruises Contact Centre or travel agents. For guests looking for an extended Western or Eastern Mediterranean cruise holiday from Rome, the offer is linked on MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview from Civitavecchia before or after their cruise. For Eastern Mediterranean cruises, the add-on package for Venice is available pre-or post-cruise with MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Sinfonia from Marghera-Venice. Additionally, guests sailing on MSC Opera, departing from the port of Piraeus, can opt to extend their holiday in Athens before their cruise. The offer can be booked with Caribbean itineraries on MSC Seascape departing from Miami for an additional two-day stay in Miami before the cruise or on MSC Meraviglia departing from New York. Air travel can also be booked through MSC Cruises and added to the 'Stay & Cruise' packages. The option for an add-on package for Istanbul will soon be available this month for MSC Cruises winter 2024/2025 'Stay & Cruise' programme. The MSC Cruises 'Stay & Cruise' packages have been put together in partnership with its 100% owned Italian tour operator, Going. 

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MSC Cruises marked two key milestones with shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique for two of its upcoming World-Class ships. Work has officially commenced on its third ship, to be called MSC World Asia. This ship is due to be delivered in 2026, following the ship steel cutting ceremony. The name follows the format of the World Class ships that pay homage to the different continents, following MSC World Europa and America. Sister ship MSC World America completed another important milestone with the float out this week at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The flagship enters her final phase of construction ready to be officially named on April 9, 2025 at MSC Cruises' new terminal in PortMiami. It will end with a celebratory sailing to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises said: "MSC World America is another example of the incredible professional partnership between us and the Chantiers de l'Atlantique.” “We are pleased to confirm that MSC World Asia will offer even more advanced new features in terms of future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies." MSC World America launches in a year, showcasing a host of new features specially designed for all segments of the North American cruise market. This includes the first ever swing ride at sea, called ‘Cliffhanger.’ World Class ships comprise 22 decks, with more than 2,600 cabins and suites, and offer more than 40,000 sqm of public space. MSC World Asia will become the fourth LNG powered ship to join the MSC Cruises fleet. MSC World America and MSC World Asia, following all new MSC Cruises ships, will be fitted with shore power connectivity as standard. 

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  Graham McKenzie engages in a lively discussion with Steve Williams, representing MSC, about the highly anticipated launch of their 2026 Southampton cruises. Williams reveals the strategic decision to launch earlier than usual, driven by feedback from trade partners and the desire to offer diverse itineraries. From short party cruises to scenic routes including Cove, Ireland, and the Icelandic fjords, MSC aims to cater to varied preferences. The interview highlights the overwhelming interest in the new itineraries, underscored by strong initial bookings, while also shedding light on MSC's loyalty program, offering enticing benefits to prospective cruisers.  

MSC Cruises UK and Ireland is opening sales for ex UK 2026 itineraries this week, earlier than ever before. From 14 March, customers can book ex UK 2026 itineraries from Southampton on MSC Virtuosa. Summer 2026 itineraries range from short two to 14 night cruise holidays offering a wide range of destinations. They include the Nordic Fjords, the sunny Canary Islands and the Mediterranean. The 2026 itineraries include a seven or 14-night cruise to Iceland and Norway, including an overnight stay in Reykjavík and brand-new destinations Akureyri and Isafjordur. Guests can also choose a nine-night Mediterranean cruise calling at Lisbon, Gibraltar, Malaga and Cadiz on 20 August or a two-three-night mini cruise from Southampton to Cherbourg, Bruges or Cobh, Ireland. Antonio Paradiso, MD for the UK & Ireland said: "I'm really excited about our summer 2026 itineraries as we really do have something for everyone.” “The itineraries are extremely varied and we are visiting destinations all over Europe, some for the very first time.” "I am pleased that we are offering our customers the opportunity to start booking their cruise holidays over two years in advance. For the first time ever MSC Cruises will have three summer seasons open at the same time.   

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MSC Cruises will base a ship in the Canary Islands for the 2024-25 winter season and sales are now open.   MSC Opera will operate seven-night itineraries between 3 November 2024 and 16 March 2025. The ship will sail from Santa Cruz in Tenerife for Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Funchal in Madeira, Santa Cruz de la Palma in La Palma and Arrecife in Lanzarote. The new itinerary also offers flexible embarkation options, including Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sundays, Las Palmas on Mondays, Madeira for Funchal on Thursdays or Fridays and Arrecife on Saturdays. With extended stays in ports, the itinerary gives ship guests up to 16 hours in port. Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales for MSC Group's Cruise Division said: "We know this sailing will be popular amongst European guests, especially those from the UK and Ireland." The new Canary Island cruise itinerary is easily accessible with regular international flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Madeira and Lanzorote. It replaces MSC Opera's previously scheduled Red Sea winter 2024-25 programme, which is cancelled in light of the current risk to shipping in this region. 

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MSC Cruises has rolled out a new flexible ‘book now, choose later’ policy. The 'Open Booking' program allows guests enjoying a cruise to book a future voyage without committing to a specific ship, sailing date or itinerary. It is part of the line’s 'Future Cruise' policy launched last year. With open booking, guests pay a deposit while on board and are given a certificate. This certificate is good for one year, allowing the guest time to select their preferred sailing date and ship. There are also incentives to confirming a booking early. Guests will also receive up to $200/£200 of onboard credit per cabin if they select their voyage within 60 days of making the onboard booking. Those who book after 60 days will receive up to $100//£100 in onboard credit. The certificate can be gifted to friends or family. Travel agents who made the original cruise reservation will also receive full commission when the ‘open booking’ is confirmed with a ship and sailing date. Steve Williams, Director of Sales at MSC Cruises UK & Ireland, said, "We want to offer our guests more flexibility in choosing their next ship and sailing date." MSC Cruises' updated 'Future Cruise' program launched six months ago, and rewards travel agents. This enables the original booking agent to receive full commission for any new booking made on board. 

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• Limited number of flights from £99/ Є99 per person from Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin to the Mediterranean
• Flash sale starts on Friday, 16 February and also includes flights from £499 per person to the Caribbean for winter 24/25
• Sail onboard some of MSC Cruises ships including MSC World Europa, MSC Seaview and MSC Virtuosa this summer

  Tomorrow, MSC Cruises is set to launch its February flash sale, offering flight seats from as little as £99/€99 per person to the Mediterranean this summer. With a limited number of seats from Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin, travellers should act quickly to be able to enjoy a summer sailing around destinations including Venice, Rome and Barcelona. Those looking to travel west this winter can find flight seats to the Caribbean starting from £499 per person (exclusive to UK customers only).   Customers can take advantage of this offer and fly directly to the departure port of their MSC Cruises sailing from airports in Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin. They can then enjoy the sights of the Mediterranean across a number of ships in the fleet, including MSC World Europa and MSC Seaview, among others.   Experience a 7-night sailing onboard MSC World Europa, departing from Barcelona on 26^th April 2024 for £899pp for an interior cabin and flights, visiting Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Valletta.   Experience a 7-night sailing onboard MSC Seaview, departing from Barcelona on 22^nd June 2024 for £978pp for an interior cabin and flights, visiting Cannes, Genoa, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, and Palma de Mallorca.   The offer also includes flight seats from £499 per person to the Caribbean for those wishing to explore the picturesque islands during winter 2024/2025. Fly from Heathrow directly to Barbados and depart on a sailing onboard MSC Virtuosa around the Caribbean.   A sailing included in the offer is a 14 night sailing on board MSC Virtuosa, departing from Barbados on 26^th November 2024 for £1,808pp for an interior cabin and flights, porting at St Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Martinique,  Guadeloupe, St Maarten, Tortola, St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda.   Commenting on the offer, Steve Williams, Director of Sales for MSC Cruises UK and Ireland said “We want to make it easy for our customers to enjoy some of the best destinations around the globe on our outstanding ships, which is why we are proud to offer flights from £99  per person, from Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin as part of our popular fly and cruise packages. Guests should act fast, because once the seats are gone, they are gone!”