ITTN’s Shane Cullen sat down with Antonio Paradiso to get an insight to how the start of 2025 has gone and what’s in store for the rest of the year, including the exciting addition to the MSC Cruises family, the arrival of the much anticipated MSC World America. Furthermore, find out how agents can get a place on the launch of MSC World America!
Antonio explains that 2025 started really, really well. MSC Cruises has some fantastic offers, especially FLY + CRUISE to the West Mediterranean and East Mediterranean itineraries.
With the upcoming launch of World of America in April, can you tell us about this exciting time for MSC Cruises?
“We’re gearing up for MSC World America, the second world-class ship. Of course, it’s going to be the most sustainable to date because it’s the newest one. MSC Europa has been so successful, honestly, fully booked since day one. It’s the most popular and celebrated ship within our fleet and, of course, we can’t wait now to welcome the new baby in the family, MSC World America.”
“Of course, there’s also a huge milestone for MSC cruises in North America, you know, year after year, we’ve been establishing ourselves and growing our business. Whilst we’re already number one in Europe and we have been for years and years.”
“It’s always exciting when your brand continues to grow and expand, especially overseas. Of course, at the same time it’s not just a celebration of this rather beautiful ship where we will also have a strong delegation of Irish agents joining us for the christenings, as we always do.”
New MSC Cruise Terminal in Miami – One of the Largest in North America
“We like to celebrate in style each and every new arrival but at the same time is also the opportunity to set sell from for the first time from the brand new MSC Cruise Terminal [in Miami], one of the largest in North America. And the third thing to celebrate is the further expansion of our private island, Ocean Cay.”
More Ships in Europe than Any Other Cruise Line & Expanding Elsewhere
“So, basically there’s three key milestones that we’re trying to achieve all at once. It shows also our commitment to provide our guests with more and more exciting destinations. Whilst we all know MSC has more ships than any other cruise line sailing throughout Europe, we’re also now, step by step, covering all the East Coast Mexico. We’ve also announced our very first cruises to Alaska, departing from Seattle.”
MSC Cruises Launched Alaska
In 2024, MSC Cruises launched Alaska itineraries for the first time, with seven-night sailings May-September 2026. MSC Poesia will depart Seattle, U.S., weekly, calling beautiful destinations in Alaska and Canada. The season also features two highly-coveted itineraries transiting Panama Canal between Seattle and Miami.
“In 2026, we will also start our very first cruises from Texas, from Galveston… The numbers are growing rapidly in North America so we are quite excited with the love we’ve been feeling in that part of the world as well.”
MSC World America
In relation to the new ship, is there any kind of tweaks or changes that you’ve made?
“Yes. Mainly, a few amenities will be different, so there’s going to be a few new restaurants on board and also some new frills.”
“I don’t know if you’ve seen it, The Cliffhanger. I’m not sure I’m gonna try that one but we like to do something a little bit different. It’s mainly also, the look and feel because if MSC World Europa was about Europe, of course, MSC World America is about celebrating the Americas. The look and feel is going to be more American, but always keeping that kind of, subtle European Italian flair.”
“There’s many restaurants, there are few minor changes in terms of cabins and probably the best layout we have, the best setup we can possibly have.”
“We’ve learnt a lot from Europa. Europa was a pilot project for us because it was kind of combining two different classes of MSC ships – the Meraviglia Class, all about the indoor and the Seaside Class, all about the outside.”
“So I think you’ve been on board now so I think you understand what I mean? Yeah, it’s like half of the ship is indoor. All the rest is outdoors, it’s like the best of both worlds.”
“And I think that’s going down a treat with our customers. And, of course, it’s not because you need to be a fan of big ships, but big ships give you the opportunity to provide even more amenities, even more entertainment because you’ve got more space available and guests to entertain.”
“It’s also an opportunity for both the Irish and the UK markets and to continue to grow their products when it comes to North America. There’s definitely a very strong trend.”
“It’s another opportunity for us, to continue to grow the Irish market. I think we’ve done particularly well in terms of bringing passengers to Northern Europe – I’m referring to those cruises to the fjords, departing from Copenhagen.”
“I think Ireland has done a fantastic job of promoting west and east Mediterranean itineraries but there’s definitely a big opportunity in that part of the world.”
I believe you’ve got an incentive to get a place onboard MSC World America?
“Yes, there’s an incentive. If you make a booking within a certain deadline, you will be automatically listed and have the opportunity to be part of a raffle. The competition is currently available across both markets, UK and Ireland with up to 10 different winners, so there’s definitely an opportunity there.”
“We have two brand ambassadors who are representing MSC Cruises at events, Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom.”
Check out MSC Cruises’ Big Game Commercial below.
“There’s always been a strong bond with the sporting community. MSC Cruises has a partnership with Chelsea, Napoli, IC Milan and many other football clubs. The cruise company expanded to the Formula One World. With Explorer Journeys, they have partnered with the America’s Cup.”
Antonio explains this is a way to source new opportunities and ultimately doing what he thinks MSC does really, really – well attracting “new to cruise” which has always been their number one mission.
“The early signs are rather encouraging. So we hope and invite every agent now to keep pushing throughout the wave season. And allow me to say, 2024 has been another remarkable year for MSC Cruises. We have consolidated our position as the number one player of this market and ideally we want to do the same in 2025. We always need the support of our lovely travel advisors so please keep having trust in us and keep referring to what I call the Terrible Trio – the Three Magic Ladies – Suzanne, Erica and Alana but thanks to everyone for their support.”
