MSC Armonia arrives in Dover for the summer season
400 agents hosted on board during a memorable pier side overnight event
On 3rd May, MSC Cruises hosted 400 travel agents on board the MSC Armonia during a pier side overnight event when she arrived in Dover for her summer season.
The MSC Armonia will be offering 10 and 11 night alternating cruises to the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords and the North Cape. The first sailing took place on 4th May with 500 British holiday makers on board. The Northern European itinerary on the MSC Armonia sailing from Dover will run until September 2008, and be replaced by the MSC Lirica for summer 2009. All 2009 prices and itineraries are available in the new 2009 Preview which were distributed to agencies last month.
The event gave agents and their partners a chance to personally experience MSC Cruises' warm Mediterranean hospitality.
"We had a wonderful time on board MSC Armonia. She is absolutely beautiful and we look forward to selling more MSC Cruises," says Dani Green, Thomson Holidays, Lymington.
"This educational visit was a great way to see what MSC Cruises have to offer. Although the MSC Armonia is quite large, she had a very intimate feel which I think will appeal to the UK cruising market," says Susan Driver, Personal Travel Advisor, Future Travel, Darenth.
"It was great to have the opportunity to see one of MSC Cruises' ships. The MSC Armonia is elegant and the staff on board are very friendly – I would definitely recommend MSC Cruises to my clients," says Rachel Farmer, Thomas Cook, Basingstoke.
"MSC Cruises is continuing to invest in the UK market, with more departures from the UK in 2008 and 2009 than ever before and a commitment to delivering stylish, new ships that appeal to British holiday makers. This along with the continued expansion of the UK cruise market make it a great time for travel agents to increase their cruise sales. Experiencing the product is essential for agents to fully understand what excellent value it represents. We look forward to welcoming more agents on board all of the MSC fleet for a taste of what their clients can expect on an MSC Cruise," says Claudia Baino, MD, MSC Cruises UK and Ireland.
Giulio Libutti, the new UK MD who will be taking the helm of the company as of 1 August 2008 commented, "This is a very exciting time for both myself and MSC Cruises. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet so many agents on board and experience the product with them. We will be continuing a series of ship visits throughout the summer."
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L to R: Giulio Libutti, MSC Cruises UK / Allison Ward - Thomas Cook, Basingstoke / Rosalind Houldin - Thomas Cook, Basingstoke
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L to R: Giulio Libutti / Peter Pate / Captain Bossi / Claudia Baino
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L to R: Claudia Baino / Lorna Neale, The Norfolk Cruise Club – Winner of the 7 night cruise / Captain Bossi
