MSC Cruises revives its KIS strategy for 2015-summer season
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MSC Cruises is reviving its Keep It Simple pricing strategy for the 2015 summer sailing season.
The cruise line will offer two sets of fly-cruise fares – one for its biggest ships operating in the Western Med from Genoa [MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina and MSC Fantasia], and another for its Eastern Med ships sailing from Venice [MSC Magnifica and MSC Musica].
Keep It Simple prices – which go live from 13 March – will be divided into four booking price bands depending on departure month.
Western Med fly cruise sailings: (April, November) start at £569 per person, rising to £599 (May, October); £679 (June, September); and £939 (July, August)
Eastern Med fly cruise sailings: (April, November) start at £839 per person, rising to £889 (May, October); £939 (June, September); and £1,089 (July, August)
Guests can also work out the cruise-only cost – should they wish to purchase their own flights – by simply deducting £150 from the cost of their chosen West Med itinerary or £250 off East Med sailings.
To underline MSC Cruises commitment to the trade, agents will receive full commission on the flight and cruise portions of all fly-cruise bookings.
MSC Cruises executive director UK and Ireland Giles Hawke said: “The strength of the pound means demand for cruise holidays in the Med has never been higher – and with that comes a lot of new-to-cruise customers.
“That’s great for our industry, but the feedback is always that cruise holiday pricing can be a real maze. Our Keep It Simple promotion means people need only decide on date of travel and cabin grade, since the fares will be standardised depending on the region.
“Agents will also notice how we have tweaked our pricing post-wave to make our cruise-only fares even more competitive. The UK office has ambitious targets and that means not excluding customers who want to make their own way to the Med.
“We are the Med’s biggest cruise operator and it is only right that Brits have as much opportunity as possible to experience why. This also makes it much easier for customers from all over the UK to book with us as they can ask their agent to add in a flight from a local airport if Gatwick isn’t convenient.”
MSC Poesia and MSC Lirica sailings from Venice are available on a cruise-only basis, with the same East Med pricing.
MSC Armonia – which has recently undergone a £40 million lengthening and refurbishment – will have a standalone fare structure for it summer 2015 sailings from La Spezia.
All guests will automatically qualify for a ‘Fantastica’ upgrade, offering them an enhanced onboard experience. Benefits include 24hr room service and the option of breakfast in their cabin.
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