MSC Cruises Makes Changes to True Partnership Advisor Program

MSC Cruises on Monday announced a number of changes, including expanded FAM opportunities, to its travel advisor programs.

The first is that it is committing to protecting 2019 achieved commission levels in 2021, giving advisors a chance to earn commission on 2021 bookings at the level they started 2020 at.

The second is that MSC’s Get On Board program, which gives advisors a chance to get onboard with discounted rates or with a completely reimbursed sailing (the sailing becomes reimbursed with 10 FIT cruise bookings), will be expanded in 2021.

Get On Board will now allow advisors to sail in a balcony stateroom and with free unlimited rinks and WiFi. Qualified bookings for the program have also been expanded to include all 3-night, 4-night, and 7-night cruises from Miami and Orlando.

Last, MSC is making a change to its group deposit requirements, giving advisors the same requirements across all destinations. The line is also adding WiFi to the list of its group amenity options.

“We are grateful for the continued enthusiasm, trust and support of our dedicated partners, and we’re thrilled to toast the start of 2021 by bringing them more value and opportunity to grow their business with MSC Cruises,” Michelle Lardizabal, MSC USA’s SVP and commercial sales officer said in a statement announcing the news.

“We know our partners have worked incredibly hard over the last year and are motivated to continue pushing forward in 2021. We want them to know that we’re here to offer our support in every way we can. And, as we move further into this new year, we will continue to provide them new opportunities and make doing business with us as seamless as possible.”

MSC is also continuing to offer a number of incentives for clients to book, including an up to 50% discount for all front-line and back-office healthcare professionals through April 30, 2021 and an additional 15% discount, plus $50 onboard credit, for MSC Voyager Club loyalty program members.

MSC, like the rest of the North American cruise market, is still on pause. The line said it will only restart operations in the U.S. “when the time is right, following approval by the CDC and other relevant authorities across the region in observance of their requirements and guidelines.”

All bookings for sailings departing through April 30, 2022 are eligible for MSC’s Total CruiseFlex, which allows changes up to 48 hours prior to departure.