MSC Cruises Launches New EZ Groups Program

msc meravigliaMSC Cruises has announced the launch of its new EZ Groups program for travel agents. 

Part of the “MSC Serving You” trade initiative, the new program allows agents to earn up to eight amenity points that they can spend on a list of amenities to add extra perks to their group for their clients or themselves. Amenity points are determined by sailing date, itinerary and season and are listed on the group rate sheets.

The program is applicable to all destinations in the Caribbean and Europe, including the promotional and affinity group pricing structure, amenity points and amenity menu. The program also offers group rates that are discounted from the prevailing FIT rates, as well as an enhanced menu of amenities that includes reduced tour conductor requirements, stateroom gifts, shipboard credit, stateroom discounts, bonus commission, cocktail parties and more. 

Additionally, on groups of 16 staterooms or less, the line will waive the initial good faith deposit. MSC is also offering 10 percent commission on pre-paid shore excursions and beverage packages, an offer exclusively available to group bookings, as well as the ability to transfer FIT bookings into an existing group at the contracted group rates while the group rate is available. If the group rate is no longer available, FIT bookings may be transferred while maintaining the higher FIT rate. In all cases, group amenities will be applied.

If the standing group rates are reduced, existing groups will be matched to the new lower group rates. In a similar vein, consumer amenities, such as shipboard credit and stateroom gifts, are protected down to the first booking a travel agent made in their group.

EZ Groups is now available and applies to all new groups on Caribbean and European sailings starting from sailings beginning April 2017, including the company’s two new builds debuting next year, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside. Group space can be requested via the line’s new MSC Book travel agent booking engine. 

Further information, including group rates and amenity points, are now available for download online at www.msccruisesagent.com/groups