This October, MSC Cruises will launch a new initiative which aims to recognise and reward UK and Irish travel agents who go ‘above and beyond’ for the cruise line.

Each month, MSC Cruises will pick an ambassador from nominations submitted. These can be sent in as a personal entry, by another employee or manager, or be nominated by their MSC account manager.

Managing director Antonio Paradiso and director of sales Steve Williams will judge the entries and choose the exceptional individual to enter MSC Cruises Ambassador’s Hall of Fame.

The chosen winner may have held an exceptional cruise event, created some exceptional marketing activity, run a highly successful social campaign or simply been an exceptional MSC ambassador, consistently promoting and developing business for the cruise line.

Finally, the winner can be within any sector of the cruise business – sales, marketing, product or finance.

Once the winner is entered into the hall of fame, they will be featured for a 12-month period and there will be a host of prizes, benefits and experiences.

Each individual will win the following:

• A seven-night cruise in a balcony cabin for 2 people
• Invites to on-board ship events or other exclusive MSC events
• Exclusive access to MSC Cruises friends and family cruise rates for your own personal travel for a 12-month period
• Dedicated time and support from an MSC account manager to develop your MSC Cruise business with coop marketing funds if appropriate
• Winners will be invited to an exclusive annual MSC Hero’s lunch hosted by MD Antonio Paradiso and director of sales Steve Williams
• A pair of Chelsea Football Club tickets (platinum package)
• Invite and participation to an annual travel agency panel event
• A certificate of ambassador status to display within your agency and window decal to display within your shop window

As part of this initiative, MSC Cruises is launching two annual travel agency panels, one aimed at business owners and decision-makers, a panel of 12 individuals to meet with senior team members of MSC Cruises to engage and give valuable feedback.

Another will launch for front line sellers consisting of the 12 MSC ambassadors who will give feedback and input from the view of a front-line sales agent, and marketing executive level.

MSC Cruises is asking nominations to be sent to [email protected].

Earlier this week, MSC Cruises held the keel laying ceremony for its Seaside Evo-class ship, MSC Seashore, which will be the cruise line’s longest ship.