MSC Cruises expands trade team with raft of hires and promotions
MSC Cruises has expanded its presence in the UK and Ireland with three new agent support hires and three sales team promotions
In the UK, Charlotte Petrides has joined as senior trade support executive, with Zoe White and Jessica Pearson coming on as trade support executives. All three will report into Claire Smith, head of trade support and training.
After nine years with MSC Cruises, Danielle Weller has been promoted to senior regional sales manager south and will continue to work with the wider sales team in a bid to build relationships with the trade.
In Ireland, as the MSC Group’s luxury arm Explora Journeys continues to expand, Suzanne Rowe will oversee the luxury line as well as continuing to act as head of sales for MSC Cruises. Alana Byrne, who will report into Rowe, has been promoted to senior account manager for MSC Cruises in Ireland.
Steve Williams, director of sales for MSC Cruises, UK and Ireland, said the line has seen the “most successful year of sales ever” in both the UK and Ireland. “We know this is largely due to the level of support we receive from our valued trade partners.”
He added: “That is why we continue to invest in our sales and trade support teams, and I am delighted that we are growing our team and rewarding our exceptional team members with new hires and promotions.
“Collectively our team of 19 employees now has over 101 years joint experience working with MSC Cruises which is an amazing milestone. With MSC Virtuosa returning to Southampton again in Summer 2025 and the launch of our new ship MSC World America in April 2025, we are expecting our business to continue to be the number one choice for guests looking for the perfect holiday.”
MSC reports uptick in last-minute winter sun bookings
Earlier this year, the line saw an increase in last-minute bookings for August and September compared to the same time in 2023, which it attributed to Britain’s dismal summer weather.
With constant showers and temperatures fluctuating between the teens and mid-20s, sun-starved Brits opted for last-minute escapes to reliably warmer and sunnier climes this summer, with MSC Cruises reporting a rise in family bookings in particular.
