PHOTO: MSC Cruises' new homepage. (Courtesy of MSC Cruises)
MSC Cruises has launched the first phase of the company's new, redesigned website for North America, MSCCruises.com.
With the ultimate goal of providing guests a more user-friendly experience, improvements made during this first phase of the website include a completely new look and feel with enhanced graphics and attractive design; new, intuitive navigation, with easier access to information about MSC Cruises' special offers and deals, destinations and excursions; and improved web check-in functionality.
Thanks to a new partnership with Rough Guides, a leading travel guidebook publisher, the new site also features richer, more relevant content about the more than 200 ports of call MSC Cruises visits around the world.
The second phase of the website is scheduled to launch in January 2016 and will include a new booking funnel that will make it easier for already booked guests to enhance their vacation with pre-paid items such as beverage packages, specialty restaurants and shore excursions.
"As MSC Cruises continues to grow in the North American market, a major focus for the company is making it as easy as possible for both consumers and travel agents to research and learn about our cruise line and unique offerings and work with us," said Ken Muskat, executive vice president of sales, PR, & guest services for MSC Cruises. "The launch of our new, redesigned website is one example of how MSC Cruises is significantly investing in technology to provide better support to its travel agent partners and improve the overall customer experience."
Earlier this year, the company launched MSC Book, a completely new booking engine for travel agents, which has been a game changer in terms of making the booking process as quick and simple as possible. In addition, just last week, MSC Cruises implemented a new Contact Center platform with an improved customer relationship management (CRM) technology that will allow cruise line representatives to more efficiently assist guests and travel agents with their bookings.
In the coming months, travel agents can expect to see the launch of MSC Cruises first-ever Travel Agent University. The university will include modules specifically focused on MSC Cruises, such as how to sell MSC Cruises, a fleet overview, and MSC Cruises' rewards programs as well as more general modules that will be helpful in growing the travel agent's overall business, such as how to sell groups and tips for focusing on niche markets.
In addition, starting this November, MSC Cruises will begin giving fully immersive virtual reality ship tours during visits to travel agencies and at trade shows using a new technology based on Samsung's Gear VR headsets and a purpose-built software application. The headsets allow future cruisers to experience highlights of a MSC Cruises' ship without having set foot on board.
For instance, in addition to "walking" through key areas of the ship, including staterooms, pool areas, and restaurants, the headsets allow potential guests to watch acrobatic stunts from the line's award-winning entertainment as if they are in the front row of the ship's theatre or check out a multitude of food options such as fresh fruit, newly baked bread, handmade pasta or chocolate and pastries as they walk through the buffet area.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
