MSC Cruises is showing more love to travel agents. The Italian cruise line is taking the unprecedented step of paying commission on virtually everything a travel agent can book in advance.  

Starting June 2, MSC Cruises will pay 5 percent commission on pre-booked and prepaid spa treatments, specialty restaurant reservations, beverage packages and even stateroom celebration packages. This is in addition to shore excursions, hotel packages, transfers and airfare that already were commissionable. The company also will continue to pay 10 percent commission on pre-paid cruise insurance. 

“Travel agents are the lifeline between MSC Cruises and the consumer,” said Richard E. Sasso, president of MSC Cruises USA.  “Given our expansive growth over the past 10 years and the fact that we will be doubling the capacity of our fleet by 2022, it is imperative that the trade community remain healthy and vibrant and that MSC do its part to contribute to their success.”

In addition, beginning June 2, travel agents can earn tour conductor berths (TCs) by booking via individual reservations at the prevailing FIT rate without blocking group inventory. One TC will be earned for every 20 full-fared guests on the same sail date for all bookings made up to 75 days before the departure date. Travel agents must register their applicable bookings on the MSC Cruises travel agent website.

The changes are part of the MSC True Partnerships Serving You program, launched in April to enhance the line’s relationship with the trade.

MSC Cruises also announced it would pay 25 percent commission on all B1, B2 and B3 balcony category staterooms on MSC Divina seven- and 10-night Caribbean sailings between Aug. 2 and Dec. 20. The offer is good on new individual bookings made May 27 through July 31. That means commissions would start at $224 to $434 for a seven-night Caribbean cruise. The “Balcony Bonanza Cash-Back” promotion also offers $150 per stateroom shipboard credit. 

For a detailed list of pre-booked commissionable items, visit the company’s travel agent website.