Cruise & Cruise Line

MSC Cruises Unveils Open Booking Program

Image: MSC Cruises logo on an MSC cruise ship. (photo via MSC Cruises) (Photo Credit: (photo via MSC Cruises))
Image: MSC Cruises logo on an MSC cruise ship. (photo via MSC Cruises) (Photo Credit: (photo via MSC Cruises))
Rich Thomaselli
by Rich Thomaselli
Last updated: 3:45 PM ET, Mon February 19, 2024

You say you want to go on a cruise, but you're not ready to commit to a specific vessel, itinerary, date, or time.

MSC has an option for you.

It’s called 'open booking,' and now you can book a trip without all those pesky details. At least, not yet, anyway. But you can lock in going on a cruise.

It’s perfect for the indecisive person in you.

The open booking means that guests simply pay a reduced deposit of $100/€100/£100 per person on board the cruise line and are given a certificate that allows them up to 12 months to choose their next sailing vacation or holiday.

Guests receive up to $200/€200/£200 of onboard credit per cabin if they select their ship and departure date within 60 days of making the onboard open booking. Alternatively, they can book within one year and still enjoy up to $100 in onboard credits.

If it sounds like a deal to entice you to take a cruise, it is. And the open booking option can even be used as a gift for loved ones.

An MSC representative said, “We want to offer our guests more flexibility in choosing their next ship and sailing date and the Open Booking program gives guests onboard up to a year to make that decision while earning future credit for their next holiday at sea.”

Travel advisors also benefit by receiving a full commission when the guest chooses the ship and itinerary. This new initiative is part of the cruise line's ‘Future Cruise’ program launched last year.

Full details of both the ‘Open Booking’ and ‘Future Cruise’ programs are available at MSC Cruises’ website and through travel advisors.


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Rich Thomaselli

Rich Thomaselli

Associate Writer

Editor Associate Writer true 9281 14744 Rich Thomaselli has written for TravelPulse since 2014 and has been a professional journalist for nearly 40 years. His work has appeared in USA Today, the New York Times and New York Yankees publications. He is an 11-time writ

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