Deals do the business for MSC

Italian cruise line MSC – which will have its 1,700-passenger ship Opera ship sailing from Southampton this summer – has seen a boom in UK bookings, which are up 80 per cent on a year ago.
But the increase is more likely to be a result of the recent “Four Free Extras” promotion on its Mediterranean itineraries than a rush to sail no-fly cruises to northern Europe.
Free flights from Heathrow or Gatwick, free transfers to the ship, free cabin upgrades, and “free” £50 on-board credit formed the package which proved so successful.
Giulio Libutti, the company’s UK and Ireland managing director, said: “We couldn’t be happier with the performance of the promotion. The increase year on year for February alone is a phenomenal response.”
MSC has seven ships in the Med this summer. Opera arrives in Southampton in May to sail 10-night cruises to the Baltic, eight-night voyages to the Norwegian fjords and eight-night cruises to Amsterdam, France and northern Spain.
No free flights, obviously, but there are free coach transfers to the port or complimentary parking. Not to mention that under-18s travel free when sharing a cabin with two adults, and some cruises later in the summer include two free excursions.