Available now, EZ Groups applies to all new groups on Caribbean and European cruises starting from April 2017 departures, including next year's newbuilds, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside.
The program will make it easier than ever for agents to book groups with MSC Cruises, according to USA evp Ken Muskat.
'Serving our travel agent partners continues to be a top priority for MSC Cruises,' he added. 'Similar to many of our recent enhancements, such as MSC Book, we’re listening to the trade community’s feedback and making updates to our programs to ensure our partners find it easy to do business with us.'
Highlights of the EZ Group program include the chance for agents to earn up to eight amenity points—determined by sailing date, itinerary and season—that they can use to add perks to their group for their clients or themselves.
The enhanced menu of amenities includes reduced tour conductor requirements, stateroom gifts, shipboard credit, stateroom discounts, bonus commission, cocktail parties and more.
The group program is applicable to all Caribbean and European destinations, and agents can lock in the best price with group rates that are lower than prevailing FIT fares.
For groups of 16 or fewer staterooms, MSC Cruises USA is waiving the initial good faith deposit.
FIT bookings can be transferred into an existing group at the contracted group rates while the group rate is available. If the group rate is no longer available, FIT bookings can be transferred while maintaining the higher FIT rate. In all cases, group amenities will be applied.
MSC Cruises USA also offers a group rate protection guarantee. If the standard group rates are reduced, existing groups will be matched to the new lower group rates.
And consumer amenities, such as shipboard credit and stateroom gifts, are protected, too, down to the first booking a travel agent made in their group.
Plus, the line pays 10% commission on pre-paid shore excursions and beverage packages for group bookings.
EZ Groups information, including group rates and amenity points, is at www.msccruisesagent.com/groups.
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