MSC Cruises Touts Web-based Agent Education Program

MSC Cruises said it has signed up more than 2,500 retailers to its Web-based Caribbean Select Agents education program, and in an effort to increase participation in the initiative, the cruise line unveiled prizes promoting enrollment.

According to MSC, the line created the program to help agents become aware of the MSC Cruises Caribbean product and diverse itineraries. The program was introduced with a soft launch last fall and more than 1,000 agents enrolled in the program during its first week, with more than 250 qualifying as Caribbean Select Agents, said Jim Henwood, vice president of sales for MSC Cruises in a statement.

The line offers a retailer Web site [www.msccruisesagent.com] that provides the training program, which features data and marketing tools on the line´s Caribbean product. The site also contains other agent-specific features such as details about bonus commissions, travel agent rates, promotions and a list of regional sales managers.

Regarding the training, once enrolled at the site, agents can take modules and complete quizzes on the following subjects: MSC Cruises Overview, MSC Opera Highlights, MSC Lirica Highlights, Group Development and Opportunities, and Agent Website Navigation.

The Caribbean Select Agents education program ends Feb. 28 and participants are eligible to win prizes, such as bonus commissions, guaranteed availability for agent rates, Starbucks gift cards, MSC logo items and a grand prize of an eight-day cruise for two on the Opera.