Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, MSC Cruises has grown to be the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, employing about 35,000 people worldwide. As of 2017, MSC Cruises is also the third-largest cruise brand in the world.
The company has a proud history that began more than 300 years ago with the seafaring Aponte family from Sorrento in Italy, who built a global cargo business that today runs over 700 cargo ships around the world. Some 20 years ago, the family came to believe that the experience and expertise gained over the centuries could be transferred to a new segment – cruise liners – and a new company, MSC Cruises, was born.
Grown from strong roots
Since its establishment, the company has gone from strength to strength, gradually expanding worldwide. Mr Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director UK and Ireland, summarises the market position: “Becoming the third largest cruise line in the world in just over two decades is quite an achievement. We are currently the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and South Africa, with a strong presence also in North America.”
He explains that the company has been growing on average by 10% each year, gradually expanding its fleet, which currently numbers 22 cruise ships. In November and December 2022, MSC Cruises welcomed two new additions – MSC World Europa and MSC Seascape – to its fleet of innovative and glamorous ships.
“This expansion means that we are giving our customers more choices in terms of destinations and also in terms of cruise ships since they are all different. The ultimate goal is to provide all of our customers with a unique cruise experience, enjoying the excellence of the hospitality on board.”
What is behind the continued growth? “MSC Cruises is just one big family,” says Mr Paradiso. “Our people are passionate about reaching our goals. That’s very important because with the passion of a family, you become unstoppable.”
The right offering
Mr Paradiso himself has been with the company for 14 years. Starting in Naples, he progressed to manage MSC’s operation in different regions from Asia to the Middle East and Europe, ultimately becoming Managing Director of the UK & Ireland branch. Under his management, MSC Cruises has experienced impressive growth.
“We have just had another record-breaking year, which is really encouraging given what we’ve been through over the last few years,” he says, pointing out that the company was bold enough to be the first to restart cruise operations from the UK in May 2021 despite continuing restrictions and constraints, proving that cruising continued to be a popular holiday option in challenging times.
He acknowledges that MSC Cruises offers something for everyone: customers can choose from a 2- to 3-day mini cruise to a two-week voyage and the range of destinations is being continuously expanded.
“Being on a cruise is a completely different holiday experience – you can visit several countries within a week in all comfort with different views every day, and you are spoilt for choice on board with food and entertainment,” he says, affirming that with the right offering and the right attitude, MSC Cruises is set to capitalise on the growing demand.
For a greener world
Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, sustainability has remained a key focus for MSC Cruises and the company has been addressing sustainability on several fronts to reach its net zero emissions target by 2050, from new fuels to energy efficiency measures and advanced water and waste management systems on board.
The flagship of the company’s environmental commitment is its new cruise ship – MSC World Europa, the most innovative and environmentally advanced cruise ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. On top of ground-breaking advances in reducing emissions and energy efficiency, the LNG-powered ship also paves the way towards the uptake of carbon-neutral synthetic and other alternative fuels as soon as they are available at scale. MSC World Europa is equipped with a technology called“fuel cell”, which enables significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Fuel cells create energy through an electrochemical reaction that is much more efficient than traditional internal combustion engines.
The company also supports many environmental projects. One great example of these efforts is the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruise’s private island located in The Bahamas.
MSC Cruises has made significant efforts to clear the island – formerly a sand extraction site – and the surrounding ocean bed from all discarded debris, while also removing a total of 1,510 tonnes of scrap metal. Hard coral colonies from existing debris on the ocean bed were removed and relocated, with the longer-term vision of encouraging growth and repopulation.
MSC Cruises aimed at creating a biodiverse and sustainable environment with 4,600 trees and palms planted across the island, totalling over 75,000 plants and shrubs. Furthermore, over 95% of all newly planted species are native Caribbean.
Towards new horizons
“While some companies put investment on hold during the pandemic, this was never the case at MSC Cruises,” says Mr Paradiso. “We are strengthening our market position in line with customers’ growing appetite for cruising, striving to offer them new destinations and providing them with the ultimate cruise experience.”
In line with these plans, the company has announced the launch of its brand-new ship, MSC Euribia, which will offer sailings out of Southampton in the UK from October 2023. This is the second ship in the MSC Cruises fleet to be powered by LNG, set to sail to idyllic winter destinations including Amsterdam, Bruges and Paris.
In addition, the company is expanding its business reach. In 2021, MSC Group announced its entry into the luxury cruise market with the launch of a new brand: Explora Journeys. The first of four luxury ships will set sail in 2023, with the remaining vessels ready in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
“We are venturing into a new segment with these ultra-luxury superyachts that should generate additional growth of 35% over the next five years. Needless to say, we are very excited about the future as the world opens up again and are ready to capitalise on the emerging opportunities.”
