Aussies are hot for Caribbean cruising right now, says Antonio Paradiso, MSC vice president of international sales and new head of cruising for MSC’s Australian operations.

Paradiso’s journey at MSC Cruises began in 2008 as commercial manager for Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Rising swiftly, he led operations across 30 countries as executive director for Asia and emerging markets in 2012.

Now, in a newly-created role, Paradiso has assumed responsibility for Australia as well as South Africa and Scandinavia. He will report to Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, such is the importance of our growing market. MSC Cruises’ Country Managers of Australia & New Zealand, Lisa Teiotu; Scandinavia, Claes Tamm, and South Africa, Ross Volk, now report to Antonio Paradiso.

Paradiso will also continue his role as managing director of the UK and Irish markets for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.

Juggling management roles, plus being in charge of several ships, doesn’t seem to perturb the Italo-Englishman who is based in the UK. His ships of focus include MSC Virtuosa, ex Southampton, MSC Opera in the Canaries and MSC Presiosa & MSC Euribia in Northern Europe.

But he’s not too busy to sit down for a chat with Travel Weekly during a recent whistlestop tour of his new Australian domain.

Paradiso is upbeat about cruising. He lives and breathes it. While he is particularly enthused about the growth in established markets, he is looking to potential growth coming out of Australia. And he thanks the pandemic for that pent up demand.

“The exciting thing is that back in 2022, 50 per cent of my guests were new to cruise, 50 per cent!” he says. and they are coming back for more. And add to that a flourishing existing market and he has a lot on his plate.

“I see the numbers across the more mature markets, or the major markets (US, UK, Europe), we are witnessing, we are registering double digit growth across all of it,” he says. “Particularly the younger audience.”

And 30 per cent of those new to cruise are returning for a second or third experience, Paradiso says.

Now that Australians travellers have discovered a taste for cruising, they are looking further afield than the trips to Tassie or a Pacific Island jaunt, even beyond Europe.

“We know that we know the Australians love the east the west Med. They’re in Europe, they want to make the most of it. Let’s see what Europe has to offer,” he says. And once they’ve ticked the Med and Europe off the bucket list, what’s next? It looks like the Caribbean!

“I haven’t shared this with anyone. But yes, I was pleasantly surprised that there was such a demand for the Caribbean (from Australians),” he says. “One of the main purposes of my visit in Australia is to unlock new opportunities for this market.

“Whilst (Australia) may be a very mature market, in terms of regional cruises, maybe we can say we’re still in emerging markets for the fly-cruise business,” he says. “So, our job now is to basically say, ‘Look, we have beautiful ships performing some beautiful itineraries in different parts of the world. Did you know that this was available for you?'”

That will include MSC Cruises range of Northern Hemisphere summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025 sailings across the Caribbean on a choice of ships to some of the most coveted destinations in the region.

Four ships will offer a range of itineraries from Miami, New York and Port Canaveral (Orlando) this summer 2024 to the Caribbean. Meanwhile the Caribbean this winter 2024/2025 will see six ships sail with varied itineraries from Miami, Port Canaveral, New York and Martinique.

The Caribbean is a popular destination any time of year, renowned for its incredible white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, magnificent landscapes, and charming coastal cities, filled with rich culture and historical sites. Destinations include The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Martinique, Mexico and more.

“Even the trade community in Australia has realised that ‘Oh, my God, there’s a big potential. Yeah, we’re seeing the numbers. What else can we do?’

“So I’m leaving Australia, and I’m feeling quite energized, positive, enthusiastic, so I can’t wait to go back to Europe and, you know, share the love more and more.”

MSC summer 2024 sailings

For guests looking to relax and unwind in the sun-drenched Caribbean, four ships will offer voyages ranging from three to seven nights from Miami, New York and Orlando.

Two ships will offer sailings out of PortMiami: MSC Magnifica with three to seven-night sailings including to the Key West (Florida), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), Isla de Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (Bahamas). Meanwhile, MSC Seascape will offer seven-night sailings, calling at destinations including San Juan (Puerto Rico), George Town (Cayman Islands), Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Cozumel (Mexico), and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

MSC Meraviglia will set sail from the iconic New York, with seven-night itineraries including port of calls in Port Canaveral, Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

MSC Seashore will also offer the chance to visit the Caribbean’s prized gems with three to seven-night sailings from Port Canaveral to destinations including Nassau, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

MSC winter 2024/2025 sailings

For sun seekers looking for a Northern Hemisphere winter escape, six ships will offer unforgettable itineraries from three to 10 nights from Miami, New York and Orlando and Martinique.

Three ships will offer sailings out of PortMiami: MSC Divina will offer three to four-night itineraries including to the Bahamas with visits to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Her longer sailings will offer 10-night itineraries including to Aruba, Curaçao and Dominican Republic. MSC Seascape will offer seven-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and to the Western Caribbean including to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico, and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Lastly, MSC Seaside will offer captivating seven-night cruises, alternating between the Eastern Caribbean including to The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic and the Western Caribbean including Mexico, Honduras or Belize, and The Bahamas itineraries including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

MSC Meraviglia will homeport in the world-famous city of New York, with itineraries of seven-nights including visits to Orlando, Nassau, The Bahamas and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. She will also offer itineraries of 10 to 11-nights including visits in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Sint Maarten.

From Port Canaveral, MSC Seashore will offer three to seven-night itineraries with port of calls including in Costa Maya, Cozumel, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau.

MSC Virtuosa will offer seven-night sailings from Fort de France (Martinique) to destinations including Philipsburg (Sint Maarten), St. John’s (Antigua), Pointe-a-Pitre (Guadeloupe), and Bridgetown (Barbados).