New MSC Australia boss talks hot topics for local cruisers, including the Caribbean

New MSC Australia boss talks hot topics for local cruisers, including the Caribbean

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).

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

msc cruises

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]