MSC Cruises appeals to millennials through party destinations
This summer, MSC Cruises is inviting millennials on a seafaring tour of some of Europe's best known party capitals.
From June, the cruise operator will kick off the second edition of its Summer Break Party, a series of cruises that stand out for their late-night parties with DJ sets and stopovers in European ports known for their nightlife.
Targeted at tourists in the 18-30 age range, these eight-day cruises, offered non-stop through September, will feature stops in Cannes, Ibiza, Mykonos, Santorini and the Balearic Islands, among other party destinations.
Between ports of call, the nightlife aboard the ships (the MSC Armonia and MSC Sinfonia) will be hopping. The Sailaway Party, complete with dancers dressed as sailors and pirates, kicks off the festivities on the first night.
There will be something for every type of partygoer, including rock and disco nights, a "snow party" (where a cannon rains artificial snow on the dance floor), and the Thriller Party, an evening with a horror film theme. During the day, passengers can pass the time with Zumba classes or DJing lessons.
Fares for the Summer Break Party cruises start at €585 (around $800).
Cruise companies are beginning to pull out all the stops to win over millennials, a generation that has tended to favor other types of vacations so far. While theme cruises tailored to millennials are still relatively rare for now, several cruise operators are aiming to attract younger tourists with special promotions.
Costa Cruises, MSC's main rival, offers a 5 percent discount on all of its cruises year round for passengers between the ages of 18 and 34.
More information: www.msccruises.com
