A group of more than 30 travel agents who are military
veterans got a surprise on the final day of CruiseWorld when MSC Cruises
awarded them spots on a preview cruise for the new MSC Seaside a year from now.
At first, MSC vice president of sales, public relations and
guest services Ken Muskat gathered the vets on stage for recognition on Veteran's
Day and a drawing that would have awarded one Seaside cruise.
"I'm feeling an Oprah moment," Muskat said,
alluding to the talk show host's propensity for giving away valuables to
everyone in the studio audience for her show.
As the room rose to its feet in applause, Muskat and his
colleagues awarded the Seaside prize to all of the vets on stage.
The giveaway continued MSC's focus on veterans as a market
segment. At last year's CruiseWorld, MSC sponsored a Veteran's Day reception
and fireworks show at the waterfront Perez Art Museum in Miami.
CruiseWorld, a Travel Weekly event for travel suppliers and
agents, is held every November at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort
Lauderdale.