MSC CRUISES HONOURS SHORE EXCURSION EXCELLENCE AT INAUGURAL AWARDS CEREMONY ABOARD MSC WORLD EUROPA

• MSC Cruises launched its first-ever MSC Shorexcellence Awards Ceremony to celebrate the exceptional contributions of its global shore excursion partners to the guest experience ashore.
• The company presented six awards recognising excellence across performance, innovation, and sustainability.
• Awards included Best Tour Operator, Most Innovative Tour Experience, and Sustainability and Community Champion, showcasing the diversity and impact of MSC Cruises’ shore excursion network.

Geneva, Switzerland, 12 November 2025 – MSC Cruises has rewarded six top-performing shore excursion partners during its first-ever MSC Shorexcellence Awards Ceremony aboard MSC World Europa.

The inaugural event was held at the port of Barcelona when the ship was berthed at MSC Cruises’ own terminal that opened earlier this year.

The ceremony brought together many of the line’s global partners to celebrate outstanding contributions to the guest experience ashore.

The awards’ winning criteria focused on the creativity, dedication, and impact of shore excursion partners for MSC Cruises’ guests with customer satisfaction playing a major role.   

Marialuisa Iaccarino, VP Shore Excursions, MSC Cruises, said, “We believe that a truly remarkable cruise experience continues ashore and the excursions designed by our partners add depth, authenticity, and emotion to the journey, and help our guests connect with local cultures and communities.”

Winners - 2025:

Best Tour Operator - Highest overall guest satisfaction scores for all the ports covered by the operator

• BC Cruise Services* – Spain

Best Tour - Overall best rated tour in a region

• Esperiencias Xcaret Naviera* – FURY Catamaran Tour in Cozumel, Mexico

Special Mention: Excelling in Dynamic Environments

• Gorbis Travel* – Kotor's Maritime Heritage & Perast's Baroque Charm – Montenegro

Most Innovative Tour Experience – Celebrating creativity and originality in tour design

• SMS ISO Europe* – Tutor Programme for CIV76 Tour – Italy

 Sustainability & Community Champion – Europe

• De Buck Agency* – Belgium and The Netherlands

Sustainability & Community Champion – Caribbean

• Big French Key Roatan SA* – Honduras

The ceremony also saw tour operators work together to discuss success stories, best practices and innovative ideas to improve MSC Cruises’ global shore excursion programme.

Ms Iaccarino concluded “The event was not just about recognising winners but it provided a great opportunity to inspire our shorex providers to continue to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and sustainability in every destination that our fleet of ships visit.”

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Notes to editors

• BC Cruise Services* – Spain

BC Cruise Services is a long-standing shore excursion partner of MSC Cruises, operating across Spain and Portugal. With over 30 years of collaboration, the company has supported MSC Cruises’ growth from its early fleet to its current global operations. In 2025, BC Cruise Services managed over 300 port calls and facilitated shore experiences for nearly 40,000 passengers. Their work includes a wide range of services, from shuttle operations to curated excursions, with a focus on accessibility, safety, and local relevance. The Best Tour Operator award reflects consistent guest satisfaction and the strength of a partnership built on shared values and operational excellence.

• Esperiencias Xcaret Naviera* – FURY Catamaran Tour in Cozumel, Mexico

Operated by Esperiencias Xcaret Naviera, the FURY Catamaran Tour was named Best Tour – Overall Best Rated at the 2025 MSC Shorexcellence Awards. With over 30 years of experience, Fury Catamarans is a well-established provider of maritime excursions in Cozumel, now part of Grupo Xcaret. The tour offers a three-part experience: sailing along Cozumel’s coastline, snorkeling in vibrant marine ecosystems, and relaxing at a private beach club equipped with paddle boards, kayaks, and floating platforms. The tour is known for its balance of adventure and leisure, supported by a professional crew focused on safety and hospitality. Its consistently high guest satisfaction reflects the quality and appeal of this signature Caribbean excursion.

• SMS ISO Europe* – Tutor Programme for CIV76 Tour – Italy

SMS ISO Europe was recognised with the Most Innovative Tour Experience award at the 2025 MSC Shorexcellence Awards for its Tutor Programme integrated into the CIV76 “Best of Iconic Rome” tour. Operated from Civitavecchia, this hybrid experience combines human guidance with AI-powered narration. Guests are accompanied by a professional tour escort while receiving geo-localised, personalised commentary via the Tour Tutor device, developed in collaboration with VOX. The technology adapts content to each guest’s age, language, and interests, allowing multilingual groups to enjoy a shared itinerary with tailored insights. This approach enhances accessibility and engagement, offering a modern, inclusive way to explore Rome’s cultural landmarks.

• De Buck Agency* – Belgium and The Netherlands

De Buck Agency has been a shore excursion partner of MSC Cruises for over 14 years in Belgium and more recently in the Netherlands. In 2025, the collaboration includes 60 cruise calls, with Bruges as a key destination. Known for its commitment to sustainability, De Buck was the first shore excursion operator globally to receive Travelife Certification in 2016. Their initiatives include operating fully electric port shuttles in Zeebrugge, offering low-impact canal tours in Bruges, and planting trees for every flight booked through their agency — with 32,000 trees expected by the end of 2025. The company also supports social programs for underprivileged children and young people affected by illness, reflecting a holistic approach to sustainability that balances environmental, social, and operational goals.

• Big French Key Roatan SA* – Honduras

Big French Key Roatán has been a shore excursion partner of MSC Cruises since 2009, managing approximately 90% of the excursions offered to MSC Cruises guests visiting the island. The company played a pioneering role in welcoming cruise tourism to Roatán, beginning in 1996 before formal port infrastructure existed. Its sustainability efforts include community development, conservation initiatives, and support for environmental education. Notably, Big French Key contributes to the reintroduction of the Scarlet Macaw in Copán through its support of PRO-ALAS, a program that has helped over 150 macaws return to the wild. The company’s approach combines authentic guest experiences with long-term environmental and social impact, earning it the title of Sustainability & Community Champion – Caribbean at the 2025 MSC Shorexcellence Awards.

• Gorbis Travel* – Kotor's Maritime Heritage & Perast's Baroque Charm – Montenegro

Founded in 1995, Gorbis Travel is one of Montenegro’s leading travel agencies and a long-standing partner of MSC Cruises. The company was recognised with the Best Tour Under Stimulating Conditions award at the 2025 MSC Shorexcellence Awards, highlighting its excellence in operational complexity. The winning tour, Kotor’s Maritime Heritage & Perast’s Baroque Charm, offers guests a rich cultural experience through a guided walk in UNESCO-listed Kotor, a visit to the Maritime Museum, and an exploration of Perast’s baroque architecture. The tour includes a boat ride to the man-made island of Our Lady of the Rock and concludes with free time in Perast. Gorbis Travel’s deep local knowledge and logistical expertise ensure smooth operations in a region known for its intricate geography and seasonal challenges.