MSC Cruises UK has started a test to offer a flat 15% commission on shore excursions for all agents from today, the company said in a statement.

Announcing the increase to agents attending the Advantage Cruise Champions Conference in London, MSC Cruises’ executive director Giles Hawke said the deal would run as a six-month trial – and would become permanent if retailers showed support.

MSC Cruises announced earlier this month that shore excursion commission would increase to each agent’s base commission, rather than the industry standard 5%.

Hawke stressed: “Agents are our greatest asset and we want them to know that.

“Shore excursions are very often an integral part of the whole cruise experience for customers, so it makes sense for agents to book everything at once. When agents book an MSC excursion we, and they, can be assured the trip will be of a high standard.”