MSC Cruises faces complaint over R1 promotion

A CRUISE liner's “first guest pays R1” promotion came under the spotlight when the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) was called upon to consider a consumer complaint against MSC Cruises S.A. in respect of a Black November promotional advertisement.

- ZELDA VENTER

The advertisement was posted on Facebook and on its website. The complaint relates to the Black November promotional offer, promising a limited-time opportunity to enjoy a cruise from Durban aboard the MSC Opera.

It offered options ranging from short two-night trips to festive 14-night voyages. The promotional offer was, in particular, that the first guest will pay R1 for the cruise, with disclaimers noting that mandatory fees apply and terms and conditions are available via linked pages.

On the advertiser's booking interface, pricing options are depicted as ranging “from R1 910 p.p.” for various cabin types (interior, ocean view and balcony) as well as “from R4 838 p.p.” for longer cruises with onboard credit.

It is also depicted that “total prices for two guests range from R7 019 to R49 676, depending on the selected cruise and cabin.”

The complainant submitted that when selecting the Black November offer and adding a second guest, the total price displayed is significantly higher than expected, in some cases exceeding the standard fare for two guests.