MSC Cruises faces complaint over ‘misleading R1 promotional offer’

A CRUISE ship's “first guest pays R1” promotion came under the spotlight when the Advertising Regulatory Board was called upon to consider a consumer complaint against MSC Cruises SA 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 is, 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 R1910pp” for various cabin types (interior, ocean view and balcony) as well as “from R4838pp” for longer cruises with onboard credit.

It is also depicted that “total prices for two guests ranging from R7019 to R491676, depending on the selected cruise and cabin.”

The complainant submits 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.