The second edition of the course, delivered in collaboration with the Faculty of Tourism and Geography at Universitat Rovira i Virgili, concludes with a visit to the Tarragona Cruise Port terminal and the MSC Orchestra, giving students first-hand insight into port operations and life aboard a cruise ship.
Tarragona Cruise Port and MSC Cruises are bringing the reality of the cruise industry closer to future tourism professionals through a practical session marking the conclusion of the second edition of the course Cruise Industry Management: The MSC Cruises and Port of Tarragona Experience, developed in collaboration with the Faculty of Tourism and Geography at Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV).
The closing session combines a visit to the Tarragona Cruise Port terminal with an experience on board the MSC Orchestra, offering students a direct and complementary insight into the two key areas that underpin cruise operations: port infrastructure management and cruise line operations.
The visit coincides with the MSC Orchestra’s final port call of the season in Tarragona, allowing participants to observe port activity and the processes involved in operating a cruise ship at close quarters. During the tour of the terminal, students learn about its facilities, operational management and coordination between the various stakeholders involved, as well as Tarragona Cruise Port’s role in connecting maritime traffic with the tourist destination.
Students then board the MSC Orchestra to explore the ship’s facilities, meet members of the crew and gain insight into the wide range of professional roles involved in running a cruise ship. The experience helps them understand how the different departments work together, as well as the responsibilities and career opportunities offered by the industry. The session also includes lunch on board and an informal coffee and discussion session, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences, ask questions and engage directly with the realities of working in the sector.
MSC Cruises and Tarragona Cruise Port at the heart of the training programme
The course features the direct participation of professionals from MSC Cruises and Tarragona Cruise Port, who share their knowledge and experience with students across different areas of the industry.
As part of the programme, Alba Colet, Managing Director of Tarragona Cruise Port, delivers the first module, focusing on shore-side infrastructure, cruise terminal management and tourist destination management. Meanwhile, Sofía Basterra, Communications Director at MSC Cruises, contributes to the second, third and fourth modules, which cover the relationship between cruising and tourism, the way the industry and cruise ships operate, and commercial management.
This direct involvement of industry professionals is one of the programme’s key distinguishing features, giving students access to specialist knowledge and enabling them to understand the dynamics of a sector that brings together diverse fields, including tourism, logistics, port operations, onboard services and sales.
Specialised training connected to the professional world
With a total of 50 teaching hours and recognition of 2 ECTS credits, the course provides a comprehensive overview of the cruise industry through four specialised seminars and a field visit.
The programme covers topics such as institutional organisation and coordination among industry stakeholders, terminal and tourist destination management, developments in the international market, the different cruise market segments, career opportunities on board and ashore, sustainability, technological innovation, and sales and marketing strategies.
The visit to the MSC Orchestra and the Tarragona Cruise Port terminal complements the theoretical training with first-hand experience in a real-world professional environment. This enables students to connect the concepts explored in the classroom with the processes, teams and operations that underpin the day-to-day running of the cruise industry.
A University–Industry partnership for the future of the sector
The initiative strengthens collaboration between Universitat Rovira i Virgili, MSC Cruises and Tarragona Cruise Port, with the aim of bridging the gap between academia and the business world and helping future tourism professionals understand the characteristics, challenges and opportunities of this industry.
Through this partnership, Tarragona Cruise Port and MSC Cruises help strengthen the connection between education and industry, fostering knowledge transfer and giving students direct access to professionals working in the sector.
The closing session therefore provides an opportunity to discover first-hand how cruise tourism operates and to highlight the complementary roles of terminal operations, cruise line activities and tourism development across the region.
