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Career day at sea: University of Patras students discover the world of cruising aboard MSC FANTASIA

Around 70 students and faculty members from the Department of Tourism Management of the University of Patras visited MSC Fantasia at the port of Piraeus on Thursday, 15 October. On board, they saw first-hand how a modern cruise ship operates and learned about the career opportunities the cruise industry offers. The Career Day was held under the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Hellenic Association of Women in Culture and Tourism and the University of Patras and was hosted by MSC Cruises. Attendees included the Head of the Department, Mr. Apostolos Rafailidis, Dr. Maria Argyropoulou, member of the Laboratory Teaching Staff, and Ms. Evi Chatzopoulou, Assistant Professor of Marketing.
Greece on the Map of the MSC Group’s Cruise Division
Captain Elias Tsoukalas, General Manager of MSC in Greece, presented MSC Group’s Cruise Division and its two brands, MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. He placed particular emphasis on the Greek market and its distinctive role in the Group’s strategy: in 2026, eight ships are making almost 500 calls at 22 Greek destinations, while Piraeus serves as a year-round homeport. Mr. Tsoukalas spoke about the wide range of professional roles on board and the career development opportunities within a Group of more than 50,000 employees in 155 countries. He highlighted also that MSC currently employ 320 Greek nationals in various positions across our fleet. He also highlighted the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Behind every guest experience are teams of skilled professionals, and every role on board is the starting point of a career journey. We want young people studying tourism to know that cruising offers real opportunities to learn, grow and lead,” he said.
The Skills That Make the Difference
The President of the Hellenic Association of Women in Culture and Tourism (HAWCT), Ms. Chrysa Voulgaridou, gave a talk entitled “Bridging the University and the Job Market.” She presented the Memorandum of Cooperation and explained how students can benefit from it. She also stressed that moving from studies to employment requires both technical knowledge (hard skills) and interpersonal skills (soft skills). She closed with a personal message to the students: “Be patient, show empathy and never lose your smile. These are your most valuable assets, not only in the job market but in everyday life.”
Cruising and Tourism: A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
HAWCT Vice President Ms. Angela Kampouraki (Kamper Tourism) opened her talk by asking the students whether a passenger who spends just seven hours in a destination can make a real contribution to the local economy. Her answer was a clear yes. The arrival of a cruise ship generates business for many local enterprises and mobilizes a wide network of professionals, from port services to tour guides. A cruise is often a traveler’s first encounter with a destination, and many return later for a longer holiday. In the case of Piraeus, many passengers also stay in Athens before or after their cruise. “Cruising does not simply carry people from one port to another. It connects destinations, cultures, businesses and economies,” she stressed.
A Q&A session followed, giving students the opportunity to speak directly with the speakers about career prospects in the industry. Dr. Maria Argyropoulou closed the session with her concluding remarks.
From Ship to Shore: The Hotel Visit
After a guided tour of MSC Fantasia and lunch on board, the day concluded at the Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port hotel. General Manager Mr. Apostolos Michalovits and Director of Sales Ms. Xenia Rizouli presented the Mitsis Hotels group and how it operates. They also discussed the rapid growth of the hotel sector in Piraeus, driven by homeporting, as cruise passengers begin and end their voyages in the city. Beyond seeing how a hotel operates, the students saw first-hand how cruising and hospitality on land are connected in practice.