MSC Cruises (USA), Inc. today announced that industry veteran Ken Muskat has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing effective June 3rd. In this role, he will be responsible for overseeing sales, marketing, public relations and customer service for North America. He will report to Richard Sasso, MSC Cruises (USA) President and CEO.

“Ken joins MSC at a very exciting time,” says Sasso. With our largest and most luxurious ship, MSC Divina, preparing to sail year-round from PortMiami, Ken’s years of experience, excellent relationships with the travel agent community and tremendous enthusiasm for the MSC brand will certainly be assets as we prepare for important growth in North America.”

“I am honored to be joining such an exciting and unique cruise brand at a time when MSC has clearly established itself as a major player in the industry and has committed to growing in this market,” said Muskat. “The brand provides an outstanding vacation experience that is definitely a best kept secret. I’m looking forward to working closely with such a talented and dedicated team, as well as our Travel Agent partners, to market and sell the benefits of our special Mediterranean style cruising.”

“We are delighted to have Ken join us,” adds Sasso. “He is a consummate professional and we are looking forward to working with him.”

Muskat comes to MSC with more than eighteen years’ experience with Royal Caribbean International. Recognized for exceptional sales, marketing and leadership abilities, Ken has served in a variety of senior executive roles. Prior to joining MSC, he was instrumental in successfully leading marketing, sales, consumer outreach and onboard revenue initiatives for Royal Caribbean. During this time, he hosted the cruise industry’s first weekly online radio show for both travel agents and consumers, which ran for 22 weeks reaching over 24,000 listeners a week.

Early in his career, Ken was twice named one of Travel Agent Magazine’s “Top 100 Rising Stars of the Travel Industry”. More recently, he was a recipient of University of Hartford’s Anchor Award, the most prestigious honor presented by the university’s alumni association to recognize graduates who have achieved the highest levels of professional accomplishments.

Ken currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of the Children’s Cancer Caring Center, the only free treatment center for childhood cancer in the southeastern United States, and is an annual contributor and supporter of the United Way. He is a graduate of University of Hartford, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Advertising.