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Virgin Voyages is introducing 19 new ports and 27 exciting new itineraries until April 2025. The new choices span the world, including a return to the UK in response to strong Sailor and First Mate demand, spectacular new ports of call in Australia, and new Caribbean beach gems.
Virgin Voyages was named the No. 1 mega-ship ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards for its exceptional value, purely adult activities, Michelin chef-curated cuisine, superb service, and emphasis on leisure and wellness. Virgin Voyages, a company known for its innovative approach to sailing, provides guests with the broadest range of destinations available and new summer and winter itineraries premiering across the fleet.
“Our loyal sailors have been asking more places to visit with us, so we’re delivering in a big way.” “We are adding new ports, itineraries, and more local and immersive experiences to create unforgettable getaways,” said Michelle Bentubo, SVP of Service Excellence and Travel Operations. “We now offer more than 120 incredible places you can explore aboard our award-winning ships you know and love, from Morocco to Mooloolaba, Amsterdam to Bordeaux, Catania to Port Douglas.” After all, it’s not just about where you travel; it’s about who you go with to make your vacation memorable.”
With this news, Virgin Voyages’ fleet will offer 63 itineraries to some of the world’s most intriguing destinations. Among the new alternatives is what the company refers to as its “Seachange Series.” These new repositioning journeys allow travellers to extend their vacations and experience the world at large.
Details about current deployments and what to expect aboard each ship are provided below:
Resilient Lady
Virgin Voyages’ newest Lady will sail three itineraries from her homeport in Athens from May to July 2024, following her first season in Australia.
The popular “Greek Island Glow” itinerary visits the islands of Santorini and Mykonos; “Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems,” which sails along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast before stopping in Kotor and Corfu; and “Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia,” which combines the other two seven-night itineraries.
Due to popular demand, Virgin Voyages will also return to its British brand roots with a series of three- to six-night sailings on Resilient Lady. Highlights include “English Sights and European Delights,” which docks at Le Verdon (Bordeaux), La Coruña and Bilbao and begins in mid-August 2024 and runs through September. This autumn, the magnificent towns of Amsterdam and Bruges are also on the itinerary.
Resilient Lady’s European itinerary also includes two spectacular repositioning journeys from Portsmouth to Barcelona, expanding the brand’s list of additional destinations to include Morocco. Following this journey, Resilient concludes her Med season with a Barcelona to Athens cruise that combines the best of the brand’s distinctive “Irresistible Med” and “Greek Island Glow” itineraries while introducing Catania, Sicily.
Finally, Resilient Lady will embark on a 44-night journey from Athens to Australia in October 2024, stopping in bucket-list countries such as Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, and Bali. Sailors may choose from 15 new routes and nine new ports in Australia, including Broome, Albany, Adelaide, Newcastle, Mooloolaba, Port Douglas, Brisbane, Eden, and Kangaroo Island.
Valiant Lady
Valiant Lady will return from Barcelona on 29 October 2023 to begin her distinctive itineraries from Miami, including the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” and “Western Caribbean Charm.” From January to March 2024, she will be based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will provide two southern Caribbean journeys originally planned for Brilliant Lady, including “The Southeastern Caribbean Isles” and “Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles.”
Scarlet Lady will enter dry dock next year, and sister ship Valiant Lady will take her place beginning in April 2024. Valiant Lady will depart from Miami and continue to provide Scarlet’s popular four- and five-night Caribbean rotations and a special six-night “Holidaze and Nights” journey.
Scarlet Lady
Scarlet will enjoy under the Mediterranean sun next summer, from May to October 2024, on Valiant Lady’s two seven-night excursions, “Irresistible Med” and “French Daze and Ibiza Nights.” Scarlet will sail from Barcelona to Civitavecchia on 3 November for an 11-night repositioning journey, calling in Mallorca, Corsica, and Sardinia. Scarlet Lady will return to service after a brief dry dock for regular maintenance, improvements, and recalibrations with a 16-night transatlantic cruise from Rome to Miami. This new route includes Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain) stops.
Scarlet Lady, arriving in Miami on 14 December 2024, will provide Valiant’s distinctive six- and eight-night winter journeys until the spring of 2025, including the “Western Caribbean Charm” and the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles.” These lengthier itineraries from Miami will initially launch in the autumn of 2022, with late-night stays in San Juan, real experiences against Roatan’s stunning and rugged environment, and a taste of the USVIs with a day trip to St. Croix.
Brilliant Lady
While introducing three mid-sized vessels in less than two years is an industry first, even Cruise Critic’s No. 1 cruise line (voted by readers) is susceptible to global issues. Despite meticulous preparation, Virgin Voyages is having unforeseen construction, supply chain, and personnel issues that have caused the launch of its new ship, Brilliant Lady, to be delayed. Given the obstacles highlighted, the award-winning company has made the difficult choice to postpone Brilliant Lady’s much-anticipated debut. Virgin Voyages is considering fresh launch dates when it can meet the standards that the brand’s Sailors have grown to expect.
Guests with cancelled bookings will get substantial discounts, special rebooking privileges, and on-board credit once the new date is confirmed.
“We’ve built a brand that has taken the industry by storm, but even the strongest businesses face unforeseen challenges now and then,” Bentubo continued. “We regret that our Sailors and First Mates who were looking forward to the launch of Brilliant Lady will have to wait a little longer.” We know they’ll love the new itineraries as much as we do, and we’re excited to welcome them aboard.” Always wanting to do right by its Sailors and travel advisors, Virgin Voyages will offer anyone impacted by the new itineraries the option to rebook and receive $300 – $600 in Sailor Loot or a full refund.
Travellers who wish to visit one of the exciting new ports may save 30% for Med 2024 cruises and up to a $600 Bar Tab if they book by 28 September. A few Caribbean sailings and repositioning journeys are also eligible for a $500 discount.
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