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We think who would love the cruise line the most would be a couple from years old celebrating an anniversary, special occasion, or simply wanting a romantic trip away. That, however, also casts too narrow a net as we saw all sorts having a great time. We will also say that compared to other mass market lines with mega ships, there aren’t near as many things to do as you see elsewhere. For instance, there’s no roller coaster, go-kart track, zipline, rock-climbing wall or the like. That’s by design as these are largely included to appeal to kids and teens on the ship.
Brilliant Caribbean holidays
As part of the partnership, fleetwide was introduced "JLo Beauty" (onboard shop) selling the superstar's products at sea for the first time. In June 2023, she was appointed as Virgin's Chief Celebrations Officer. In February, Virgin replaced Harding UK (Bristol-based global travel retail business) with Starboard Cruise Services (Doral Florida-based company).
Resilient Lady's Australia-Europe repositioning itinerary (via Suez Canal) changed to an Around...
The addition of a second ship in the Mediterranean for the summer season has allowed Virgin Voyages to offer seven-night voyages every week during the season out of both Barcelona and Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens) — a first for the line. Additionally, we didn't have to worry about extra tips, taxes or fees. Tips for the crew, spa services and more are factored into your cruise price, so what you see on the menu really is what you can expect to pay. All the scheduled between March 26-August 7th (a total of 29) departures were canceled.
RockStar Quarters
Virgin cruise bookings on Scarlet Lady were opened on February 5, 2019 (for customers with pre-sale deposits) and on February 14 (for the general public). Beginning February 5, 2019, at FirstMates.com (dedicated website), the cruise company offers all booking tools and information for travel agents (called "First Mates"), including downloadable and digital materials, interactive learning and more. For February 6th was planned the learning campaign "Cabin Fever" on Scarlet Lady staterooms as they went on sale. The website allows travel agents to make bookings on inaugural cruise season 2020 deals (from February 14) and to contact company's Sailor Services (from February 5) in case they have customers with pre-sale deposits. Virgin cruise passengers are offered complimentary water (filtered and sparkling) at all onboard bars and restaurants. Enjoy a taste of luxury at the 20 onboard eateries, covering everything from Michelin-style dining to late-night snacking.
A Younger Crowd Embraces Cruising
Up until recently, I'd only ever sailed with Disney Cruise Line — and with my kids in tow. However, the Virgin Voyages concept has intrigued me since it launched. Scarlet Lady in summer 2024 is deployed in the Mediterranean and has scheduled two repositioning voyages - from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome, and a Transatlantic crossing to Miami for a new Caribbean deployement. Next image shows one of the initial (train-like) Virgin ship designs. The first ship's (Scarlet Lady) keel-laying ceremony was held on October 31, 2017, and attended by Sir Richard Branson, Tom McAlpin, and Boy George (UK singer, songwriter, fashion designer) who performed as superstar DJ.
Virgin Voyages Cruise News - Cruise Critic
Virgin Voyages Cruise News.
Posted: Thu, 21 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
As of 2023, Starboard was contracted by 11 cruise lines and operated on 90+ ships worldwide. The onboard programming features live performances (by the company's Hapenings Cast) and is managed by Richard Kilman (Virgin's VP of Entertainment). Tom McAlpin commented that the company is not to be considered a big player in the cruising industry, but rather "a small boutique line that will offer different experiences".
Another top destination for Virgin Voyages is the Mediterranean, where the line has been expanding quickly as it adds new ships. The other two longer Caribbean itineraries that Virgin is offering in 2024 are both out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and operated only by Valiant Lady. Some then add a Caribbean stop, while others add a stop in Florida.
Ports within British Isles
The club offers a couple of large pools, ample lounge chairs and towels, plenty of bars and a picture-perfect beach. While I appreciated the array of options at our disposal, I found the quality of the food and service to be hit or miss. Some restaurants I loved so much that I went back a second time; at others, I took a solitary bite of food before deciding to move on. Given all the options available, there were more places than we could try on our first Virgin Voyages cruise. Still, we sought to sample as much as possible during our four-night sailing.
Beyond the evening entertainment, the vibe was similar to what you'd find in Las Vegas. The pools, restaurants, spa, casino and exercise classes all featured plenty of skimpy outfits and adult-oriented jokes and innuendos, though you could avoid anything that was too outside your comfort zone. The entertainment we experienced fell somewhere between PG-13 and R, though we admittedly headed to bed by 11 p.m., so perhaps offerings leaned more X-rated as the night went on. While there is a "Scarlet Night" celebration featuring lots of red lights and sailors donning their best scarlet-colored attire, the atmosphere on board is far from what you'll find in Amsterdam's Red Light District. On November 28, 2018, Richard Branson and Tom McAlpin announced in Miami the company's plans to build a new (Virgin-exclusive) cruise terminal in PortMiami.
Cruise News: Latest Cruise Ship and Cruise Line News - Cruise Hive
Cruise News: Latest Cruise Ship and Cruise Line News.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:48:16 GMT [source]
The announcement mentioned new cabaret and game shows, new parties (80s Party, We Fancy), and more live music (by the hosted in The Red Room and The Manor program Festival Stage Acts/comedy shows rotating every 2 to 4 weeks). The Internet is provided via MEO and LEO satellites (Medium Earth Orbit and Low Earth Orbit). Shipboard Wi-Fi access is unlimited and for multiple devices per guest. Set sail from Singapore on 11 April 2024 on a one-way voyage to Dubai with Virgin Voyages. With this 14-night voyage, you’ll have plenty of time to dip into Phuket’s beautiful green waters, gaze at Colombo’s incredible architecture, and catch up on Goa’s laid-back lifestyle.
But, in a twist from most other cruise lines, they are also encouraged to be themselves, allowed to engage in more friendly and casual interactions with guests. If that conversation includes colorful language, it’s not a fireable offense. Virgin has eschewed traditional cruising concepts like a sprawling buffet or grand main dining room. In their place, Virgin’s “sailors” can find the mostly plant-based Razzle Dazzle restaurant, elevated Mexican at Pink Agave, steak and seafood at Wake, or grab-and-go at the Galley food market, just to name a few. For 2024, Scarlet Lady will be based in Barcelona (taking the place of Valiant Lady), offering two western Mediterranean itineraries that mostly focus on stops in Spain and France. Virgin also operates one-off sailings out of Miami around the winter holidays.
While other ports of call vary based on the sailing, a constant for Scarlet Lady is a stop at its private beach club in the Bahamas. Your cruise price covers dining at all of these spots, plus the quick bite options on the ship. However, some restaurants offer buy-up options labeled as "treat yourself" dishes that cost extra.
Virgin's Bimini Beach Club overlooks the sea and features a large lagoon-style swimming pool. The "resort experience" also features morning open-air exercises (yoga and meditation), afternoon DJ poolside parties, night beach bonfires and live musical performances. In mid-November 2021 was announced an investment in Virgin Voyages by Patricof & Co (1969-founded by Alan Patricof, specializing in venture capital investments). The company is part of Apax Partners LLP (London UK-based equity firm) that also includes Multinational Management Group (1972-founded) and Saunders Karp & Megrue (1988-founded). In September, Nirmal Saverimuttu succeeded Michael McAlpin as the company's President and CEO.
Virgin has pushed the boundaries of onboard entertainment in keeping with the company’s efforts to transcend a traditional cruise experience. To start, there are no drink packages — and that was a big complaint I heard on the ship from folks who were used to sailing with other lines that offer unlimited drink inclusion options. Instead, Virgin Voyages offers a bar tab that you can load before you sail. Sometimes bar tab credit is also included with the sailing as part of a promotion.
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