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Telegraph
24-06-2025
- Telegraph
Five essential things to know before you board a Virgin Voyages cruise ship
Having set up rail, air and even space travel enterprises, Sir Richard Branson announced his venture into the cruise industry in 2015. Yet his first ship, Scarlet Lady, came along just as the Covid pandemic struck, so she didn't make her maiden voyage until 2021; sailing from Portsmouth, rather from Miami, as was originally planned the year before. The adults-only line was aimed at younger cruisers – who it calls 'sailors' – and it soon garnered a reputation for its edgy concepts. These originally included a box of sex aids in every cabin (now discontinued), drag bingo and a tattoo parlour. But in the intervening years, with the introduction of Valiant Lady in 2022 and Resilient Lady a year later, the line has evolved, focusing more on its impressive food offerings, offbeat entertainment and lively deck parties around the pool. Everywhere the ships sail, they are instantly recognised by their scarlet funnels and battleship-coloured hulls – the designers considered more than 100 shades of grey before choosing the final hue. The crew dress down, rather than sporting traditional uniforms, and Virgin Voyages – Branson changed the name from 'Cruises' because he didn't like the 'c-word' – doesn't have the standard observation lounges and other features of its more traditional rivals. Instead, there are Instagrammable venues everywhere, making it the sort of line you'll either love or hate – and if you love it enough you can even buy a ticket for a whole year's unlimited cruising for two for around £90,000. 1. Where does Virgin Voyages cruise? The three 'Lady ships' – soon to become four with the arrival of Brilliant Lady in September 2025 – offer 60 itineraries to 100 ports of call around North America, the Caribbean and Europe. For summer 2025, Scarlet Lady is returning to Portsmouth for voyages lasting between six and 15 nights, visiting destinations including Reykjavik, Norway, Bordeaux, Ireland, Scotland and Cannes. Meanwhile, Resilient Lady is based in Athens, sailing 10- and 11-night itineraries to destinations such as Istanbul, Mykonos, Dubrovnik and Crete. Valiant Lady continues to cruise the Caribbean, with each departure including a stop at the private resort on Bimini island in the Bahamas. Here, the Beach Club sits around a lagoon-style pool overlooking the ocean. Mornings begin with yoga and meditation, while DJ-led parties mark the afternoon. At the end of the day, guests wind down watching sunsets from the shore. Excursion offerings include riding a jet ski or taking a heritage and cultural tour. UK holidaymakers are favouring departures to the Greek islands, Croatia and the eastern Caribbean in 2025, with party island Mykonos featuring in four of the five most popular routes. Portsmouth remains an important port for Virgin – it was the first in the world to welcome the line's initial three vessels. The arrival of Brilliant Lady will add yet more destinations and longer itineraries. These include New York to Bermuda, Los Angeles to Mexico, Miami to the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao), and Seattle to Alaska. Virgin Voyages will also launch a 16-night voyage through the Panama Canal. 2. Who does Virgin Voyages appeal to? When launching the line, Branson said he wanted to attract 'young-at-heart people who want a good time'. As an adults-only line, Virgin Voyages naturally appeals to childless couples – or those who can offload their kids with the grandparents for a week – as well as solo travellers, empty nesters and groups of friends. The median age generally falls between 43 and 47, and is predominantly a mix of Americans, Brits and Australians; although that varies depending on how long the voyage is, the departure port and where the ship sails. Balcony cabins have red hammocks while the RockStar quarters promise record players, and some even feature guitar rooms. Early users of the top suites were invited to imitate Branson and dance on their outside tables – however, the steps helping them do so have since been converted to planters. Ordinary cabins, meanwhile, still have beds that can convert to sofas during the day. Clubbers enjoy The Manor, a cool three-storey venue named after Branson's first recording studio. The pool is less for swimming and more for being seen – especially on Scarlet Night – and the ice-cream parlour is called Lick Me Till Ice Cream. Yet whether you think it's hip or trying too hard, Virgin Voyages certainly stands out from the competition. 3. Virgin Voyages' fleet Scarlet Lady (2,762 passengers) With its so-called 'MerMaiden' voyage in 2021, Scarlet Lady set the standard for the three subsequent ships, introducing six main restaurants and replacing a traditional buffet with a group of food stalls serving dishes to order. After just three years of service, Scarlet Lady underwent a makeover, introducing a Chinese-inspired dining concept called Lucky Lotus, which takes over the Razzle Dazzle restaurant at night. The ship was also given more suites, six VIP poolside cabanas and a new cocktail bar on its 15th deck. Ordinary cabins were also given more drawers and storage. Even the mermaid on its bow was given a touch-up. Valiant Lady (2,762 passengers) Following on so soon from Scarlet Lady, the second Virgin Voyages ship – launched in Portsmouth before heading to Miami in 2022 – retained most of the same features. There were subtle differences in the sculptures and artwork and a new, black mermaid on her bow, created by artist Hillary Wilson. Sails to: Caribbean Resilient Lady (2,762 passengers) The line's third ship made her debut in the Greek islands in 2023. It features exclusive shows like Persephone, a modern retelling of the Greek myth; Another Rose, a cabaret dining experience; and Lola's Library, a mix of song, dance, acrobatics and comedy that's presented in three themed chapters that invite the audience to either stay all night or pop in and out. The Latina mermaid was created by New Mexican native Jodie Herrera. Brilliant Lady (2,762 passengers) Launching in September 2025, the fleet's fourth ship will debut seven new shows in the entertainment arena, The Red Room and The Manor, including a time-travelling comedy (watch out for the acrobatic cavemen), a murder mystery and an ultraviolet show featuring a jellyfish parade. It certainly promises to be different. There will also be a new Spanish-inspired dining concept, Rojo by Razzle Dazzle. The mermaid is designed by Toronto-based illustrator Janice Sung, taking inspiration from Renaissance paintings as well as Japanese and Chinese art, fashion and beauty. 4. Loyalty scheme Passengers who sail on a single full-fare voyage are automatically enrolled in the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club. They receive members-only offers and perks which can range from a speciality coffee a day to $100 (£75) onboard credit. 5. Access for guests with disabilities Virgin Voyages offers a variety of cabins for people with disabilities. These feature wider doorways, step-free bathrooms, a ramp out to the balcony and other features. Customers are asked to book early and specify all their requirements to the Sailor Services crew or travel agent.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nearly 25 guests, crew sick in luxury cruise gastrointestinal outbreak
Nearly 25 people got sick in a gastrointestinal outbreak on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing that ended Wednesday. Among 666 guests on board its Seven Seas Explorer ship, 22 reported being ill, along with two crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea. The health agency listed the causative agent as unknown. The ship departed from Tokyo on April 26 for a cruise through Japan and Alaska before arriving in Vancouver, according to CruiseMapper. The cruise line consulted with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program and isolated sick guests and crew, among other measures, the agency said. Regent did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. There have been 17 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that met the CDC's threshold for public notification so far this year, most of which were caused by norovirus. There were 18 outbreaks in all of 2024, and 14 the previous year. The CDC told USA TODAY in April that although 'the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend.' 'However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land,' the agency said in an emailed statement. 'Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.' The illness is frequently associated with cruises, but those make up just 1% of all outbreaks reported. Dr. David J. Weber, the Charles Addison and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine, previously told USA TODAY that the vessels are conducive to the spread of norovirus since passengers and crew are confined to relatively small spaces and often eat together. 'So, most (outbreaks) are not occurring on cruise ships, but the cruise ships are a perfect setting for it,' Weber, who is also a professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, said in April. Seven Seas Explorer wasn't the only ship with illness on board this month. A number of passengers aboard Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady had stomach flu symptoms during a cruise from Greece to Croatia and Montenegro that ended May 11. 'Out of an abundance of caution, our medical team isolated these travelers and immediately enacted enhanced sanitization procedures, including additional cleaning of cabins and high-contact areas around the ship,' the cruise line said in an emailed statement. 'We are working closely with health officials and their medical professionals.' The number of impacted passengers and cause of illness were not immediately available. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 20+ people sick in Regent Seven Seas cruise gastrointestinal outbreak
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Nearly 25 guests, crew sick in luxury cruise gastrointestinal outbreak
Nearly 25 guests, crew sick in luxury cruise gastrointestinal outbreak Show Caption Hide Caption Norovirus: Symptoms and prevention of 'stomach flu' When norovirus cases spike, these are symptoms you should watch out for and measures you can take for prevention. Twenty-four people reported gastrointestinal illness on a recent Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing. The CDC is investigating the outbreak, but the cause is currently unknown. This incident is part of a larger trend of gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships this year. Nearly 25 people got sick in a gastrointestinal outbreak on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing that ended Wednesday. Among 666 guests on board its Seven Seas Explorer ship, 22 reported being ill, along with two crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea. The health agency listed the causative agent as unknown. The ship departed from Tokyo on April 26 for a cruise through Japan and Alaska before arriving in Vancouver, according to CruiseMapper. The cruise line consulted with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program and isolated sick guests and crew, among other measures, the agency said. Regent did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. There have been 17 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that met the CDC's threshold for public notification so far this year, most of which were caused by norovirus. There were 18 outbreaks in all of 2024, and 14 the previous year. The CDC told USA TODAY in April that although 'the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend.' 'However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land,' the agency said in an emailed statement. 'Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.' The illness is frequently associated with cruises, but those make up just 1% of all outbreaks reported. Dr. David J. Weber, the Charles Addison and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine, previously told USA TODAY that the vessels are conducive to the spread of norovirus since passengers and crew are confined to relatively small spaces and often eat together. 'So, most (outbreaks) are not occurring on cruise ships, but the cruise ships are a perfect setting for it,' Weber, who is also a professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, said in April. Seven Seas Explorer wasn't the only ship with illness on board this month. A number of passengers aboard Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady had stomach flu symptoms during a cruise from Greece to Croatia and Montenegro that ended May 11. 'Out of an abundance of caution, our medical team isolated these travelers and immediately enacted enhanced sanitization procedures, including additional cleaning of cabins and high-contact areas around the ship,' the cruise line said in an emailed statement. 'We are working closely with health officials and their medical professionals.' The number of impacted passengers and cause of illness were not immediately available. Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
Miami Herald
03-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
South Florida is the cruise capital. See ships based this year in Miami, Broward
South Florida is home to two of the busiest cruise passenger ports in the world, PortMiami and Port Everglades. PortMiami had a record 8.2 million visitors in fiscal year 2024, a 13% increase from the prior period. New ships departing included Explora Journeys Explora II, Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady, MSC Cruises World America, Norwegian Cruise Line Aqua, Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady and Oceania Allura. MORE: What do you want on a cruise? How private resorts are changing travel Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale had 4.1 million passengers in fiscal year 2024, also a record. New ships include the Crystal Serenity, Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, Silversea's Silver Ray and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's llama. Here are the ships home-ported in Miami and Broward until Sept. 30, 2025: PortMiami Visit Miami port's website for details on cruise lines and their ships. ▪ Carnival Cruise Lines Celebration, Conquest, Horizon, Magic, Sunrise, Miracle, Paradise, Spirit, Venezia ▪ Celebrity Cruises Summit, Explora Journeys, Explora I, Explora II ▪ MSC Cruises MSC Divina, MSC Magnifica, Seascape, Seaside, Seashore, World America ▪ Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Blissv, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Pearl ▪ Oceania Cruises Insignia, Marina, Nautica, Sirena, Vista, Regent Seven Seas, Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator ▪ Royal Caribbean International Allure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Virgin Voyages, Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, Valiant Lady Port Everglades Visit the Broward port's website for details on cruise lines and their ships. ▪ Baleària Caribbean Jaume II (will sail year-round) ▪ Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Reflection (will sail year-round), Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Summit ▪ Crystal Crystal Serenity ▪ Disney Cruise Line Disney Dream (will saill year-round), Disney Magic ▪ Holland America Line Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam ▪ Princess Cruises Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Emerald Princess, Enchanted Princess (will sail year-round), Island Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Ruby Princess, Saphire Princess, Sky Princess, Sun Princess, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Ilma ▪ Royal Caribbean International Freedom of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas (will sail year-round), Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas (will sail year-round), Serenade of the Seas, Silversea Cruises., Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Shadow ▪ Viking Cruises Viking Mars, Viking Neptune, Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris, Viking Sky
The Independent
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Virgin Voyages boss: Why no children is key to a successful cruise
Child-free cruises have been hailed as a key factor in the success of Virgin Voyages. The adult-only cruise brand reported a record wave season – the industry's new year sales period – in the first quarter of 2025. The cruise line said it has been buoyed by record bookings and revenues as passengers seek premium kid-free sailings. Sir Richard Branson's cruise brand revealed it has seen 34 per cent growth in bookings, with revenue up 45 per cent globally and 30 per cent in the UK. Nirmal Saverimuttu, chief executive of Virgin Voyages, said: "These outstanding results demonstrate the tremendous momentum our brand has established in the market. 'Our kid-free, award-winning experience has successfully positioned us as a true premium alternative in the cruise industry.' Virgin Voyages launched its first ship, Scarlet Lady, in August 2021, with an aim to make waves in the cruise industry and appeal to a younger audience. The fleet has since been joined by Resilient Lady and Valiant Lady. A fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is due to launch with a maiden voyage from New York this September. It has ditched dress codes and main dining rooms for a mix of specialty restaurants such as the Gunbae Korean barbecue and the six-course Test Kitchen, all included in the cruise fare. There is even a tattoo parlour and record shop onboard. Virgin Voyages says the median age of its passengers falls between 43 and 47, which is below the cruise industry average of 55. There are plenty of photo opportunities around the ship with colourful backdrops, and passengers will find unique takes on entertainment onboard such as a 1980s style VHS workout and a drag bingo event called Bingo With The Diva. Virgin Voyages also has a Scarlet Night, where passengers are encouraged to dress in red. There is a party atmosphere with acrobats and performances across the ship, with the night culminates in a poolside disco. You may even be invited to its secret bar below deck. It wasn't all smooth sailing at the start though as some Virgin Voyages passengers initially questioned the bland cabin décor and small pool size, while there were some eyebrows raised by an 'adult toy box' that could be purchased in the rooms. Cabins have since been improved, with pictures, wood panelling, throw pillows and more storage. The adult toy box has been removed and some of the more risqué entertainment has been changed. Never Sleep Alone, a headline show that gave out condoms and featured a sex therapist advising passengers on chat up lines and bedroom antics, is no longer on the ships and there is more of a focus on comedy, cabaret and wellness onboard. For example, passengers can book a comedy cruise hosted by Jack Whitehall aboard Scarlet Lady from Portsmouth this August. Saverimuttu said the brand is appealing to those who are looking for a more relaxed environment without kids. and some sailings are made up of 60 per cent of repeat cruisers. He added: 'Our vessels' deliberate size delivers the perfect balance of intimate, elevated experiences with exceptional variety that resonates strongly with consumers. The impressive repeat booking rates we're seeing validate our business model and product-market fit, with initial sailings consistently converting to long-term customer relationships. 'We're not just changing how people cruise – we're redefining what a vacation at sea can be. And we're doing it with our signature mix of style, substance, and innovation that only Virgin can deliver, including exciting new itineraries, new entertainment, new food and of course Brilliant Lady 's debut.' There are plenty other adult-only brands. A recent Which? cruise passenger survey ranked over-50s line Saga as the best cruise brand, while other options include Ambassador and Viking. Cruise lines such as P&O Cruises and Marella also have adult-only ships. Alternatively, there are lots of family-focused cruise lines offering waterslides, entertainment and top kids' clubs such as Norwegian Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises and Disney. Carnival Corporation, which owns P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises as well as Cunard, also reported record revenues during wave season. Josh Weinstein, chief executive of Carnival Corporation, said: 'We are delivering amazing vacation experiences every day in a time when people all over the world are placing increasing importance on experiences, particularly those spent with family and friends. Our value for money is truly a strength when people look to make their vacation dollars go further.'
