Virgin Voyages has introduced Rovey - the brand's first AI crew assistant and the first deliverable of Project Ruby, Virgin Voyages' long-term AI initiative built with Google Cloud. The announcement was made at Google Cloud Next in Las Vegas, earlier this week.   Built with Google Cloud, Rovey is an AI travel-planning assistant for travel agents. It navigates the decisions that shape a cruise booking, where itinerary, timing, destination mix and onboard experiences all intersect. Instead of starting from a blank slate or navigating multiple itineraries manually, First Mates (agents) can rely on Rovey to make human-like recommendations based on a sailor's (guest’s) travel style, timing and preferences.   This was a role that traditionally required a phone call to guest services - now it gives First Mates a new tool to refine recommendations for their clients in real time.   Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages said: "We sail to more than 150 destinations, with 60+ itineraries on sale more than two years out. It's a complex decision, and it matters. Our advisors care about getting it right for their clients. Rovey helps with that. She brings the most relevant options into focus and makes it easier to tailor recommendations for clients. That's always our goal with AI: to free up processes in favour of human-to-human connections."   Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand experience, marketing and momentum officer at Virgin Voyages added: "The best First Mates we work with spend their time building relationships, not answering the same foundational questions every week. When a Sailor arrives having already worked through the basics, the conversation becomes about the person and less about the itinerary. That is where trust is built. That is what drives a Sailor to rebook and to send their friends. Rovey shows up first so the First Mate can finish strongest."   The broader Project Ruby is a platform developed with Google Cloud, which provides the underlying AI infrastructure and model capabilities, while Virgin Voyages brings structured data, behavioural insight and domain expertise from one of travel's most complex booking environments. Together, the teams designed Rovey to operate as a decision-support system capable of guiding travel agents and guests through a high-consideration purchase with context-aware recommendations.   Sam Sebastian, VP, North America regions, Google Cloud said: "We are excited to collaborate with Virgin Voyages and leverage Google Cloud’s leading AI technology to enhance the cruise booking process. By powering Rovey with our AI tools, Virgin Voyages is able to mitigate booking friction, deliver personalised travel recommendations at scale, and build deeper, more valuable connections with Sailors."   First Mates can soon direct Sailors to Rovey via VirginVoyages.com for first-level planning support. Additional Project Ruby resources and guidance for First Mates will also be available via FirstMates.com.   Project Ruby is a multi-year initiative with seven expressions planned across the full Sailor experience. Future releases will continue to improve the tools available to the First Mate community at every stage of a client’s voyage.

  Virgin Voyages has introduced two new Sailor (guest) offers for April.   Running from April 15 to April 30, 2026, the line has launched its Semi-Annual Sale. The offer features reduced fares from £79 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. The pricing applies to 38 select sailings across the fleet with calls in the Mediterranean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Pacific Coast and Europe.   The rate is a standalone offer and is not combinable with any other promotions.   Highlight sailings include:   * A seven-night Greek Island Glow voyage, sailing on Scarlet Lady from Athens and visiting Rhodes, Bodrum, Santorini and Mykonos. Prices start from £553pp. * A seven-night Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights voyage, sailing on Scarlet Lady from San Juan, and visiting Oranjestad, Castries, St. John's and Philipsburg. Prices start from £553pp.   Alongside this, Virgin Voyages is offering up to $400 onboard spend per cabin on select 2026 and 2027 Europe and Alaska sailings onboard Brilliant Lady, Resilient Lady and Scarlet Lady. The additional onboard spend is fully combinable with the line’s current Spring campaign, which includes:   * Up to £750 savings * Up to 70% off the second Sailor   SJ Walker, UK Director of Sales at Virgin Voyages, said: “Our First Mates (agents) are brilliant at understanding what their customers want, so it’s our job to give them options that are the most compelling. Whether it’s someone looking for a great-value escape or planning something further out with a bit extra to spend onboard, this gives agents the flexibility to have those conversations and close with confidence.”   For more information, visit SellVV.co.uk or contact the Virgin Voyages UK sales team.

  Virgin Voyages has marked the arrival of Brilliant Lady into Los Angeles, ahead of the launch of its first-ever West Coast programme.   The 16-night repositioning sailing from Miami, via the Panama Canal, saw the ship call at destinations including Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Cabo San Lucas before arriving on the West Coast. The deployment makes Brilliant Lady the line’s first ship to homeport in Los Angeles.   The arrival signals the start of a programme of five- to eight-night itineraries sailing along the California coast through May 2026.   The LA MerMaiden and West Coast season   The West Coast programme launched with a five-night ‘MerMaiden’ sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles, calling at Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ensenada, Mexico. Additional itineraries feature ports including Catalina Island and San Francisco.   New West Coast programming: wellness, ritual and movement at sea   As part of the West Coast deployment, the ship now includes a refreshed onboard wellness offering.   New additions comprise a morning wellness experience, Radiance, which combines guided breathwork, stretching and music-led movement sessions, in addition to a series of eight, 45-minute West-Coast themed indoor cycling classes, each with its own playlist and format. Both are included within the cruise fare and bookable via the Virgin Voyages App.   An enhanced wellness bar, Juice Sea, has also been added for the season. The venue offers cold-pressed juices, wellness shots and a new protein-focused smoothie menu, with options tailored to different fitness and nutrition goals.   Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Virgin Voyages, said: "Brilliant Lady was built for people who treat their body, their time and their experiences as serious investments. They want movement and ritual alongside the best night out they've ever had at sea. The West Coast has always had a deep affinity for the Virgin brand and its values, so this feels like a homecoming moment for us."   Following the West Coast season, Brilliant Lady will reposition to Seattle, with the line’s inaugural Alaska programme set to begin on May 21, 2026.   For more information about Virgin Voyages’ inaugural West Coast season, visit VirginVoyages.com.

  Virgin Voyages has unveiled a new sales campaign, offering up to £750 in instant savings and 70% off a second Sailor (guest).   Running from April 1 to May 28, 2026, the promotion is available across Virgin Voyages’ full programme of kid-free sailings, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean and North America.   SJ Walker, UK Director of Sales at Virgin Voyages, said: "Our First Mates are incredible at what they do, and this campaign gives them everything they need to close deals with real confidence. Between the savings and the second Sailor discount - there's genuine value here.   “What we're really saying is: book with us, and your customers get looked after from day one. That's Always Included Luxury in action."   For the duration of the campaign, First Mates will also benefit from £5 per booking in First Mate Loot on every confirmed sale across the full programme.   For full details regarding departures, destinations and packages First Mates should visit SellVV.co.uk or contact the Virgin Voyages UK sales team.

  Virgin Voyages has announced the new dates for their 2027 Red Hot Sailing Club voyages.   The two exclusive departures are available to book now. The itineraries offer music performances alongside access and events featuring the Virgin Voyages senior leadership team.   The adult-only 2027 collection comprises: * July 4-11: roundtrip from Athens to Santorini, Crete, Kusadasi and an overnight in Mykonos * November 8-13: roundtrip from Miami to Costa Maya and The Beach Club at Bimini   Developed around three core themes - recognising loyalty, celebrating the wider Virgin family and bringing Sailors (guests) closer to the brand - the 2027 Red Hot Sailing Club Voyages will feature a series of exclusive onboard events, smaller hosted gatherings, curated Shore Things (shore excursions) and speciality cocktail experiences designed to reward repeat Sailors who continue to choose Virgin Voyages for their holidays.   The cruises will also include behind-the-scenes sessions, offering insight into the development of the Virgin Voyages brand. Guests will have the opportunity to attend interactive discussions and storytelling sessions, plus meet members of the senior leadership team to learn more about the company’s growth and future plans.   The sailings will also highlight the broader Virgin family through a series of onboard activations and presentations. Previous years have seen Sam Kelly, Virgin's chief experience officer give talks on brand disruption, and presentations from Dee Cooper, a founding member of Virgin Voyages - leading design and customer experience, who designed all of the brand’s Lady Ships.   Previous Celebration and Red Hot Sailing Club voyages have featured performers including Boy George, Melanie C, Kathy Sledge and Nicky Jam. Nile Rodgers & CHIC recently headlined the 2026 Red Hot Sailing Club Voyage.   Further details on special guest appearances, headline performers and additional programming for the 2027 Red Hot Sailing Club Voyages will be announced in due course.

  Virgin Voyages will bring together all four of its kid-free ships at sea for the first time in February 2027, in what the line says will be the largest coordinated fleet gathering in cruise history.   The event, named ‘Sisters at Sea’, will take place on February 16, 2027, when Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady meet at a fixed point in the Caribbean, approximately 44 miles north of Nuevitas, Cuba.   More than 15,000 passengers and crew are expected to be onboard across the four vessels.   The gathering will feature simultaneous onboard events across all ships, including coordinated deck parties and a fleet-wide horn salute.   The milestone comes nearly six years after the delivery of Scarlet Lady, the first ship in the fleet.   Four ways to be there   The fleet meet-up will form part of four itineraries:  

• Sisters at Sea: Scarlet Lady - five-night sailing from Miami, departing February 15-20, 2027 calling at Grand Bahama Island and a day at Virgin Voyages' exclusive Beach Club at Bimini. Prices start from £976pp.

• Sisters at Sea: Valiant Lady - seven-night sailing from San Juan, departing February 13-20, 2027, calling at Cabo Rojo, Samaná and Grand Turk. Prices start from £1,262pp.
• Sisters at Sea: Resilient Lady - seven-night sailing from Miami, departing February 14-21, 2027, calling at Progreso - the gateway to Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, Grand Bahama Island and Virgin Voyages' Beach Club at Bimini. Prices start from £1,244pp.
• Sisters at Sea: Brilliant Lady - 10-night sailing from Miami, departing February 8-18, 2027, calling at St. Maarten, Tortola, St. Croix, San Juan and Puerto Plata. Prices start from £1,794pp.

  An onboard preview of future brand developments is also expected to be shared with sailors (guests) during the sailings.   Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, said: “When we launched Scarlet Lady, we had a vision, and that vision was always four ships but one community. This fleet-wide meetup is that dream made real. It belongs to every Sailor who believed in us before they had a reason to."   All departures are available for First Mates (travel agents) to book. They include Virgin Voyages’ signature inclusions for Sailors - more than 20 eateries, WiFi, essential drinks, group fitness classes and onboard entertainment.   For full details regarding departures, destinations and packages First Mates should visit SellVV.co.uk or contact the Virgin Voyages UK sales team.

  Following the recent itinerary release for Virgin Voyages' flagship vessel, Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages is unveiling its winter 2027/2028 kid-free sailings, operating on Brilliant Lady, Resilient Lady and Valiant Lady.   Running from late 2027 to spring 2028, destinations include:   * Caribbean * Mexican Riviera * Pacific Coastal * Panama Canal   Brilliant Lady   Brilliant Lady will operate voyages from Los Angeles calling at destinations in the Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast and Panama Canal before transitioning into a Caribbean winter season, sailing from Miami. Highlights include:   * A seven-night Baja Mexico Halloween Cruise * A seven-night voyage from LA with a Cabo overnight * A seven-night Mexican Riviera voyage with a maiden stop in La Paz   In addition, the ship will sail a series of seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises, as well as a 17-night Panama Canal sailing from Los Angeles to Miami with visits to Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas, Cartagena and Puerto Quetzal.   The ship’s Caribbean itineraries range from three to ten nights, including calls at San Juan, Tortola, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and The Beach Club at Bimini. Special sailings include:   * A five-night Mexico & Bimini Beach Club Holiday Christmas voyage * A seven-night Western Caribbean & Bimini New Year's cruise   Lead-in prices start from £366pp for a three-night weekender to Bimini, departing January 4, 2028.   Resilient Lady   Resilient Lady’s winter 2027/2028 programme, sailing from Miami, opens with a 14-night Halloween transatlantic from Barcelona, followed by a series of six-, seven- and eight-night Caribbean sailings.   Destinations include the likes of Nassau, Grand Turk, and Samana and Puerto Plata, on Eastern Caribbean routes, while Western itineraries include Ocho Rios, George Town and Key West. Christmas and New Year departures add further variety, with options such as:   * The Eastern Caribbean & Bimini Holiday voyage, calling at Puerto Plata, San Juan, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas * The Western Caribbean & Bimini New Year’s voyage calling at Costa Maya, Belize City, Roatán, and the Beach Club at Bimini   Lead-in prices start from £797pp for a six-night Eastern Caribbean & Bimini Beach Club departing January 23, 2028.   Valliant Lady   Meanwhile, Valiant Lady will also sail from Miami for winter 2027/2028, offering a programme of short Caribbean cruises. This includes:   * A five-night Grand Turk & Bimini Beach Club voyage * Three to five-night options such as Key West & Bimini Beach Club itineraries and Dominican Republic & Bimini Beach Club * A seven-night Western Caribbean & Bimini Holiday * A four-night Key West & Bimini New Year's cruise   Lead-in prices start from £513pp for a four-night Bahamas & Bimini Beach Club departing January 13, 2028.   All departures are available for First Mates (travel agents) to book. They include Virgin Voyages’ signature inclusions for Sailors (guests) - more than 20 eateries, WiFi, essential drinks, group fitness classes and onboard entertainment   SJ Walker, UK Director of Sales at Virgin Voyages, said: “As we look ahead to winter 2027–2028, we’re giving Sailors more choice than ever before. With three ships operating across these sought-after destinations, our upcoming season offers an incredibly diverse mix of short getaways, longer explorations and iconic sailings. From marquee ports such as San Juan, Cabo San Lucas and Grand Turk, to our signature Beach Club at Bimini, these programmes are designed to help our First Mates match every type of traveller with the kid-free perfect voyage.”   The new voyages form part of Virgin Voyages current First Mate incentive running through March 31, 2026, offering £15 per booking, three times the standard reward.   For full details regarding departures, destinations and packages First Mates should visit SellVV.co.uk or contact the Virgin Voyages UK sales team.

  Virgin Voyages has announced the debut of a modern Indian restaurant, named ‘Ariya’, exclusively on Valiant Lady following her dry dock this May.   Developed in partnership with Indie Culinaire by acclaimed celebrity chef, television personality and cookbook author, Maneet Chauhan, Ariya will offer Sailors (guests) a range of Indian cuisine, pairing known classics with coastal flavours and regional specialities.   The restaurant's name was inspired by Sir Richard Branson's great-great-grandmother – Ariya. From the coastal town of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, she travelled extensively, believing food was an international language. The foundation of the restaurant is built on these beliefs.   THE SPACE:   Ariya will use Valiant Lady's breakfast and brunch venue, Razzle Dazzle, as a 220-seat restaurant each evening. The interiors are inspired by the colour, culture and craftsmanship of India’s spice markets.   The new restaurant offers:

• A semi-private dining space framed by decorative screens, made to resemble the interior of a traditional jewellery box
• Cuddalore-inspired booths
• A feature bar, backed by an eclectic DJ soundtrack of Indian classics, Bollywood hits, Punjabi pop and global sounds

  THE CUISINE:    Ariya offers a menu inspired by regional Indian cuisine, showcasing flavours and ingredients from across the country. Dishes are prepared using layered spices and traditional cooking techniques. The menu also features a selection of chaat, a traditional Indian street food known for its crisp textures and vibrant flavours.   Dishes include:

• Lamb shank biryani
• Goan curried mussels
• Malabar coconut crab cake
• Puffed rice and avocado chaat
• Tandoori pistachio-crusted snapper

  THE BAR:    Ariya’s bar offerings feature cocktails inspired by the same regional influences as its cuisine. A complimentary serving of jaljeera, a chilled tamarind and cumin drink, is available to all guests prior to dining.   Cocktails include:

• Maharani Morning with rose, cardamom and sparkling wine
• Golden Hour Spritz layered with saffron and honey
• Saffron & Silk with scotch and toasted coconut smoke
• Bangalore Old Fashioned with jaggery and cardamom
• The Seventh Leaf, a botanical zero-proof creation

  A curated wine list is included alongside a selection of Indian small-batch spirits, while a traditional chai tea service is also available.   Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO at Virgin Voyages, said: “Ariya is the next chapter in our food and beverage collection that we've been building with real intention since day one. Every restaurant we open is a statement about what we believe dining at sea can be, and Ariya says something we haven't said before. Indian cuisine, done with this level of craft and this much heart, belongs on Valiant Lady. Sailors who've sailed with us before will understand immediately why this belongs here. For those who haven't, Ariya might be the reason they book.”   Chef Levi Mezick, senior director of culinary programme development at Virgin Voyages, said: “Indian cuisine is finally getting the global recognition it has always deserved and our Sailors get to experience it at its best, with Chef Maneet. The spice combinations alone will surprise people. That's the goal: to make every Sailor at that table think, ‘I didn't know food could do that’.”

  Virgin Voyages has released its new Southern Caribbean itineraries for Winter 2027 – 2028.   The 2,770-guest Scarlet Lady will offer 23 round-trip departures from San Juan, Puerto Rico, across 12 itineraries, which are now on sale.   The new season gives First Mates (agents) and Sailors (guests) even more choice, from six- to 12-night voyages, departing between October 2027 and April 2028, combining longer island-rich routes with the brand’s signature adults-only experience.   Highlights include:

• A new 12-night Transatlantic voyage from Barcelona to San Juan with Halloween-themed activities and events, departing October 31, 2027, featuring an inaugural call to Lanzarote, Canary Islands and a full day in Tangier, Morocco.
• A wide selection of six-, seven-, eight- and 12-night sailings calling at ports including Aruba, Curaçao, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, St Maarten, Dominica and Tortola.
• A series of Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights voyages featuring late-night departures from Aruba.
• Special Christmas and New Year voyages.

  Lead-in prices start from £1697 per cabin* for a six-night Southern Caribbean Cruise departing January 2, 2028.   All departures include Virgin Voyages’ signature inclusions - more than 20 eateries, WiFi, essential drinks, group fitness classes and onboard entertainment.   SJ Walker, UK director of sales at Virgin Voyages, said: “We’re giving our Sailors and First Mates even more ways to experience the Southern Caribbean with our new itineraries. With Scarlet Lady sailing from San Juan, Sailors can dive straight into kid-free island-hopping from day one, while enjoying everything that makes Virgin Voyages different - incredible dining, immersive entertainment and a relaxed, come-as-you-are atmosphere.   “It’s brilliant for First Mates too, with every fare delivering more than $1,000 USD in always-included value for their customers, making it easier for our agent partners to demonstrate value upfront and convert with confidence.”   The new voyages form part of Virgin Voyages’ current Wave campaign, available to book through February, 2026. The offer includes:  

• 80% off the second Sailor
• Up to $350 in free drinks
• Up to $300 onboard credit on Caribbean voyages

  For more information, visit firstmates.com or contact the Virgin Voyages sales team.

  Virgin Voyages has started the year with a major UK trade push, reaching more than 1,000 First Mates (travel agents) in January through a nationwide programme of store visits, head office takeovers and in-person training sessions.   The UK sales team connected directly with 1,063 agents, visited 101 stores and delivered activity across 58 locations. They also hosted dedicated sessions and takeovers with key head office partners and agency groups.   The January engagement drive formed part of Virgin Voyages’ continued investment in agent support, with a focus on product training and incentive awareness during Wave booking season.   Alongside the high level of trade engagement, trade specific booking performance also showed strong momentum.   January performance highlights include:

• Travel agent revenue per cruising day is up 25% year on year, reflecting growing recognition of the value delivered through the line’s inclusive offering.
• Average selling value of each voyage is up 18% year on year, with 10-night Caribbean voyages proving particularly popular.
• Caribbean demand has doubled year on year, and now represents 42% of all UK trade bookings versus 21% at the same point last year.

  Elsewhere, trade incentives also saw standout engagement in January. The enhanced First Mate Loot incentive - whereby the trade can earn £30 per booking, six times the standard reward, across all products on sale through 2027 - generated significant engagement, with 65% of agents applying it to bookings made during the period. The incentive has been offered alongside the returning Bring on Bimini fam trip incentive, launched in partnership with Virgin Atlantic, which gives UK First Mates the chance to win a place on a hosted Virgin Voyages familiarisation trip to the Caribbean.   SJ Walker, Virgin Voyages’ UK director of sales, said: “January has been all about showing up for the trade - in store, at head offices and face to face with First Mates across the UK. Reaching more than 1,000 agents in a single month is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. Just as importantly, the quality of bookings coming through is rising, with longer sailings and higher-value trips becoming the norm. That’s good news for our First Mates, good news for Sailors and a strong signal for the year ahead.”   Virgin Voyages’ trade incentives - including Bring on Bimini and the enhanced £30 First Mate Loot reward – run through to February 26, 2026. To enter, travel agents must log every booking via firstmateloot.co.uk.   For more information, visit firstmates.com or contact the Virgin Voyages sales team.

  PR42 has been appointed by Virgin Voyages to support the brand’s UK trade communications strategy. The specialist cruise PR agency will lead all press and publicity activities aimed at First Mates (travel advisors), with immediate effect.   PR42 will work alongside Virgin Voyages' UK sales team, led by SJ Walker, UK Director of Sales. Together, they will amplify key trade messaging and spotlight what sets the award-winning brand apart for agents and their Sailors, from its kid-free experience to a strong value proposition that includes dining across more than 20 eateries, WiFi, immersive entertainment and group fitness classes, all included in the voyage fare.   Key initiatives for Q1 include:  

• Continuing to drive Caribbean 2026 and 2027 bookings, supported by a diverse range of itineraries designed to appeal to the UK market
• A Wave offer of 80% off the second Sailor and up to $400 in free drinks across Caribbean, Mediterranean and North American voyages
• ‘Bring on Bimini’, an initiative giving First Mates the chance to get onboard with a hosted familiarisation trip to the Caribbean

  David Sanders, PR42 director, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be supporting such a brilliant brand, as Virgin Voyages looks to further enhance its trade presence in the UK. The line has a truly unique story to tell, and we’re looking forward to working closely with the sales team to bring agent-friendly initiatives and activity to First Mates over the next few months.”   SJ Walker said: “As we look ahead to 2026, our focus is on accelerating growth by working even more closely with our First Mates. PR42 brings the right trade expertise to help us communicate the full enterprise value of Virgin Voyages, from our differentiated onboard experience to a proposition that delivers strong results for agents.”   PR42 will partner with The Romans, who retain Virgin Voyages' remit for UK consumer PR.

 

The Adults-Only Cruise Line Launches the World's Broadest Status Match Program Ever Offered, Celebrating Power Travelers Who Deserve to Be Valued

    Virgin Voyages has a simple message for travellers who love to get out and explore the world: if you've stayed loyal to brands that promised to reward wanderlust but feel like you aren't being valued as much as you used to, jump on board Virgin Voyages because they're ready to show you what it feels like when a brand loves you back.   Today, the world's most-awarded adults-only cruise brand is launching the broadest Status Match program ever offered, extending instant status recognition to about 50 million travellers who hold high-tier status with more than 35 airline, hotel and cruise loyalty programs. They believe travel should be rewarded, explorers should be valued and loyalty should always feel like love, not fine print.   The numbers tell us what travellers are feeling. According to recent data, 83% of consumers feel undervalued by the brands they remain loyal to (Emarsys, January 2025), and McKinsey reports that sentiment toward many loyalty programs has declined significantly. When travellers don't feel valued, they're likely to look for alternatives, and the premium brand that has won multiple awards for best cruise line wants to show how sailing the high seas the Virgin way may be the antidote for a case of the loyalty blues.   Virgin Voyages' new course for top travellers starts today: the elite status you've earned exploring the world means instant Blue Extras on your first sailing. No hoops. No hurdles. Just immediate recognition and a vacation designed entirely for adults who deserve to feel valued from bow to stern.   “Loyalty programs have gotten it backward,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “They ask for more, give less and call it a reward. We’re flipping that. From the moment Sailors step aboard, we want them to feel recognized, relaxed and reminded of why they fell in love with travel in the first place.”   STATUS MATCH: SET SAIL WITH INSTANT RECOGNITION   Eligible Programs: Virgin Voyages is recognizing loyalty members from across the Virgin family, extending Blue Extras hospitality to eligible members of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club and Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer. This brings even greater value to Virgin customers across the UK, US and Australia, ensuring they can enjoy elevated perks from air to sea.   Virgin Voyages’ enhanced Status Match is also eligible across 35+ travel programs including American Airlines’ AAdvantage, United MileagePlus Program, Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards, Carnival’s VIFP Club and dozens more.   What Blue Extras Unlocks: Premium coffees at The Grounds Club to fuel your mornings at sea, complimentary laundry service, exclusive cocktail events where you'll connect with Crew and fellow Sailors, and personalized Sailor Services support from embarkation to disembarkation. Access to special deals and entry into our global rewards program benefits.   Matching Window: Apply for Virgin Voyages’ Status Match now through Jan. 16, 2026 and book a voyage by March 31, 2026 to snag Blue Extras.   Sailings Available: Now through Summer 2027, with departures from Miami, San Juan, New York, Barcelona, Athens, Los Angeles and Seattle with ports that connect Sailors to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska and beyond.   VALUING TRAVELERS, NOT JUST TRANSACTIONS   Virgin Voyages' Status Match program reflects the brand's fundamental belief: people who love to travel deserve to be valued for it.   "You earned your status," said Saverimuttu. "You put in the flights, the nights, the spend. Other programs responded by taking more and giving less. We're responding by opening our doors and saying: we see you, we appreciate you, come sail with us."   The approach resonates. Virgin Voyages maintains industry-leading repeat customer rates, with Sailors returning at rates as high as 50% on some voyages – more than triple the cruise industry average. The brand has been named Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Mega-Ship Cruise Line" for three consecutive years and 2026 revenue is already up approximately 60% year over year.   Why? Because when brands genuinely value travellers, they come back. And they bring friends.   WHY NOW: THE KID-FREE TRAVEL BOOM   The data is clear: adults are increasingly seeking travel experiences designed specifically for them, ones that offer true relaxation. After years of saying their loyalty programs are shrinking and following a holiday season spent overdoing it, this period marks the moment discerning travellers plan what comes next, a real reward, a real escape and a vacation truly worth looking forward to. Travelers are seeking experiences designed specifically for adults; ones that offer genuine relaxation, sophisticated entertainment and the freedom to explore without compromise.   “Kid-free travel is no longer a niche, it’s a movement,” said Stephen Hopkins, Vice President of Growth. “Virgin Voyages has become the go-to brand for adults traveling without children, and the numbers prove it. Demand for adults-only luxury travel has climbed 47% since 2022, and market experts project the segment will double over the next decade.”   Virgin Voyages' kid-free philosophy extends from ship design to entertainment programming to shore excursions. The result: travellers seeking sophisticated exploration without compromise are finding their tribe, and the word is spreading across every port.