While Scarlet Lady will always be the First Lady of Virgin Voyages’ fleet, the ship that earned a coveted spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Gold List is getting a fabulous glow-up. While it’s hard to make a good thing even better, Virgin Voyages’ first vessel is heading into dry dock from Nov. 14-28 for a handful of cosmetic upgrades after her introductory seasons sailing the high seas.   “Since her much-anticipated debut in 2021, Scarlet Lady has sailed the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of Sailors on-board while delivering irresistible vacations,” said Nicole Huang, VP of Fleet Experience. “We’re listening and giving travelers more of what they’ve asked for – this includes more suites, luxe new cabanas and fresh, vibey dining concepts – so Sailors can truly live the life of a rockstar.”   Scarlet Lady’s signature experiences — like Scarlet Night, epicurious, award-winning dining and breathtaking acrobatics — are here to stay, but the brand’s OG vessel is reimagining a couple of its eateries. Razzle Dazzle, currently admired for its veggie-friendly brunch and bold interiors, will introduce a new evening concept with enhanced ambience that comes alive at night. On the heels of the wildly successful Asian Night Market, “Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle” will welcome a daring, Chinese-inspired menu with delicious craft cocktails. Paired with a distinctively stylish design that swaps communal tables for intimate, loungey booths, Scarlet’s amplified space brings an elevated dining hideaway to sea.   Matching the overwhelming demand for suites aboard the Lady Ships, several Sea Terrace cabins on deck 11 are being converted to create 24 “Seriously Suite” RockStar Quarters. The most popular among the suite categories, Virgin Voyages’ Seriously Suites measure 352 sq. feet with a European king bed, Peek-a-Boo shower, glamorous vanity, in-room record and vinyls, a stocked bar and the brand’s trademark Yellow Leaf hammock.   “We wanted to give our Sailors a taste of the rockstar life and worked with Tom Dixon to design the 78 RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters. They did such an amazing job, and there’s so much demand – our Massive Suite is often booked a year or more in advance. We’re answering in a big way by adding suites, so more people can live their best lives,” Huang added.   The glam-up isn’t just for Scarlet’s interiors. On deck, VIP cabanas flanked by breezy white curtains and luxe daybeds overlooking the Aquatic Club will offer a front-row view for A-listers to see and be seen or by anyone wanting to treat themselves. The six bookable cabanas can be reserved individually or connected for larger group celebrations.   Ground Club Too, the sought-after coffee bar in The Galley (Virgin Voyages’ modern food hall), will still serve Intelligentsia Coffee to jumpstart Sailors’ day, but by night, transform into a full-service bar with intimate lounge space and elevated cocktails. Countertop seating, sleek emerald benches, rust-colored couches and wood-slatted accents take the space from energy-inducing breakfast cafe to sophisticated nighttime hangout.   At The Wake, a glamorous Roman and Williams-designed steak and seafood restaurant, the raw bar will be readapted to display the eatery’s impressive collection of high-end wines.   The ship’s non-smoking casino will expand, adding additional slot machines along with exclusive spaces for the world’s most competitive players.   Redemption Spa – an enchanting mermaid/merman hideaway offering everything from awakening bamboo and hot mineral massages to vitamin-infused facials – will see the creation of a couples treatment room where duos can recharge. The current Thermal Suite, outfitted with oversized portholes, heated quartz beds, a steamy mud room, cold-plunges, sauna and salt room, remains untouched.   Finally, Scarlet Lady will debut a new mermaid on its bow, a symbol of strength and safe passage for the seafaring brand.   Once the ship has completed all of its renovations, she’ll make the 16-night trans-Atlantic journey from Rome to Miami before embarking on a series of longer Caribbean voyages. The six-night “Western Caribbean Charm” and eight-night “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” will venture into the tropical Caribbean waters of places like St. Croix, Costa Maya, Roatán, San Juan, Puerto Plata and Bimini. Every voyage aboard the refreshed Scarlet Lady includes a stop at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club in the Bahamas, renowned for its powdery white sands, free-form pools, swaying palms and epic floatilla parties.   To book one of Scarlet Lady’s spectacular long Caribbean voyages and experience her elevated interiors, visit www.VirginVoyages.com or contact your First Mate. Cabins start at $1,790 USD.

  Save now, sail later when you plan a gorgeous getaway for your Sailors with 70% off a 2nd Sailor on all voyages. Plus, when they book and pay in full on voyages in 2025-2026, they’ll get up to $500 in savings — but only for a limited time. Learn More  

Portsmouth is back on the Virgin Voyages’ cruise map as Resilient Lady is set to begin its inaugural UK season this week. The newest ship in Virgin Voyages' fleet arrived in Portsmouth after a summer of island-hopping through the Greek Islands. Resilient Lady will sail voyages to Amsterdam, Bruges, Lisbon and beyond. Shane Riley, VP of UK and International Sales at Virgin Voyages said: "We're back in British waters once again, this time with a variety of short cultural stints and sunny adventure sailings to help Sailors escape the British weather." Other highlights of the short season include calls in Ibiza, Bordeaux and Casablanca. Virgin Voyages is bringing back its Virgin Celebration Voyage The sold out sailing sees Sir Richard Branson, Boy George and Virgin Galactic astronauts onboard for a series of exclusive events. In mid-September, Virgin hosts its first-ever Comedy Festival at sea. Resilient Lady offers three to six-night roundtrip getaways, as well as a 12-night voyage to Barcelona. Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: "We're so pleased Virgin Voyages is coming back for a third time. We're also proud to be the first – and only – port in the world to have welcomed all three Virgin Voyages ships." 

Related News Stories:  Virgin Voyages cancels next Australia cruise season     Virgin Voyages sailing to 21 new ports for summer 2025 - TravelMole     Royal Caribbean Sydney cruise cancelled due to propulsion problems     NCL revives Philadelphia as a cruise port     Iconic Glamor Trams returning to Universal Studios Hollywood     Qantas 747 back in the fleet - TravelMole     Stuart Allison returning to the UK as P&O Cruises CCO     Royal Caribbean shifts ship from Baltimore to Norfolk, VA     EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule     Cruise guests avoid prison after drunken jewellery theft    

Virgin Voyages is encouraging ‘astro-tourists’ to come aboard for its solar eclipse cruises. These are among a host of new voyages unveiled for 2026. Eclipse voyages are set for August 2026, cruising towards the path of totality. These 12- and 15-night itineraries include calls in Dublin, Glasgow and Reykjavik aboard Valiant Lady, and Amalfi Coast, Mallorca and Cannes on Scarlet Lady. Virgin says it will outfit the upper decks into observation viewing spaces. In addition to the solar eclipse cruises, the new collection of Marvelous Voyages include longer sailings between March and August 2026, ranging from eight to 16 nights. These voyages span Iceland to Istanbul, the British Isles, The Baltics and more. Ships call at 12 new ports that include Salerno (Amalfi Coast, Italy), Edinburgh, Stockholm, Hamburg, Oslo, Tangier and eventually Greenland. Michelle Bentubo, COO said: "We already sail to more than 100 international ports, but our itineraries are ever-evolving based on what our Sailors and travel partners are asking for.” “We've graduated from only offering short Caribbean escapes and weekender voyages to give our Sailors longer itinerary options up to 14 nights at more ports around the world." Select loyalty members will get first option to book the new cruises starting August 14 before they go on general sale from August 21.   

Related News Stories:  Virgin unveils debut details for Brilliant Lady     Princess Cruises Unveils Exclusive New Sanctuary Collection ...     Celebrate 150 Years Of Impressionism With Croisieurope's Brand ...     MSC Cruises unveils 'Stay & Cruise' programme     Carnival unveils new Alaska cruises for 2025     Travel Nevada unveils new brand campaign     First cruise ship norovirus outbreak of 2024 - TravelMole     P&O Cruises Unveils Exciting Summer 2026 Program with Special ...     MSC Cruises unveils emission reduction planning tool     Princess Cruises launches new loyalty accelerator program    

Virgin Voyages is teaming up with indoor cycling workout brand SoulCycle. This first-of-a-kind wellness partnership is available to guests through September 6. The partnership includes a cruise giveaway across SoulCycle's 61 studios. Customers can win a Virgin cruise at every studio. Virgin Voyages is turning 15 studios red throughout the summer with branded swag, and cruise inspired food and drink. The themed rides are available at: The Barn (Bridgehampton) - Saturday, July 20 - 11:30 a.m. Tribeca (New York City) - Tuesday, July 23 - 5:30 p.m. NoHo (New York City) - Thursday, July 25 - 6:30 p.m. West Hollywood (California) - Friday, July 26 - 12:00 p.m. Bronxville (New York) - Saturday, July 27 - 7:15 a.m. Old Town (Chicago) - Thursday, August 1 - 8:30 a.m. River Oaks (Houston) - Saturday, August 3 - 1:30 p.m. Seaport (Boston) - Thursday, August 8 - 6:30 p.m. Buckhead (Atlanta) - Saturday, August 10 - 11:45 a.m. Palo Alto (California) - Saturday, August 17 - 11:45 a.m. Union Street (San Francisco) - Thursday, August 22 - 6:30 p.m. Coral Gables (Miami) - Saturday, August 24 - 10:45 a.m. Pasadena (California) - Thursday, August 29 - 9:30 a.m. Brickell (Miami) - Friday, August 30 - 10:30 a.m. Seattle (Washington) - Saturday, August 31 - 10:45 a.m. The Seas the Ride partnership is also setting sail with rides aboard Valiant Lady. Taught by SoulCycle's Isaiah Alexander, Virgin's July 19-24 sailing, "Miami, Grand Turk & Back," will feature both morning and afternoon cycling classes in B-Complex. Each Virgin Voyages sailing feature group fitness classes – from HIIT and restorative yoga to bungee and spinning included in the voyage fare. To mark the partnership, Virgin Voyages is offering SoulCyle riders an exclusive discount on Caribbean and Mediterranean cruise getaways. Guests can book a ride at www.Soul-Cycle.com. 

Related News Stories:  MSC cruises to debut first overwater swing ride     New coaster ride coming to Busch Gardens Tampa in spring     American Cruise Lines opens biggest ever season on Columbia ...     Exhilarating art, entertainment at AREA15 Las Vegas     Introducing the Bajan Fair: Barbados Food and Rum Festival Team ...     Uber introduces new late night safety features     Become a Western Legend in Arizona - TravelMole     Six Flags-Cedar Fair merger gets DOJ approval     Grapevine – The Christmas Capital of Texas     Discover a different side of Hong Kong - TravelMole    

Virgin Voyages said it plans to crack down on predatory sales tactics being used by some travel agents. Some of its ‘First Mate’ travel agent partners are soliciting customers and offering misleading ‘discounts’ to boost their sales. This has become an ‘important and serious’ issue, says John Diorio, VP of North American Sales. Diorio sent a warning email to agent partners to stop these activities. The cruise line says some agents are using a portion of their booking commission to offer a discounted cruise fare to their customers. This is misleading as it gives the impression the agent has access to cheaper cruise fares than other agent competitors and the cruise line itself. “We are actively monitoring these tactics and reserve the right to cancel your First Mate account and, in extreme cases, limit or cancel your ability to sail,” the email said. “We do not think the above actions are in the spirit of a good partnership or fair to your industry colleagues.” There has also been solicitation of cruise guests onboard ships and in cruise terminals with business cards and flyers promoting specific travel agencies. Some agents have also solicited Virgin guests on social media to persuade them to shift their booking to them from a competitor or from the cruise line itself. “As a reminder, when you sail with Virgin Voyages, you are agreeing to our ticket contract which covers onboard solicitation and expressly prohibits the activity in our terms and conditions,” the email added. 

Related News Stories:  MMGY's Jonathan Sloan: A Tale of Triumph Amidst Adversity ...     Christmas all wrapped up at Poland's dazzling markets - TravelMole     Partner News - TravelMole    

Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship Brilliant Lady will officially debut in September 2025. It will sail its maiden voyage from New York City and offer a short season of five voyages from 5-13 nights to Canada and Bermuda. It will then operate cruises from several US home ports starting in Miami between October 2025 and April 2026. Voyages visit Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman and a first port call to Ocho Rios, Jamaica Brilliant Lady will then transit the Panama Canal for the first time to Los Angeles. The ship has been constructed with an adapted frame which allows the Panama Canal transit and the ability to navigate the glaciers of Alaska. On the west coast Brilliant Lady will later redeploy to Seattle for Virgin’s first Alaska cruise season in 2026. “This ship is going to be brilliant in every possible way which includes all the new places we can travel to. Alaska, LA, New York,” says Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson. Brilliant Lady’s upcoming new dining and entertainment options will be shared in the coming months. 

Related News Stories:  NCL unveils all-new culinary experiences on Norwegian Aqua     Carnival Vista showcases new livery and amenities - TravelMole     Virgin Voyages makes big change to Australia-Europe repositioning ...     Exciting New All-Inclusive Hotels To Book In 2024 as Marriott ...     Partner News - TravelMole     Marriott - TravelMole     Celestyal Cruises - TravelMole     Carnival Cruise Line - TravelMole     Visit Orlando - TravelMole     Newmarket Holidays - TravelMole    

Sir Richard Branson has been out and about ‘sailing’ the streets of London and handing out free cruise holidays. He gave out free Virgin Voyages cruises to 200 people. Branson cruised the streets in a bus decked out as Virgin’s Scarlet Lady ship along Oxford Street, Embankment and around Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square, before crossing Westminster Bridge to The London Eye. The surprise giveaway marks the start of Virgin Voyages' summer season in the Mediterranean. It is sailing itineraries such as 'Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia' and 'French Daze & Ibiza Nights.’ Branson also launches his first ever audiobook 'Losing and Finding My Virginity'. "Summer is a time for exploration and sailing the Med in style is the vitamin-sea everybody needs," Branson said. As well as free Virgin cruises, members of the public also received Virgin Points from rewards club Virgin Red. Virgin Points can be redeemed against flights, train travel, Virgin Experience Days and more. Starting in May, Virgin Voyages will have two ships based in Europe: Scarlet Lady is sailing from Barcelona while Resilient Lady cruises from Athens. In August, Resilient Lady will sail out of Portsmouth on a series of three- to six-night sailings to Amsterdam and Zeebrugge. 

Related News Stories:  Virgin Voyages makes big change to Australia-Europe repositioning ...     Virgin Voyages touts month-long remote working Med package     16% commission is great… Virgin Voyages - TravelMole     Virgin Voyages sailing to 21 new ports for summer 2025 - TravelMole     APT, Travelmarvel launch 2025 Europe River Cruise programme     Virgin Voyages introduces travel agent reward scheme     Virgin Atlantic pushes back Israel flight restart - TravelMole     Carnival Vista showcases new livery and amenities - TravelMole     Ryanair inks new OTA partnership with Kiwi.com - TravelMole     Pure Michigan - TravelMole    

Virgin Voyages has launched an incentive programme called First Mate Loot for UK travel agents.  The scheme has been created in association with agent rewards and incentives provider My Booking Rewards (MBR). Now live, the First Mate Loot initiative offers cash pay-outs to UK travel agent First Mates who've successfully booked Sailors on a sailing. Once First Mates make a cruise booking they'll create an account on the First Mate Loot website (firstmateloot.com). They can then log the booking details and Virgin Voyages will verify and pay out the earnings. SJ Walker, UK Director of Sales at Virgin Voyages said: "It's not lost on us the tireless hard work our dedicated First Mates have put in.” “That's why we're thrilled to introduce the First Mate Loot initiative and offer cash pay-outs.” From now until 30 May, agents will receive £30 for Mediterranean or Northern Europe voyages departing on select 2024 and 2025 sailings. All other voyages will receive £10 per booking. Darren Pearson, CEO, My Booking Rewards, said: "We are delighted to bolster our cruise line offering for our agent members. Our agile technology will certainly support their drive to incentivise and reward agents across the UK and Ireland." 

Related News Stories:  EasyJet holidays expands incentive - TravelMole     Dubai welcomes a record 17 million international tourists - TravelMole     Celtic Colours International Festival, Discover Nova Scotia's Autumn ...     Enjoy natural Louisiana scenery from a different vantage point ...     Partner News - TravelMole     Celestyal Cruises - TravelMole     easyJet Holidays - TravelMole     Saint Lucia - TravelMole     Antigua & Barbuda...Your Space in the Sun - TravelMole     Elegant Resorts - TravelMole    

Virgin Voyages is aiming to lure home workers and digital nomads with a month-long remote worker deal. The ‘Scarlet Summer Season Pass’ is targeting remote workers for a month sailing the Mediterranean on Scarlet Lady – on four back-to-back cruises. There is a choice of four dates available between June-September this summer. “No longer does working from home mean being tied to a desk or home office and eating leftovers for lunch,” said Virgin Voyages CEO, Nirmal Saverimuttu. Ports of call include Cannes, Ibiza, Mallorca and Ajaccio, Corsica. To sweeten the deal Virgin is offering a free upgrade to its Premium Wi-Fi package. “I’ve never thought of work and play as two different things, it’s all just living. We want to give Sailors that same opportunity, to travel while working aboard our ships,” said Virgin founder, Richard Branson. 

Related News Stories:  Partner News - TravelMole     Newmarket Holidays - TravelMole     easyJet Holidays - TravelMole