Virgin Voyages Launches True Crime Voyage, Offering First Mates a High-Demand, Culture-Driven Sales Opportunity

Monday, Jul 21, 2025 0

A first-of-its-kind sailing brings true crime fandom to sea with strong group potential, built-in demand and generous commissions for travel advisors

Virgin Voyages is setting the stage for something unforgettable and First Mates are front and center. The award-winning, kid-free cruise line is teaming up with iHeartMedia, the No. 1 audio company in the U.S., to launch the True Crime Voyage, a five-night Caribbean sailing that transforms podcast fandom into a fully immersive, at-sea experience. Departing Oct. 10 from Miami, this limited-edition sailing isn’t just buzzworthy – it’s strategically designed for trade success.

Virgin Voyages’ travel advisors – known affectionately as First Mates – are equipped with an experience that hits every sales sweet spot. Themed, time-bound, culturally relevant and ripe for group bookings, the True Crime Voyage offers a fresh hook for new-to-cruise clients and a premium experience fans are actively seeking out. As with all Virgin Voyages’ itineraries, First Mates benefit from competitive commissions, attractive group incentives, no non-commissionable fares (NCFs), and a guest experience that’s never diluted by surprise fees or upcharges.

“We’ve tapped into a massive fandom and paired it with our uniquely elevated product,” said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer and head of sales at Virgin Voyages. “This gives First Mates something different to sell with an experience built on passion, pop culture and premium value. The demand is already there; now advisors can be the ones to bring it to life.”

Sailing on Valiant Lady to Puerto Plata and Virgin’s exclusive Beach Club at Bimini, the voyage is built around some of iHeartMedia’s most captivating true crime podcast titles, including Betrayal, Buried Bones and Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know. Throughout the journey, Sailors can anticipate live podcast recordings of their favorite shows, behind-the-scenes “How to Podcast” workshops, exclusive meet-and-greets with top hosts, special giveaways and themed cocktails and bites inspired by infamous cases.

For First Mates, the appeal extends well beyond the theme. Virgin Voyages’ always-included pricing model covers more than 20 eateries, gratuities, Wi-Fi, group fitness classes and essential beverages, making it easier for advisors to close the sale. There’s also no upsell fatigue for travelers and no NCF deductions cutting into advisor earnings.

“This exclusive, one-time-only itinerary is the kind of product that drives new conversations and bookings,” Rosenberg added. “We’re giving First Mates a reason to reach out, reengage past clients or tap into niche groups. It’s exciting, bookable and profitable.”

This True Crime Voyage marks the start of a bold new evolution in Virgin Voyages’ immersive experience platform, one that brings the cultural conversations, trends and fandoms shaping pop culture to sea. Building on Virgin’s signature approach to storytelling and connection, the sailing introduces a new way to fuse entertainment, access and travel through a growing lineup of genre-driven voyages that celebrate what today’s Sailors are most passionate about, from true crime and comedy to wellness, music, food and beyond.

Trade partners can access sales tools and marketing assets now at FirstMates.com, Virgin Voyages’ dedicated advisor portal.

“We designed the True Crime Voyage to tap into something people are already passionate about,” Rosenberg said. “But we built it to make selling simple, profitable and fun because that’s what First Mates deserve.”