Virgin Voyages to welcome more than 1,000 First Mates onboard during brand’s largest UK & Ireland trade ship tour

Thursday, Feb 19, 2026 0

Virgin Voyages is set to deliver its biggest UK and Ireland trade activation this summer, with more than 1,000 First Mates (travel agents) invited onboard Valiant Lady.

Fresh off her dry dock and taking place during Valiant Lady’s Northern Europe season sailing from Portsmouth, the ‘Summer Tour 2026’ will feature seven dates across six ports. It marks the highest number of ports and ship visits the brand has ever included in a single UK trade initiative.

The UK and Irish ports on offer comprise:

Dublin – August 7
Glasgow – August 8
Liverpool – August 9
Belfast – August 10
Edinburgh – August 18
Portsmouth – August 20 and August 27

At each stop, First Mates will be invited onboard for the ultimate day visit. In addition to being among the first to see the ship’s newest upgrades, First Mates will enjoy immersive ship tours and hands-on product experiences that showcase what sets Virgin Voyages apart. Events will include hosted dining moments, entertainment showcases and surprise-and-delight touches – all highlighting the brand’s award-winning, kid-free cruising experience.

SJ Walker, UK director of sales at Virgin Voyages, said: “We’ve always believed the best way for First Mates to sell Virgin Voyages is to experience it for themselves – to step onboard, feel the energy and see how our kid-free ships deliver something genuinely different. It’s a big thank you to our partners and a clear signal of how committed we are to growing together in the UK market.”

Full details on each visit, including registration timelines and next steps, will be shared on The Bridge UK, the brand’s dedicated Facebook page for UK-based travel agents. Supporting information will also be available on firstmates.com.

For any additional questions, please contact your Virgin Voyages Sales Manager.