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Virgin Celebrates 50+ Year Legacy with “A Virgin Celebration Voyage” Starring Sir Richard Branson

Extraordinary seven-night voyage features some of virgin’s most influential leaders and history makers..

MIAMI, FL – June 16, 2023  – Virgin Voyages is riding the wave of its newest ship’s inaugural season with a brand first: A Virgin Celebration Voyage . For more than 50 years, Sir Richard Branson has charted the course from land, air, sea & beyond, building one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Setting sail from Athens on Aug. 27, 2023, “A Virgin Celebration Voyage” is poised to be the capstone celebration of the summer, giving Sailors exclusive access to Richard, Virgin company leaders and founding members of influence from across the brand.

Taking a page from the traditional CEO sailings of the past (and tossing the book overboard), this specially curated voyage will be like nothing the brand has ever showcased before. From intimate fireside chats, special performances, culinary explorations and memorable experiences, this voyage will make its mark in Virgin brand history – and in the hearts of the Sailors who come along for the ride. Bringing to life an authentic, behind-the-scenes look into Virgin, this epic getaway aims to break down all of the stuffy corporate barriers and offer a candid look into one of the most ground-breaking, recognizable and respected brands of all time. 

As a special voyage designed with Virgin brand loyalists and Sailing Club members in mind, Virgin Voyages is extending a generous offer to this group. They can snag a Red Hot Savings Offer of 30% off the fare along with some enticing surprises and delights waiting on-board. 

“When we launched our Sailing Club last year, we knew we wanted to offer a unique loyalty program that provided Sailors with irresistible benefits and exclusive access to special brand moments,” said Tom McAplin, CEO, Virgin Voyages . “A Virgin Celebration Voyage is a great example of this and benefits not only our Virgin following, but our incredible Sailing Club members. It’s an exciting time to be a real brand loyalist.”

For more information on Virgin Voyages, or to book your cabin on “A Virgin Celebration Voyage” this August, visit www.virginvoyages.com .

About Virgin Voyages

Set Sail the Virgin Way with Virgin Voyages, the irresistible travel brand founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering epic vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. The brand's four Lady Ships – inspired by 50+ years of Virgin history -- include Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady. Designed for discerning travelers, Virgin Voyages offers relaxing, exclusively adult (18+) sailings. Working with a Creative Collective of the world’s most sought-after designers, performance artists and architects, Virgin Voyages delivers an enchanting boutique hotel at sea with fresh, elevated spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami and Barcelona – and soon to include Athens, San Juan and Melbourne – the fleet offers itineraries to more than 100 awe-inspiring destinations across four continents. Virgin Sailors are spoiled for choice with 20 eateries offering Michelin-star culinary experiences all included, a festival-like line-up of entertainment, stylish and comfortable cabins, Rockstar Quarters, authentic and locally inspired shore excursions, and a dose of Vitamin Sea with well-being naturally intertwined throughout the experience. Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages also puts sustainability front and center.

Virgin Voyages Media Contact

Public relations team, michelle estevam.

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Richard Branson's Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Announces Third Cruise Ship to Set Sail July 2022

Resilient Lady will host two, 7-night itineraries across the Mediterranean

A third ship will be joining adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages' fleet next summer, and its name feels like a nod to the cruise industry: "Resilient Lady."

The luxury travel company, headed by billionaire businessman Sir Richard Branson , made the announcement Monday morning, sharing that the ship will have a home port of Piraeus (Athens), Greece, and will host two, 7-night itineraries across the Mediterranean scheduled to begin July 1, 2022.

"Sailing in the Med is such an extraordinary experience, and we're so excited to bring the adventure of a Virgin Voyage to this beautiful place," Branson said in a press release. "I'm so proud of the incredible work the team has accomplished to introduce Resilient Lady."

The first of the two itineraries, the Greek Isles Itinerary, will bring guests on a historical tour through Athens before going island hopping in Santorini, Rhodes, Crete and Mykonos. The second, the Adriatic (with Greek Isles) Itinerary, will sail out of Athens and bring guests to Dubrovnik, Croatia (famous for being a filming location for Game of Thrones ) for a day before sailing to Kotor, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece and Argostoli, Greece.

The company noted that they intentionally chose Monday, which is International Women's Day, to share the big news.

"While the year has been filled with adversity and adaptation for all of us, it's no secret that women have been challenged to rise up more than ever during the pandemic," read the press release. "The introduction of Resilient Lady arrives on the heels of International Women's Day, which is symbolic of the spirit of our Lady Ships and is in celebration of women and their achievements, strength, leadership and resilience."

Virgin Voyages' first ship, Scarlet Lady , was announced in January 2019. It was originally supposed to sail from Miami for the Caribbean starting on April 1, 2020, but is now aiming for a "soft opening" in July 2021, the company tells PEOPLE.

In November 2019, the company announced that their second ship will be named "Valiant Lady," and will sail three itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain, when cruising returns.

RELATED VIDEO: Richard Branson Tours Virgin Voyages Cruise Ship

All three ships will embody Virgin Voyages' unique approach to cruising: Not only will they be adults-only, but they will also be all-inclusive, have unlimited fitness classes, have 20 dining options for guests (and no buffets), will not force guests to wear formal wear and won't have assigned seating or dining times.

They also will boast a "Shake for Champagne" delivery service that will allow travelers on board to summon a glass by simply opening the Virgin Voyages Sailor App and giving their phone a little shake.

The cruise line will also have a "no-tipping" policy , including gratuity in the overall price, to avoid unexpected expenses for guests.

In July 2019, Branson told PEOPLE that he wanted to start his own cruise company because he had never found a cruise ship he actually wanted to set sail on.

"I've never been on a cruise , I've wanted to go on a cruise," the 70-year-old business magnate explained. "That's why we started a cruise line, just to try to create a cruise ship that was fun, and that was for adults."

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Why Richard Branson Launched an Adults-Only Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages

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“I’ve never been interested in going on cruises,” Sir Richard Branson tells me on the first day of a cruise of the Greek Islands on the Virgin Voyages ship Resilient Lady in early September.

“I asked myself many years ago, why? And I just thought, there are a lot of people like me,” he says. “Ninety - five percent of the population hasn’t been on cruises, and what I love and what the team at Virgin love to do is try to challenge ourselves to create something that caters to people who don’t like what currently exists.”

No Kids and No Buffets

The 20 restaurants onboard, which include a stylish steakhouse and a Korean barbecue spot where diners are encouraged to take part in drinking games (to facilitate participation, complimentary soju is provided along with non-alcoholic beverages), are designed to resemble hotspots in New York and London.

“My image of cruises was buffets and people queuing up, and it didn’t appeal to me,” Branson, who is distinctly soft-spoken, says. “I didn’t enjoy flying on other people’s airlines before we started Virgin Atlantic, and it was the same thing. I think we’ve managed to create the kind of airline I would like to fly on and my friends would like to fly on, and we try to do that in any sector we move into.”

A Younger Crowd Embraces Cruising

Virgin is entering the cruise industry at an opportune moment. According to a survey by the industry trade group Cruise Lines International Association that was first cited by the New York Times , there is more interest than ever in cruising among millennials and Gen-X travelers.

Seventy-seven percent of millennials and 73 percent of Gen-X travelers reported being interested in taking their first cruise. Of the 4,500 respondents who took their first cruise, 88 percent of millennials and 86 percent of Gen-X respondents said they plan to go on another one.

It's easy to see why. Aside from the ease of simply unpacking once and visiting multiple destinations throughout the trip, cruising is fun, especially with elements that distinguish Virgin’s ships from other cruise lines’.

The brand’s ships are inspired by yachts, Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu tells me. “Our ships are like a big yacht, with a lot of small, intimate spaces,” Saverimuttu says. “On traditional cruise ships, you’re looking at dining spaces that seat 1,000 to 2,000 people. Our biggest eatery seats 200, and each restaurant has a dedicated kitchen and executive chef.”

And unlike other cruise ships–both large and small–all the food is made to order, so sailors (as Virgin Voyages passengers are called) never have to queue up for a buffet.

The audience, Branson says, is the young at heart. As an adults-only cruise line, the minimum age is 18, but passengers in their 70s and 80s were also onboard the Greek Islands cruise. The core age groups are travelers in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Branson himself celebrated his 72 nd birthday onboard a Virgin cruise in July 2022.

A Delayed Launch for Virgin Voyages

Branson admits the cruise line’s launch did not go as planned. In February 2020, the first ship was set to make its debut in the U.K. port city of Dover.

“The Spice Girls, who were once on Virgin [Records], were meant to come launch it and never turned up,” Branson says. “I talked to Posh Spice and she said, ‘We’re being told, best not to go onto cruise ships.’”

After Dover, the ship sailed to New York, where Jennifer Lopez was set to turn up for the American launch. J. Lo also didn’t show.

“It made me wonder what it was that was worrying them so much,” Branson says, “and then we realized this thing called Covid seemed to be worrying enough people for us to then send both ships back to Italy and mothball them for 18 months back in the shipyard.”

The Virgin founder says that despite the inauspicious start, he and his team would not give up. “We had two beautiful ships and a wonderful team of people,” he says. “We just had to sweat it out. We got through it and here we’ve come out stronger for it.”

The Cruise Line's Accolades—One Especially Loyal Customer

Virgin Voyages has been racking up awards, including sweeping all five awards in Cruise Critic's large-ship category in 2023: Best Overall Cruise Line, Best Cabins, Best Dining, Best Service, and Best Value-for-Money. It was also named the Best Large Cruise Ship cruise line in the Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards earlier this year.

And it has fervent fans, like Chris DeSalvo , who was on his 41st voyage in less than a year. In July, the mobile app developer celebrated his 40th birthday on another Virgin ship, Valiant Lady. He signed up for his first Virgin Voyage while living in Miami and saw Virgin ships in port there.

Having only been on a handful of cruises before, DeSalvo says that the red woven hammocks on the ship's balconies (86 percent of cabins come with balconies, and their hammocks are created by Yellow Leaf , an organization that promotes women's empowerment and community transformation in rural Thailand) first attracted him to Virgin Voyages. The free WiFi was another plus, since it would allow him to work from the ship. DeSalvo had such a great time that he booked another cruise, and another one, and so on—adding up to around 220 nights onboard. He's also booked a spot on a six-week crossing from Dubai to Sydney later this year.

As for Branson, he's planning to join another Virgin cruise in the Caribbean next summer, if not before.

"I like to learn and I love starting things," Branson tells me. "I love learning about industries I know little about, and I love trying to change things for the better."

With Virgin Voyages, that's what he's done.

Sam Dangremond is a Contributing Digital Editor at Town & Country, where he covers men's style, cocktails, travel, and the social scene.

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Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages starts U.S. cruises as the industry bounces back.

Mr. Branson wants to bring to cruises the same sensibility that he brought to his airlines: younger and slightly edgy. (There is a tattoo parlor onboard.)

By Lauren Hirsch

• Sept. 17, 2021

Virgin Voyages, a joint venture between Bain Capital and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, made its United States debut this week, more than a year later than scheduled.

Ryan Cotton, the head of the consumer and retail group at Bain, spoke with the DealBook newsletter about the venture and the prospects for the cruise industry, which has been upended by the pandemic .

The industry has been desperate to get operations rolling again. Three of the world’s largest cruise operators — Carnival , Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line — together lost nearly $900 million a month during the pandemic, the credit rating agency Moody’s reported.

Some companies, like Norwegian , have staged battles with government officials in states like Florida, a hub for the industry, over legislation barring businesses from requiring proof of vaccinations from customers.

The industry’s pandemic woes have not dissuaded Mr. Branson, who has wanted to start a cruise line for about 25 years, Mr. Cotton said. (He still has his original sketches.) Seven years ago, he got serious about it and brought in Bain to help with financing a Virgin-branded cruise ship. The idea was to bring to cruises the same sensibility that Branson brought to his airlines: younger and slightly edgy. (There is a tattoo parlor onboard.)

The venture’s first ship, the Scarlet Lady, has been cruising around Britain this summer on short trips open only to British residents. It was originally supposed to begin operations from the United States early last year, just as everything shut down. Some cruise ships were hit hard by Covid outbreaks early in the pandemic, which decimated the industry. But demand among aficionados has proved resilient , giving cruise lines hope.

“The Covid situation has not gone the way any of us expected,” Mr. Cotton said. But the vaccine rollout has given the new venture confidence in going ahead with a soft launch of the adults-only cruises in the United States.

The cruises are for vaccinated passengers only, and travelers need to be tested before they board. Onboard precautions include grab-and-go food options, capacity restrictions and an air ionization system. Activities on the adults-only cruises include yoga, meditation classes and late-night cabaret shows.

Lauren Hirsch joined the New York Times from CNBC in 2020, covering business, policy and mergers and acquisitions.  Ms. Hirsch studied comparative literature at Cornell University and has an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. More about Lauren Hirsch

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A Conversation with Richard Branson, as Virgin Voyages Previews Its First Cruise Ship

By Cynthia Drescher

"A sea change." That's the promise Sir Richard Branson makes for Virgin Voyages, the new cruise line from Virgin Group, which today celebrated the major milestone of laying down the keel for its first ship.

Originally announced in 2015, Virgin Voyages has spent the last two years existing mostly on paper. Now there’s something to show for it, as a large, central section of the first ship, the temporarily titled Virgin I, or hull 6287, was set into place. In total, the line has three ships on order to the tune of $2.55 billion, all to be built in Italy by Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa.

Always up for a publicity stunt, Branson made his entrance at the shipyard by dropping 200 feet from a crane with Tom McAlpin, the line’s CEO, before welding a ceremonial coin into the keel, the structural base of the ship.

Finally, the look of the exterior was unveiled: A sleek, silvery hull is accented by Virgin's trademark red, and a scarlet mermaid figurehead design decorates the sides of the bow. Details of the interiors and amenities may still be under tight wraps but, in March, the line’s CEO Tom McAlpin revealed that a “Creative Collective” of designers and architects have been tasked with fulfilling Branson's vision for the "world's most gorgeous ships.” This group of ten "creators of trends, not followers," to quote McAlpin, is led by the likes of Roman and Williams (Ace Hotels, The Standard High Line, Le Coucou) and PearsonLloyd (Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Lufthansa Business Class). They’ll be the brain trust behind the mid-size ships, with the capacity for 2,800 guests and 1,150 crew, while “reflecting the craftsmanship and materiality inspired by super yachts,” says McAlpin.

Seven-day cruises out of Virgin Voyages’ Miami home port begin in 2020 and, although itineraries haven’t yet been shared, the line is promising that Virgin I will be the “most recognizable ship sailing the seven seas.” She'll maybe be one of the more scandalous as well, as Virgin Voyages plans to be "Adult by Design," prohibiting passengers under the age of 18.

Closing out the ceremony during a performance from Boy George came the announcement that the Virgin Voyages website is open for business, and accepting refundable $500 deposits “for access to an exclusive pre-sale before Virgin Voyages goes on general sale.”

Condé Nast Traveler sat down with Richard Branson and Tom McAlpin to gain even more insight on what we can expect from Virgin Voyages:

CNT: How long have you been toying with the idea of doing a Virgin cruise line?

Branson: Since I was 26 years old, and it was going to be for under-30 year olds. And I thought I was going to party the nights away, and then it never happened. That was prior to purchasing Necker, and the images I had of cruise lines were that they were stuffy and boring, and I wanted to have a fun cruise line. I still want to have a fun cruise line! Finally we’re going to have it.

Who is the Virgin Voyages customer?

McAlpin: There’s no box that you tick that says it’s exactly one demographic. I would say that it’s the young at heart, people who really want a different experience, who know what they want and that’s something that’s a bit off the beaten path. They want a luxurious experience, a premium experience that’s not being delivered, and they want flexibility. The industry is trying to be all things to all people, and we want to create a cool experience, more romantic, a more transformational experience. The mantra we have is that we don’t just want this to be the best week of your year. We want this to be one of the best weeks of your life. When you get off the ship, you don’t say, "Yeah, I went on a cruise." We want you to say, "I went on a Virgin Voyage and I’ll never go on another cruise line again."

Branson: We want to get people who’d never dream of going on a cruise ship. We’re going to start without kids, which will make me a very unpopular granddad. It sends a message. I think there are a lot of people who find that kids running around a cruise ship gets in the way of their holiday. But then I’m sure we’ll become kids-friendly with a ship down the line.

Are there any design details you’ve insisted upon or that you’re already influencing?

Branson: Virgin is famous for its design. When we went into the train business, we did so with high-speed Pendolino trains, and the amount of people traveling has gone from 8 million to 40 million each year. Design has played a big part in that. When we opened our Virgin Hotel in America, in Chicago, design played a big part. With our spaceship—there’s no point in going to space in a boring-looking spaceship versus a very sexy spaceship, and design again plays a big part. When it comes to our cruise ships, design is everything, really. We’re setting ourselves apart and making everyone who works on it feel really proud of it. I’ve had the privilege of actually walking inside the cruise ship today [via virtual reality headset], and the team have delivered. They’ve come from other Virgin companies and their work has been fantastic. For instance, the cabins for the staff are really well thought-out, and obviously if you have a staff that’s highly motivated and loving their jobs, which, generally at Virgin they do, a lot flows from that.

Sir Richard Branson was present to celebrate the laying down of Virgin I 's keel.

Sarah James

CNT Editors

Matt Ortile

Emily Saladino

How far along is the interior design process?

McAlpin: It’s very far along. We don’t have all that steel in the shipyard without the design already being laid out. We know exactly where the faucets in the bars are going to be.

We are differentiating ourselves in everything. The look of the ship—it looks different. The colors are different. We want her to be distinctive no matter where she is in the world. We’re not about having a big gimmick. We’re about creating a platform, a structure, to provide great experiences that make you more in touch with the ocean. That’s why 86 percent of our cabins will have ‘sea terraces.’ Ninety-three percent will have ocean views.

We have a lot of influence from superyacht design, and the modern straight-edge bow comes from that. It allows our ship to look different, to look more like a yacht. It’s also very efficient. We’re a lot about conservation, and we want to have the best fuel efficiency we can, and the best way to improve efficiency is with the hull form.

Speaking of the hull, you've revealed that a mermaid design will grace its sides. I know, with Virgin Galactic, that Eve, the “Galactic Girl,” is modeled after your mother. Is the Virgin Voyages mermaid modeled after anyone in particular?

Branson: They’ve all got a little bit of her in it. I’ve definitely told her that it’s all her.

McAlpin: It’s inspired by the ships of hundreds of years ago, when they had these mermaids on the bows of the ships to bring good luck, and for sailors to determine one ship from another. We think it’s the right spirit for our ship.

The cruise industry is far from being "green." How do you see Virgin Voyages doing something about its impact on the environment?

Branson: We keep this very much in mind in every single thing that we do. If you have shampoo and conditioner on the ship, it has to be friendly to the seas and friendly to the individual. If you have suncream, it mustn’t damage the reefs . If you have things in bottles, they must be reusable bottles. Every single eco-friendly box must be ticked and we’ve got the kind of people who will make sure of that. We did away with plastic at our Virgin Limited Edition properties a long time ago. It makes business sense as well as being the right thing for the environment.

McAlpin: This goes back to our culture and Richard’s culture, which is that you’ve got to focus on sustainability and be good stewards of the environment. Our brand purpose is an epic sea change for all. Those words have a lot of meaning because "epic" means grand, "sea change" means change, and "for all" means everyone affected by our operations. It’s for our sailors, for our partners, for the communities, and for our oceans. We’re going to do some things in regard to conservation I can’t share with you yet, but in the early stages of designing the ship we entered into an agreement with Climeon of Sweden, to better utilize waste heat and convert it to clean electricity. We’ve spent several million dollars per ship to do that. It improves our efficiency, but it’s also the right thing to do. We are just signing a deal with Scanship, who provides wastewater management systems. We’re partnering with them to develop technology we think will work by using microwave technology to create energy from waste. If we’re successful, we’ll be able to reduce our load and create clean energy. What we’ve learned from Richard is that it’s important, and it’s our responsibility, to take these risks.

The ships will be sailing in your backyard, Richard, in the Caribbean. Would you like to see them calling on the British Virgin Islands as a port?

Branson: Of course. It will give us a hell of a thrill to see a Virgin ship coming into the Virgin Islands and I’m sure we’ll be lucky enough, even if it just once.

McAlpin: We’re flexible. We can do different sailings, one-off sailings, and even if it doesn’t happen with the first ship, there’s the second and third ships as well.

All of the content that Virgin Voyages has so far released has mentioned "sailing the seven seas." Are you committed to a range of itineraries, or will Virgin Voyages only focus on the Caribbean?

Branson: For the first year, it’ll be the Caribbean. But it won’t be long before we’re in the Mediterranean as well. I’d love to do the Antarctic and Arctic .

McAlpin: We don’t think this is a three-ship fleet. We think this is much more than a three-ship fleet, but we’re focused on three ships right now, and they’re flexible. We can go anywhere we want to go.

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What It’s Like to Take Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages Cruise Around Greece

'resilient lady' is the third vessel to join the billionaire travel mogul's adults-only cruise line.  , abby montanez, abby montanez's most recent stories.

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Resilient Lady’s MerMaiden Voyage: Greek Island Glow  

What’s the deal?

Virgin Voyages is the brainchild of Richard Branson , and Resilient Lady is the third ship to join the company’s adults-only fleet. While there’s no glaring difference between the sister vessels—they’re essentially carbon copies of one another—what sets them apart is the entertainment options and where they sail to. The Greek Island Glow itinerary that we embarked on is designed as a seven-night cruise that departs from Piraeus (Athens) and includes stops in Santorini , Rhodes, Bodrum, and an overnight Mykonos before returning to the capital city.

Design chops

The best room

The largest and coolest suites on board are the 15 Mega RockStar Quarters. The grandest of them all are classified as “Massive,” and rightfully so. Measuring a whopping 2,147 square feet, the Dixon-designed room can sleep up to four sailors and is outfitted with an elaborate outdoor space that features a sprawling terrace, a private hot tub, two hammocks, and a six-person dining table. Music is definitely the theme here. The suite comes stocked with electric Fender and Gibson guitars, an amplifier, and a vinyl turntable. It’s the ultimate party pad.

The Rundown

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

Not at check-in. However, every time we went ashore, the staff greeted us by name (and with a smile) upon return.

Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? (Bonus point if it wasn’t just fruit juice.)

We didn’t immediately receive a welcome drink but once inside our suite, the not-so-mini bar was fully stocked with complimentary Moët & Chandon and other bevvies. Seafarers can also summon a bottle of bubbly from anywhere on the vessel and it will be delivered to them within 10 minutes. All you have to do is give your phone a shake and it’ll appear.

Is the highest tier worth it?

Well worth it. Rockstar and Mega Rockstar sailors can board the ship earlier than standard cabin guests through a separate VIP entrance. You’ll also have the option to arrange private transfers to and from the ship. Once you’re on board, the perks keep on coming. Think priority booking for restaurant and spa treatments. During our trip, there was a Moet sunset happy hour every day from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. This happened on Richard’s Rooftop, which only VIP sailors can access.

Is there a private butler for every cabin?

Does the ship handle your luggage?

Yes. We handed over our bags to the staff right before boarding the ship and they were waiting for us outside our cabin door. Though, you do have the option of keeping your luggage with you.

Is it good for the ‘Gram?

Yes. With a light-up mirrored hallway and the world’s biggest daybed suspended high above the sea, the ship is every influencer’s dream. Of course, the Greek island views weren’t too shabby, either.

Is there a gym or spa? Or both?

Yes, yes, and yes. Whether you’re into organized group fitness classes or prefer to work out solo, there’s something for everyone. In addition to an indoor gym, the ship has a bright-red outdoor running track, a basketball court, and a boxing ring. If you’re of the mindset that exercise and vacation don’t mix, the Redemption Spa is where you can indulge in a different form of self care, such as lying down on a heated crystal quartz bed.

Caviar on board?

Yes, and you can find it at Sip, the ship’s designated Champagne lounge and caviar bar. Here, you can order a deviled egg topped with Siberian Osetra Caviar ($15) or have your roe dolloped onto a buckwheat blini with Meyer lemon and saffron gel, also $15. If you’re looking for more than just a garnish, a 100-gram tin ($95) is served alongside accompaniments including whipped crème fraiche, finger lime, egg yolk, egg white, chive, and onion.

Are the restaurants five-star?

On a side note, the cruise line is “all-inclusive” when it comes to food, except for items labeled “treat yourself.” Any alcohol or drinks outside of drip coffee, non-pressed juices, and soda are extra.

Is the entertainment up to snuff?

Yes, and this is where Virgin Voyages separates itself from the pack. From an immersive dinner theater to campy drag acts, the entertainment far supersedes other ships. During the sailing, one production that stood out was a high-flying, rock ‘n’ roll retelling of the ancient Greek myth Persephone. The talent coming from the singers, dancers, and aerialists was seriously unmatched. And even though it’s hard to rival an overnight in Mykonos, a mid-week scarlet-themed deck party turned the entire pool area into a giant nightclub for staff and sailors.

Are excursions included?

No. The cruise line offers an array of curated excursions (a.k.a. “Shore Things”) for every sailing, but you’ll have to pay a little extra for activities that take place off the boat. During our trip, the experiences ranged from a swanky catamaran cruise around Santorini to an afternoon at a luxe beach club in Mykonos.

Would you buy the ship if you could?

In the words of Branson: Screw it, let’s do it.

The Verdict:

Maybe it was the unlimited eats, free-flowing Champagne, or the dizzying acrobatics, but most of the time, we forgot we were even at sea. And that’s the point, right?

What Our Score Means:

1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you plan a voyage. 4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch. 7-8: Very good. We’d go on another sailing and recommend it without qualms. 9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we hit the open sea again?

Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

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Branson-backed Virgin Voyages sets sail on quest for new funding

Virgin Voyages is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in fresh capital just eight months after raising $550m from investors led by the world’s biggest asset manager, Sky News learns.

City editor @MarkKleinmanSky

Saturday 1 April 2023 13:08, UK

Sir Richard Branson's cruise-line venture is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in fresh funding even as the Virgin Group founder faces financial turbulence in other parts of his business empire.

Sky News has learnt that Virgin Voyages is in the early stages of plans to raise a substantial sum of money from new and existing investors.

Sources close to the situation said this weekend that it was too early to determine the scale of the prospective fundraising, or the mix of debt and equity it would involve.

The disclosure of Virgin Voyages' talks to secure new capital comes just days after Virgin Orbit, Sir Richard's commercial satellites business, said it would lay off the majority of its staff and cease operations after running out of money.

He injected $11m into the business this week to fund the redundancies of nearly 700 staff.

Its looming collapse is a blow to the tycoon as well as public market investors who backed Virgin Orbit's 2021 merger with a special purpose acquisition company listed in New York at a valuation of over $3bn.

Virgin Voyages also launched in 2021 - following a 15-month delay caused by COVID-19 - with its maiden journey from Portsmouth in August of that year.

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It operates two cruise ships - the Scarlet Lady, which sails between the US and Caribbean, and the Valiant Lady.

A third vessel, the Resilient Lady, comes into operation next month, with a fourth, Brilliant Lady, due to be delivered later this year.

The company is 20%-owned by Sir Richard's Virgin Group, and like the entrepreneur's other ventures, was conceived with the intention of disrupting industries beset by an absence of innovation or focus ocustomer service.

During his decades in business, Sir Richard has funded forays into banking, space tourism, aviation, insurance, soft drinks and telecoms.

A number of those businesses, such as Virgin Money and Virgin Galactic, are listed in London and New York respectively.

Others, including Virgin Atlantic Airways, are privately held, with Sir Richard's holding company owning significant stakes.

The pandemic badly hurt Virgin's consumer and leisure-focused companies, prompting the tycoon at one point to warn that he may be forced to mortgage his Necker Island home.

He has raised billions of dollars from the sale of shares in Virgin Galactic, using part of the proceeds to fund capital injections into Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Orbit.

Some of those share sales came during a period when he also sought emergency financial support from the government to shore up his airline business.

Virgin Voyages' latest talks about raising funding come just seven months after it secured $550m from investors led by funds managed by BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager.

"Despite the unprecedented challenges the cruise sector has faced in the past few years, the industry is exhibiting a powerful rebound," Brendan Galloway, director at BlackRock Global Credit said at the time.

"We are excited to invest in Virgin Voyages on behalf of our investors as we see a positive outlook and impressive growth on the horizon for the company."

Bain Capital, the private equity firm, and Virgin Group also participated in that round.

Its adult-only trips sail to 100 ports, including in Australia and New Zealand from later this year.

Among the accolades cited by Virgin Voyages during its first 18 months in operation are recognition on Condé Nast Traveler's 2022 Cruising 'Hot List', and being named best new cruise ship by Cruise Critic.

This year, the company says it has seen "exponential growth in bookings, including industry leading re-bookings, from customers".

A Virgin Voyages spokeswoman declined to comment on its funding discussions.

Virgin Voyages Announces Special Sailing Starring Richard Branson

• June 16, 2023

Virgin Voyages announced a special Virgin Celebration Voyage starring Richard Branson to celebrate its 50+ year legacy.

Setting sail from Athens on August 27, 2023, “A Virgin Celebration Voyage” will give guests exclusive access to Branson, Virgin company leaders and the brand’s founding members.

“When we launched our Sailing Club last year, we knew we wanted to offer a unique loyalty program that provided Sailors with irresistible benefits and exclusive access to special brand moments,” said Tom McAplin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “A Virgin Celebration Voyage is a great example of this and benefits not only our Virgin following but our incredible Sailing Club members. It’s an exciting time to be a real brand loyalist.”

This special sailing will feature a range of exclusive events such as intimate fireside chats, special performances, culinary explorations and more. Curated with Virgin brand loyalists and Sailing Club members in mind, Virgin Voyages is extending its savings offer to this group. Guests can take advantage of the Red Hot Savings Offer and get 30 percent off the fare. In addition to the savings, travelers can look forward to more surprises onboard.

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Virgin Voyages Prepares For U.S. Launch — Who Owns the New Cruise Line?

Virgin Voyages is owned in part by Richard Branson, with major investments from Bain Capital. Here's everything we know about the new cruise line.

Aug. 30 2022, Published 9:38 a.m. ET

Virgin Voyages has begun operations in the UK and the first U.S. voyage is set for October 2022.

In a niche of the travel industry dominated by Carnival and Royal Caribbean, billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is attempting to appeal to a different consumer. Branson’s Virgin Group founded Virgin Voyages, which had its first U.K. sailing this summer and will soon embark on its first voyage from the U.S. So, who owns Virgin Voyages?

The Virgin cruise line, Virgin Voyages, is owned by parent company Virgin Group and its top investor, Bain Capital. Branson, though most consider him synonymous with the Virgin brand, doesn’t own all of the Virgin companies outright. He licenses out the name to subsidiaries, so his actual assets are considerably less than most people assume.

Bain Capital is Virgin Voyages’ majority investor.

The private equity firm Bain Capital is the largest investor in Virgin Voyages. According to CNBC, total investments in the cruise line (not all from Bain) were about $3 billion as of September 2021. Each ship cost about $800 million.

Bain Capital’s consumer and retail chief Ryan Cotton told CNBC that “the public markets are a really viable option for us.”

Bain Capital manages about $160 billion across asset classes including credit, public equity, venture capital , and real estate.

Virgin Voyages raised $550 million in August 2022.

The company closed on an additional $550 million in capital as of August 16, 2022. Bain Capital Private Equity and Virgin Group participated, along with new investor BlackRock Global Credit leading the raise.

Brendan Galloway, director at BlackRock, said “the industry is exhibiting a powerful rebound” from the past few years’ challenges.

Branson celebrating his birthday aboard a Virgin Voyages cruise this summer.

Richard Branson said he started Virgin Voyages to change the cruise industry.

Branson told CNBC that he was inspired to start a cruise line because cruising as it was didn’t appeal to him. He said, “Do you know I was never interested in going on cruise ships, and I suspect there’s something like 90 percent of people who are listening are not that interested in going on cruise ships.”

Virgin Voyages’ no-kid policy is part of the company strategy to attract a different clientele than the typical cruise customer. Morgan Stanley estimates the average age of cruise passengers in the U.S. to be 49. Trade organization Cruise Lines International Association estimates it to be 47.

Branson hopes that the policy of adults-only cruising may attract younger cruise customers such as millennials. “It’s just going to be a fun ship for adults.” The first U.S. voyage is set to depart from Miami on Oct. 6 after numerous pandemic-caused delays.

Virgin Voyages aims to be an adults-only, fun cruising atmosphere.

Cruise line competitors say Virgin Voyages could ultimately be good for the industry.

According to CNBC, Royal Caribbean’s CEO Richard Fain believes the new Virgin Voyages cruise line could be beneficial to their business. New cruise lines could draw attention to the industry and help other cruise lines rather than taking away customers.

Fain said that Disney’s cruise lines ultimately helped their business by increasing supply by 2 percent and adding 10 percent to the demand for cruises. Therefore, he isn't concerned about Virgin Voyages harming Royal Caribbean revenues.

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Every Sky Miles member on a Delta flight got a free Virgin Voyages cruise, courtesy of Richard Branson himself

• Delta passengers received a free Virgin Voyages cruise from San Juan on a recent flight.
• Founder Richard Branson appeared at the airport in Atlanta to deliver the surprise.
• The free Caribbean voyage was offered to all adult Sky Miles members aboard the flight.

Delta passengers on a flight from Atlanta to San Juan on February 29 found out they'd be getting a free trip back to the Caribbean destination later this year.

And this time, for a luxury, adults-only cruise on board Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady — named the best new ship by Cruise Critic's editors in 2023 — a Delta representative told Business Insider in an email.

With a team of Virgin staff members by his side, the cruise line's founder, Richard Branson, showed up at the gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in a red-and-black tailcoat suit over an untucked white button-down and a bold, black top hat — exuding a Willy Wonka vibe.

The Delta representative told BI that the billionaire brought "the vibes" with music, dancers, photo ops, cocktails, and a wheel of prizes to spin for, from Delta gift cards to free Virgin Atlantic flights.

Branson and his team boarded the flight to San Juan and presented all Sky Miles members 18 and older with a complimentary ticket for a 9-day Caribbean voyage in December leaving from San Juan — the ship's inaugural sailing from its new home port, according to the press release.

"The Caribbean has been my home for many years," Branson said. "My excitement clearly couldn't be contained."

Related stories

Becoming a Sky Miles member is free, according to Delta's website .

The tickets were oversized and as red as Branson's suit — the Virgin brand's signature color.

According to a Virgin Voyages press release obtained by BI, the cruise has a starting rate of $1,120 per person.

A Virgin Voyages cruise is worth the price

Getting a free Virgin Voyages sailing is truly like winning a golden ticket.

I booked a Mediterranean cruise with the award-winning cruise line last summer. The seven-day voyage in a cabin with a balcony cost $5,900. And I thought it was well worth the price.

The ship was stunning inside and out, with modern designs, vibrant colors, and unique works of art. It was jam-packed with activities that made me feel like a kid again — without the presence of children — from an adult playground to jumbo-sized games and dance parties.

Thanks to an inviting staff, a luxurious cabin, and fine dining experiences, I felt like a VIP the whole time.

So, if I got this offer on a flight, I wouldn't sleep on it.

Watch: While Delta's business is 'extremely robust,' the airline's marketing chief stays focused on the data

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We Stayed at Richard Branson’s Lush South African Estate — Here’s Our Review

Come for the winelands, stay for the safari — at Richard Branson's spectacular Mont Rochelle and Ulusaba Safari Lodge, you can do both.

Food and Drink

Activities and amenities, accessibility and sustainability, how to get the most value out of your stay, more than just one trip.

Courtesy of Mont Rochelle

Our longest journey as a family yet began in Boston at 4 a.m. on a Wednesday and ended a day and a half later, about an hour east of Cape Town, in the Cape Winelands. Known as the culinary and winemaking capital of South Africa, we had chosen to start our 10-day April trip to South Africa wandering through vineyards, chasing guinea hens, and gorging on local delicacies. And the region would not disappoint.

In 2014, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition opened Mont Rochelle, a 96-acre, 26-room, one-villa estate in Franschhoek. The property is split into two distinct parcels. On the far side, where the winery is located — we stopped in for a visit after a refreshing sleep on our second day — guests will find The Country Kitchen. With each stay, guests receive a complimentary wine tasting of the winery’s star performers, like the steely Mont Rochelle Sauvignon Blanc or the robust and reserved Miko Syrah.

We stayed on the secondary parcel, near reception. In that cozy corner, a fireplace was often burning in the cool fall mornings and evenings. Our Pinotage Suite room category included an ample living room with space both for a sectional sofa and two twin beds and a separate bedroom with a king-sized bed, as well as a large open bathroom with a double-headed walk-in shower and freestanding tub.

All room categories, of which there are five (beginning with the entry-level Shiraz room and ending with the Cap Classique Suite, which has its own plunge pool), come with complimentary use of the mini-bar and gifted bottles of white and red wine.

One sunny afternoon, when I retreated to the spa for a massage, my husband and boys headed first to the heated pool and next to the wide lawn for a game of cornhole. We spent two nights at Mont Rochelle, dining, on our first night, at Miko, the on-premises fine dining venue. While my husband and I enjoyed a multi-course tasting menu of venison, beef, and lamb, our children ordered from a curated kids menu — and then promptly went to snuggle on the restaurant’s fireplace-facing couch.

In the golden-hued final hours of our stay, as we surveyed the rosy light washing over the property, it was impossible not to feel quite lucky. Mont Rochelle is imbued with not only good fortune but also good cheer. It’s a delicious little getaway if you can spare the time.

Here, my review of Mont Rochelle — and what you should know before booking your stay.

Mont Rochelle

• The property’s spacious, comfortable rooms made for a warm and welcoming respite at the end of the evening — and our room opened directly into the garden.
• Mont Rochelle is practically within walking distance to the town of Franschhoek, where you can catch the Franschhoek Wine Tram to other neighboring properties for tastings. But you don’t have to walk into town because the concierge can arrange a shuttle for free.
• Every room rate includes two bottles of wine, a complimentary mini-bar, and a tasting at The Country Kitchen, the on-premises casual restaurant.
• Miko, the fine dining restaurant, serves impeccable cuisine and leans into a small garden outside the main building.

Jack Brockway/Courtesy of Mont Rochelle

Our 893-square-foot Pinotage suite had one large bedroom and a separate living room, a bar, a large bathroom with a walk-in shower and freestanding tub, and access to the garden. The hotel embraces a neutral palette, with flashes of color throughout, like a vibrant pop-art rendering of Nelson Mandela in the lobby bar. It’s a subdued space with light earth tones. Mont Rochelle takes a cue from the environment, which is mainly agricultural, preferring a more delicate decor and sensibility.

Mont Rochelle’s five total room categories are named for grape varieties and styles of South African wine: Shiraz, the entry-level accommodation, Merlot, and Cabernet are all traditional rooms, while the Pinotage and Cap Classique are suites. The latter also comes with its own plunge pool. Guests can also book the Manor House, a four-bedroom villa near the vineyard and tasting room at Country Kitchen. It can accommodate up to eight adults and six children in the bunk room and offers its own private pool.

Wil Punt/Peartree Photography/Courtesy of Mont Rochelle

There are two restaurants at Mont Rochelle. The resort hosts breakfast each morning at Miko , located near reception. Fresh fruit, tiny pots of verrine — essentially clotted cream with sugar draped in strawberry jam — cheeses, charcuterie, cereals, and yogurts are offered in a cold buffet, and guests are also invited to order from a hot menu.

For lunch and dinner, the restaurant is a more formal affair. On our first night, we dined at Miko and accepted the option for a tasting menu, a parade of perfect dishes: ash-cured venison loin with a leek purée, grass-fed beef filet with carrots, and a take on millionaire’s shortbread that was nothing of the sort.

adam slama/Courtesy of Mont Rochelle

Lunch at The Country Kitchen , though informal, was no less delicious. Chicken wings were licked with smoke, and corn ribs were so delectable that they didn’t stand a chance against my children’s appetites. Shaded by hibiscus and citrus trees, it is comfortable and lovely, exactly where one might while away an afternoon over a glass (or two) of wine.

Hannah Selinger/Travel + Leisure

Anyone can walk the grounds and experience the wine life at Mont Rochelle, which I did my first morning alongside Gustav Coetzee, the property’s farm and maintenance manager (the winemaker is Michael Langenhoven). Coetzee talked me through the vineyard’s complex history, the plots, and the growing practices. “We don’t let them bear fruit in two years, like most guys do,” he told me. “I push them for three, so you lose a year.” The result, he said, is more concentrated and flavorful juice.

Beyond the vineyard and attendant winery, guests can check out the good-sized pool with an outdoor bar and other outdoor amusements, like croquet and cornhole for kids and adults alike. A complimentary shuttle is available for rides in and out of the village — and also to wineries that are within a reasonable distance, should guests choose to visit, as we did neighboring Klein Goederust , where there is spit-fired lamb on weekends or Maison Estate , which serves deep-grooved oysters with their flights of wines (at an extra cost).

If guests wish to bring back a souvenir, a small gift shop at reception sells bespoke reminders of the area. The property also boasts a petite gym and an astroturf-covered, floodlit tennis court. Reservations are not required.

The Mont Rochelle Spa features two treatment rooms and a hammam, available for scheduled treatments and guests’ use if available. Africology, an eco-friendly brand that uses essential oils and plant extracts, works with the property on its signature spa products. Guests who choose the Spagista pedicure or the couples’ Devotion Journey massage will also be helping to support the property’s Kusasa Project ; 15 percent of the treatment price of these treatments is donated to support this project, which is a fully accredited independent primary school.

Mont Rochelle has limited all plastic bottles and now serves filtered water in branded, reusable glass bottles. The Winery and Vineyards are certified members of IPW Scheme, which ensures that South African producers focus on sustainable winemaking practices. The Winery and Vineyard are one of only 10 EnviroWines-accredited members, meaning that the cellar and vineyards have received distinctions for IPW audits since 2017. Mont Rochelle has installed Raptor Poles in and around the property, allowing raptors — environmentally beneficial birds of prey — to roost in these artificial perches.

“A professor at Stellenbosch University believes that they need at least seven meters to do their swoop, catch what they need to catch because they do sit on these poles, but they don’t pick up enough speed to catch the rodents,” Gustav Coetzee, who helped organize the program, told me on our vineyard walk. “I thought we could go a little bigger. They do attract my feathered friends.”

The property offers accessible parking, well-lit entry to the hotel, elevator access, ground-floor bedrooms, and curbless shower entry in dedicated rooms. Accessible rooms are outfitted with a shower seat and a hand-held, as well as a waterfall shower. There is also level access to the restaurant and bar and accessible seating within Miko, the primary restaurant.

Located just over an hour from Cape Town International Airport, guests require a car or hired driver to reach this property.

The property’s lowest rates can be found between May 1 and Sept. 30 of each year.

adam slama/Courtesy of Ulusaba Safari Lodge

Mont Rochelle wasn’t the only Branson property we enjoyed spending time at, either. From Franschhoek, we were escorted — with help from the luxury tour operator Ker & Downey — to Cape Town International Airport, where we caught a flight to Johannesburg and another, smaller flight to Skukuza, within Kruger National Park.

From there, a tour guide and driver named Pony drove us to Ulusaba Safari Lodge , a private game reserve in Sabi Sand, which lies adjacent to Kruger National Park. Branson’s 20-room-and-suite lodge is spread across two properties: Safari Lodge and Rock Lodge. There, we were met at reception by our field guide, Henry Woest, and our tracker, George Mnisi, who would spend three days showing us the incredible wildlife of the Sabi Sand reserve. (It didn’t hurt that our stay included the top-tier accommodation at Cliff Lodge 1, the 3,552-square-foot, two-bedroom villa that juts out over the rocks and overlooks the watering hole below.)

I treasured the stark contrast between the manicured fields of the Winelands and the gruff boundaries of the bush. Luxury has different meanings in travel. In Franschhoek, it’s decidedly rooted in food and wine, and at a place like Ulusaba, it’s in the deep-seated knowledge and hospitality of the staff. If it had not been for our field guide and tracker, perhaps we would have missed the chameleon on the side of the road in the dark or the jackal nested down in a field.

It was a stunning coda to a Branson adventure, with new surprises at every turn: leopards stalking prey in tall grasses, lions roaring feet from us in the ink-black night, venomous puff adders scooting across the road.

But there’s no way to adequately quantify a Branson experience in just a few words. It’s not either/or. Safari or Winelands. Garden or bush. In our visits, we found a resounding sense of hospitality that emanated from the Virgin portfolio and that we could take home with us, as sure as a souvenir, as sure as a memory of a sundowner from the roof of a Land Rover Defender overlooking the river. Is that a hippo over there? You never can tell. 

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Virgin Voyages' new ship Brilliant Lady will sail from this major US city in 2025

Virgin Voyages’ new ship is on its way.

The adults-only cruise line announced its fourth vessel, Brilliant Lady, will begin sailing in September 2025 from New York.

“The world has been waiting for us to announce Brilliant Lady’s debut, and she’s almost here,” the line’s CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu said in a news release. “At Virgin Voyages, we’re constantly innovating and looking for opportunities to provide even better value for our Sailors with greater choice. Virgin fans have been asking for years if we’d consider sailing from places like New York, Los Angeles or Alaska, so it's wonderful to give our Sailors and First Mates what they wanted: fresh itineraries spanning North America from 5-14 nights in length with new experiences that they will remember forever.”

Brilliant Lady was previously set to start service in the Caribbean late last year, but the line delayed its launch due to “unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges that have delayed the introduction,” the line said in September.

The ship will launch from New York instead and spend its inaugural season on a North American tour, sailing from the Big Apple, Miami, Los Angeles and Seattle, completing a Panama Canal crossing in the process. While similar to Virgin’s previous vessels, the ship will have an adapted frame and is crafted for transiting the canal and navigating waters like those in Alaska.

Can I take a wheelchair on a cruise? How guests with mobility devices can travel smoothly

Travelers can submit deposits for priority booking on Alaska voyages beginning May 8. “Sailors previously slated to sail on Brilliant Lady will be given priority access to book a MerMaiden voyage,” the line added in the release. 

Virgin will also offer a multi-cruise Brilliant 4 You Pass, following the launch of season passes on its Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady ships earlier this year.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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I Booked a Virgin Voyages Cruise With Points — But There’s a Catch

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New virgin voyages points deal 2024, how i booked virgin voyages cruise with points, final thoughts.

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There are so many extraordinary travel experiences bookable with points — from luxurious flights in the sky to boutique 5-star hotels. But one thing that’s sorely missing is the ability to book cruises for good value.

A few times per year — and at the time of writing — Virgin Voyages will offer limited-time sailings that are bookable with points and miles. These adults-only itineraries are available in the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond for travelers who want to save a big chunk of change on their next vacation.

I ended up booking one of these cruises departing Miami this summer for just 115,000 points — but is this a good deal?

Here’s a look at the step-by-step booking process if you’re interested in taking advantage of the latest Virgin Voyages promotion.

This month, Virgin Voyages released several 2024 sailings bookable with Virgin Red points:

• 4-night Caribbean cruise between June and September 2024 : 95,000 points
• 5-night Caribbean cruise between June and September 2024 : 115,000 points
• 7-night Mediterranean cruises on May 19 : 120,000 points
• 7-night Mediterranean cruise between May and October 2024 : 160,000 points
• 14-night Barcelona to Miami on October 27, 2024 : 280,000 points
• 16-night Rome to Miami on November 28 : 320,000 points

Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club are part of the same loyalty program. You can link and transfer your Virgin Points between the 2 programs, and there are many credit card programs that can transfer over.

Thanks to a couple of 30% transfer bonuses from American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards , booking these cruises will cost even less. For example, this summer, a 4-night Caribbean cruise will only cost 74,000 points.

Virgin makes it clear that “taxes and fees are payable separately,” but I wasn’t sure how much I’d owe until checkout.

There’s no end date to any of these deals, but Virgin Voyages says these are limited-time promotions with only a certain number of cabins available. It’s unlikely these deals will last longer than a few more weeks.

I had recently canceled an award flight booking via Virgin Atlantic, so I already had 100,000 points in my Flying Club account. Thanks to these new cruise deals, this promotion seemed like a great way to take advantage of my unused points that couldn’t be transferred back to American Express Membership Rewards from The Platinum Card ® from American Express .

The first step to booking these cruises is to link your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red loyalty accounts. If you haven’t joined either program already, it’s free to sign up. You’ll add your Flying Club number under Accounts and the Link Accounts section of your Virgin Red account.

Then, you’ll want to log on and browse the Virgin Red deals , where you can book cruises and hotels, among other redemption options. I had already connected my 2 accounts in the past, so I could already see that I had 100,000 points ready to redeem in the upper right-hand corner.

Of course, I was shy of 15,000 points for the 5-night Caribbean cruise booking I was eyeing. But with the current 30% transfer bonus, I only needed to transfer 12,000 more points from my Chase Ultimate Rewards points balance to book, saving me a few thousand points. The points instantly transferred to my Virgin account, and I could hit Redeem to start the booking process.

When selecting your reward, you don’t have to specify which sailing date you’re interested in — that part comes later. Once you redeemed the points, I received the email confirmation below with information on the “Access Key” that would be needed to finalize my booking.

Virgin says it can take up to “3 working days” to receive this information. I booked the cruise on a late Friday afternoon and received it by Monday morning — so no business days in between — which was pleasantly faster than I expected.

I received the instructions for my 5-night Caribbean sailing, eligible on travel dates between June 1 and September 30. I headed directly to the Virgin Voyages website and found my itinerary of choice, the Dominican Daze .

Scroll down past checkout to see the Access Key section. You’ll enter the code provided in the email there, and you’ll see the grand total of your sailing.

I sailed on Virgin Voyages last year and was impressed with the Central Sea Terrace room because of its large balcony and comfortable bed. As you can see, the same sailing costs about $2,700.

These points deals are terrific, there’s no doubt about it. That’s especially the case since it’s pretty difficult to redeem points for cruises for maximum value.

But travelers should know that there are taxes and fees to pay, which came out to $364 for this particular itinerary. You can check the exact amount you’ll have to pay for any Virgin Voyages itinerary — on top of any redeemed points — by getting all the way to the checkout page and seeing the cost of the Taxes and fees. I recommend paying these extras with one of Upgraded Points’ recommended best travel credit cards .

I got roughly 2.1 cents in value with my points, which is roughly on par with our monthly valuations of Amex and Chase points . I’m excited about my redemption because I already had 100,000 Virgin Points in my account and could use them on a 5-night Caribbean cruise this summer.

Redeeming points doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t an out-of-pocket cost. But if using points for a Virgin Voyages cruise makes sense for you, then you can easily save a couple thousand dollars.

It’s important to know that these Virgin Voyages points deals require about $350 in taxes and fees. Knowing this can help you decide whether these promotions are really worth it for you and figure out what you’ll need to pay up before transferring points to your account. Happy sailing!

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here .

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About Stella Shon

With a degree in media and journalism, Stella has been in the points and miles game for more than 6 years. She most recently worked as a Corporate Communications Analyst for JetBlue. Find her work in The New York Times, USA Today, and more.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

From shaking beds to gender-neutral toilets, we’re flying the flag for these inclusive cruises

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A holiday isn’t a holiday if it makes life more difficult, right? And for many, a cruising trip abroad can feel like a bridge too far.

If you’ve ever gone away and been tutted at or gawked at while enjoying a moment at the bar, you’d probably rather stay home instead.

Well, a number of cruise operators have been thinking about how to make their trips more inclusive and accessible to a wider variety of guests, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Whether it’s gender-neutral toilets or sign language interpreters, we’ve plucked the boats that boast a better experience for everyone from the Sailawaze Excellence Awards .

Virgin Voyages

After a day of sightseeing, what can be more entertaining than a night of drag performance? It’s par for the course at Virgin Voyages, where all staff are encouraged to express their gender identity freely.

The company prides itself on being a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ passengers with its gender-neutral toilets and hospitable atmosphere.

Founder Richard Branson has a long history of supporting gay rights, beginning with legendary Heaven nightclub in London, and the celebrations on his ships ramp up in June as themed parties are thrown and guests are presented with pride-inspired cocktails and on-deck DJs.

Celebrity Cruises

If you thought cruises were only for the silver-haired, you’d be wrong. Celebrity Cruises are a riot of colour, flying every hue of the LGBTQ+ flag – especially in June, Pride Month.

The operation, which travels to every continent, even hosted the first legal same-sex marriage at sea in 2018 and regularly holds gay weddings.

Celebrity Cruises says it promotes diversity among both staff and guests and throws regular LGBTQ+ welcome events to get the party started.

Disney Cruise Line

Family-friendly operators Disney Cruise Line prides itself on making trips accessible to those with additional needs. Guests with disabilities have access to comfortable staterooms and suites, along with a full range of services, facilities, and amenities, including auxiliary aids.

Its liners are also home to specially designed communication staterooms for guests with hearing disabilities, including a vibrating bed shaker under the mattress and an indicating panel with light signals for the doorbell, telephone calls, general alarm and fire alarm.

The ships also provide sign language interpreters for shows and entertainment.

Saga Cruises

If a loud party isn’t for you, over 50s can enjoy a more sedate voyage, with Saga Cruises providing a number of options for guests with mobility issues. A chauffeur service to and from ports is provided as standard on all trips, rooms are equipped with hearing loop systems and hoists are available to help guests in and out of the pools.

Assistance is also provided to those who need help with baggage and large print is provided in the cinema guide and daily paper, alongside Braille playing cards.

A-Rosa Cruises

Meanwhile, A-Rosa Cruises are designed with families and multi-generational groups in mind. Under-15s travel for free and family rooms have been provided so up to five can share a room while they meander along Europe’s rivers, waking up in a different city each day.

Hosts are available to take care of youngsters in the kids club, where children can choose from a variety of activities, including crafting, T-shirt design and face painting while adults can enjoy a relaxing treatment at the spa.

The rest of the nominations

Food & beverage.

Aqua Expeditions

TUI River Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Explora Journeys

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

P&O Cruises

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Emerald Cruises

Amawaterways

Swan Hellenic

Princess Cruises

MSC Cruises

Royal Caribbean

Sustainability.

AE Expeditions

The Majestic Line

Portsmouth International Port

Hurtigruten

ENTERTAINMENT

Carnival Cruise Line

Marella Cruises

COLLABORATIONS

Ambassador Cruise Line

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Oceania Cruises

Havila Voyages

Pandaw Expeditions

Holland America Line

CroisiEurope

VIVA Cruises

This year, European river specialist VIVA Cruises launched its inaugural LGBT voyage, which took travellers to Antwerp, Rotterdam and Amsterdam where they could visit the world’s largest archive of LGBTQ+ history by day and party at the city’s vibrant gay and lesbian bars by night.

VIVA is a member of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, an organisation built to promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism.

Autistic travellers, those with Down syndrome and other additional needs can benefit from a specially designed holiday with Royal Caribbean. Priority check-in, boarding and departure are available to those who need it and the Autism on the Seas programme offers ‘staffed cruises’ with specialised respite sessions and private activities and sessions.

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Guests can choose from Autism-friendly dietary menus and scooters, wheelchairs and walkers are provided for on shore excursions and service animals are welcome on board.

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Virgin’s Newest Cruise Ship Set for NYC Debut in September 2025

• May 5, 2024

Virgin Voyages’ upcoming new ship, Brilliant Lady, will debut in September of 2025, giving US cruisers a first look at the line’s fourth vessel. The news follows a series of delays and cancelled voyages in 2024.

The ship will sail across North America for the inaugural season with multiple American homeports. It includes a Panama Canal transit, enabling it to offer West Coast itineraries.

Inaugural Sailings from New York City

Starting in September 2025 from New York City, Brilliant Lady will operate five voyages from 5-13 nights to Canada and Bermuda. New ports of call include Charleston, Boston, Halifax, and New Brunswick.

The ship will transfer to Miami to homeport from October 2025 to April 2026. These extended Caribbean cruises range from seven to 12 nights. It will call at Turks & Caicos, Antigua, Grand Cayman, and a maiden visit to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Brilliant Lady will then reposition to the west coast via a 16-night Panama Canal transit.

A Panama Canal Transit and Alaska Summer Season

For spring and summer 2026, Brilliant Lady will sail out of Los Angeles and Seattle, which will take in Virgin’s first Alaska cruise season. Anticipating high demand for Alaska sailings, customers can secure a stateroom with a deposit, available to book from May 8, 2024.

Brilliant Lady will feature the signature amenities on its three sister ships, such as the high-end wellness offerings of a mermaid-inspired spa and yoga perch. The cruise line will share details of new dining and entertainment options available on the new ship in the coming months.

Virgin said that the Brilliant Lady was constructed with an adapted frame that enabled it to sail through the Panama Canal and navigate the glaciers of Alaska. The ship will be adorned with a new mermaid designed by Toronto-based illustrator Janice Sung.

Brilliant Lady will join Scarlet Lady , Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady in the Virgin Voyages fleet.

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