Sponsored By

Sir Richard Branson welcomes Resilient Lady Down Under

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson was in Sydney to welcome Monday’s maiden arrival of Resilient Lady.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

December 4, 2023

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Branson met his cruise ship in a wooden speedboat as it sailed through the Heads.

View from the Bridge

Later he climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge to watch her pull into the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay.

Helicopters and drones circled above, adding to Resilient Lady’s spectacular debut.

‘Sydney is one of my favourite cities in the world and we wanted to ensure our arrival was as spectacular as the Sydney Harbour itself,’ Branson said.

‘To stand at the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and watch Resilient Lady come into Circular Quay was one of the most exciting moments since we founded the Virgin brand,’ he said.

Aussie MerMaiden voyage

‘We are now less than a week away from our Aussie MerMaiden voyage and we can’t wait to welcome sailors aboard our ship where they will have a blast and experience our unique approach to cruising with the very best food, wellness, entertainment and fun.’

‘We’re excited to make our mark here in Australia with the newest ship in our fleet,’ Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu said.

‘Richard challenged us to create a cruise line he would want to take his mates on and we’ve succeeded,’ Saverimuttu said.

On Wednesday Resilient Lady will sail to Melbourne, her homeport for the local summer cruise season.

On December 11 she sails on her Aussie MerMaiden voyage to Tasmania, calling at Burnie and Hobart.

Read more about:

Virgin Voyages

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

The latest cruise news, analysis and more straight to your inbox
Get the free newsletter read by industry experts

You May Also Like