Virgin Voyages rejigs itineraries, expands destinations

The expanded itineraries — 63 in total — come even as Virgin is delaying the launch of its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, which was scheduled to enter service in December from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

'From Morocco to Mooloolaba, Amsterdam to Bordeaux, Catania to Port Douglas, we now offer more than 120 incredible places you can explore aboard our award-winning ships,' said Michelle Bentubo, SVP service excellence and travel operations.

The new itineraries include reimagined repositioning voyages dubbed 'Seachange Series.'

Resilient Lady - Greece, UK, Australia

After returning from its inaugural Australia season, Virgin's newest ship will sail three itineraries from Piraeus, May through July 2024.

They are 'Greek Island Glow' to Santorini and Mykonos, 'Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems,' sailing along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and calling at Kotor (Montenegro) and Corfu (Greece); and 'Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia,' a mix of the other two seven-night itineraries.

From the UK, Resilient Lady will operate a series of three- to six-night cruises beginning in mid-August 2024 and running through September. Highlights include 'English Sights and European Delights,' which docks in Le Verdon (Bordeaux), La Coruña and Bilbao. Amsterdam and Bruges are also on the docket.

A repositioning voyage from Portsmouth to Barcelona adds Morocco to the brand’s roster of new destinations. Then Resilient Lady closes the Mediterranean season with a Barcelona to Piraeus voyage and introduces Catania, Sicily.

Finally, Resilient Lady will set off on a 44-night repositioning from Piraeus to Australia in October 2024, calling at destinations such as Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Bali. Down Under, the ship will operate 15 new itineraries including nine new ports: Broome, Albany, Adelaide, Newcastle, Mooloolaba, Port Douglas, Brisbane, Eden and Kangaroo Island.

Valiant Lady - Miami and San Juan

Valiant Lady will return from Barcelona on Oct. 29, 2023 to begin its PortMiami signature series, 'Eastern Caribbean Antilles' and 'Western Caribbean Charm.' From January through March, the ship will operate from San Juan, offering two southern Caribbean voyages originally scheduled for Brilliant Lady, 'Southeastern Caribbean Isles' and 'Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles.'

With Scarlet Lady heading into dry dock next year, Valiant Lady will trade places starting in April 2024. Departing from Miami, Valiant Lady will continue to offer Scarlet’s four- and five-night Caribbean rotations along with a special six-night 'Holidaze and Nights' voyage.

Scarlet Lady - Mediterranean, dry dock and Miami

Next summer between May and October 2024, Scarlet Lady will sail the Mediterranean, taking on Valiant Lady’s two seven-night itineraries, 'Irresistible Med' and 'French Daze and Ibiza Nights.' On Nov. 3, the ship will embark on an 11-night repositioning voyage from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome), stopping at Mallorca, Corsica and Sardinia.

After a short dry dock for general maintenance, enhancements and recalibrations, Scarlet Lady resume service with a 16-night trans-Atlantic voyage from Civitavecchia to Miami with calls at Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain).

After arriving in Miami on Dec. 14, 2024, Scarlet Lady will offer Valiant’s signature six- and eight-night winter voyages through the spring 2025, including 'Western Caribbean Charm' and the 'Eastern Caribbean Antilles.' Having debuted in 2022, these longer routes from Miami feature late-night stays in San Juan, calls at Roatán and a day trip to St. Croix.

Brilliant Lady TBA

As earlier reported in today's breaking news about a $550m capital raise led by Ares Management, Brilliant Lady is delayed. Virgin Voyages blamed 'unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges.' The ship was floated out in November 2022. The line is evaluating new possible launch dates.

Virgin said customers will receive 'generous offers along with exclusive rebooking perks and on-board credit' once the new introduction is announced.

Compensation and savings

Those impacted by new itineraries will get price- and promotion-protected options to rebook and receive $300 to $600 in on-board credit or a full refund.

Also, Virgin Voyages is offering 30% off the price of 2024 Mediterranean cruises and up to a $600 bar tab when booked by Sept. 28. A handful of select Caribbean sailings and repositioning voyages are eligible for $500 off.