Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages Chairman and CEO Tom McAlpin announced the official opening of sales for their inaugural season on the Scarlet Lady, a ship currently under construction at Fincantieri.
The season on sale runs from April 1, 2020, to October 21 of the same year. Virgin Voyages presents itself as a disruptive cruise company, using not only different language but also a completely different cruise concept. According to the company, passengers (as the company calls them) will enjoy more than 20 onboard dining options included in the price, as well as free fitness classes. There will be no gratuities or service charges, and Wi-Fi, water, coffee, and soft drinks will be included.
Original facilities have also been announced, such as a tattoo studio, or a net to lie on at the stern of the highest deck.
The Beach Club at Bimini
In addition to launching sales, Virgin Voyages has revealed that all cruises will include a stop at The Beach Club at Bimini, a private beach club being developed in collaboration with Resorts World Bimini and the Miami-based architecture firm EOA. This new club will rival the best clubs in Ibiza and Saint Tropez. Using soft earth tones and natural materials, The Beach Club at Bimini will offer spaces for relaxation as well as lively areas. Mornings will begin with yoga and meditation classes, gradually building in energy throughout the day until the evening culminates in a DJ party by the pool. Meals at the Beach Club will be included and will feature locally sourced and inspired cuisine.
Sailors traveling in the RockStar Suites will have access to a dedicated bar at the Beach Club, complete with an outdoor terrace and beach cabanas. Those wishing to explore the island will find friendly residents; after all, the island was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.
Onboard Events
Scarlet Lady will not have a Cruise Director, only an entertainment team that will produce events throughout the ship. Seamen may be invited to participate in the shows. To accommodate the variety of entertainment the company plans, The Red Room has been designed, capable of transforming into four completely different stages: theater, catwalk, dance floor, and inverted stage. Scarlet Lady will feature six original shows, ensuring a different performance each day.
Sir Richard Branson's birthday trip
Sir Richard Branson will celebrate his birthday with celebrity friends and sailors aboard the four-night Havana After Dark cruise departing July 15, 2020. Sailors are invited to book this special cruise at www.virginvoyages.com. They can also try their luck by following @VirginVoyages on Instagram or visiting richardsbirthday.virginvoyages.com to enter a prize draw for a cabin for two, until March 31, 2019.
