Miami, Florida (December 5, 2019) – Marking a major milestone ahead of her maiden voyage on April 1, 2020, Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady, has successfully completed her sea trials. The ship began its first phase of sea trials between November 15 and 18, sailing from Genoa to Marseille, and then a second phase from Marseille to Genoa from November 27 to 30.
Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson boarded the Scarlet Lady in Marseille, touring the ship with his wife Joan and children Sam and Holly, as well as Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin, Chief Commercial Officer Nirmal Saverimuttu, SVP of Design Dee Cooper, and Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss. Branson ceremonially painted the border of the Virgin flag on the ship's hull where the company logo will appear.
Following sea trials, Virgin Voyages can confirm that the Scalet Lady sails smoothly, stably, and calmly in a variety of weather conditions, offering a truly satisfying cruising experience. The ship was thoroughly tested and proved its seaworthiness. Beyond its superior performance, the ship's interior design and onboard experience truly set a new standard in the cruise industry. Designed to reflect the elegant luxury of a yacht, its interior spaces are curated by a creative collective that includes some of the biggest names in contemporary design, offering a sophisticated atmosphere combined with breathtaking ocean views.
“We are delighted to have achieved such a significant milestone with our sea trials and thank our incredible team for their passion and tenacity in this achievement. We are one step closer to putting our sailors on the Scarlet Lady and are grateful to everyone who has chosen to join us on this adventure,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages.
On April 1, 2020, Scarlet Lady will set sail on her maiden voyage. This celebratory first sailing will be filled with celebrity guest appearances, special events, exclusive surprises, and an enhanced Virgin Voyages experience for sailors (passengers) to enjoy. Sailors unable to join the Maiden Voyage can book Sneak-a-Peek sailings now at VirginVoyages.com. The first Sneak-a-Peek sailing will run from Thursday, March 26, through Sunday, March 29. The second sailing will run from Sunday, March 29, through Wednesday, April 1. The three-night Scarlet Lady Sneak-a-Peek sailings will feature extraordinary ship experiences, including a dazzling day at the Beach Club in Bimini, a Scarlet Party, access to all restaurants, and full versions of onboard entertainment.
As Virgin Voyages' first ship prepares for its maiden voyage, the brand announces its second ship, Valiant Lady. Debuting in May 2021, Valiant Lady will be based in Barcelona, Spain, and sail 7-night Mediterranean itineraries. Bookings for the three itineraries, which offer overnight and overnight stops in some of the most popular destinations in France, Italy, and Spain, will open on December 19, 2019.
