Virgin Voyages' first ship, the Scarlet Lady, will debut in the UK this summer with six scenic cruises along the south coast starting on August 6 for residents.
The cruise line has decided to change its plans to launch the ship in Miami and will instead sail along the south coast of England from Portsmouth, alternating between three-night “Long Weekender” trips and four-night “Summer WeekDaze” trips.
The Scarlet Lady will offer three-night cruises on Fridays, August 6, 13, and 20, and four-night cruises on Mondays, August 9, 16, and 23, departing from Portsmouth. Bookings will be available from Tuesday, April 13.
“Virgin Voyages is eager to set sail, and we are delighted to announce our plans to depart from the UK,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “Our team has prepared a fantastic experience for our passengers, and we know it’s a holiday they will love.”.
After more than a year of waiting and emphasizing a safe return, we are delighted to announce these new departures and for sailors to experience sailing the Virgin way,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages. “We consider our summer trips to the UK a homecoming to celebrate our British roots, and what better way to kick off our sailing season before returning to Miami.”
The adults-only Scarlet Lady features a lively nightclub, trendy bars, and a variety of restaurants serving Italian, Korean barbecue, Mediterranean, and vegetarian cuisine, as well as a steak and seafood restaurant. Passengers can also enjoy spa treatments, fitness classes, and entertainment.
In addition to the vaccination requirement for all travelers, Virgin Voyages will confirm any additional testing and protocols closer to the departure date, in accordance with the latest UK government requirements.
