Any NEWS on VV? Please post it here...

[tankmc]

Here is a video tour of the cabin mockups. Includes a brilliance suite and sea view balcony cabin. 

 

 

[mnocket]

10 hours ago, tankmc said:

Here is a video tour of the cabin mockups. Includes a brilliance suite and sea view balcony cabin. 

 

Thanks for posting.  These cabins are certainly a departure from traditional cruise ships.  Whether that's good or bad is very much an individual thing.  I suspect that they will be well received by VV's target demographic, and less so by older, experienced cruisers.  I am very much looking forward to reading reviews once she sets sail. 

[Nymich]

7 hours ago, mnocket said:

 

Thanks for posting.  These cabins are certainly a departure from traditional cruise ships.  Whether that's good or bad is very much an individual thing.  I suspect that they will be well received by VV's target demographic, and less so by older, experienced cruisers.  I am very much looking forward to reading reviews once she sets sail. 

We have quite a few cruises behind us but we are pretty open minded and have yet to find a PERFECT line.   They all do a few things well so when we repeat we know what to expect and what not to expect.   

 

We booked the XL and I think that's going to work out just fine for us.  I wasn't ready to do a suite just yet just wanted to get onboard but I am glad we stepped it up a bit from a balcony.

[tankmc]

13 hours ago, mnocket said:

 

Thanks for posting.  These cabins are certainly a departure from traditional cruise ships.  Whether that's good or bad is very much an individual thing.  I suspect that they will be well received by VV's target demographic, and less so by older, experienced cruisers.  I am very much looking forward to reading reviews once she sets sail. 

 

Definitely, looking forward to seeing how the final ship is received when it's launched. 

[Biker19]

Virgin Voyages is introducing Circles, a fresh approach to group travel designed to bring together and reward sailors (passengers) and their first mates (travel advisors).

Not a point-based amenity program

‘We refer to groups of sailors as Circles because we love the idea of celebrating togetherness and human connection at sea,’ said Tom McAlpin, president and CEO, Virgin Voyages. ‘Our first mates told us they were looking for something simple, consistent and rewarding for their clients who sail together. We listened to them and threw out the rule book again by eliminating complex point-based amenity programs that apply only to select sail dates, to create something flexible and enticing.’

McAlpin added that Virgin’s Circles approach also ensures the experience remains intimate for all passengers and ‘never feels overrun by mass.’

A Circle for Virgin Voyages is defined as 10 cabins or more, including solo cabins, and can be as large as 150 sailors. Circle size and the number of Circles sailing at one time are limited to ensure those traveling in Circles have opportunity for exclusivity while the dynamic for passengers outside of the Circle isn’t negatively impacted by large groups.

 

Circle Bounty

Circles on all voyage dates will be eligible for Circle Bounty, which includes an on-board credit for sailors known as Sailor Loot. Sailor Loot can be spent during the voyage however a passenger wishes and is determined based on the level of cabin they choose. Inside and sea-view cabins receive $50 per cabin, sea terraces receive $100 per cabin and mega rockstar and rockstar suites receive $200 per cabin.

 

Plus, Circle Chest, controlled by first mates

In addition, for every 10 cabins sold, the Circle will earn a 10% voyage credit known as the Circle Chest, based on the highest voyage fares. Circles can earn credit towards their Circle Chest in increments of 10 cabins. For example, when 15 cabins have been sold, the credit will be based on the highest valued 10 cabins within the group, and if 20 cabins are sold, credits will be awarded based on all 20 cabins, continuing based on blocks of 10 cabins.

The Circle Chest puts the control of the benefit in the hands of the travel advisor and can be applied in a number of ways. These include being spent in part or in total toward new cabins on the Circle voyage date that can be used by first mates or sailors. Or, the benefit can be applied prior to final payment as a reduction of voyage fare across any of the purchased cabins on the Circle voyage, in which case commission for the first mate will be protected and based on the full voyage fare.

Yet another option for the Circle Chest is setting it up as a pre-funded master account that can be used on board during the Circle voyage to surprise and delight sailors with extras including on-board credits, visits to the spa, shore things or cocktail parties.

 

Introductory promotion

To kick off the Circles program, Virgin Voyages is offering a special promotion for new 2020 Circles booked now through Dec. 31.

Circles will receive double the standard Sailor Loot amount per cabin, which means inside and sea-view cabins receive $100 per cabin, sea terraces receive $200 per cabin and mega rockstar and rockstar suites receive $400 per cabin.

 

And bonus commission

To sweeten the deal, first mates will also receive a 5% bonus commission on voyage fare for new 2020 Circles. This special offer is valid on all 2020 sailings except the maiden voyage on April 1 and Sir Richard Branson’s Birthday Bash on July 15.

[RJB]

On 8/16/2019 at 12:16 PM, SC_GAY_Cruiser said:

well, I hope that Virgin Voyages sets up a beach getaway in Greenland once Drumpf buys it...........it is green right or will be soon?

Can't wait.  Love the beach.  

[Biker19]

Quote

You’ve heard of the champagne doorbell. Well, getting a glass of bubbly on Sir Richard Branson‘s new adults-only cruise ship is as easy as shaking your smart phone.

 

On Wednesday, Virgin Voyages announced its “exclusive, on-demand champagne delivery service,” aptly titled “Shake for Champagne,” that will allow travelers on board their Scarlet Lady ship to summon a glass by simply opening the Virgin Voyages Sailor App and giving their phone a little shake.

 

However, have no fear, if you accidentally get too excited and shake your phone, a bottle of champagne won’t magically appear (or be charged to your credit card). The app will present a “secret Virgin Voyages champagne button” that, once pushed, will deliver a bottle of Möet Chandon Impérial right to your location on board.

 

“It is never too early for champagne and there is always something to toast to while aboard Scarlet Lady. We want our sailors to enjoy a glamorous holiday and what better way to feel like a RockStar than a sip of bubbly whenever and wherever you want it,” said Tom Mcalpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages.

View photos

 

 

The bottle delivery costs $95, comes in a bright red champagne bucket, and includes two flutes so you can toast to your kid-free vacation. If you have more people who want to join in on your cheers, you can request additional glasses on the app.

RELATED: Richard Branson’s Adults-Only Cruise Line Reveals Uniforms — and They Look Like Sexy Superheroes

For the less tech inclined, the ship is also offering a more traditional option to enjoy a glass (or bottle).

 

Virgin Voyages just announced that the Scarlet Lady would house an on-board champagne and caviar bar called Sip. The lounge will be complete with many labels of bubbly, including Moët Chandon, which is Virgin Voyages’ featured champagne house.

View photos

 

Prices range from $9 for a glass to $1,000 for a vintage bottle. Sip will also offer afternoon high tea.

The champagne lounge is decked out in marble, with navy, gold and blush accents, and keeps in theme with the eccentric design of the Scarlet Lady.

 

Sip joins Virgin Voyage’s other grown-up-friendly amenities, like a tattoo parlor, blow-dry bar, a mani/pedi studio, a world class spa, and a Japanese style karaoke room.

 

Since they announced their adults-only cruise in January 2019, the 18+ sailing has been shaking up the industry. Instead of offering buffet-style dining like most ships, the Scarlet Lady will feature more than 20 dining options for guests, all included in the price of their cruise. The ship doesn’t force guests to wear formal wear, and won’t have assigned seating or dining times

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by Biker19

[happygolucky62]

I got my e mail saying I am getting a bottle upon arrival!

[Mojogurued]

Now that I live in Florida, VV is much more an option. Looks good so far!

[Biker19]

[Biker19]

 

Virgin Voyages has appointed GAC as its UK agent for Scarlet Lady’s UK calls on her maiden voyage around the British coast early next year.

Currently under construction in Fincantieri’s Genoa yard, GAC UK is preparing for the 2,660 lower berth ship when she visits Dover and Liverpool in February en-route to home port of PortMiami.

[Biker19]

Scarlet Lady is out to sea on initial sea trials - can be tracked on Marinetraffic now.

Edited November 15, 2019 by Biker19

[Biker19]

Oh, the fun of sea trials....

 

[wwcruisers]

Biker 19 -- thanks for posting the pictures, and sea-trial information. I was thinking that the Scarlet Lady must have those coming up, any day now!

[Biker19]

The long-awaited arrival of Virgin Voyages is coming soon. And with the excitement surrounding the introduction of its first ship, Scarlet Lady, in March 2020 (when it welcomes its so-called sailors for teaser itineraries), the cruise line is now looking forward to its second ship. On Tuesday, the cruise line announced it will introduce its second ship, Valiant Lady, in 2021.

 

According to Virgin Voyages, Valiant Lady will debut in May 2021 and will sail on seven-night Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain.

 

 

Valiant Lady will sail the following seven-night voyages:

• Itinerary 1: Ports include Barcelona and Ibiza, Spain; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Marseille, France; and Olbia, Italy.
• Itinerary 2: Ports include Barcelona and Ibiza, Spain; Toulon and Ajaccio, France; Marina di Carrara and Cagliari, Italy.
• Itinerary 3: Ports include Barcelona, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca and Málaga, Spain; and Gibraltar on the Iberian Peninsula.

Notably, each of the three itineraries features a Friday overnight stay in Ibiza, a Spanish island known for its nightlife. Bookings for each of the three itineraries will go on sale Dec. 19, 2019, though sailing won’t begin until May 2021.

There is no pricing information available yet for these Mediterranean itineraries.

 

[Biker19]

More sea trials:

 

[Mojogurued]

On 11/30/2019 at 3:36 AM, Biker19 said:

More sea trials:

 

 

Are they lost?

[Monorail Orange]

 

[Biker19]

13 hours ago, Mojogurued said:

 

Are they lost?

That kind of pattern is somewhat typical during sea trials.

[wwcruisers]

17 hours ago, Mojogurued said:

 

Are they lost?

 

4 hours ago, Biker19 said:

That kind of pattern is somewhat typical during sea trials.

 

LOL -- those actually look like fun! Too bad they don't let passengers go along for that wild ride! 😄

[Biker19]

Virgin Voyages’ first ship has moved one step closer to its first sailing with passengers. Last month, Scarlet Lady, the cruise line’s first ship, successfully completed its sea trials on a sailing between Italy and France.

From Nov. 15-18, Scarlet Lady sailed from Genoa to Marseille before returning to its station in Genoa from Nov. 27-30. The return journey was the first round of sea trials, which it successfully completed.

After completing the sea trials, the ship demonstrated that it was seaworthy. Sir Richard Branson joined the sea trials sailing, along with his family, several executives at Virgin Voyages including CEO Tom McAlpin and the CEO of fellow Virgin group member Virgin Atlantic, Shai Weiss.

Branson painted the outline of the Virgin flag on the hull of the ship, where the cruise line’s logo will appear.

“Virgin Voyages can confirm the Scarlet Lady is smooth, stable and quiet, gliding through the water in various weather conditions,” Virgin Voyages said in a statement.

[Biker19]

 

[Biker19]

😄 😱🤣 @ the last line.

[Nightrythm]

OMG. That has to be a parody.

[Biker19]

13 hours ago, Nightrythm said:

OMG. That has to be a parody.

Someone elsewhere mentioned it will be available for $50.