Virgin Voyages will base certainly one of its ships in Melbourne subsequent yr, the primary from billionaire Sir Richard Branson’s cruise line to go to Australia.
The 2770-passenger luxurious ship Resilient Lady, the third in Virgin Voyage’s fleet, will use Melbourne as its house port from late 2023, providing a mixture of itineraries throughout Australia and New Zealand, ranging in size from two to 14 nights.
But earlier than the brand new vessel can name Australia house, she’ll embark on an epic 44-night trans-continental voyage, crusing from Athens to Sydney, earlier than docking at Station Pier in Port Melbourne.
The ship’s arrival in Australia will mark Virgin Voyages’ debut Down Under, regardless of earlier experiences that the cruise line’s second ship Valiant Lady would commence Australian sailings later this year.
Virgin Group’s founder Branson mentioned: “Australia has a very special place in my heart, and we can’t wait for Australians to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style.
“For greater than 50 years, Virgin corporations have been innovating and making industries higher for our prospects. Virgin Voyages could be very a lot charting its personal path, providing a recent perspective on cruise journey with all the weather of the Virgin expertise that folks love.”
Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages president and chief expertise officer, mentioned the Virgin model is already identified by Australians and New Zealanders, and the 2 locations had been a superb match for the model.
“Australia and New Zealand are without question the most beautiful countries in the world, and we knew that these destinations, paired with the Virgin Voyages experience, will make it the most incredible holiday for our sailors [the name given to the ship’s guests],” mentioned Saverimuttu.
Among among the Australian stops confirmed for the 2023 sailings is Hobart, Burnie and Sydney, whereas throughout the Tasman its New Zealand itineraries will take in locations Picton, Napier Tauranga, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Resilient Lady is equivalent in design to Virgin Voyages’ earlier ships Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, with quite a lot of notable cruise ship-first options together with an on board tattoo parlour, drag present brunches, bungee lessons and an app that lets friends order champagne wherever on the ship with the shake of a cellphone.
Last month on the launch of Virgin Voyages’ second vessel Valiant Lady, Saverimuttu famous demand for cruises had surged main into the northern hemisphere’s summer time season “after a tough two years”.
Holland America’s Westerdam is at present on monitor to be the first international cruise ship to dock in Melbourne on December 4, 2022, following Australia’s two-year ban on cruising. Earlier this month, P&O’s Pacific Explorer turned the first cruise ship to enter Sydney Harbour after the pandemic-related suspension.
Resilient Lady will begin Australia and New Zealand sailings from December 11, 2023 via to March 27, 2024, with bookings now open. Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship is scheduled for completion in 2023.
