Calling 2022 an epic year with record bookings, Virgin Voyages rolled out several new enticements aimed at keeping the momentum going through the holiday season and as the cruise line ushers in 2023.
The perks include bar tab credits and reduced fares, plus new onboard programs. The new year also will bring the adults-only cruise line’s third and fourth ships, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, into service.
Free Drinks, Discounted Fares Court Sailors
Virgin Voyages is courting cruisers, or, in Virgin lingo, โSailors,โ with two money-saving offers valid on new bookings made by January 31, 2023. For each cruise fare purchased, a second will be reduced by 60 percent.
Additionally, all Sailors will receive a complimentary bar tab of $300 for voyages of six nights or fewer, and $600 for cruises of seven nights or more. The offers apply to all four Virgin Voyages ships as follows:
- Scarlet Lady: December 18, 2022 – December 27, 2023
- Valiant Lady: December 17, 2022 – December 30, 2023
- Resilient Lady: May 14, 2023 – March 15, 2024
- Brilliant Lady: December 24, 2023 – December 30, 2023
Isis Ruiz, Virgin Voyages’ Chief Growth Officer, said, “2022 was a red-letter year, and 2023 promises to be even better as we launch Resilient Lady, expand globally to more than 100 stunning ports across four continents, and introduce new entertainment and well-being events.”
“To help our Sailors have a fantastic new year, we are giving them early access to our most inclusive offer ever. We wanted to give travelers something to look forward to and have a chance to plan a getaway with loved ones during the holidays. This offer has everything travelers need to make it a memorable vacation they will love and cherish for years to come,” Ruiz added.
The financial incentives are part of Virgin Voyages’ Wave Season promotion. The industry-wide Wave Season refers to the marketing of discounted offers in the first quarter of each year in an effort to get as many reservations on the books as possible. Promotions tend to come in waves, as each line rolls out its best deals.
Wellness and Entertainment Upgrades Too
Responding to wellness trends in travel, Virgin Voyages said in 2023 it plans to โhelp Sailors jumpstart their wellness journeysโ with onboard programs such as rhythm-based spin classes, restorative spa treatments, yoga and high energy workouts, along with sound bath meditations on the shores of Bimini. Healthy beverages and happy hours round out the wellness theme.
According to Virgin Voyages, shipboard entertainment in 2023 has some new events in store for Sailors, including up-and-coming musical artists and limited-time shows, with details to be announced.
The popular dance production called โUNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHINGโ and โDuel Reality,โ a modern version of Romeo and Juliet, will continue their runs, and the show titled โIt’s a Ship Show,โ performed on Valiant Lady, will also be offered on Scarlet Lady.
Virgin Voyages is currently operating two ships, both in the Caribbean this winter, and has two ships due to enter service in 2023. All four sister ships are identical and all accommodate 2,770 guests. Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady are both homeported in Miami and sailing a series of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises this winter. Scarlet Lady entered service in 2021 and Valiant Lady in March of this year.
Resilient Lady was scheduled to debut in Athens in August 2022 but was delayed due to supply chain issues and crew shortages. The ship is slated to begin sailing in May 2023. Brilliant Lady is expected to enter service in late 2023, and will homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. All of the Virgin ships were constructed by Fincantieri.