Fans of Virgin Voyages have reason to celebrate… and reason to be a little disappointed.
The adults-only cruise line has earned rave reviews and several awards, thanks in large part to its unique take on cruising. This includes not only being for those 18+ years, but also including foods, tips, and wi-fi for all passengers, entertainment that’s markedly different from other lines, and itineraries that are different from what other lines offer.
Now the cruise line is pushing the envelope on those itineraries even further, giving fans of Virgin Voyages an opportunity to explore more routes. But it has also announced that its newest ship — Brilliant Lady — will be delayed.
According to Virgin, the cruise line is rolling out 19 new destinations and 27 new itineraries between now and April 2025. These routes cover the world, from Australia to the Mediterranean to the Caribbean.
New ports of call on different routes include Broome, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Kangaroo Island in Australia, homeporting out of San Juan to reach Caribbean ports, and even new repositioning cruises with stops in far-flung places.
One cruise is a unique 44-night repositioning trip that goes from Athens to Australia, complete with stops in Dubai, Singapore, and Bali as it sails. For those that love the line and have also wanted to take a world cruise, this looks like the perfect fit.
These new itineraries are available to book starting Monday, September 11.
Brilliant Lady — Virgin’s Fourth Ship — Delayed
On the downside, Virgin also shared that the upcoming launch of its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady is delayed.
“Despite careful planning, Virgin Voyages is facing unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges that have delayed the introduction into service of its new ship, Brilliant Lady,” the line shared via press release.
There is no word yet on when the ship will now debut. Virgin says it is “evaluating new possible launch dates when it is able to deliver the standards the brand’s Sailors have come to expect.”
Passengers that were booked on its initial routes have the choice to rebook and receive $300-$600 in onboard credit or simply receive a full refund.
“We’ve built a brand that has taken the industry by storm, but even the strongest businesses face unforeseen challenges every now and then,” said Michelle Bentubo, Senior Vice President of Service Travel Operations. “We are sorry that our Sailors and First Mates who were excited about Brilliant Lady will have to wait a little bit longer for her launch.”
At last check, no cruises showed as available for booking aboard Brilliant Lady on the Virgin Voyages website, giving no hint as to when the ship might debut.
