Virgin Voyages has moved the inaugural season of the Scarlet Lady to July due to the global health crisis, with its maiden voyage slated for Aug. 7.
“As a brand,” wrote Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin, “Virgin has always championed our customers and, most importantly, listened to them. With those principles in mind and based on your feedback, our team has made the very difficult decision to postpone the Showcase Tour launch and inaugural sailing season for Scarlet Lady until July 15, 2020, with our Maiden Voyage taking place Aug. 7, 2020. The business is well supported and our partnership between the Virgin Group and Bain Capital means that Virgin Voyages can remain focused on the health and safety of our Sailors and Crew.”
For those who were booked on sailings, the cruise line is offering a range of options from a full refund and a voyage credit to bonus offerings for future sailings, including 200 percent in Future Voyage Credit, rather than a refund; $500 onboard credit if rebooked before June 30, 2020; as well as a 100 percent refund on a voyage fare for an impacted sailing, plus an offer of a 25 percent Future Voyage Credit on the value paid to use for a future booking.
Branson and McAlpin added that, “Despite what we are facing, travel will always be a way for us to connect with one another and open ourselves up to new ideas and ways of thinking. So while this isn’t the time for us to meet on the spectacular Scarlet Lady, it will be soon. We can’t wait to see you on board.”
For more information, visit virginvoyages.com.
Viking Cruises suspends cruises until May 1, while Princess Cruises suspends operations for 60 days—read it here and here, respectively. AmaWaterways has also delayed start of its European sailing season, details here. Windstar Cruises has paused operations; read here. Globus, including Avalon Waterways, suspend travel; details here.
