Since Sir Richard Branson disclosed his plans for ‘changing cruise for good’, much attention has been turned to the Virgin Group as fans of cruising eagerly await more cruise news about new line; Virgin Voyages. Well, today we can reveal that the first ship, which should grace the seas in 2020, officially has a name – Scarlet Lady.
Those who favour the Virgin brand might well recognise that this name has been chosen to pay homage to the logo that can be found on Virgin Atlantic planes – a Union Jack wielding pin-up girl who can be found near the nose of each of the aircraft.
Not only the name, but other details have now been released about what this new cruise ship will be about. Here are some of the features we are very excited about:
Scarlet Lady will be free of single-use plastics. In an effort to be environmentally responsible, all the ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet will ban all single-use plastics. This means no plastic straws, stirrers, bottled water, or plastic takeaway cups.
Complimentary still and sparkling water. Instead of bottled water, cruisers will have access to fully-filtered still and sparkling water at all eateries onboard. There will also be filtered water stations throughout the ship.
Cruisers will be referred to as sailors. In keeping with the vision of changing the conception of ‘cruising’, passengers will be known as sailors – perhaps to reiterate a sense of adventure!
The Scarlet Squad programme. Virgin Voyages plan to launch an initiative in which women are given ample opportunities onboard. The mode of thought is that currently women are not adequately represented in the maritime industry, and this cruise line wants to change that.
Vitamin Sea wellbeing programme. Echoing the importance of the sea in the wellbeing of humankind, Virgin Voyages intend to offer opportunities such as exercise classes with a sea view, and sunrise/sunset yoga classes as well.
As construction is underway at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, we can expect more information about the ship as work progresses. Not only this but perhaps even about the second ship of the fleet which should hit the waves in 2021!
