Virgin Voyages, Sir Richard Branson’s award-winning cruise line, sets its sights on Australia and New Zealand today, announcing Melbourne, Australia as the brand’s new homeport in 2023.
Resilient Lady, the newest Ladyship in Virgin Voyages’ four-ship fleet, will make her way Down Under via a 44-night trans-continental voyage in October 2023, offering UK sailors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set sail the Virgin way along the high seas from Athens to Sydney.
With the UK being the fourth largest market for inbound visitors to Australia, the trans-continental voyage offers the perfect way to visit the land Down Under, whilst stopping off at some of the world’s most stunning spots on the way.
Sailors will experience the glamour and unmatched service synonymous with the Virgin brand on three different itineraries taking Resilient Lady from Athens to Australia. The first 14-night stint takes sailors to Dubai, stopping at Santorini and Rhodes, before visiting Cairo and the Great Pyramid of Giza. From Dubai, Resilient Lady sails to Singapore via Mumbai and Goa, with the final 15-night voyage taking her to Sydney, via the South Pacific including an overnight in Bali. After this epic journey, Resilient Lady will arrive at her new home at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, Victoria.
Virgin Voyages’ president and chief experience officer, Nirmal Saverimuttu, said: “New Zealand and Australia are two spectacular countries, and we knew that these destinations, paired with the Virgin Voyages experience, will make for the most incredible holiday. With sistership Scarlet Lady sailing the gorgeous Caribbean seas and Valiant Lady soaking up the Mediterranean sun, we can’t wait to mark Resilient Lady’s arrival to the southern seas of the Pacific. We’re delighted that we can now give travellers access to even more incredible destinations, and we’re looking forward to welcoming sailors – old and new – onboard to experience a sailing like never before.”
Virgin Group founder Branson described it as an exciting milestone for the brand. “Australia and New Zealand have a very special place in my heart and we can’t wait for them to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style,” he said.
“For more than 50 years, Virgin companies have been innovating and making industries better for our customers. Virgin Voyages is very much charting its own path, offering a fresh perspective on cruise travel with all the elements of the Virgin experience that people love.”
Exclusively adult, the voyages from Station Pier in Port Melbourne will take a ‘superyacht style’ that has been imagined by a creative collective of the world’s most renowned interior designers. Ranging from two to 14 nights, with a mix of itineraries, sailors will experience Michelin-starred chef-driven culinary offerings at six signature restaurants and more than 14 other eateries, unrivalled health and wellness offerings and festival-style entertainment – all included.
New Zealand itineraries feature port stops in cities such as Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, with destinations across Australia including Hobart and Burnie and Sydney.
Resilient Lady will sail through New Zealand and Australia from 11th December 2023 to 27th March 2024. Reservations are now open, and sailors can save up to 30 per cent off voyage fares. For those keen to step onboard earlier, Resilient Lady will be sailing in August from Piraeus (Athens), stopping off at Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Dubrovnik and Corfu.
For bookings or for more information on the unique itineraries, visit VirginVoyages.com.
