In a dramatic shift, considered to reflect the very slow pace of the USA’s CDC restarting cruising in the USA, Virgin Voyages, which many will not realise is a joint venture between the Virgin Group and Bain Capital which also owns Virgin Australia, has announced it has shifted the maiden voyage of its flagship Scarlet Lady from the USA to the UK.
Virgin Voyages says that it will operate a one- off Summer Soiree Series in the UK, across three weeks in Aug, described as six “short and sweet” staycation-style sailings around Southern England.
Virgin Voyages says that it will be offering a three-night Long Weekender voyage, a four- night Summer WeekDaze trip, and that sailors, Virgin Voyages’ name for guests, can also book both sailings back-to-back for a full week.
Unfortunately, along with the other five companies also operating round Britain cruises over the UK summer, only residents of the United Kingdom, that is England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be able to sail on the Summer Soiree Series and all sailors over 18 are required to be vaccinated against coronavirus.
Virgin Voyages also says that their additional testing and protocols will be confirmed to closer to sailing, but have reassured potential sailors that Virgin Voyages will be following and adopting the most up-to-date recommendations from the UK Government and also that Scarlet Lady will also have other precautions and protocols including a new air purification system, enhanced cleaning protocols and practices and others with details to be provided to potential sailors.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor.
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