Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages, announced today that the company will require all passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated before sailing. In an interview on Good Morning America, Mr. McAlpin said that vaccination stance was to “ensure we’re providing the safest travel experience”. Virgin Voyages hopes to sail set sail from Miami in July with Scarlet Lady, depending on CDC guidance.

"We're really encouraged by the latest rollout plans in the May time frame from the new administration, and we know the future is about vaccinations," Tom McAlpin said in a statement.

"Our goal is to ensure that we're providing the safest travel experience which means vaccinations for both our crew and passengers," McAlpin said. "The is a step towards the safe return to sailing and is the right decision for Virgin Voyages. We're really encouraged by the latest rollout plans in the May time frame from the new administration, and we know the future is about vaccinations."

Tom McAlpin Interview on "Good Morning America"

The cruise line has two ships in the fleet and a third to debut next year. Scarlet Lady, which debuted in the U.K. last year just before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic is still waiting to start cruises from Miami. Hopefully, with the vacancies rollout in the USA, the ship will finally set sail in July.