Marking a great milestone before her Inaugural Journey on April 1, 2020, Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady, has successfully completed sea trials. The ship began its first phase of sea trials between November 15 and 18, sailing from Genoa to Marseille, and then a second phase from Marseille to Genova from November 27 to 30.

Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson embarked on the Scarlet Lady in Marseille, with his wife Joan and sons Sam and Holly, as well as Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin, Chief Commercial Officer Nirmal Saverimuttu, SVP of Design Dee Cooper and Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss. Branson ceremonially painted the edge of the Virgin flag on the hull of the ship where the company logo will appear.

After the sea trials, Virgin Voyages can confirm that the Scalet Lady navigates smoothly, steadily and calmly in different weather conditions offering a great navigation experience. The ship was tested and proved that it is in a position to navigate. In addition to its superior performance, the interior design of the ship and the experiential offer on board really break the mold in the cruise industry. Designed to reflect the elegant luxury of a yacht, its interior spaces are curated by a creative collective that includes some of the most important names in contemporary aesthetics, offering an elegant atmosphere combined with stunning sea views.

“We are delighted to have achieved such an important milestone with our sea trials and we thank our amazing team for their passion and tenacity in this achievement. We are one step closer to putting our sailors in the Scarlet Lady and we are grateful for all who have chosen to join us in this adventure, ”said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages.

On April 1, 2020, Scarlet Lady will set sail on her maiden voyage. This first celebratory navigation will be full of famous guest appearances, special events, exclusive surprises and an enhanced Virgin Voyages experience for sailors (passengers) to enjoy. Sailors who cannot join the Maiden Voyage can book Sneak-a-Peek departures now at VirginVoyages.com. The first Sneak-a-Peek navigation will take place from Thursday, March 26 until Sunday, March 29. The second navigation will take place from Sunday, March 29 until Wednesday, April 1. The three nights of Sneak-a-Peek Scarlet Lady will feature extraordinary boat experiences, which include a dazzling day at the Beach Club in Bimini, a scarlet party,

When the first Virgin Voyages ship prepares for its maiden voyage, the brand announces its second ship, Valiant Lady. Debuting in May 2021, Valiant Lady will have a base port in Barcelona, Spain, and will sail on 7-night Mediterranean itineraries. Reservations for all three itineraries, which offer overnight stays and overnight stops at some of the most popular destinations in France, Italy and Spain, will open on December 19, 2019.