Virgin Voyages celebrates record-breaking sales and revenue growth
Virgin Voyages has announced an impressive, record-breaking retail period to mark the single highest booking day in company history.
Hot on the heels of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Travel Tuesday, Virgin Voyages has reported triple-digit increases across the board, including a more than 300 per cent increase in revenue from 2023. They also reported an over 300 per cent increase in bookings compared to the same period in the previous year.
In addition to these notable outcomes, the brand is experiencing a more than 60 per cent increase in overall revenue growth compared to 2023, with 2025 projected to be up to 50 per cent again on 2024’s record revenue performance. This news comes as a favourable precursor for the much-anticipated Wave season, with projections set to surpass any previous records.
“We are so grateful for the support that we’re seeing from our loyal customers and travel agent community and their passion for the award-winning, kid-free experiences we have created and built from scratch,” Virgin Voyages CEO, Nirmal Saverimuttu, said. “Breaking records would not have been possible without our First Mates, and we’re as committed to them as they are to us.
“In an environment where value is disappearing and travellers are feeling the pinch of changes from others, we are doubling down on being an incredible value for Sailors with all our inclusions, such as Wi-Fi, soft-drinks, still and sparkling water, unlimited fitness classes, no upcharges for specialty dining, and more. We’re committed to sticking to our roots and not nickel and diming our Sailors, before, during, or after their voyage with us.
“While also being brilliant to do business with our travel partners will continue to benefit from our no NCF policy, earning commissions from everything they sell.”
In addition to occupancy records achieved in the Med and Caribbean this year, the brand has seen a lot of excitement around its new Alaska itineraries, the introduction of longer voyages, including trips to Iceland and solar eclipse sailings in 2026.
Further, Virgin Voyages’ new Annual Pass product, the first ever year-long voyage where passengers can hop on and off any ship, any time – has received dozens of enquiries from adventurers all over the world and expects to sell out before the end of the year.
“We have a lot to look forward to in 2025 with our new ship, Brilliant Lady, setting sail, Scarlet Lady back from her ‘Glow Up’, the introduction of longer itineraries, and new home ports such as New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle,” Saverimuttu added. “Plus, Sailors can look forward to more food and entertainment innovations including new dining concepts, such as Luck Lotus, and new production shows, live music and comedy all rolling out fleet-wide.
“We continue to see really strong repeat cruisers – up to 60 per cent on some voyages – but are also breaking through to new audiences with more than 70 per cent of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday bookings coming from Sailors new to the brand, with a significant number being new to cruise.
“This further solidifies our place as the brand of choice for travellers looking for a fresh, price-inclusive travel experience. We believe this really shows the power and appeal of a kid-free holiday, a position in the travel industry where Virgin Voyages is also fast becoming the brand of choice for adult-only holidays.”
Virgin Voyages also took home two major consumer awards, winning the top spot in its category for both the Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, two consecutive years in a row. To further the brand’s award-winning track record, Virgin Voyages was the first and only cruise line in history to sweep the Cruise Critic awards, taking the top spot in all categories in 2023.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
virgin voyagesLatest News
Select Aussies can now apply for easier US entry
The US is famed for its tight border control and strict security systems, but now things could get easier for a select group of Aussies. The US has recently opened applications to its “US Trusted Traveller Program” – a fast-track service that allows select Australians to fast-track security and custom lines at US airports. Accepted […]
Celebrity Cruises has guests dream up their own Celebrity Xcel adventure
Can you choose to introduce our own private club and rooms of which we are the only member? Guests allowed.
The ONE message that California’s tourism industry has for Australians
At the Visit California tourism event held in Sydney this week, there was just one message that the Californian tourism industry had for Aussies: We are open for business. The news over the past fortnight has been dominated by images of Los Angeles up in flames – in one instance an AI-doctored image even showed […]
Oceania Cruises brings signature French restaurant, Jacques, aboad new Allura
There is no need to choose to favourite your restaurant onboard, choose them all!
Harry Theoharis announces candidacy for secretary general of UN Tourism
Let's hope phrases such as 'greater transparency and accountability' actually mean something.
Copa Airlines partners with Smartvel for real-time travel information
Real-time travel information. Myth or reality. Discuss? Sounds like one of our uni papers.
Cinzia Burnes: Not having brochures is like having a handbag store without handbags
CINZIA BURNES offers her predictions for the year ahead. This interview is part of Travel Weekly‘s series in which we interview travel trade industry leaders. Executive director of Helloworld and our reigning winner of the Travel Weekly Women in Travel Power List Cinzia Burnes isn’t known for mincing her words, and when it comes to […]
On Foot Holidays launches new week-long hiking route in southern France
While 12km a day looks achievable, when it comes to 25km, we might travel to the next stop with the luggage.
South African Airways adds two aircraft to fleet helping popular Perth route
We hope there is plenty of room in the overhead for declared biltong and koeksisters when you have your next braai.
Hapag-Llyod Cruises announces a chance to win an exclusive 18-day cruise
You'll need to pack your thermals for this one. Is Greenland the icy one and is Iceland the green one? We forget.
dnata Catering & Retail expands Melbourne Airport facility
25 million meals, that's a lot of breadrolls and would you like the chicken or the beef with that?
Perth tops Australian hotel occupancy in 2024, WA regions see surges over 10%
We've long been fans of the west and it's news like this that has us thinking about another trip.
Uncertain future for The Star hospitality venues if casino operator goes bust
There will be more than gold stars on the yearly report of the accountant who can get them out of this mess.
Tour operators given under two years to ensure all new buses are equipped with seatbelts
Incredible that protocols like this haven't been in place for years, but we are now moving in the right direction.
Journey Beyond launches ‘The Ghan Experience’
We'll be checking the experience out with our own eyes tomorrow, stay tuned for the video review!
Disneyland Paris set for AU$3bn+ expansion
With the amount of money being spent, we're expecting a seamless experience when lining up in the Paris heat.
REVIEW: Our family Anthem? Dad, please make the next cruise a longer one
Despite its size and scale, there are always pockets of serenity and enjoyable downtime to be had on Anthem.
Collette’s new agent incentive taking winners to the Swiss Alps and Italy’s Prosecco region
Plenty of agent incentives to kick off the year, but this 12-day jaunt might just take the glass of sparkling.
Warrawong on the Darling welcomes guests with pets
Yes all will be fine, and enjoy the serenity, that is until your fur baby hears the words 'Possum!' or 'Lizard!'.
NSW Tourism Association welcomes former tourism minister as new chair
There are some heavy hitters in this roll-call of travel professionals. Let's see what they can do for the state.
Virgin Australia triples number of reward seats between Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha
What came first, the chicken or the egg? Or in this case, Qantas' 72 hour flash sale or more VA's Frequent Flyer seats.
One million discounted seats on offer as Qantas puts 100 domestic routes on sale for 72 hours
There's nothing we love more than a 72-hour flash sale, apart from maybe a 96-hour sale, but let's not be picky,
THE YEAR AHEAD: Brett Jardine, Council of Australian Tour Operators
Put a ring on it, goes the lyric, just like a lemur's tail at Brett's honeymoon destination of Madagascar.
Atlas Ocean Voyages announces special President’s Cruise
We are pretty sure this cruise will not include the presence of the new US president.
Wendy Wu Tours announces three new cruise itineraries
We are 100 per cent sure Wendy Wu would have checked out these river cruise and tour itineraries herself.
European Waterways expands its fleet with the Shannon Princess
You just need to choose nine of your closest friends to book this one out. Oh, and the better half! Make that eight.
Fiji hits the magic million mark for visitors in record year
It was a big hill to climb but going from almost zero during the pandemic to 1M is a huge accomplishment.
Virgin Australia rejects ‘unsubstantiated assertion’ that it turned a blind eye to staff safety risks
Young staff need to be protected, but trawling their social media profiles smells of shaming to us.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises elevates onboard entertainment
We expect Tina Turner songs like What's Love Got To Do With It, not the Beyond Thunderdome version of Tina.
Holland America Line welcomes two celebrated chefs onboard Grand Voyages
Worried that you'll be bored eating the same thing on a 100 plus-day cruise? Not with Holland America you won't!
AmaWaterways adds complimentary land packages on hundreds of sailings
And clients can use these added extras by combining them with them with loyalty schemes. Bonus!
Hong Kong Airlines celebrates resumed service to the Gold Coast
We've said it before and we've said it again, we'll never get bored of happy 'resume' service stories
Intrepid Travel launches exclusive culinary journey
Visitors should expect to come back with a brain full of food knowledge, as well as a belly full of produce.
Webjet & Experience Gold Coast partner to offer $50 off flights to OOL
Just what Sydneysiders need to escape the run of bad weather and Melburnians to escape the tennis.
THE YEAR AHEAD: Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association Australasia
With record numbers last year, read all about what Joel is planning for a bumper cruise year in 2025.
Singapore Tourism Board partners with Komodo for TikTok travel mini-series
We don't know who a lot of these people are, but this sounds like a pretty creative idea!