Virgin Voyages has announced it will not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2024/25 summer season.
The Richard Branson-led cruise line made its debut Down Under in early December, with Branson himself joining many travellers onboard Resilient Lady.
Virgin Voyages said its decision to cancel the second ANZ season came amid a change of course for its early 2024 repositioning voyage from Australia to the Mediterranean.
“On the heels of these recent changes and based on the regional and government advice we have received, we remain very concerned about potential escalations in the Red Sea over the next 12 months,” the company said in a statement.
“This significant and ongoing conflict puts unacceptable risks for safe passage through the region for our Sailors, crew and vessel (Resilient Lady). As a result, we have been left with no choice but to cancel our 2024-25 voyage season plans for Resilient Lady, impacting the late 2024 and early 2025 repositioning voyages between Europe and Australia and a second sailing season in Australian waters.”
Resilient Lady will now complete her Mediterranean sailing season on 20 October 2024 and divert course sailing to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a new Caribbean season offering 7, 8, 10 and 11-night voyages visiting St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Colombia, and Dominica.
Virgin Voyages said the decision was not an easy one to make following the reception it received Down Under.
“Virgin Voyages was embraced by the Australia and New Zealand markets with a warm welcome and celebrated an extremely successful inaugural season – the love was mutual. To say that we are disappointed to have come to this tough conclusion is an understatement,” the cruise line wrote.
Virgin Voyages is working through options to return to Australia and the Asia Pacific region once regional repositioning opportunities become more tenable.
“We will share updates on future itineraries across the fleet as soon as possible, and in the event that we return for the 25’ season, existing booked Sailors will have priority to move onto these sailings,” it wrote.
Impacted sailors will have the option to rebook another voyage or opt for a full refund given the change in plans.
Featured Image: Resilient Lady in Sydney – Virgin Voyages
