Virgin Voyages unveiled the name of its first ship on Friday, July 20, at Fincantieri shipyard Sestri Ponente in Genoa.
Founder Sir Richard Branson and President & CEO Tom McAlpin revealed further details about the debut ship of the line, named Scarlet Lady, including a ban on single-use plastics onboard, renderings and animations of 9 new public spaces and plans for a wellbeing programme called “Vitamin Sea”.
- Virgin's single-use plastics ban ranges from bottled water to take-away tea and coffee cups as the company strives to create one of the cleanest cruise hsip fleets.
- Virgin Voyages' Vitamin Sea wellbeing programme for guests is described as being inspired by the oceans, their importance in well-being for the planet and people's daily lives and health.
- Images of the 9 new on-board spaces include the ones that will host the group fitness classes (all included in the fare). For example, The Crow’s Nest, which boasts 360 degree views around the vessel and is shown strewn with mats in company’s signature red, is due to host sunrise and sunset yoga.
- Also onboard is The Runway running track, The Athletic Club including a boxing ring and gym equipment that is modelled on 1920s New York sports clubs, and The B Complex with rooms for yoga, cardio and spin.
- Guests will benefit from ample opportunities for pampering in the Spa, Redemption, the blow dry bar, male pedicure spa, mani-pedi spa and barber shop.
At the shipyard, Virgin celebrated building milestones with the flooding of ship’s drydock and an official ceremony to cut the first pieces of steel for its 2nd ship, due to be delivered in 2021.
Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady will sail her inaugural season of Caribbean itineraries out of Miami FL in 2020.