An Introduction to Virgin Voyages

Explore Virgin Voyages' innovative cruise experience aboard their stunning ships, offering an adults-only escape with vibrant entertainment, unique dining, and unlimited fitness classes. Discover a new way to set sail.

CRUISE LINES

Stafford Affiliates Travel

7/18/20254 min read

An Introduction to Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is reimagining the cruise experience with an Adults-Only (18+) concept that blends the luxury of a boutique hotel with the adventurous spirit of rock and roll. Breaking away from traditional cruising norms, Virgin Voyages offers a stylish, sophisticated, and vibrant atmosphere with included dining in specialty restaurants, basic Wi-Fi, fitness classes, and gratuities, appealing to a new generation of cruisers and those looking for a fresh take on sea travel.

A Brief History

Virgin Voyages was officially announced on December 4, 2014, as a joint venture between Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Bain Capital LP. The concept for a new cruise line, inspired by the Virgin brand's ethos of challenging the status quo and delivering exceptional customer experiences, had been in development for several years prior.

The cruise line quickly garnered attention for its Adults-Only policy and its promise of a "rebellious luxe" experience, eschewing traditional buffets, formal nights, and complicated pricing structures. Construction began on its first ship, Scarlet Lady, which debuted (after COVID-19 delays) in August 2021 with UK-only itineraries before moving to its permanent homeport in Miami. Since then, Virgin Voyages has steadily expanded its fleet, introducing sister ships that continue to push boundaries with innovative design, diverse entertainment, and a focus on wellness and unique culinary journeys.

The Fleet: Lady Ships of Rebellious Luxe

Virgin Voyages' fleet, affectionately known as the "Lady Ships," are identical in design and offer a consistent experience across the board. They are celebrated for their sleek, contemporary design, innovative cabins (including the "Seabed" which converts from sofa to bed), and a vibrant array of included dining options and entertainment venues.

Scarlet Lady | Valiant Lady | Resilient Lady | Brilliant Lady.

Current Starting Ports and Itineraries (2025-2026)

Virgin Voyages primarily focuses on two main regions: the sun-drenched Caribbean and the culturally rich Mediterranean, with seasonal repositioning voyages and new deployments expanding their reach. Example itineraries for 2025-2026 include:

Caribbean: From Miami, exploring destinations like Key West, The Beach Club at Bimini (Virgin's private beach club), Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Croix, and more. Brilliant Lady will also offer Caribbean cruises from Miami starting late 2025.

Mediterranean: From Barcelona or Piraeus (Athens), visiting iconic cities and islands such as Ibiza (often with overnights), Mykonos, Santorini, Dubrovnik, Rome (via Civitavecchia), Cannes, and more.

Transatlantic & Repositioning: Voyages connecting Europe to North America, such as Barcelona to Miami, or Miami to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal.

North America (New for Brilliant Lady): Starting September 2025, Brilliant Lady will introduce sailings from New York City, including Fall Colors voyages to Canada and New England. She will also offer cruises from Los Angeles, exploring the Mexican Riviera, and Alaska from Seattle in 2026.

Here's a comprehensive list of Virgin Voyages' major starting ports:

North America (USA):

Miami, FL, USA | Los Angeles, CA, USA | New York City, NY, USA | San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA | Seattle, WA, USA.

Europe:

Barcelona, Spain | Piraeus (Athens), Greece | Portsmouth, England, UK.

Official Websites

Virgin Voyages maintains a strong online presence globally.

USA: Virgin Voyages: Adults Only Cruises

UK: Virgin Voyages: Adults Only Cruises

A Word of Caution: Cruise Scams

When planning your intimate yacht-style voyage with Windstar Cruises, it is essential to remain highly vigilant against potential scam attempts that, unfortunately, target travellers. Be aware of these common red flags:

"Free Cruise" or "Exclusive Offer" Traps: Be highly suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails, texts, or social media messages claiming you've won a "free Windstar cruise" or are eligible for an impossibly low-priced "exclusive" deal. These invariably come with hidden fees, demands for immediate payment for "port taxes" or "service charges," or are simply phishing attempts to collect your personal data or pressure you into buying something else entirely. Windstar, like other cruise lines, has been the subject of such fraudulent schemes.

Fake Websites and Phishing Attempts: Scammers create highly convincing fake websites that mimic Windstar Cruises' official site or reputable travel agencies. They also send deceptive phishing emails that appear legitimate. Their goal is to trick you into entering your login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive personal information. Always manually type the official website address (windstarcruises.com) into your browser's address bar or use trusted bookmarks. Double-check the URL very carefully before entering any data.

High-Pressure Sales Tactics: Be wary of any offer that demands an immediate decision due to a "limited-time offer" that will expire in minutes or hours. This tactic is used by fraudsters to prevent you from doing proper research or verifying the offer's legitimacy.

Unusual Payment Requests: Never agree to pay for a cruise via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency if requested by an individual or an unverified entity. Legitimate cruise lines and their authorized partners use secure, traceable payment methods (e.g., credit cards).

To ensure your unique Windstar journey begins safely and securely, always book directly through the official Windstar Cruises website for your region or through a well-established, reputable travel advisor who is familiar with Windstar's offerings. If an offer feels suspicious, or if you receive any communication that raises red flags, contact Windstar Cruises directly using the official contact information found on their verified website, not from the suspicious offer itself. Embrace a voyage 180 degrees from ordinary with complete peace of mind.