Virgin Holidays Cruises today confirmed a programme of cruise holidays to sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico between 7 November 2009 and 24 April 2010. Customers will use Virgin Atlantic scheduled flights to and from Puerto Rico. The airline will offer a weekly flight to the island from Gatwick via Antigua for the Winter season.
Robin Deller, Managing Director of Virgin Holidays Cruises commented: �We are excited to announce this addition to the Virgin Holidays Cruises portfolio. San Juan is the cruise capital of the Caribbean and a fantastic destination to explore before our customers hit the waves for their nautical adventure. Now more than ever, cruising represents fantastic value for money so this extension in our product portfolio gives our UK customers even more choice�
Ashley Royston, Sales Director of Virgin Holidays Cruises, added: �This partnership is a landmark agreement with Puerto Rico, an island that offers the UK traveller a new and exciting destination in the cruise sector and a unique opportunity to discover a new culture, enjoy great value for money, excellent climate and variety of attractions. We are confident that the partnership will raise the profile of the destination and will see a marked increase in tourism.� Jaime L�pez D�az, Executive Director of The Puerto Rico Tourism Company added �We are delighted that Virgin Holidays Cruises has opened the gateway from the United Kingdom to Puerto Rico. It�s a vibrant Island that has a lot to offer the European visitor. Our efforts to promote Puerto Rico as the premier tourism destination in the Caribbean are having encouraging results. We are reinforcing our product to offer the best experience to our visitors which, at the same time, has an important positive impact on our economy. This will be an unforgettable experience for our guests, enjoying our fantastic white sand beaches, sunshine, a rich and lively culture and the best infrastructure of the Caribbean.�
14-night Puerto Rico Stay & Cruise from �1,299 After one night in the 4V Intercontinental, Puerto Rico, join �Caribbean Princess� for seven nights from San Juan to St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados and San Juan. Post-cruise, spend six nights in 4V Intercontinental. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a fullboard basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick. Hotel stay is on a half-board basis. Prices based on selected departures in November 2009. Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. 14-night Puerto Rico Stay & Cruise from �1,349 After seven nights in the 4V Condado Plaza, Puerto Rico, join �Serenade of the Seas� for seven nights from San Juan to Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and San Juan. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick. Hotel stay is on a half-board basis. Prices based on selected departures in November 2009. Itinerary may vary by departure date. Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. 14-night Puerto Rico Stay & Cruise from �1,299 After two nights in the 4V Condado Plaza, Puerto Rico, join �Celebrity Millennium� for eleven nights from San Juan to St Croix, St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Banaire, Aruba and San Juan. Post-cruise, spend one night at 4V Intercontinental, San Juan. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing an inside cabin on a full-board basis and includes Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick. Hotel stay is on a half-board basis. Prices based on selected departures in November 2009. Itinerary may vary by departure date. Includes all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Start your holiday before you�ve even taken off in the V ROOM at Gatwick Airport�adults �17, kids �10 For more information visit www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk or call 0871 781 9893 to book
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All enquiries to: Karen Tippett, Head of Public Relations, Virgin Holidays Tel: 01293 496 316/ Karen.tippett@virginholidays.co.uk Anna Whitaker, PR Executive, Virgin Holidays Cruises Tel: 01293 496 184/ anna.whitaker@virginholidays.com
Notes to editors: � From 7 November 2009 to 27 March 2010 flight VS081 will depart from London Gatwick at 09.25 and arrive in San Juan at 16.05. On return, from 7 November 2009 to 27 March 2010 flight VS082 departs San Juan at 18.35 and arrives at London Gatwick at 09:35 the following day � Between 3 April 2010 and 24 April 2010 the flight will depart Gatwick at 09:25 and arrive San Juan at 15.05. On return the flight will depart San Juan at 17.35 and arrives at London Gatwick at 09.35 the following day. � The scheduled flights are operated on a Boeing 747-400 aircraft via Antigua.