VIRGIN VOYAGES HEADS DOWN UNDER AS RESILIENT LADY ANNOUNCES NEW HOMEPORT IN AUSTRALIA 

• Virgin Voyages' newest Ladyship, Resilient Lady, announces Melbourne, Australia as new homeport in 2023
• Resilient Lady travels Down Under via 44-night trans-continental voyage from Athens 
• Virgin Voyages offers incredible new way to travel to, and around Australia for UK travellers; the fourth largest inbound market to Australia[i]
• Cruise industry in Australia is booming with 1 in every 17 Australians taking a cruise[ii]
• Cabins for the Athens to Australia voyage are bookable at VirginVoyages.com from today.

London, April 27, 2022: Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson's award-winning cruise line, sets its sights on Australia and New Zealand today, announcing Melbourne, Australia as the brand's new homeport in 2023. 

Resilient Lady, the newest Ladyship in Virgin Voyages' four-ship fleet, will make her way Down Under via a 44-night trans-continental voyage in October 2023, offering UK Sailors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set sail the Virgin way along the high seas from Athens to Sydney.

With the UK being the fourth largest market for inbound visitors to Australia[iii], the trans-continental voyage offers the perfect way to visit the land Down Under, whilst stopping off at some of the world's most stunning spots on the way.

Sailors will experience the glamour and unmatched service synonymous with the Virgin brand on three different itineraries taking Resilient Lady from Athens to Australia. The first 14-night stint takes Sailors to Dubai, stopping at Santorini and Rhodes, before visiting Cairo and the Great Pyramid of Giza. From Dubai, Resilient Lady sails to Singapore via Mumbai and Goa, with the final 15-night voyage taking her to Sydney, via the South Pacific including an overnight in Bali. After this epic journey, Resilient Lady will arrive at her new home at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, Victoria. 

Virgin Voyages' President and Chief Experience Officer, Nirmal Saverimuttu, said: “New Zealand and Australia are two spectacular countries, and we knew that these destinations, paired with the Virgin Voyages experience, will make for the most incredible holiday. With sistership Scarlet Lady sailing the gorgeous Caribbean seas and Valiant Lady soaking up the Mediterranean sun, we can't wait to mark Resilient Lady's arrival to the southern seas of the Pacific. We're delighted that we can now give travellers access to even more incredible destinations, and we're looking forward to welcoming Sailors – old and new – on board to experience a sailing like never before.”

Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson described it as an exciting milestone for the brand: “Australia and New Zealand have a very special place in my heart and we can't wait for them to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style,” Sir Richard said. 

“For more than 50 years, Virgin companies have been innovating and making industries better for our customers. Virgin Voyages is very much charting its own path, offering a fresh perspective on cruise travel with all the elements of the Virgin experience that people love.”

Exclusively adult, the voyages from Station Pier in Port Melbourne will take a 'superyacht style' that have been imagined by a creative collective of the world's most renowned interior designers. Ranging from 2 to 14 nights with a mix of itineraries, Sailors will experience Michelin starred chef-driven culinary offerings at six signature restaurants and more than 14 other eateries, unrivalled health and wellness offerings and festival-style entertainment – all included.

New Zealand itineraries feature port stops in cities such as Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, with destinations across Australia including Hobart and Burnie and Sydney.

Resilient Lady will sail through New Zealand and Australia from 11th December 2023 to 27th March 2024. Reservations are now open, and Sailors can save up to 30% off voyage fares. For those keen to step onboard earlier, Resilient Lady will be sailing in August from Piraeus (Athens), stopping off at Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Dubrovnik and Corfu.

For bookings or for more information on the unique itineraries, go to www.VirginVoyages.com.

-ENDS-

For more information contact:

UK: VirginVoyages@onegreenbean.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Voyage from Athens to Australia is broken down into three routes:

• 14-night Ancient Athens to Modern Dubai from 22nd Oct – 5th Nov 2023 (Starting price per cabin = £3,228.22 or 2933.80 GBP per cabin with the Pay In Full discount)
• 15-night Dubai Delights to Singapore Sights from 5th Nov – 20th Nov 2023 (Starting price per cabin = £4,176.22 or 3785.68 GBP per cabin with the Pay In Full discount)
• 15-night Singapore, Bali & Australia from 20th Nov – 5th Dec 2023 (Starting price per cabin = £4,816.22 or 4425.68 GBP per cabin with the Pay In Full discount)        

Local Australia voyage prices start:

• From £604.44 GBP per cabin for a 2-night voyage
• From £1,255.22 GBP per cabin with for a 5-night voyage
• From £2,290.44 GBP per cabin for a 10-night voyage

Full destinations across New Zealand include:

• Picton – a picturesque port town.
• Napier – a region renowned for its wine-producing.
• Tauranga – a beach town with hot saltwater pools and an extinct namesake volcano with winding walking paths.
• Auckland – a major city with stunning views of Viaduct Harbour from the Sky Tower, based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Wintergardens.
• Christchurch – a unique destination that combines urban regeneration and innovation with heritage, culture.
• Dunedin – a scenic region of unique landscapes and fascinating cultural history.

Full Australian port stops include:

• Hobart – a mesmerising spot where old sandstone warehouses host galleries and cafes, with sweeping views, plus hiking and cycling trails.
• Burnie – a relaxed port city with an industrial past that has reinvented itself as a vibrant and creative city on a beautiful stretch of Tasmania's north-west coast.
• Sydney – best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Take in the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden, and head to Sydney Tower's outdoor platform, the Skywalk, which offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs. 

ABOUT VIRGIN VOYAGES
Virgin Voyages is a new lifestyle travel brand focused on delivering irresistible cruise vacations. Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady - the first and second ships in the fleet - were designed to reflect a yacht's sleek luxury, offering the intimate, elevated experience of a boutique hotel at sea. Featuring spaces designed by some of the top names in contemporary interiors, our Lady Ships are exclusively adult, a sanctuary at sea for the 18+ traveller. A dose of Vitamin Sea is naturally intertwined across the entire ship, with well-being, relaxation and rejuvenation at the forefront. Our fleet sails to 100 of the world's most incredible destinations with 25+ unique itineraries across four continents. Each sailing offers alluring entertainment and Michelin-inspired menus served across 20+ world-class eateries. With a modern twist on luxury, coupled with discerning design, Virgin Voyages offers incredible value for its Sailors, including food, essential drinks, WiFi and group fitness classes, all covered in the voyage far 

[i] Tourism Australia

[ii] Cruise Agency, Australia

[iii] Tourism Australia