Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages to base cruise ship Resilient Lady in Melbourne from December 2023

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Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages to base cruise ship Resilient Lady in Melbourne from December 2023

By Katherine Scott
Updated
Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady will be based in Melbourne for the 2023/24 summer sailing season.

Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady will be based in Melbourne for the 2023/24 summer sailing season.

Virgin Voyages will base one of its ships in Melbourne next year, the first from billionaire Sir Richard Branson's cruise line to visit Australia.

The 2770-passenger luxury ship Resilient Lady, the third in Virgin Voyage's fleet, will use Melbourne as its home port from late 2023, offering a mix of itineraries across Australia and New Zealand, ranging in length from two to 14 nights.

But before the new vessel can call Australia home, she'll embark on an epic 44-night trans-continental voyage, sailing from Athens to Sydney, before docking at Station Pier in Port Melbourne.

Sir Richard Branson on board the first Virgin Voyages ship, Scarlet Lady.

Sir Richard Branson on board the first Virgin Voyages ship, Scarlet Lady.

The ship's arrival in Australia will mark Virgin Voyages' debut Down Under, despite earlier reports that the cruise line's second ship Valiant Lady would commence Australian sailings later this year.

Virgin Group's founder Branson said: "Australia has a very special place in my heart, and we can't wait for Australians to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style.

"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."

Virgin Voyages ships are adults-only.

Virgin Voyages ships are adults-only.

Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages president and chief experience officer, said the Virgin brand is already known by Australians and New Zealanders, and the two destinations were a good fit for the brand.

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"Australia and New Zealand are without question the most beautiful countries in the world, and we knew that these destinations, paired with the Virgin Voyages experience, will make it the most incredible holiday for our sailors [the name given to the ship's guests]," said Saverimuttu.

Among some of the Australian stops confirmed for the 2023 sailings is Hobart, Burnie and Sydney, while across the Tasman its New Zealand itineraries will take in destinations Picton, Napier Tauranga, Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Resilient Lady is identical in design to Virgin Voyages' previous ships Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, with a number of notable cruise ship-first features including an on board tattoo parlour, drag show brunches, bungee classes and an app that lets guests order champagne anywhere on the ship with the shake of a phone.

Last month at the launch of Virgin Voyages' second vessel Valiant Lady, Saverimuttu noted demand for cruises had surged leading into the northern hemisphere's summer season "after a tough two years".

Holland America's Westerdam is currently on track to be the first international cruise ship to dock in Melbourne on December 4, 2022, following Australia's two-year ban on cruising. Earlier this month, P&O's Pacific Explorer became the first cruise ship to enter Sydney Harbour after the pandemic-related suspension.

Resilient Lady will commence Australia and New Zealand sailings from December 11, 2023 through to March 27, 2024, with bookings now open. Virgin Voyages' fourth ship is scheduled for completion in 2023.

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