Virgin Voyages Announces Private Cruise Destination

Bookings for the inaugural season on Virgin Voyages’ first ship are officially open as of today, February 14. Travelers can now book sailings departing April 1 to October 25, 2020. 

Cruisers – or sailors as Virgin calls them – will be treated to free wifi, fitness classes, and dining onboard, as well as no gratuity or service charges and free basic beverages like soda, tea, and sparkling water. “I’ve dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20’s, and now the launch is finally getting close,” said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Voyages. “We have taken the time to think about every detail and craft an experience that brings the Virgin brand to life and disrupts the travel industry.”

The Beach Club at Bimini

In conjunction with bookings opening, Virgin Voyages announced that all cruises will feature a stop at The Beach Club at Bimini, a private destination in Bimini, Bahamas. The Beach Club is being designed with Miami-based architects EOA, Inc. using natural materials and earthy tones that blur the line between earth and structure. The Beach Club will overlook the ocean and cascade down to the sea with a lagoon-style pool as the focal point. 

Mornings at The Beach Club will begin with yoga and meditation, and energy will amplify throughout the day with a DJ-led pool party at the peak of the afternoon. After the sun sets, visitors will wind down with a beach bonfire and acoustic musical performance. Virgin will be curating the soundtrack for the beachside destination, with Grammy-award-winning artist and producer Mark Ronson named founding DJ there. He will have four performances there in 2020.

The Beach Club at Bimini will also have included dining with locally inspired menus using thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Island favorites such as conch and mango salad, banana leaf-wrapped queen snapper, and Bahamian rum cake will be among the offerings. The destination will include lots of places to lounge and hang out, as well as active areas for water sports and beach activities.

Those staying in RockStar Suites on the ship will have their own piece of paradise at The Beach Club, with a dedicated bar, food service, outdoor lounge, and beach cabanas. Passengers that want to venture outside of The Beach Club area will also have the opportunity to do so, as the seven-mile island offers boating, snorkeling, wreck diving, and more. 

An Epic Birthday Bash

Virgin’s founder Sir Richard Branson will celebrate his birthday among celebrity friends and fellow cruisers aboard a four-night Havana After Dark voyage, departing July 15, 2020. Those who want to be onboard for the bash can book their voyage now, and also have the chance to win a cabin for two now through March 31, 2019 by visiting richardsbirthday.virginvoyages.com. 

Scarlet Lady will set sail from PortMiami in 2020 on four and five-night cruises to Havana, Cuba; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Costa Maya, Mexico, and Bimini.