Virgin Voyages starts again in England, here's the Summer Soiree Series

After postponing the debut for the fifth time, Virgin Voyages changes its mind and chooses Portsmouth, England, to kick off its venture into the world of cruising. The company has launched a limited series of trips scheduled for this summer. The offer is available only to U.K. residents and will include two-, three- and four-night itineraries with a total of six departures scheduled for August.

Summer Soiree Series, the first journey of the Scarlet Lady

It seemed to continue the odyssey of Virgin Voyages, which was forced to initially cancel the debut of its first ship Scarlet Lady scheduled for July. The company had chosen September 17 as the official date to set sail, but after a few days, good news finally arrived. Richard Branson himself announced the news: "Virgin Voyages has been looking forward to setting sail and we are so excited to announce our plans. Our team has taken care of every detail of this experience." Scarlet Lady will sail along the south coast of England, a first real excursion dubbed the 'Summer Soiree Series.' This is the planned program and departure schedule:

• Itinerary 1 - Long Weekender (3 nights, Friday - Monday)

Aug. 6-Aug. 9

Aug. 13-Aug. 16

Aug. 20-Aug. 23

• Itinerary 2 - Summer WeekDaze (4 nights, Monday - Friday)

Aug. 9-Aug. 13

Aug. 16-Aug. 20

Aug. 23-Aug. 27

As part of the Summer Soiree Series, will be offered a first taste of sailing on Scarlet Lady that includes Michelin-inspired dining experiences, luxurious spa treatments, unlimited fitness classes, entertainment with local British talent, and an adults-only sailing experience. The decision comes just weeks after the company made its new policy official with the requirement for all prospective passengers to carry a document certifying the Covid-19 vaccination. Only residents of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be able to purchase their tickets, on sale from April 13.

Virgin Voyages, Covid-19 vaccine required for all future passengers

Five referrals for Scarlet Lady before debut

The debut in England came just days after yet another postponement of the planned cruise departing from Miami. Virgin Voyages had thus brought to five postponements for the Scarlet Lady, which was to have start his story in March 2020. All the displacements were obviously caused by the Covid, which has effectively disrupted most cruises worldwide for the past 13 months. Virgin Voyages has also postponed the opening of its second ship, Valiant Lady. The date chosen is November 14, six months later than originally planned.

Valiant Lady will be similar in size and layout to Scarlet Lady. She was originally scheduled to debut in European waters in May before moving to the Caribbean in November. Now under the company's new plan, she will head straight to the Caribbean Sea after her construction is completed. Virgin Voyages offers customers with reservations on canceled cruises the choice of a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise. Those who choose credit receive 200% of the amount paid to apply for a future cruise. Those who chose a refund instead got a credit of 25% for a future cruise in addition to all the money already spent.

The format proposed by Virgin Voyages

The debut of Virgin Voyages is one of the most anticipated cruise industry events of 2020. Capable of carrying 2,770 passengers, Scarlet Lady is designed to bring to life cruises banned for those under 18 years of age. There are no buffets or even dress codes as well as no grand theatrical performances typical of classic cruises. For entertainment, travelers can participate in interactive dance parties, DJ sets and "microplay" as well as nightly dodgeball sessions.

In anticipation of the debut, Virgin Voyages had already unveiled. the name of the third cruise ship which will join its newest fleet. It will be called Resilient Lady and will sail from Athens, Greece, in the summer of 2022, offering seven-night cruises around the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas.

• Virgin Voyages

ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card

100,000 Volare points upon reaching 6,000 in spending within 3 months*

Learn More "

• 100,000 Volare points upon reaching €6,000 in spending in the first 3 months after the Card is issued
• Earn 1.5 Volare points for every euro spent and an additional 3 Volare points (for a total of 4.5 Volare points) for every euro spent on ticketing purchases and other services offered by ITA Airways
• Access to the Premium Club of ITA Airways' Volare program.
• ITA Airways Lounge Access
• Free excess baggage
• Points Back, Fast Track and Priority Boarding

Advertising message with promotional purpose. *Offer valid online only from October 19 to December 10, 2024 and reserved for ITA Airways Customers enrolled in the Volare program who apply for an ITA Airways Platinum American Express Card and become a Cardholder. You will receive 100,000 bonus points on your Volare account upon reaching €6,000 of American Express Card spending within the first 3 months of issuance, which you can use, for example, to claim ITA Airways award tickets. Volare points will be credited to your statement within 12 weeks from the date the last transaction was made to reach the above spending threshold. For terms and conditions of all Card benefits go to https://www.americanexpress.com/it- en/benefits/card-ita-airways-platino/index.html. For more information on economic and contractual terms and conditions consult the General Card Terms and Conditions and the attached Information Sheets by visiting americanexpress.co.uk/termsconditions. Before applying for the Card, remember to download and keep a copy of the pre-contractual and contractual documentation related to the Card you are applying for. Issuance of the Card is at the discretion of American Express.

ITA Airways Gold American Express Credit Card

50,000 Volare points upon reaching 3,000 in spending within 3 months*

Learn More "

• 50,000 Volare points upon reaching €3,000 in spending in the first 3 months after Card issuance
• Earn 1.25 Volare points for every euro spent and an additional 1.5 Volare points (for a total of 2.75 Volare points) for every euro spent on ticketing and other ITA Airways services
• Access by right to the Plus level of the Volare program
• Points Back
• Airport benefits: fast track, priority boarding and access to ITA Airways lounges.

Advertising message with promotional purpose. *Offer valid online only from October 19 to December 10, 2024 and reserved for ITA Airways Customers enrolled in the Volare program who apply for an ITA Airways Gold American Express Credit Card and become a Cardholder. You will receive 50,000 bonus points on your Volare account upon reaching €3,000 of American Express Card spending within the first 3 months of issuance, which you can use, for example, to claim ITA Airways award tickets. Volare points will be credited to your statement within 12 weeks from the date the last transaction was made to reach the above spending threshold. For terms and conditions of all Card benefits go to https://www.americanexpress.com/it-it/benefici/carta-di-credito-ita-airways-oro/index.html. For more information on the economic and contractual terms and conditions consult the General Regulations and the Basic European Consumer Credit Information by visiting americanexpress.co.uk/termsconditions. Before applying for the Card, remember to download and keep a copy of the pre-contractual and contractual documentation related to the Card you are applying for. Issuance of the Card is at the discretion of American Express.