Virgin Voyages, the much-anticipated model which has vowed to revolutionize the cruise trade, has postponed the launch of its third cruise ship, Resilient Girl.
The ship was resulting from debut in August, working out of Piraeus (for Athens) in Greece in summer season, and San Juan, Puerto Rico in winter.
As a substitute, the corporate has delayed its launch till Might 2023.
Clients who’d booked a crusing have been promised refunds of as much as 200% refund for a future cruise, in addition to some bills.
In a Q&A for “sailors,” as cruisers are dubbed on Virgin, the corporate laid the blame squarely on the present journey chaos which is now spreading to the cruise trade, having crippled the aviation sector.
“There are a selection of worldwide challenges that have an effect on journey and notably the cruise trade, together with provide chain points, crewing challenges and regional uncertainty,” it mentioned.
“Each resolution we make is pushed by our dedication to making a secure and galvanizing atmosphere for each Crew and Sailors, and we by no means wish to put ourselves ready the place we might negatively affect our Sailor expertise or Crew’s well-being.
“The challenges we face usually are not unique to Virgin Voyages; they’re affecting our trade and journey as a complete.”
Passengers with bookings have a number of choices. They will get a full refund inside seven days, or obtain a 200% credit score in direction of a future cruise with Virgin Voyages inside the subsequent 12 months.
In the event that they take the credit score and rebook for 2022, they may get a further free voyage on one other Virgin Voyages ship.
The corporate can also be providing refunds of as much as $500 per passenger to cowl any cancelation penalties or canceled flights.
In an announcement, Virgin Voyages mentioned that Resilient Girl will stay within the shipyard in Genoa, finalizing its construct.
Its two different ships, Scarlet Girl and Valiant Girl, stay in service within the Caribbean and Mediterranean respectively. Each had been launched in the course of the pandemic.
CEO Tom McAlpin mentioned: “As a brand new model that’s simply getting began, we have completed a lot this previous yr, and the longer term for us is thrilling. The momentum that we’re seeing with Scarlet and Valiant Girl is unimaginable.
“That’s the reason we stay targeted on delivering good holidays, and this pause will guarantee we shall be able to go on Resilient.
“The journey trade is recovering properly, and this month, we have seen document bookings, a big enhance in on-board spend, and we’re at the moment in search of to shut out our subsequent spherical of funding, which units us up for continued development.”
A fourth ship, Sensible Girl, can also be set to hitch the corporate in 2023.
Important picture: Scarlet Girl (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune Information Service through Getty Photographs)
