Virgin’s Scarlet Lady Returns to Europe

Virgin’s Scarlet Lady Returns to Europe

The Scarlet Lady recently returned to the Western Mediterranean as part of Virgin Voyages’ summer deployment in Europe.

After crossing the Atlantic earlier this month, the 2020-built vessel arrived in Barcelona for the season on May 18, 2025.

For its first voyage in Europe this year, the ship embarked on a seven-night itinerary to Spain and France.

Sailing round-trip from Barcelona, the cruise included visits to Cannes, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca and Ajaccio.

Over the next two months, the Scarlet Lady offers a series of seven- to 11-night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, including Virgin’s “Spanish and Italian Hot Spots” voyage.

The seven-night cruise departs from Civitavecchia, a port near Italy’s capital city of Rome, and sails to five destinations in three countries.

Before arriving in Barcelona, the open-jaw itinerary is set to visit Naples, Palermo, Ajaccio and Marina di Carrara.

The Scarlet Lady is then set to reposition to Northern Europe in late July for cruises departing from Portsmouth, England, and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Itineraries include visits to the British Isles, Scandinavia, Western Europe and the North Sea destinations.

Before repositioning back to North America for the winter, the Scarlet Lady returns to the Mediterranean in late September for a short fall season.

Concluding its European deployment, the 2,770-guest ship then kicks off a trans-Atlantic crossing to PortMiami in mid-October.

As part of its 2025-26 winter deployment, the Scarlet Lady offers four- and five-night cruises to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Most of the sailings also feature a visit to Virgin’s exclusive beach club in Bimini.

In addition to the Scarlet Lady, a second Virgin Voyages ship, the Resilient Lady, is also offering cruises in Europe this year.

Sailing from Piraeus, Greece, the vessel offers itineraries to the Eastern Mediterranean that highlight the Greek Isles and the Adriatic.

Celebrity Apex to home port in Southampton in the 2024 season

Celebrity Apex to home port in Southampton in the 2024 season

Celebrity Cruises’ second Edge-class ship, Celebrity Apex, will homeport in Southampton for its entire 2024 season.

Apex – which will be the first Edge-class ship to sail out of Southampton – will replace Celebrity Silhouette and offer four- to-13-night sailings from May through November 2024.

 

Itineraries include a 12-night Norwegian Fjords and Arctic Circle cruise, as well as sailings to Ibiza and the Mediterranean.

 

Following feedback from its travel partners, the line has announced its UK deployment two weeks in advance of the launch date for the first time, to allow agents to pre-register interest from guests.

 

To support the trade in selling the vessel, the line will host 600 agents onboard Apex in 2023, across a range of ship visits and seminars.

 

Agents will also have access to a suite of training and marketing tools via Celebrity Central, including webinars; digital "Be the first to book" banners; fact sheets; talking points; itinerary flyers; and print adverts.

 

New training modules featuring Apex will also be available on Celebrity Passport. Agents selling Apex can also earn up to £20 per booking on all 2024 bookings via Celebrity Rewards.

 

From 1 November to 5 December 2022, agents can earn up to £50 Celebrity Rewards points per booking on all 2023 sailings, across all stateroom categories.

Lisa Lutoff Perlo, president and chief executive of Celebrity Cruises, said: "Having one of our award-winning Edge Series ships sailing from Southampton will offer an experience like no other from the UK.

 

"Celebrity Cruises continues to redefine cruising, taking our guests to the world’s best places on the world’s best places."

 

The line’s vice president and managing director EMEA, Jo Rzymowska, said the UK "has always been integral to the success" of the company, and homeporting Apex from Southampton "underlines our commitment to this market".

 

"There is a huge appetite from UK guests who share our curiosity for people, places and cultures, and our passion for opening up the world through a love of travel.

 

"We invest a lot in the training of our travel partners because what’s really important to us, is that they can talk about what makes Celebrity different and what makes us unique, therefore they’re not just selling a big white ship. And that is really important.

 

"I’m looking forward to welcoming even more of our guests onboard Celebrity Apex when she raises the bar for cruising from Southampton in 2024."

Virgin's Valiant Lady Starts Atlantic Crossing Ahead of U.S. Debut

Virgin's Valiant Lady Starts Atlantic Crossing Ahead of U.S. Debut

Valeant Lady flying the Virgin Flag photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Wrapping up its inaugural summer in Europe, the Valiant Lady is starting a trans-Atlantic crossing to the United States.

The 14-night voyage departs from Barcelona today and marks the North American debut of the Virgin Voyages vessel.

In addition to the Spanish port, the one-way voyage includes visits to four European destinations, such as Ibiza and Funchal, before arriving in Miami on October 30.

Once in the U.S., the 2021-built cruise ship is set to kick off a series of week-long voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

The program includes two different itineraries, such as the “Western Caribbean Charm.” Sailing to Mexico, Honduras and the Bahamas, the voyage features visits to Costa Maya, Roatán and Bimini.

Through mid-April, the Valiant also offers the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” cruise. In addition to Bimini, the eight-night cruise sails to Amber Cove, St. Croix and San Juan.

Following the Scarlet Lady, which entered service in 2021, the Valiant Lady debuted in March 2022.

Virgin’s second newbuild, the 110,000-ton cruise ship spent its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, offering different itineraries to Spain, Italy and France.

Like the Scarlet Lady, the Valiant offers an adults-only product that focuses on what Virgin calls an intimate and elevated all-inclusive experience.

As part of the concept, the 2,770-guest vessel boasts 20 dining venues, in addition to many entertainment options. A highlight is The Manor - a two-story 1970s-style nightclub inspired by Virgin’s heritage in the music business.

Another feature is the Red Room, which, according to Virgin, is the first transformational multi-form theatre at sea.

The venue can be transformed into four different configurations - including a traditional Proscenium stage, to alley stage used in fashion shows, to a dance flat-floor configuration and finally a unique reverse stage setup.

Virgin Voyages will make its TV debut on Channel 5

The show will feature a look inside the inner workings of the line

Narrated by Sheridan Smith, the documentary is filmed across both the line’s two vessels, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady.

 

The Cruise will take audiences behind the scenes for an "unfiltered, energetic" glimpse into the lives of Virgin Voyages’ crew and guests.

 

The series will also feature locations such as Bimini, Ibiza, Marseilles and Cannes, as well as a peek into the inner workings of the ship.

Shane Riley, vice-president of international sales, said: "We’re so excited to give our UK fans a peek into life below deck. It’s rare to see the inner workings of a cruise ship or to follow the crew beyond Sailors’ [guests’] time onboard.

 

"The UK was the birthplace of the Virgin brand and has played such an integral role for Virgin Voyages. We’ve had tremendous positive feedback from our Sailors in the UK, and can’t wait to show audiences what truly goes into delivering an epic experience at sea."

AIDAperla Set to Open Western Med Season in July

On July 10, AIDA Cruises will open its cruise season with the AIDAperla in the Western Mediterranean.

Two different seven-day round trips from/to Palma de Mallorca (Spain) will be offered, which can also be combined into a 14-day cruise. Deployment runs through October 30, according to a press release. Bookings are set to open on June 4.

Port calls include Cadiz, Malaga, Cartagena and Barcelona on one itinerary, while the second voyage heads to Alicante, Ibiza, Valencia and Barcelona.

“We are very happy to offer our guests cruises from Palma de Mallorca again. We have been closely connected with the island for 25 years. AIDA is one of the most important cruise companies when it comes to sustainable local added value, even beyond the high tourist season. I would like to thank all our partners. Without their support this development would not have been possible,” said Felix Eichhorn, President AIDA Cruises.

“The Government of the Balearic Islands welcomes the restart of safe cruises in its ports. We are very satisfied with the results of the talks between the Balearic Islands and the Costa Group over the past few weeks so that we can start safely. We warmly welcome AIDA and its guests,” added Rosana Morillo, Directora General de Turismo Illes Balears Conselleria de Model Econòmic, Turisme I Treball.

FTI Cruises To Shut Down

As part of a restructuring, FTI Group has announced it will shut down its one-ship cruise brand.

The German tour operator will cease operating the FTI Berlin, which had sailed under the FTI banner since 2012 as was originally delivered in 1980.

The ship had global routes and carried 420 guests. Of note, the vessel was stretched in the mid-1980s.

Prior to the news, FTI had only published cruises through October 2020 and the Berlin was slated to sail in Northern Europe during the summer, before moving to the Mediterranean in the fall and the Caribbean for the winter, including Cuba.

The last cruise of the Mediterranean season was scheduled roundtrip from Nice to Palamos, Sant Charles de Rapita, Ibiza, Formentera, Palma de Mallorca and Mahon, Menorca.

Funchal Set To Be Towed to Liverpool

According to industry sources, the classic 1961-built Funchal will soon be towed to Liverpool as new owners Signature Living have made the final payment on the vessel.

“Their plans have changed again and they will not be locating her in Ibiza as previously reported,” said a source familiar with the situation.

Thus, Signature Living plan to tow the ship to Liverpool, refurbish her, and then find a permanent spot for the vessel in the UK as a hotel vessel.

Last December, the vessel was sold at auction for 3.9 million euro to Signature Living, a UK hotel operator.

Cruise liners may BOYCOTT Majorca and Ibiza

Cruise liners may BOYCOTT Majorca and Ibiza unless Balearic government changes its mind about two-euro-a day-charge for passengers

Costa and MSC in Majorca Port

• The Cruise Lines International Association says the new fee is undemocratic 
• Cruise passengers had been exempt from the new Balearics tourist tax charge 
• But now the authorities want them to pay two euros for every day on the islands
• Cruise association has threatened legal action and might leave islands off routes

Cruise liners are threatening to shun Majorca and Ibiza unless the Balearic government changes its mind about charging passengers two euros (£1.78) a day to stay on the islands under the new tourist tax rules.

The association of cruise companies in Europe, the Cruise Lines International Association, says the new fee is undemocratic and could force companies to leave the islands out of its routes.

And it says that unless the Balearics rescinds the decision to slap the tourist tax on all cruise passengers for the first time next year, it might take the issue to court.

The islands' government has already come under fire for doubling the so-called eco tax for all holidaymakers in the high season of 2018, meaning guests in luxury accommodation will pay a much as four euros (£3.56) a day.

Until now, cruise ship passengers have been exempt from the fee unless they were docked for more than 12 hours.

But from summer 2018, they will pay two euros a day regardless of the duration of the stay and the Balearic government says this move alone will generate revenue of about 1.8 million euros (£1.6million).

Cruise ship stays included in Balearic's tourist tax proposals

MSC Splendida and me in Majorca.

The Balearic government has proceeded with plans to introduce a daily tourist eco-tax, including charges for passengers on cruise ships in its draft proposals.

The islands’ vice-president and tourism minister, Biel Barceló, told a parliamentary hearing last month that it would apply a tourist tax in 2016 and the government has now drawn up formal proposals.

There is concern among the trade that the tax will drive visitors away from the Balearics.

Stays on cruise ships moored in any of the islands’ ports; hotels; hostels; campsites; and holiday homes will all be taxed, should the proposals be approved.

Those staying on cruise ships will be charged €2 per day in high season, along with those staying in hotels rated above four-star.

Lesser taxes will be applied to those staying in lower grade hotels and most apartments, the tax will be halved in low season and children aged under 14 will be exempt. 

"This represents a maximum surcharge of no more than 1.4% of the respective holiday budget," said Balearic president Francina Armengol.

A decision on the tax will be made by the Commission for Sustainable Tourism, which will be founded if the tax is passed through parliament. This is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2016.

Mr Barceló said: "With the help of these revenues we will be able to maintain and improve the quality of tourism services in the islands.

"We ask our visitors for a small contribution to protect and preserve this little paradise formed by four islands."

The tax will also be levied to locals who stay in tourist accommodation.

The government said the revenue generated by the tax will be invested in environmental protection, sustainable tourism, the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage, improvement of infrastructure in tourist areas as well as in research, training and development in the tourism sector.

The islands, which attract almost 3.5 million visitors from the UK each year, scrapped a similar tax in 2003 just one year after it was introduced, because it was deterring holidaymakers.

Cruise lines increasingly onboard with overnights

By Tom Stieghorst

The emergence of evening port stays as a defining feature for Azamara Club Cruises has focused a spotlight on the growing use of this alternate deployment strategy.

Traditionally, cruise lines have offered few if any overnight stays and generally leave ports of call before sunset. Large-ship lines in particular have made their vessels into evening playgrounds.

“The shipping industry as a whole has built massively beautiful, stunning ships … but oftentimes in many people’s minds the ship became the destination,” said Azamara President and CEO Larry Pimentel.

A number of lines are flipping that playbook, making the actual destination the evening focal point.

“We have to think not outside the box, but outside the ship,” Pimentel said.

Other lines that have embraced overnight stays include Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises and Oceania, whose fleet deploys some of the same type of ships that Azamara does.

By offering more overnight stays in port, cruise lines risk declines in some key sources of onboard revenue, such as casinos, duty-free shops, bars and alternative restaurants.

Almost all the lines pursuing the strategy are upscale, small-ship brands with inclusive amenity policies and worldwide itineraries with a preponderance of longer voyages.

Crystal Cruises, for example, is offering a 14-day Asian cruise next January that overnights both before it departs Singapore and after it terminates in Hong Kong, as well as a mid-cruise overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Overnights have practical benefits in addition to giving guests more sightseeing time.

“When you overnight the day you arrive at port, the number of bags that miss the cruise drops to zero,” said Thomas Mazloum, Crystal’s senior vice president for operations.

Crystal is offering some epic holiday port stays, including a 2016 New Year’s Eve overnight in Sydney, Australia, that includes chartered catamarans to see a fireworks display.

Another line that is increasing the number of overnight stays it offers is Silversea Cruises, which for 2014-15 has increased to two days each its overnights in Livorno and Sorrento, Italy; Bordeaux, France; and Leith, the port for Edinburgh, Scotland.

Silversea has also increased late-night departures in cities with desirable night-life scenes, including St. Tropez, Ibiza, Monaco, Portofino, St. Barts and Amsterdam, spokesman Brad Ball said.

Likewise, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have a list of nearly two dozen ports where they conduct overnights, including stays of more than one night in Jerusalem, St. Petersburg, Shanghai and Yangon, Myanmar.

Pimentel said that because several cruise lines have acquired some of the former Renaissance Cruises R-class ships, it is hard to compete by claiming unique hardware. And some competitors have more luxurious vessels.

“I am not naive about the fact that the ships are 13 to 14 years old,” Pimentel conceded. “I do not have new tonnage.“

But as long as he can offer a unique experience, Pimentel said, people will seek it out.

That also is the thinking behind Costa Cruises’ neoCollection, a portfolio of older, smaller ships that Costa is promoting as “slow cruising.”

Many neoCollection itineraries are exclusive to the line’s smaller “neo” ships, which can sail to destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. Itineraries are designed with longer stopovers at each port — often overnight and part of the next day — to allow maximum time on shore.
Ships in the collection include the Costa neoRiviera (624 cabins) and Costa neoRomantica (789 cabins).

Pimentel acknowledged that other cruise lines are offering some overnights but said no one else offers at least one on every voyage. “Nobody hits as much of this as we do,” he said.
Building a collection of evening tours has taken time, Pimentel said, because tour operators weren’t accustomed to having ships in port so late.

Azamazing Evenings, Azamara’s first evening product announced last year, included special events such as an operatic recital at a castle in Tuscany.

Each cruise had one such evening, which was included in the base fare and was designed to accommodate all 694 passengers who can be accommodated at dual capacity on an Azamara ship.

Now, beginning with the summer season in Europe, Azamara will roll out Nights and Cool Places. Unlike Azamazing Evenings, they will be fee-extra and are designed for a couple dozen guests at a time.
They will also take place after guests have dined on the ship, making the prices more affordable.

Examples include a visit to the Picasso Museum in Malaga, and a tram ride to a peak for a private concert and to view the laser light show in Hong Kong harbor.

A second program, called Insider Access, will take guests to private homes for immersion experiences or connect them to locals in ways that conventional tours do not.

Prices will start at $120 to $150 and run up to $800 for insider programs with elite personalities.

“There’s a lot of human effort that goes into making this happen,” Pimentel said.

He said that with relatively few slots in each night tour, he expects them to sell out at first. “We will add more because communities have more than one cool thing,” Pimentel said.

One factor that restricts cruise lines at night is that port labor agreements sometimes limit the availability of workers, or make them more expensive. Crystal’s Mazloum said that can make it challenging when a ship overnights pre-cruise and guests arrive after-hours.

By staying in port more days, ships also incur more port charges for dock space, security and services, although that is partly or wholly offset by fuel savings because the ship is not moving, cruise executives said.