Ahoy! Virgin Voyages debuts third ship, Resilient Lady, in Athens

Virgin Voyages’ third ship, Resilient Lady, has arrived. 

As the newest Lady Ship to join the award-winning fleet, Richard Branson’s cruise travel brand is expanding its list of vacation destinations with Resilient Lady’s inaugural summer season from its new homeport in Athens, Greece. 

Designed exclusively for travellers over the age of 18, Virgin Voyages’ ships were inspired by superyacht design, bringing glamour to the high seas with spaces designed by world-renowned architects and designers, including Tom Dixon and Concerte Amsterdam. 

Resilient Lady makes her debut on May 14, 2023. The seven-night MerMaiden voyage (May 14-21) features the "Greek Island Glow" itinerary, which departs from Athens and includes stops in Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum and an overnight in Mykonos before returning to Athens. 

Also debuting this season is the “Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems” itinerary, visiting spots in the Adriatic Sea by way of Croatia’s coastline, Greece’s glamorous islands, and a bay in the Balkans. 

This itinerary also includes a late-night stay in Dubrovnik, giving Sailors plenty of time to explore the scenic city during the day and take part in the vibrant nightlife.

“Virgin Voyages' delivers an amazing experience and has been recognized by hundreds of thousands of happy Sailors with the awards we’ve won for our service, food, design, entertainment and more," stated Sir Richard Branson in a press release. “We have shown the world all that we have to offer when it comes to having the holiday of your dreams, and I can’t wait to show off our lovely new Resilient Lady in one of the most magical places in the world as she sails around the Greek Isles, Croatia, Turkey and more.”

Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages, noted how the brand has  experienced a "very high rate of return" with up to 40 per cent of Sailors rebooking their next cruise while they’re still on-board. 

"I know people are going to love voyaging with Resilient Lady as much as they have with Scarlet and Valiant Lady, and I look forward to sharing this five-star experience with even more Sailors this summer," McAlpin stated. 

New entertainment 

Resilient Lady will also debut incredible new entertainment, including five new shows, two all new soirées in The Manor, exclusive on-board parties, more live music acts and a festival stage of rotating performances. 

Alongside entertainment, Virgin Voyages is also unveiling new and tasty food and beverage offerings. Razzle Dazzle After Dark is a menu curated in partnership with Chef Eric Haugen. 

To celebrate Resilient Lady’s launch, the brand is introducing “Opa Hour,” an ode to the Greek culinary tradition. Held in the Dock and Dock House on all three ships, Opa Hour will feature a Greek-inspired food and beverage menu in addition to the usual offerings. 

Staying close to the brand’s commitment to creating an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages has partnered with two non-profit organizations: All for Blue and Urban Act. 

These partnerships include the brand’s participation in underwater and community clean-ups along with the composition of murals in Athens and in the Greek Islands, which are aimed at expressing the importance of sustainable tourism and preserving our oceans.

After its inaugural season in Greece, Resilient Lady will set off on a trans-continental voyage, arriving at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, Victoria, setting sail through Australia and New Zealand from Dec. 11, 2023 - March 27, 2024.

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