The hottest new cruise line of the decade is shipwrecked until at least October
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
You’ll now have to wait until at least October for a getaway on what some have called the hottest new cruise ship of the year.
Start-up cruise line Virgin Voyages on Wednesday pushed back the official debut of its first vessel, Scarlet Lady, by two more months, to Oct. 16.
The Richard Branson-backed cruise operator cited the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The delay isn’t the first for the ship. Scarlet Lady initially had been scheduled to sail its first “sneak-a-peek” voyages with paying passengers out of Miami in March of this year. But just days before the trips were set to begin, the line postponed the vessel’s maiden voyage until Aug. 7.
The initial postponement came as the new coronavirus was just beginning to spread widely around the world.
Visit TPG’s guide to all coronavirus news and updates
All sailings on Scarlet Lady now have been canceled through mid-October.
Virgin said customers with bookings on one of the canceled sailings can choose between a full refund or a credit for a future cruise. If they choose the credit, they will get 200% of the amount they paid to apply to a future sailing. Passengers also can get up to $500 in onboard credit if they rebook a sailing before June 30.
Those who choose a refund will get a 25% credit toward a future cruise in addition to all their money back.
Such refunds and credit terms, notably, are more generous than what we’ve seen in recent months from other cruise lines.
Related: Why you shouldn’t take a voucher for a canceled cruise
Virgin Voyages said its newly planned startup in October will be a “soft opening” during which onboard protocols on Scarlet Lady will be adjusted due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Among planned changes, the number of passengers (called “sailors” by the line) allowed to book cabins on the ship will be limited “to support social spacing,” the line said.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Virgin Voyages said the official naming ceremony and maiden voyage for Scarlet Lady will be postponed until early 2021.
“Virgin Voyages is looking forward to welcoming sailors aboard Scarlet Lady to experience sailing the Virgin way,” the line said in a statement. “From stunning, innovative design to world-class dining, entertainment and destinations done differently, Virgin Voyages will offer an exceptional sailing experience.”
Virgin Voyages said it soon would share more details on its plans to protect passengers and crew from illness when Scarlet Lady begins operations.
Virgin is among a growing number of cruise lines canceling sailings as far out as October. Princess Cruises and Holland America have canceled many of their sailings into the fall, and Windstar Cruises recently announced that three of its six ships wouldn’t resume sailing until 2021. Other lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises, still are targeting an August comeback for at least some ships.
Related: Could cruising resume in August? That’s the plan at Carnival
Virgin Voyages has been promising to shake things up in the cruise world with the arrival of Scarlet Lady. Able to carry 2,770 passengers at double occupancy and 17 decks high, the vessel is designed to cater to a hipster crowd with everything from a tattoo parlor to drag queen brunches and a colorful karaoke lounge. To ensure a proper party vibe, it’s also a kid-free travel zone, with a minimum age to sail of 18.
Virgin is going after travelers who might think themselves too cool to cruise. To that end, the ship has no buffets, no dress codes and no big Broadway-style theater shows. For entertainment, expect interactive dance parties, DJ sets and “microplays” instead, plus late-night games of dodgeball. Suites have a rock-star theme.
Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- Everything you need to know about a future cruise credit
- Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Here’s how long it will take
- Good news for cruisers worried about strict new boarding rules
- Some of the year’s hottest new ships could be delayed
- Stream these 13 movies, TV shows to get your cruise ship fix
Feature image courtesy of Virgin Voyages.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.