Virgin Voyages has made the decision to cancel plans to sail the Resilient Lady in Australia in late 2024 and early 2025. The cruise line, citing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea, has opted to change course for the upcoming season. Instead of cruising through the Red Sea to reach Australia from the Mediterranean, the Resilient Lady will reposition to Puerto Rico after its Mediterranean season on October 20th.
Once in Puerto Rico, the ship will offer seven-, eight-, 10-, and 11-night cruises from San Juan that include stops in St. Maarten, St. Vincent, Cartagena, Colombia, and Dominica. While the line has not yet released an itinerary for the repositioning cruise from Athens to San Juan, there is speculation that possible routes may include ports like Catania, Sicily; Casablanca, Morocco; and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. These changes mark a significant shift in Virgin Voyages’ cruising plans for the upcoming seasons.
The decision to cancel the Australia itinerary and reposition the ship to Puerto Rico comes in the wake of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea. Virgin Voyages has expressed concerns over the safety of cruising through the region, particularly in light of recent attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen on shipping vessels in the area. This has led to several cruise lines and shipping companies rerouting their ships away from the Red Sea due to security concerns.
Guest Options
Virgin Voyages has made accommodations for guests affected by these itinerary changes. Impacted guests have the option to rebook on another sailing or receive a full refund for their planned trip. Additionally, in the event that Virgin Voyages is able to return to Australia for the 2025 season, guests who were previously booked will have priority access to book those sailings. This demonstrates the cruise line’s commitment to providing flexibility and options for its customers during these uncertain times.
While Virgin Voyages had initially planned to sail around Africa in March to reposition the Resilient Lady from Australia to the Mediterranean, the current geopolitical landscape has forced a change in course. The line is considering options for future cruises to Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, but any return to these destinations will depend on the safety and security of the Red Sea for cruise travel. Virgin Voyages remains dedicated to providing unique and memorable cruising experiences for its guests, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
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