Sail with Sir Richard Branson aboard his new Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages is officially open for business according to Virgin Group Founder and philanthropist, Sir Richard Branson. And you can even cruise with him!

He and Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin announced that the line is now taking bookings for their first ship, the Scarlet Lady.

The inaugural season kicks off from April 21, 2020 through to October 21.

“I’ve dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20’s, and now the launch is finally getting close,” said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Voyages. “We have taken the time to think about every detail and craft an experience that brings the Virgin brand to life and disrupts the travel industry.”

Virgin Voyages will offer a cheeky and cheerful approach to service, as well as an inclusive approach to sea travel that removes pesky add-ons. Its Sailors will enjoy free food at the 20+ eateries onboard, free group fitness classes, no gratuities or service charges, free Wifi and free basic beverages like soda, teas, and drip coffee, as well as still and sparkling water.

“At Virgin Voyages we are going beyond just great design, to defy and redefine luxury to be rebellious luxe,” said Tom McAlpin, President and CEO of Virgin Voyages.

“This new luxury is about knowing you are taken care of, that you’re never being nickel and dimed, and what you want, even some of the things you didn’t know you wanted, are already taken care of for you.”

In conjunction with opening bookings for sale, Virgin Voyages revealed that all voyages will feature The Beach Club at Bimini, a Virgin Voyages experience in Bimini, Bahamas. There, Sailors can enjoy an epic beach day and/or explore the island flavour and culture of Bimini and its turquoise blue waters.

The new resort which is built in partnership with Resorts World Bimini. By day, the resort is a relaxing place where you can retox and detox with massages, yoga, meditation sessions or just lying on the beach. And by evening, the energy ramps up with pool parties.

While on ship, Virgin Voyages Sailors will have the opportunity to choose from a festival-like lineup of all-new completely original Events & Gigs developed by some of the world’s most-talked about producers, directors and artists in the expansion of the company’s Creative Collective. Virgin Voyages’ entertainment Creative Collective includes Jenny Gersten, Randy Weiner, Sam Pinkleton, Ani Taj, PigPen Theatre Co, The 7 Fingers, Roslyn Hart and Alfredo Guenzani and the Spark Cooperative.

And you can even sail onboard for Sir Richard Branson’s birthday.

The billionaire philanthropist will be celebrating his birthday with his celebrity friends and fellow Sailors aboard a four-night Havana After Dark voyage departing July 15, 2020.