MIAMI — Virgin Voyages has announced its most successful Wave Season to date, with record-breaking revenue and bookings marking the strongest trading period in the company’s history.
The adults-only cruise line reported a 34% increase in bookings and a remarkable 45% growth in revenue compared to previous seasons. The introduction of longer itineraries, ranging from eight to 14 nights, has also proven to be a major draw, with bookings for these voyages increasing by more than 50%.
“These outstanding results show the incredible momentum our brand has built – driven by our Travel Advisors who recognize that our kid-free, award-winning experience offers a true premium alternative in the industry,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “They love that our size offers a blend of intimate and elevated experiences and real variety. Our record repeat rates are loved by First Mates because another booking is almost guaranteed after their client’s first sailing. The entire Virgin Voyages team couldn’t be more grateful. We’ve created this together, and we remain completely committed to making sure our partners are always appreciated, supported, and rewarded for their trust in us and the journey ahead.”
A HUGE ONLINE PRESENCE
Virgin Voyages’ impressive growth coincides with a significant increase in online engagement. The brand has reported a 25% surge in web traffic, positioning it as one of the few cruise lines to see gains in search interest. The company attributes much of its success to an innovative marketing strategy that emphasizes cognitive marketing and non-traditional media. This approach has allowed Virgin Voyages to reach new audiences and generate strong word-of-mouth referrals.
“As a Virgin brand, we are committed to keeping our unique market position and strong customer loyalty. It’s because of this focus that we have captured the most five-star reviews and have the highest engagement rates on social platforms, including Reddit, YouTube, and Meta,” added Saverimuttu. “As the world embraces Gen AI and LLMs, we are seeing significant growth for our brand in non-traditional spaces. We’ve witnessed a 200% increase in ChatGPT brand searches during Q1, demonstrating how our approach is driving meaningful engagement in emerging channels. We are a brand that is much loved, much talked about, and much commented on, and we embrace that.”
IN THE PIPELINE
Looking ahead, Virgin Voyages is preparing for a wave of new developments, with plans to introduce fleet-wide enhancements aimed at further attracting travellers in their 50s and 60s. These include new dining concepts, expanded menus, seven new entertainment offerings and extended itineraries.
Additionally, the company is gearing up for the highly anticipated debut of its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, set to launch in September 2025. This milestone will see all four of Virgin Voyages’ Lady Ships sailing the Caribbean this fall, with homeports in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, Barcelona, Athens and Portsmouth.
For more information go to www.virginvoyages.com.
