MIAMI — Virgin Voyages has announced that it is deferring the launch of its third ship, Resilient Lady, until Q2 of 2023.

Initially scheduled to set sail from Athens this August, the ship will instead remain in Genoa to complete onboard work before debuting next spring.

The decision to delay the launch, says the cruise line, was based on wanting to guarantee “the delivery of brilliant guest and crew experiences.” It cited several determining factors, including supply chain obstacles, a level of regional uncertainty for international travellers in eastern Europe, crewing challenges based on government regulations, and restrictive COVID-19 entry requirements back into the United States.

Over the next several days, all passengers and travel advisors impacted by the delay will be contacted by Virgin Voyages directly with several options, including:

• 200% Future Voyage Credit (FVC) or a full refund of the amount paid, plus 25% FVC
• If choosing the 200% FVC and rebooking in 2022, guests will get the option of another free voyage (excludes taxes and fees)
• Assistance with travel changes and penalties
• Commission protection for travel partners on funds paid

While the delay was not anticipated, Virgin Voyages is successfully operating its first two Lady Ships – Scarlet Lady in the Caribbean, and Valiant Lady in the Mediterranean – both of which were introduced in the span of a year (October 2021 and March 2022, respectively). Following the launch of Resilient Lady in spring 2023, a fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, will debut soon after.

“As a new brand that is just getting started, we’ve accomplished so much this past year and the future for us is exciting,” says Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “The momentum that we’re seeing with Scarlet and Valiant Lady is incredible. The fantastic reviews and awards our ships and crew have won are very heartening, so we thank our guests for sailing with us.

“That is why we remain focused on delivering brilliant vacations, and this pause will ensure we will be ready to go on Resilient. The travel industry is recovering well and this month, we’ve seen record bookings, a significant increase in onboard spend, and we’re currently seeking to close out our next round of funding, which sets us up for continued growth. There’s so much to be proud of and I also send my thanks to our amazing crew for all they do every day.”

For more information go to www.virginvoyages.com.