Virgin Voyages revamps Resilient season

VIRGIN Voyages’ cancellation of four trans-Tasman Resilient Lady cruises in 2024 (CW breaking news yesterday) is “due to market demand”, with the line saying it has “received significant feedback from our Sailors and travel advisors who shared some of the challenges the prior schedule presented with the various departure and arrival ports”.

Travel advisors were this morning updated with the revised program, which has seen the shortening of the originally planned South Pacific sailings “to make voyaging more accessible through mini-escapades, long weekend getaways and back-toback voyages for extended stays at sea”.

The cancelled Resilient Lady cruises included the 10-night Tasman Sea, Fjords & Maori Shores cruise on 23 Jan 2024; the 13-night NZ, Tasmania & Melbourne voyage on 02 Feb; the nine-night Southeastern Australia & NZ voyage on 14 Feb; and the 10-night Pacific Fjords & Tasman Treasures departing 24 Feb.

New departures include a three-night Sydney, Melbourne & Burnie cruise on 19 Feb; a four-night Melbourne-Burnie getaway on 23 Jan; five nights from Melbourne to Hobart and back on 27 Jan; and a six-night Melbourne, Sydney & Hobart cruise departing 01 Feb.

The new “sampler sailings” went on sale this morning, with Virgin noting the adjusted schedule offers more round-trip Australia voyages from Melbourne and Sydney, while still maintaining some cruises between Australia and New Zealand.

“All affected Sailors on four cruises have been contacted and our Sailor Services team are working with them to provide generous options for rebooking to sail Down Under this summer.

“Full refunds are also being offered to Sailors who unfortunately don’t have the flexibility to join other cruises, and we look forward to welcoming them back on one of our Lady Ships in the near future,” Virgin said in a statement.