There’s big news in the cruise industry: Virgin Voyages announced that it has closed on a $550 million capital raise to accelerate its plans for growth, including newly revealed itineraries. There has also been a change of leadership at the cruise brand, as founding CEO Tom McAlpin retires from the role and current president and chief experience officer Nirmal Saverimuttu steps in to replace him.
The Private Equity Group of Ares Management led the funding round, to which existing investors Virgin Group and Bain Capital also contributed. The aim of this new influx of capital is to strengthen Virgin’s financial position and support its rapid international expansion.
Meanwhile, McAlpin will transition to the position of chairman of the board of directors, continuing to support the company and its team as Saverimuttu takes the helm as CEO.
“It is hard to express just how proud I am of all that the Virgin Voyages crew has created and the strong endorsement we are receiving from Ares," McAlpin said. “We have won numerous industry awards and received many five-star reviews because of our passion for this brand. While I will miss the day-to-day, I believe it is the right time to step aside as CEO. Nirmal is a great friend and experienced leader who lives and breathes the Virgin Voyages culture. I know he will help take this amazing brand and crew to new heights, and I look forward to continuing to support the leadership team as chairman.”
Previously, Saverimuttu served as a founding leader of Virgin Voyages, joining the brand as chief commercial officer in 2014 from the Virgin Group. By the cruise line’s launch in 2021, his role had expanded to president and chief experience officer.
Virgin Voyages is a beloved brand because of our crew’s dedication and passion for delivering epic experiences for our guests.
“I want to send our deepest thanks, on behalf of all our crew and the board, to Tom for his leadership and passion for the business,” Saverimuttu said. “We are so grateful for all he has done and are thrilled to continue to partner with him as our chairman. Virgin Voyages is a beloved brand because of our crew’s dedication and passion for delivering epic experiences for our guests. I am looking forward to working with the Ares team and our existing investors to deliver on our growth and expansion plans as we look ahead to our very bright future.”
Fleet Update and New Itineraries
Virgin now operates a fleet of three ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady — sailing to the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and, by the end of 2023, the South Pacific. The line’s fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, was originally expected to come online later this year, but it has been delayed indefinitely due to unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges.
“We’ve built a brand that has taken the industry by storm, but even the strongest businesses face unforeseen challenges every now and then,” said Michelle Bentubo, senior vice president of service excellence and travel operations for Virgin voyages.
Nonetheless, Virgin is introducing 19 new ports and 27 fresh itineraries, including a return to the U.K. and a “Seachange Series” of repositioning voyages, ready to book though April 2025.
Resilient Lady Cruises
Following this year’s stint in Australia, Virgin’s newest ship, Resilient Lady, is slated to offer a trio of routes from May until July 2024 in the Mediterranean, sailing from Athens, Greece. The Greek Island Glow itinerary will feature the Greek isles of Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes, while Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems will showcase Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, along with Kotor, Montenegro and Corfu, Greece. Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia, meanwhile, will offer a blend of the aforementioned sailings.
From mid-August to September 2024, Resilient will then sail British voyages, including English Sights & European Delights, which visits Le Verdon in Bordeaux, France, and A Coruna and Bilbao in Spain.
Two repositioning cruises will send Resilient from Portsmouth, England, to Barcelona, with Morocco as a port in between. The ship will then close its Mediterranean season with a Barcelona to Athens cruise.
Port Douglas, Australia, will be a new port for Resilient Lady.
Credit: 2023 Virgin VoyagesAdditionally, in October 2024, Resilient will embark on a 44-night repositioning trip from Athens to Australia, stopping in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Mumbai, India; Singapore; and Bali on the way. Once in Australia, the vessel will sail on 15 new routes showcasing nine new ports around the country, including Broome, Albany, Adelaide, Newcastle, Mooloolaba, Port Douglas, Brisbane, Eden and Kangaroo Island.
Valiant Lady Itineraries
Upon returning from Barcelona in October, Valiant Lady will depart on the Eastern Caribbean Antilles and Western Caribbean Charm itineraries out of Miami. From January through March 2024, the ship will operate out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on two southern Caribbean sailings: The Southeastern Caribbean Isles and Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles.
Since Scarlet Lady will head to dry dock next year, Valiant Lady will cover its four- and five-night Caribbean jaunts, as well as the six-night Holidaze and Nights cruise, beginning April 2024.
Scarlet Lady Cruises
From May to October 2024, Scarlet Lady will head to the Mediterranean, subbing in for Valiant Lady on the weeklong Irresistible Med and French Daze & Ibiza Nights itineraries.
In November 2024, the vessel will transition for 11 nights from Barcelona to Civitavecchia, Italy, calling on Mallorca, Spain; Corsica, France; and Sardinia, Italy. Following its dry dock, the vessel will head back to Miami via Funchal in Madeira, Portugal, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, on a 16-night transatlantic voyage.
From December 2024 into spring 2025, Scarlet Lady will be on six- and eight-night journeys such as Western Caribbean Charm and Eastern Caribbean Antilles.
