Addressing rising tensions within the Center East, Virgin Voyages has unveiled a brand new, safer route for its Resilient Girl, changing a three-segment cruise via doubtlessly unstable areas with an all-encompassing African coastal journey.
Virgin Voyages Responds to Geopolitical Tensions
Virgin Voyages has formally introduced alterations to Resilient Girl’s 2024 repositioning voyage, initially set to navigate via the Center East.
Citing the security of passengers and crew as their paramount concern, the cruise line has been in fixed dialogue with international safety specialists, assessing the continuing battle within the Center East.
Learn Additionally: The Impression of Pink Sea Tensions on Cruising
“We stay involved about potential escalations in [the Middle East] over the subsequent 12 months and the chance that this presents for protected passage via the area,” mentioned the cruise line via a press release. “In consequence, now we have been left with no alternative however to make adjustments to Resilient Girl’s repositioning voyage going down on March 27.”
Itinerary Changes for Resilient Girl
Initially, Resilient Girl was set to embark on an intensive voyage ranging from Sydney, Australia, on March 27, 2024.
The primary leg of the voyage was to incorporate stops in Airlie Seaside on March 31, Cairns, Australia on April 2, Darwin on April 5, all in Australia, and an in a single day keep in Bali, Indonesia, on April 7, earlier than arriving in Singapore on April 11, 2024.
Following this, Resilient Girl was to proceed from Singapore on April 11; heading in the direction of Klang (Kuala Lumpur), Malaysia, on April 12; Phuket, Thailand, on April 14; Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 17; Mormugao (Goa), India, on April 19; Mumbai, India, for an in a single day keep beginning on April 20, and concluding in Dubai, U.A.E., on April 24.
The ultimate leg was scheduled to depart from Duabi on April 25, making its technique to Safaga on Might 2 and Alexandria on Might 5, each in Egypt; then to Greece with stops in Rhodes on Might 7, Santorini on Might 8, and ending in Piraeus (Athens) on Might 9.
In a big shift, Resilient Girl will now sail from Sydney on a brand new course round Africa, bypassing the initially deliberate Center Japanese ports.
The revised itinerary begins in Sydney with stops in Eden and Fremantle (Perch), Australia; Port Louis, Mauritius; Durban and Cape City, South Africa; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Praia, Cape Verde; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; Barcelona, Spain; Valletta, Malta; culminating in Santorini and Piraeus (Athens), Greece. Dates for the port visits have but to be launched.
Virgin Voyages has assured all passengers booked on the unique voyage legs that they are going to have assured spots on the brand new crusing with none extra cost.
Moreover, the cruise line is providing a future voyage credit score based mostly on the paid stability or a full refund for many who discover the brand new dates on the route inconvenient.
The Geopolitical Panorama’s Impression on Cruising
The choice by Virgin Voyages to change Resilient Girl’s route displays a broader development within the cruise business, the place escalating regional conflicts have prompted cruise traces to reassess and modify their itineraries away from potential battle zones.
Different main cruise traces, comparable to Carnival Company, Cunard Line, and Princess Cruises have additionally introduced changes to their routes to bypass the Pink Sea’s troubled waters.
Furthermore, Virgin Voyages is now conducting a full assessment of different geographically related repositioning voyages and linked sailings, and can present an replace within the coming weeks on any additional adjustments we might want to make.
