Tag Archives: sailings

Virgin Voyages Launches $120,000 Annual Pass

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This past Travel Tuesday, Virgin Voyages launched the Annual Pass, offering unlimited access to its fleet of ships for an entire year, starting in 2025.

The industry-first program allows guests to choose any voyage, departing from any location, with access to various destinations and itineraries.

The company also said that it now accepts cryptocurrency, providing the option to purchase the pass with Bitcoin.

Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, said: “I’ve always been a big believer in the power of travel and adventure to spark creativity and bring clarity. What started as a sought-after ‘work from sea’ concept with our Season Pass has evolved into something even more special. Now, Sailors can jump aboard any of our ships, across an endless variety of exciting destinations for an entire year. We’re offering unlimited opportunities for adventure in a way that has never been done in cruising before.”

With the Annual Pass, travellers can sail on any ship in the fleet, including the upcoming Brilliant Lady, set to launch in September 2025. Starting from January 2025, the pass provides a year of unlimited sailings from any departure port. Pass holders will enjoy Sea Terrace cabins with balcony views, in addition to exclusive perks like priority boarding, complimentary laundry, unlimited premium WiFi and a $100 Bar Tab credit per voyage. Additionally, guests have the option to add a plus one to their cabin.

The Annual Pass costs $120,000, excluding taxes and fees, and is available for booking through March 31, 2025. Travel advisors who sell the pass will earn a commission of $10,000.

MSC Cruises announces return to UK next year

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By Hollie-Rae Merrick

MSC Cruises is returning to the UK next year with a short series of ex-UK sailings from Southampton.The line will base Fantasia-class ship MSC Splendida in Southampton for six sailings, having pulled out of the UK market this year.

Among the sailings will be MSC’s first round-Britain itinerary starting in a UK port. Previous cruises had embarked in Hamburg.

Giles Hawke, MSC’s executive director for the UK and Ireland, said he hoped the “staggered return” of ex-UK sailings would be built on in 2017.

“A lot of our guests and agents have been asking us to base a ship in the UK,” he said. “People love travelling with us and want to embark in the UK with us.”

The line’s 2016 programme also includes new northern Europe cruises and longer Mediterranean sailings.

During the summer season, MSC will offer 270 sailings across 22 itineraries, made up of nine core seven-night Mediterranean itineraries, seven Med sailings of between nine and 12 nights, and new Baltic and Norwegian fjords cruises.

For the first time, a Fantasia-class ship will operate the Dubai winter season, with Bahrain making its debut on the itinerary.

Over the past year, the line has focused on fly-cruise, but the 2016 programme also includes cruise-only prices.

Hawke said: “We have responded to feedback by making cruise-only an attractive option for those who wish to make their own arrangements or for agents who want to create their own packages.”

For simplicity, cruise-only fares for European itineraries will be set £150 lower than fly-cruise packages, and £400 lower for the Caribbean and Middle East.

Upgrades from outside to balcony cabins on Fantastica fares are also available for £50 a person.

Bookings before August 31 will qualify for savings of up to £300.

The 2016 brochure has a new look and feel, with more space dedicated to each itinerary.

It also includes four pages of information about the four ships MSC has on order.

Royal Caribbean offers half price for second passenger

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By Tom Stieghorst
Royal Caribbean International announced a promotion in which the second passenger on sailings in 2015 and beyond pays 50% of the fare of the first passenger in the cabin.

The “Buy One Get One 50% Off” deal is being offered in May on sailings between Jan. 1, 2015, and April 30, 2016.

Although somewhat similar to Norwegian Cruise Line’s “Buy Once, Sail Twice” promotion, the sale period is longer and the number of sailings is broader.

Royal Caribbean said the deal is available on new individual and named group bookings in all categories on every ship except Quantum and Anthem of the Seas.

Taxes, fees and port expenses are not discounted.