Tag Archives: Valiant Lady

Seven Newbuilds Are Set to Arrive in the U.S.

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Seven new cruise ships are set to debut in U.S. market by the end of 2022.

While some of the newbuilds are leaving the shipyard and heading straight to North America, other vessels have initially entered service in Europe before arriving in the U.S. for the winter season. 

Here’s the list of new ships:

Carnival Celebration
Cruise Line: Carnival Cruise Line
Delivery Date: October 2022
Capacity: 5,200 guests
Tonnage: 183,000
U.S. Arrival: November 20
U.S. Homeport: Miami

Following a transatlantic crossing, the new Carnival Celebration is launching service in the Caribbean this November. Joining the Mardi Gras, the Excel-Class ship will become Carnival’s second LNG-powered vessel while offering week-long cruises departing from PortMiami year-round.

Norwegian Prima
Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
Delivery Date: July 2022
Capacity: 3,215 guests
Tonnage: 142,500
U.S. Arrival: October 5
U.S. Homeports: New York City, Miami, Galveston and Port Canaveral

After debuting recently in Iceland, the Norwegian Prima is arriving in New York City on October 5. First in a new series of ships known as Prima-Class, the  3,125-guest ship will sail an “inaugural tour” during the winter season, offering itineraries from four different U.S. homeports.

Celebrity Beyond
Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
Delivery Date: April 2022
Capacity: 3,260 guests
Tonnage: 140,600
U.S. Arrival: October 24
U.S. Homeport: New York City and Fort Lauderdale

The Celebrity Beyond is set to debut in North America this winter. After entering service in Europe back in April, the third Edge-Class vessel will arrive in New York City on October 24, ahead of a season of Caribbean cruises departing from the Port Everglades. 

MSC Seascape
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Delivery Date: November 2022
Capacity: 4,560 guests
Tonnage: 169,000
U.S. Arrival: December 5
U.S. Homeport: Miami

A sister to the 2021-built MSC Seashore, the MSC Seascape is debuting in North America with a series of cruises departing from Miami. The newest MSC Cruises vessel is heading to the United States soon after leaving the shipyard and arrives in New York City – where it will be christened – on December 5.

Viking Neptune
Cruise Line: Viking
Delivery Date: Q4 2022
Capacity: 930 guests
Tonnage: 47,000
U.S. Arrival: December 22
U.S. Homeport: Fort Lauderdale

The newest Viking ship is heading to the United States this December. After debuting in the Mediterranean in November, the Viking Neptune will cross the Atlantic on its way to Fort Lauderdale. The luxury ship is then set to kick off a 137-night world cruise – which will also visit Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and two ports in Hawaii.

Valiant Lady
Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages
Delivery Date: July 2021
Capacity: 2,770 guests
Tonnage: 110,000
U.S. Arrival: October 30
U.S. Homeport: Miami

A second Virgin Voyages vessel is arriving in Miami for the winter season. After being delivered in 2021 – and officially entering service earlier this year in Europe – the Valiant Lady will offer a series of week-long cruises to the Caribbean starting on October 30.

Silver Dawn
Cruise Line: Silversea Cruises
Delivery Date: November 2021
Capacity: 596 guests
Tonnage: 40,700
U.S. Arrival: December 16
U.S. Homeport: Fort Lauderdale

The new Silver Dawn is debuting in North America in December. After launching service earlier this year in Europe, the 2021-built ship will be based in Fort Lauderdale for most of the winter, offering a series of Caribbean itineraries.

Virgin Voyages will allow more non-fully vaccinated passengers to sail

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Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 – Flickr

Virgin Voyages will allow more non-fully vaccinated passengers to sail after it removed a 10% cap on guests without a full Covid-19 vaccination. 

Previously, the line required 90% of guests to be fully vaccinated – allowing for 10% of customers to be non-fully vaccinated.

From 18 September for sailings onboard Valiant Lady and from 21 September for Scarlet Lady, the cap will be removed and all passengers will be able to board regardless of their vaccination status.

However, non-fully vaccinated travellers will still be required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.

A Virgin Voyages spokesperson said: “The health and safety of our sailors (guests) and crew are most important, and we’ll continue to emphasize our ’Voyage Well’ protocols.

“We’re excited to see cruising make its way back to 2019 sailing levels and to welcome aboard both new and returning cruisers seeking a different kind of adventure on the high seas.”

Virgin Voyages has secured $550 million in new capital to support its growth plans

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Scalet Lady

The new funding – which was led by BlackRock and includes new external financing and additional capital from existing investors including Bain Capital Private Equity and Virgin Group – will enable the line to continue its growth strategy and further strengthen its financial position as demand “continues to gain momentum”. 

Tom McAlpin, chief executive of Virgin Voyages, said the company has created an “incredible project” that investors and consumers “truly believe in”.
 
“This additional capital comes at a time when we’re looking forward to exponential growth that will, in turn, help us achieve what we set out to accomplish,” he added.
The investment comes as Virgin reports “exponential growth in bookings” in the last six months, with this year tipped to see a strong return across the industry as cruising heads toward pre-pandemic levels. 

According to research carried out by the line, 96% of consumers are keen to cruise this year following two years of restrictions.