Virgin Voyages Joins Forces with Chefs and Mixologists for Eat & Drink Month

Valiant Lady arriving in Liverpool photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Virgin Voyages has introduced its first-ever Eat & Drink Month in partnership with acclaimed chefs and mixologists, taking place in November, according to a press release.

Michelin-starred chefs Matt Lambert and Brad Farmerie, James Beard Award nominees Silvana Salcido Esparza and Sohui Kim, and beverage designer Charles Joly are all working with the cruise line to bring the project to life. The Eat & Drink Month includes four- and five-night voyages on the Scarlet Lady, as well as six- and eight-night voyages on the Valiant Lady. according to Virgin Voyages.

“We have made-to-order culinary experiences in intimate eateries rather than mass-produced banquet food in big dining halls. Our food and drink menus were put together by award-winning chefs and mixologists who have taken their land-based gastronomy experience to our restaurants and cocktail bars on board,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, president and chief experience officer, of Virgin Voyages.

Guests will be treated to speciality cocktails and menu items throughout November, as well as bookable events priced between $15 and 125 per guest, such as elevated dinner and wine pairings, cooking demos, and a preview of the new menu launching next year.

To commemorate Eat & Drink Month, every November booking includes a complimentary $300 Bar Tab that can be used for speciality cocktails or the brand’s unique Shake for Champagne feature, which allows guests to order their drink of choice via their phone.

“Of all the feedback we receive from past guests on TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic, two things stand apart above all else: our amazing Crew and the food & drinks. Eat & Drink Month is a way for us to turn up the heat and celebrate Sailors’ favourite part of coming aboard with a recurring event our guests can look forward to for years to come,” added Saverimuttu.

Once onboard, guests can book a variety of events and special appearances from the Eat & Drink lineup.

Let’s Mushroom Around, Sushi & Poke Demo, Flavors Uncorked at The Wake, Razzle Dazzle Menu Sneak Peek, Creative Collective: Sohui Kim, Creative Collective: Brad Farmerie, and Creative Collective: Silvana Salcido Esparza have all been curated for culinary entertainment onboard.

As for drinks, guests can sip away in one of the following events: Spill the Beans with Intelligentsia Coffee, Filthy Bloody Mary Bar, What’s The Tea?, Lotería Gigante, Seven Sea Sippers, Sip and Sway with Kin Euphorics, Nothing Fancy at The Loose Cannon.

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

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 Introduces Golden Ink Awards For Agents

Virgin Voyages has confirmed its first-ever First Mate Spectacular Soire and Golden Ink Awards, in a get-together cruise for its travel agents, according to a press release.

The cruise line will invite the top 100 North American “First Mates” with the most bookings between November 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022, to come aboard for a complimentary cruise in January, according to Virgin Voyages.

“Our First Mates have always been in our corner, so we wanted to find a way to celebrate their commitment to this incredible brand. The Golden Ink Awards are one of the only advisor-focused awards in the cruising industry. It’s so important that we take the time to show First Mates our appreciation and to treat them to the same incredible experience that their clients have loved,” said John Diorio, vice president of North American sales, Virgin Voyages.

The four-night cruise aboard the Valiant Lady will depart from Miami on January 4, 2023, and will take guests to Key West and Bimini, as well as a stop at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club. Each First Mate participant will be invited to bring a guest to share the experience on a sea terrace cabin and will receive $200 in onboard credit. There will also be representatives from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) onboard.

The First Mate Spectacular Soiree will also include a cocktail party, exclusive cabin drops, educational opportunities, and the first-ever Golden Ink Awards, which will recognize the top agents in a variety of categories, ranging from sales manager-nominated categories to best creative marketing.

With a deadline of October 31, 2022, the company has not yet finalized its top 100 list, so agents still have time to book their clients and earn a spot on the coveted list. First Mates can increase bookings by reminding clients of any remaining Future Voyage Credits, booking reservations of 10 or more cabins, taking advantage of the line’s new Match and Sea More project, and using Virgin Voyages’ LetsGoBook platform.