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

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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.

Virgin Voyages Introduces Golden Ink Awards For Agents

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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.

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.