Virgin Voyages has released details about cancellations affecting three ships, following the announcement that the launch of Brilliant Lady will be delayed.
The cruise line said on Thursday (September 7) that the start of cruising with its fourth ship will be postponed to an unspecified date, citing “unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges”.
Brilliant Lady had been scheduled to enter service in Puerto Rico in December and affected passengers are being offered a full refund.
In a message to trade partners, called First Mates, the cruise line said: “This change means that our three other gorgeous lady ships will also be shifting their schedules, resulting in some cancellations and revised sailings. We’ll be reaching out to impacted Sailors [passengers], but we wanted to make sure that you have the inside intel first.
“If you have impacted Sailors, you will receive a more detailed email on all their options and next steps — because we want to make sure they have as many options as possible in terms of rebooking or getting a refund.”
More: Virgin Voyages announces ‘tough decision’ to postpone Brilliant Lady launch
As well as cancelled sailings on Brilliant Lady, a host of cruises on sister ships Valiant Lady (pictured) and Resilient Lady have been axed next year.
The cancelled sailings on Brilliant Lady are the inaugural ‘MerMaiden’ voyages departing on December 24 and December 30.
Other Brilliant Lady cruises that have been cancelled are the seven-night Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles departures on January 6, March 30, and April 13, 2024; the seven-night Southeastern Caribbean Isles departures on March 23 and April 6, 2024; and the 11-night Transatlantic Puerto Rico to Portugal departure on April 20, 2024.
The Valiant Lady departures in 2024 that have been axed are the six-night Western Caribbean Charm departures from January 7, 2024, through to March 17, 2024, and the eight-night Eastern Caribbean Antilles departures from January 13, 2024, through to March 23, 2024.
The cancelled Resilient Lady cruises are the seven-night Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems departures from July 28 through to September 29, 2024, and the seven-night Greek Island Glow departures from August 4 through October 13, 2024.
Selected 2024 winter Caribbean voyages scheduled for Brilliant Lady will now be operated by Valiant Lady.
The message to agents added:“Please know that we’ll be protecting your commission on the original booking for the full amount of the Brilliant Lady voyage fare if your Sailors move to a new voyage or were scheduled to be on the Brilliant Lady MerMaiden.
“For Valiant and Resilient Lady cancellations, we will be protecting the commission on the amount the Sailor has paid thus far. On top of that, we’re offering a bonus commission for all rebooked voyages.”
Shane Riley, vice-president of UK and international sales, said: “Our First Mates are integral to our business, and we want to be brilliant for them, as we like to say.
“For us that means being transparent, sharing news with agents first, protecting their commissions and doing right by their clients. We had to make a few difficult decisions but ultimately want to deliver experiences our Sailors crave in destinations they’ve always dreamed of visiting.”