Resilient Lady: Virgin’s newest adults-only cruise ship is heading to New

Virgin Voyages’ brand-new cruise ship is going to spend a season in Australia and New Zealand.

The Resilient Lady will call Port Melbourne, Victoria home in summer 2023/2024 with a variety of itineraries ranging from a couple of nights up to two weeks.

The ship launched earlier this year and is the third of the fleet after Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. The voyages are adults-only and are pitched at those who don’t like cruises. Resilient Lady, which can hold 2770 passengers, is spending its first year in and around Greece and the Mediterranean before making the voyage here.

Virgin Voyages’ President and Chief Experience Officer Nirmal Saverimuttu, who is from Sydney, said the homing of the ship in the region is very special to him.

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“Australia and New Zealand are without question the most beautiful countries in the world, and we knew that these destinations, paired with the Virgin Voyages experience, will make it the most incredible holiday for our Sailors,” said Saverimuttu.

“The Virgin brand is known and adored by Australians and New Zealanders, and we are committed to delivering a holiday experience you will love and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Virgin Voyages is banking on New Zealand lifting its current ban on cruises, which has been in place since the start of the pandemic.

Large international ships are not allowed to enter maritime borders and no date has been set yet for a lifting of the ban.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said earlier in March, when the Government announced it was bringing forward the border reopenings, she expected the opening of the maritime border to also be brought forward.

Virgin is not the only cruise line hoping for a change, as a host of other ships are planning to come to Aotearoa from 2023 onwards.

Australia recently reopened to cruise ships with P&O’s Pacific Explorer getting a special welcome into Sydney Harbour.

Meanwhile, Virgin Voyages has announced the name of the fourth ship in its fleet. Brilliant Lady will launch in 2023.