Sir Richard Branson arrived at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy this morning in grand fashion to celebrate two milestones in the start-up cruise line’s history. The first was the announcement that the line’s first ship, currently under construction, will bear the name (previously leaked) Scarlet Lady.
The name, according to the cruise line, “represents a woman of power – the leader not only on our first voyage, but also in our efforts to encourage front-facing female leaders throughout our company with our Virgin Voyages Scarlet Squad Program.”
From engineers to builders, marine tech to crew captains and technical positions, this program is meant to help female leaders break through the glass ocean if you will; it’s meant to create more leadership positions for women on the operations side of the sea travel industry. This multi-pronged approach, supported by skill development, recruitment and mentoring, is something we find incredibly important in areas traditionally lacking female leadership, like marine technical and hotel management. – Virgin Voyages
Shortly after a red banner was removed from the ship’s bow revealing the name welded onto the hull, the drydock was flooded and the first completed section of the ship was floated out.
During today’s event, several more details have emerged about what us “sailors” can find when we take a voyage on the adults-only Scarlet Lady, including the lines “Vitamin Sea” concept. Vitamin Sea is focused on providing cruisers with “well-being that delivers rejuvenation and transformation ” through “elements of both detox and retox.” This can be achieved by taking advantage of many of the ship’s offerings which will include:
- The ship’s main Redemption Spa that consists of a hydrotherapy pool, salt room, mud room, spa treatments and at night a club vibe complete with a DJ and dancing.
- Mani-Pedi Spa for, well, exactly what the name implies.
- Stubble & Groom for those who want their beard to look like Sir Richard’s or a neat haircut taken from the pages of GQ.
- For the ladies, the Dry Dock blow out bar will get them set for a night of living the Virgin lifestyle onboard.
- The ship’s fitness center, aptly named B-Complex, will offer free classes, treat visitors to ocean views and will feature Technogym ARTIS equipment. It will be broken out into different rooms: The Burn, Build, Balance, and Bike rooms as well as The Beast room for those who want to soak themselves in sweat.
- The Well-Being Pool will be the place to chill out after a workout.
- After a work-out, everyone needs to hydrate, so next to the B-Complex, one can find the Gin and Tonic Bar which will feature cold-pressed juices and of course, gin.
- Fitness doesn’t end at the B-Complex, the outdoor Athletic Club features an active training camp, full-size basketball court, boxing classes, more cold-pressed juices, a large catamaran net dubbed the “largest daybed at sea,” and a running track.
- If you’re into more relaxed forms of fitness, The Crow’s Nest offers yoga, meditation and stretching complete with 360-degree views.
Scarlet Lady will debut at PortMiami in 2020 and will sail Caribbean itineraries.
Following the naming ceremony, steel was cut for the line’s second vessel, yet to be named. The second ship will make its debut in 2021 followed by a third in 2022. Details on where these ships will homeport have not yet been announced.