Resilient Lady, the newest ship in Virgin Voyages’ award-winning fleet, has arrived in Portsmouth for her inaugural UK season following a summer of island-hopping through the Greek Isles. From Pompey, she’ll set sail on a collection of late summer, sun-soaked voyages to Amsterdam, Bruges, Lisbon and beyond.
From Friday 23rd August, Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line will be easily accessible to all UK Sailors. A short drive or straightforward train journey is all that’s needed to get to Portsmouth, making it the perfect escape for Sailors looking to enjoy a fuss-free, last-minute escape from the choppy weather of late.
Following her sister ships, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady is heading back to where the brand launched in 2021: Portsmouth International Port. She’ll be visiting the cultural capitals of Amsterdam and Bruges, as well as the picturesque shores of Lisbon, Bordeaux and Casablanca. And it wouldn’t be a Virgin Voyages experience without a stop in Ibiza, the final part of an incredible 12-night sailing from the UK to Spain and Morocco.
What’s more, Virgin Voyages is bringing back its (now sold out) Virgin Celebration Voyage after a roaring success last year. This special experience will see Sir Richard Branson, Boy George and Virgin Galactic astronauts onboard for a series of exclusive events. Then in mid-September, the brand is hosting its first-ever Comedy Festival with a line up of LOLs to keep Sailors entertained at sea. There’s never been a better time to experience what the Resilient Lady has to offer.
Shane Riley, Vice President of UK and International Sales at Virgin Voyages said: “We’re back in British waters once again, this time with a variety of short cultural stints and sunny adventure sailings to help Sailors escape the British weather. We first set sail from Portsmouth on our maiden voyage back in 2021, so we’re delighted to return this September and October.”
Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: “We’re so pleased Virgin Voyages is coming back for a third time with the incredible Resilient Lady. We’re also proud to be the first – and only – port in the world to have welcomed all three Virgin Voyages ships. As a council-owned port this has huge economic significance for the city, and with our aim to be the first port of call for luxury, boutique and expedition cruise lines in the UK, we look forward to welcoming the award-winning cruise ship to her new home.”
From August to October, Resilient Lady will embark on three to six-night roundtrip getaways, as well as a 12-night adventure to Barcelona. Check out Resilient Lady’s summer schedule below – there’s still plenty of time to pencil an epic getaway into the diary.
From England to Amsterdam (& Back) 4-Nights
On this four-night cruise from Portsmouth, Sailors won’t only be docking in Amsterdam and exploring its canals, botanical gardens, and museums – they’ll also have all day (and all night) to explore with a signature overnight call. Sailors can enjoy 24 hours exploring the city and getting a taste of the famous (or infamous) nightlife.
From £1,162 per Insider Cabin*
Portsmouth to Zeebrugge (& Back) 3-Nights
This voyage links two historic ports. Starting in Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, Sailors get to explore a rich maritime heritage – including the National Museum of the Royal Navy – before heading to Bruges, Belgium. They can take a tour of the historic city via its labyrinthine canal system, trot in a horse-drawn carriage ride down the narrow cobbled streets, or simply enjoy the sweeping views from the top of the 13th-century belfry.
From £946 per Insider Cabin
English Sights & European Delights 6-Nights
There’s nothing quite like a sunny Mediterranean jaunt from the UK. Hitting La Coruña, Bilbao, and Bordeaux, this six-night voyage from Portsmouth skirts the coast of Spain where Sailors will soak up some much-needed sunshine, before docking in Le Verdon.
From £1,780 per Insider Cabin
Virgin Voyages Comedy Fest 5-Nights with Russel Howard (LIMITED INVENTORY)
This is more than just a cruise, it’s Virgin Voyages’ first-ever comedy festival. On this journey through Amsterdam and Bruges, the hilarious Russell Howard will headline the five-night sailing where Sailors will spend their days exploring all the Low Countries have to offer before heading back to the ship to spend nights LOL-ing to the lineup. Joining Russell Howard will include Ria Lina from Have I Got News For You and Simon Brodkin, known for his pranks on Britain’s Got Talent. With the success of bookings already, the Comedy Festival is planned to return in 2025 with more information to come.
From £2,518 per Insider Cabin
From the UK to Spain & Morocco 12-Nights
Hop between sunny shores on this 12-night voyage from Portsmouth to La Coruña, including stops in Lisbon, Ibiza, Casablanca, and Málaga. Sailors can zip around Lisbon via tram, exploring the hilltop city’s colorful streets and feasting on fresh bacalhau (cod). Once in Ibiza, they’ll be able to enjoy the island’s white-sand beaches and historic Old Town, or even take a boat to the remote island of Formentera with its pink-sand beaches.
From £3,144.16 per Insider Cabin
A Virgin Celebration Voyage (The UK) 5-Nights (2025 dates tbc)
Following the success of last year’s Virgin Celebration Voyage, and three completely sold out 2024 sailings, Virgin Voyages is bringing back the special sailing in 2025 with dates to be announced. These special voyages celebrate Virgin’s rich history, with exclusive events and activities. During this year’s rendition, Sailors will get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the global brand with Sir Richard Branson himself coming aboard and Boy George making a debut on the deck(s).
To book an award-winning voyage starting from £946 per cabin, visit virginvoyages.com/book. For more information on Virgin Voyages, the five-star sailing experience or its amazing destinations and offers, visit www.VirginVoyages.com.
