Sailing to success with the ladies in red

Virgin Voyages’ Tom McAlpin discusses sustainable terminals and iconic godmothers

Sailing to success with the ladies in red
We’ll continue to deliver on our promise of giving sailors one of the best vacations of their lives, says Tom McAlpin

By Rebecca Barnes |


Having launched two ‘Lady ships’ in the space of six months, it’s not surprising that Virgin Voyages has been in full celebration mode for the past year.  

But with the debut of its third ship, Resilient Lady, being postponed until May 2023, now could well be time for the line to regroup and focus on some of the ongoing challenges faced by the industry.  

“Resilient Lady was slated to debut in August, but after careful consideration we decided to defer the launch,” says Tom McAlpin, brand’s CEO. “There are several factors that played into this decision including regional uncertainty, ongoing crewing challenges brought on by the global pandemic and supply chain obstacles affecting the entire industry.” 

However, with two successful ship launches in its wake and the brand making tremendous strides with record bookings and receiving continuous positive feedback from sailors and crew, McAlpin doesn’t seem too fazed.  

“Our industry and this company are resilient, and our momentum is unprecedented,” he says. “We’ve accomplished so much in the last year, and for now we’ll continue to deliver on our promise of giving sailors one of the best vacations of their lives and cannot wait to welcome Resilient Lady in 2023.” 

This promise includes the opening of Terminal V at PortMiami, which McAlpin says gives sailors “a stunning launching point for their time abroad.” 

One of the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold-certified terminals in PortMiami, the building pays homage to the city’s iconic palm trees, with the edging of the roof meant to resemble a palm canopy. There’s also a special VIP entrance for the brand’s ‘RockStar’ sailors.  

“Terminal V has this incredible wow factor thanks to its bright colours, local artwork, floor-to-ceiling windows and angular skylights that allow the sun to stream in – it really sets the stage for an unforgettable vacation at sea,” enthuses McAlpin. 

In true Virgin fashion, the traditional godmother role has also been turned on its head, with a celebrity partnership that few other cruise lines can match. “Global icon Jennifer Lopez embodies the Virgin brand, and we’re thrilled to have her join our crew as chief entertainment and lifestyle officer,” says McAlpin.  

In May 2022, the JLo Beauty skincare line was launched on Scarlet Lady, along with a collaboration to give away 1,000 cabins on both Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. McAlpin says there are several other initiatives in the pipeline, and even hints at a JLo-curated sailing down the line. 

The ever-pressing subject of sustainability continues to be part of the DNA – every Virgin company has a purpose, and Virgin Voyages’ mantra of creating an ‘epic sea change for all’ drives everything it does. This promise encompasses five pillars, one of them being securing a healthy future for the world’s oceans.  

Sustainability has been built into the brand from the start; initiatives include using sustainably sourced materials, nixing buffets to cut down on food waste, eliminating most single-use plastics and working with partners that also support green initiatives.  

“When we launched Virgin Voyages eight years ago – before our team started designing the ship or knew what the experience would entail – we identified our core mission and what we wanted to stand for,” says McAlpin.  

“Terminal V was built using sustainable materials, as was our signature Beach Club in Bimini. We released our first Impact Report this year ahead of World Oceans Day and we are proud to share that 50 per cent of our sailors say their voyage with Virgin inspired them to live a more sustainable lifestyle.  

“That’s a major win for us as it shows that our sailors can enjoy the experience for the week they’re onboard and take home a few tips to make a continued positive impact.”

This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2022 issue of Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.   

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