Virgin Voyages and Delta offer free cruises to passengers

Friday, March 1, 2024

Virgin Voyages has joined forces with Delta Air Lines to surprise passengers with complimentary cruise vacations aboard the Resilient Lady, in celebration of the vessel’s new itineraries departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico. More than 160 passengers on a Delta flight traveling from Atlanta to San Juan were astonished to receive free cruise vacations aboard the Resilient Lady, signifying the introduction of its recently announced routes from San Juan.

The celebration commenced before the flight with an engaging takeover at the departure gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where passengers were treated to entertainment, photo opportunities, and a chance to spin a prize roulette. Virgin Group’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, personally greeted the passengers, expressing his strong ties to the Caribbean.

The pre-flight festivities included performances by Virgin Voyages’ entertainment team, offering a glimpse into the adult-only cruise experience with specialty drinks and music, setting the stage for what passengers could anticipate on board. The roulette table awarded various prizes, such as flights with Virgin Atlantic, stays at Virgin Hotels, cruises with Virgin Voyages, Delta Vacation packages, gift cards, and exclusive merchandise.

Branson shared his excitement about the Caribbean being his long-time home and his enthusiasm for welcoming Resilient Lady’s voyages from San Juan to explore the Caribbean’s exquisite locales. He then revealed a grand surprise for some unsuspecting guests on a Delta flight to San Juan, extending an invitation for a free voyage on the Resilient Lady’s inaugural season starting in December 2024 to all Delta SkyMiles Members aged 18 and above on the flight.

This gesture of generosity was not Branson’s first; in November, passengers flying with Virgin Airline from Melbourne, Australia, to Hobart, Tasmania, were gifted free cruises to commemorate Resilient Lady’s maiden voyage on December 11, 2023. Branson celebrated the ship’s debut in Australia by escorting her into Sydney Harbour in a classic wooden speedboat and climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge to witness her docking.

After spending a season in Australia, Resilient Lady was scheduled to return to the Mediterranean, passing through the Middle East. However, due to geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea, Virgin Voyages decided to reroute the ship around Africa. With the ongoing conflicts, it was announced that Resilient Lady would not revisit Australia in the winter of 2024-25 but instead cruise the Caribbean’s warm waters.

Resilient Lady’s inaugural Caribbean journey is set to commence on December 6, 2024, featuring a roundtrip cruise with stops at various Caribbean destinations, including the British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Martinique, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts, among others. The season will offer a variety of itineraries, showcasing the diverse beauty and culture of the Caribbean islands and Colombia, ensuring an unforgettable experience for travelers.

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