In a brochure despatched to its crew members earlier than its public announcement right now, Virgin Voyages said that it delayed the launch of its third ship Resilient Girl to an unknown date subsequent 12 months. The cruise line knowledgeable its crew that:
“Because of present world challenges, the debut of Resillient Girl might be delayed from July this 12 months till 2023.”
In making an attempt to elucidate the delay, Virgin Voyages said:
“There are a selection of worldwide challenges that have an effect on journey and significantly the cruise trade, together with provide chain points, crewing challenges and regional uncertainty.”
It additional said that there’s not at present a date for Resilient Girl’s “MerMaiden Voyage:”
“Whereas Resilient Girl’s first industrial crusing is now Might 14, 2023, we’ve not but set a date for our showcase occasions and celebrations.”
For these clients (which Virgin Voyages calls “sailors”) who’ve already bought airline tickets, the corporate will reimburse as much as $500 per individual for any incremental air/journey prices. For these visitors who’ve incurred airfare over $500, the corporate says that it “will take a better look to find out if we will help additional.”
This feels like it’s insufficient to compensate its clients who’ve deliberate prematurely to e-book flights and accommodations and incur different journey and accomodation bills, as individuals have complained on Twitter.
Cool. I do not assume the $500 per individual goes to cowl our $1700 per individual flights. Very upset in #VirginVoyages
— Unsung_Spartan (@Unsung_Spartan) June 8, 2022
For crew members about to finish their present contracts and on account of be a part of the Resilient Girl, the corporate guarantees to supply an replace “within the subsequent few weeks.”
For these ship workers desirous to return to both the Scarlet Girl or Valiant Girl, the corporate guarantees “to not fear – you’ll return as deliberate. Whereas there could also be a slight adjustment to your begin date, we will guarantee you that we’ve a spot for you on board.” The corporate additional states that it’s “working by means of the method” of allowing the crew to entry a web-based “private teaching service” ca
lled “BetterUp Care” which is “out there in 49 totally different languages in each time zone across the worl – at no prices to our crew.”
A crew member, who needs to stay nameless, despatched me the brochure which states: “Please don’t share this info till after Wednesday, June 8, at 10 a.m. E.T.” The crew member said:
“Appears to be like like VV is out of cash. Ship #3 might be put in chilly format untill 2023. Simply days in the past they have been nonetheless making an attempt to refill the crew and go operational. Now this sudden resolution. Appears to be like like one thing is occurring behind the scenes.”
The Miami Herald coated the story, writing:
“Relating to refunds and credit for individuals who purchased journeys anticipating to sail on Resilient Girl in August or the following months, the cruise line might be contacting them within the coming days. They may get a full refund, plus a 25% future voyage credit score to make use of inside a 12 months from unique cruising dates, and “help” with journey modifications and penalties for accommodations and flights booked associated to canceled cruises.”
Virgin Voyages was final within the information final week when the cruise line despatched the Scarlet Girl by means of the shallow waters within the Keys into the tiny port of Key West. This environemntally harmful act was opposite to the flase guarantees by Virgin Voyages’ proprietor and psuedo-enviromental Richard Branson that the corporate would function in a sustainable and respectable method respecting the native will of voters in Key West.
“Set Sail the Virgin Manner … ” claims Virgin Voyages.
This video needs to be posted all over the place @VirginVoyages advertises a #cruise on Twitter or Fb.
Let’s ensure public is aware of @richardbranson & CEO @McAlpinTom‘s claims that sustainability is a “core focus” is poppycock. https://t.co/5xUG5tzvHh
— James (Jim) Walker (@CruiseLaw) June 3, 2022
Have a remark or query? Please leave one below or join the discussion on our Facebook page.
Picture credit score: Resilient Girl – Virgin Voyages artist drawing.
