Virgin Voyages first cruise ship currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy finally has a name.
The ship will be named Scarlet Lady after the Mermaid image that has already appeared on Virgin Atlantic and Australia aircrafts as well as the Virgin Galactic spaceline. Now, as the flagship for the Virgin Voyages fleet, the Scarlet Lady name will be paired with the brand’s iconic mermaid image. She reflects a powerful spirit guide who is creating a whole new way to travel and will adorn the hull of the ship when she sets sail in 2020.
At an event to reveal the ship’s name, Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages President Tom McAlpin, announced that the company will eliminate the use of sailor facing single-use plastics as part of its aim to create one of the cleanest fleets at sea. This initiative includes banning plastic items on board including straws, bottled water, other beverage bottles, condiment packets, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers, and take-away coffee and tea cups. Instead, the company will emphasize the use of recyclable and reusable materials across the ship.
Sailors will have access to complimentary filtered still and sparkling water at all bars and restaurants, as well as specially designed Natura filtered water stations throughout the ship.
Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson said:
“Nothing makes me prouder than seeing companies like Virgin Voyages striving to make a positive impact on the world we live in,” “Business is a force for good and can and must be the catalyst for global change.”
Virgin Voyages President Tom McAlpin said:
“We believe that in order to fulfill our purpose of creating an ‘Epic Sea Change for All,’ we must make a commitment that is bigger than just eliminating straws,”
“We must make a commitment to building ships and experiences that do everything possible to look after the well-being of our precious oceans. We are delighted with what we’ve achieved so far and will continue to push ourselves to look for innovative ways to do things that will make a difference.”
Virgin Voyages also celebrated the flooding of the ship’s drydock, a celebratory ritual done in preparation for the connection of two hull sections, signifying the first time the hull of the Scarlet Lady touches sea water. The day at the shipyard also featured a ceremony to cut the first pieces of steel for Virgin Voyages’ second ship, which is due for delivery in 2021.
For more details on Virgin Voyages, visit virginvoyages.com
