Entrepreneur Richard Branson was on a mission to disrupt the cruise industry when he founded the Virgin Voyages travel brand. Since its first ship, Scarlet Lady, set sail in 2021, the adults-only cruise line has been making waves by offering a different way to explore the world by sea.
Virgin Voyages' fleet of “Lady Ships” can be compared to boutique hotels offering elevated entertainment options and dining experiences designed specifically for adults. The cruise line also focuses on immersive cruise itineraries with longer sailings and more overnights in ports.
Related: Virgin fixes worst part of a Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise
Remote workers have been a key target audience for Virgin Voyages and Branson, who has said he worked from a houseboat when he started Virgin Group. He wants Virgin Voyages passengers to be able to travel the world while working aboard the cruise line’s ships.
After completing WiFi upgrades on Scarlet Lady, the cruise line launched a season pass for summer 2024 that invited passengers to “work from helm” on a month-long Mediterranean cruise aboard the ship. The summer season pass was a hit and sold out quickly, leading the cruise line to expand the program to a second ship in 2024, and fleetwide for summer 2025.
Now, as the cruise line prepares to launch its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, in September 2025, Virgin Voyages is evolving the popular summer season pass into something even bigger – an annual pass.
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Image source: Daniel Kline/ComeCruiseWith.com
Virgin Voyages introduces yearlong cruise pass
The cruise line is inviting remote workers to trade on-land living expenses for up to 365 days of sailing on any Virgin Voyages cruise itineraries on any of its ships. The annual pass costs $120,000, plus taxes and fees, for two passengers.
Like the season passes, Virgin Voyages annual passes are limited. Annual pass bookings can be made by calling Virgin Voyages now through March 31, 2025. Full payment is required at the time of booking, and Virgin Voyages accepts cryptocurrency Bitcoin as a payment option for the annual pass.
Pass holders can choose to start their yearlong cruising adventure in January, February, March, or April 2025. Itinerary options include cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North America, along with transatlantic voyages.
Related: Virgin Voyages making big changes passengers should love
On each sailing, annual pass holders will get extra perks including premium Wi-Fi for two devices, complimentary laundry services, and Sea Terrace cabins with private balconies featuring Virgin Voyages’ iconic red hammocks. Annual pass holders also get priority boarding and pre-voyage and onboard support to make the most of their journeys.
The annual pass also offers passengers drink perks like a $100 bar tab for each itinerary they sail, two specialty coffees per cabin per day, and a VIP cocktail event exclusively for annual pass holders.
Along with the annual pass extras, pass holders will enjoy Virgin Voyages’ always-included cruise amenities such as premium dining at more than 20 onboard restaurants, group fitness classes, gratuities, onboard entertainment, and a soda and drinks package.
Cruises on Virgin Voyages’ new Brilliant Lady ship are eligible for annual pass bookings
Annual pass holders will have the opportunity to be among the first to sail on Virgin Voyages' newest ship, Brilliant Lady, debuting in September 2025 in New York City.
For her inaugural season, Brilliant Lady will embark on a North American tour beginning with sailings from New York City to Bermuda and Canada. The ship will spend its winter 2025 – 2026 season sailing Caribbean cruises from Miami to the ABC Islands – Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and other destinations in the Southern Caribbean.
Related: Virgin Voyages bringing its newest ship to new destinations
Brilliant Lady will also offer a 16-night Panama Canal crossing from Miami to Los Angeles in March 2026. The new ship was designed with an adapted frame specifically to allow it to sail through the Panama Canal and rugged landscapes including the vast glaciers and fjords of Alaska where it will spend its summer 2026 season.
Virgin Voyages’ first Alaska cruises feature seven- to 12-night itineraries departing from Seattle and Vancouver with stops in Alaska’s wilderness and Canada’s untouched northwest.
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