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☆ I work from a cruise ship for 3 months a year. Here's how I stay productive at sea.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Elle Hardy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

We live in an Orlando rental, but I run the travel-planning business from a cruise ship for three months out of the year. Video calls can be dicey, but voice calls over WiFi work wellMost of my work is using emails, social media apps, and a web browser, so I don't tend to have problems. The upload speed is the most difficult thing about working on a cruise ship. Cruise ships are comparable to remote working spaces, but they offer so much more. Meeting places are usually free on a cruise ship.

Persons: —, Walter Biscardi, Walter Travel, I'd, we'll, I've, Lady Organizations: Service, Business, Royal, Voyages, Virgin Voyages, YouTube, Virgin Locations: Orlando, Atlanta, Royal Caribbean, Oceania

☆ I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. There are 5 dishes I'm still thinking about months later.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I spent seven days eating on a luxury Virgin Voyages cruise ship. The cruise ship offered over 20 eateries with menus crafted by Michelin-starred chefs. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementLast summer, I sailed the Mediterranean Sea for seven days on a luxury Virgin Voyages cruise ship. Every Virgin Voyages ship has the same 20 restaurants and eateries on board with menus designed by Michelin-starred chefs, according to the cruise line's website.

Persons: — Organizations: Virgin, Michelin, Service, Business

☆ I'm a millennial who avoided cruises because I thought they were full of germs and kids. My first experience proved me wrong.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Sophie Katzman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewThis is an as-told-to essay based on a transcribed conversation with millennial Eliza Green, who took her first cruise vacation on Virgin Voyages. Virgin Voyages sounded particularly appealing. In October 2023, my husband, two other couples, and I embarked on Virgin Voyage's Scarlet Lady Dominican Daze. Cruise food was better than an all-inclusive resortThe food was a pleasant surprise, far better than the buffet options I'd imagined on other cruises. The cabin was a needed respiteBefore traveling on a cruise, I'd heard of windowless cabins and cramped rooms.

Persons: —, Eliza Green, I'd, Scarlet, Bimini Organizations: Service, Voyages, Business, Virgin Locations: Miami, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Bimini, Bahamas, Jamaica

☆ Richard Branson’s cruise line launches month-long cruise for remote workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Mike Cappetta | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Virgin Voyages is targeting a new type of traveler: remote workers. In March, the Miami-based cruise line owned by Sir Richard Branson introduced a month-long cruise called the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass." It's essentially four week-long cruises packaged together to appeal to remote workers who want to spend a month at sea in southern Europe. That prompted Virgin Voyages to open additional spots for remote workers on a second cruise ship this summer. The "Season Pass" cruises will sail on Virgin's Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady ships, each of which can accommodate around 2,700 guests.

Persons: Sir Richard Branson, It's, Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Organizations: Voyages, CNBC Travel, Virgin Voyages, Cruises Locations: Miami, Europe, Cannes, Rome, Ibiza

☆ Virgin Voyages is pitching a monthlong cruise to remote workers starting at $10K for two people
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages says it's launching a monthlong summertime cruise pass. Passholders would get to sail on four consecutive weeklong Mediterranean itineraries. AdvertisementRichard Brandon's Virgin Voyages wants you to "WFH" this summer. The adult-only cruise line says it's launching monthlong summertime passes, aptly known as the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass," starting at $9,990 for two people in one cabin. With this pass, travelers would sail on four consecutive weeklong Mediterranean cruises.

Persons: Richard Branson's, Passholders, —, Richard Brandon's Virgin Organizations: Service Locations: Ibiza, Spain, Cannes, France, Rome, Italy

☆ I booked a $5,910 balcony cabin for a 7-day Virgin Voyages cruise. The 225-square-foot room was big on luxury.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

On a recent Virgin Voyages cruise, I booked a 225-square-foot sea terrace room. AdvertisementI took my first luxury cruise last summer, sailing on a seven-day Mediterranean adventure with Virgin Voyages, an award-winning, adults-only cruise line that's been operating since 2021, according to the company's website. Aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady ship, I slept in a cabin with a sea terrace. It had a starting rate of $5,910 for a weeklong stay for two people, a representative for Virgin Voyages told Business Insider. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Voyages, Virgin Voyages, Business

☆ Every Sky Miles member on a Delta flight got a free Virgin Voyages cruise, courtesy of Richard Branson himself
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Delta passengers received a free Virgin Voyages cruise from San Juan on a recent flight. The free Caribbean voyage was offered to all adult Sky Miles members aboard the flight. Branson and Virgin staff members surprise passengers at the gate. A Virgin Voyages cruise is worth the priceGetting a free Virgin Voyages sailing is truly like winning a golden ticket. A snapshot from the author's Virgin Voyages cruise.

Persons: Richard Branson, Sky Miles, —, they'd, Cruise, Willy Wonka, Branson, CHRIS, San Juan —, Joey Hadden Organizations: Sky, Service, Virgin, Delta, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DELTA AIRLINES, Sky Miles, Virgin Staff, Virgin Voyages, BI Locations: San Juan, Atlanta, Caribbean, Hartsfield

☆ I went on a luxury cruise for the first time. It was worth the $6,000 price tag for 5 reasons.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Last summer, I embarked on my first luxury cruise with the adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages. I booked a seven-day Mediterranean sailing in a cabin with a balcony for $5,900. The ship's unique design, VIP-worthy cabins, and surprising activities made it worth the price. I took the seven-day cruise from Barcelona on the Valiant Lady ship , which has a maximum of 2,700 guests. AdvertisementSix months after my cruise, I'm still thinking about the luxury details that made it worth the price.

Persons: —, I've, Valiant Organizations: Service, Orient Express, Virgin Voyages Locations: it's, Barcelona, Italy, France, Spain

☆ I've been on many Carnival cruises and always see first timers make these 10 mistakes, from buying drink packages to booking beach excursions
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Lori A. May | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I cruise on Carnival so often that its ships have come to feel like a home away from home. The author in the Lido buffet on board the Carnival Radiance. I've sailed with Carnival more than 10 times in the past five years, and it's become my favorite choice for budget getaways. I've cruised with Carnival to the Mexican Riviera and Caribbean out of ports in California, Florida, and Louisiana on smaller ships accommodating 2,600 passengers and larger ships accommodating up to 5,282 guests. Here's what to watch out for so you can be a savvy sailor the next time you find yourself on board a Carnival ship.

Persons: Lori A, I'm, I've, it's Organizations: Holland America, Virgin, Carnival Cruises, Riviera Locations: Holland, Caribbean, California , Florida, Louisiana

☆ I compared every aspect of a Royal Caribbean and a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. One was worth the higher price.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've sailed on both a Royal Caribbean and a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. The Virgin Voyages cruise cost $4,000 more, as it was a luxury, adults-only ship in a higher-tier cabin. The Virgin Voyages cruise was more worth the price, but the Royal Caribbean ship was great for families. Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages offer completely different experiences. The seven-night Caribbean cruise took me to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

Persons: I've, it's Organizations: Royal, Virgin, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Cruise, Cruise Critic, Voyages, Marina Locations: Royal Caribbean, Roatán, Honduras, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico, Bahamas, Ibiza, Barcelona, Italy, France, Toulon, Ajaccio

☆ I worked on cruise ships for 6 years. Here are the 5 best and 5 worst rooms to book for your trip.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Sharon Waugh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Here are what I consider to be the best and worst staterooms to book on a cruise. BEST ROOMS TO BOOK ON A CRUISEOcean-view rooms are only worth it if the windows aren't obstructed. Obstructed ocean-view roomsPartially obstructed ocean-view staterooms have a window that's usually at least a little blocked by a lifeboat. Although many people book these rooms because they're slightly cheaper than ocean-view rooms, the view ends up being more obstructed than expected most of the time. Adjoining rooms with other partiesSome cruise ships have adjoining staterooms with an internal door separating the two neighboring cabins.

Persons: Sharon Waugh, Drake, staterooms, I've, It's, Debbie Ann Powell, Shutterstock Staterooms, Extroverts Organizations: Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal, Cruises, NCL, Port, Disabilities Locations: Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, staterooms

☆ Icon of the Seas: Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cruise Ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Henry Wismayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Love them or loathe them, giant cruise ships are among the most remarkable success stories of the mass tourism age. Rechristened the Mardi Gras, the first Carnival cruise ship sailed out of Miami that March. Cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas will spend the majority of their trip at sea. Eight years later, cruise ships such as the Diamond Princess became early incubators for COVID-19. Cruise Market Watch forecasts there will be 360 cruise ships in service at the end of this year, comprising less than 1% of the global commercial fleet.

Persons: Ted Arison, Arison, Pieter De Boer, Costa, Diamond, Aaron Saunders, We've, Sue Bryant, Z, sass, Emma Le Teace, YouTuber, David Foster Wallace, Harper's, Sarah Knorr, Bryan Comer, Karla Hart, Hart, Saunders, it's, Henry Wismayer Organizations: Port, Passengers, Mardi Gras, Mardi, Gras, Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Costa Concordia, Cruise Lines International Association, Broadway, CivicScience, Royal, Virgin, Business, Transport & Environment, Getty, International Council, Global Cruise, Global Cruise Activist Network, Cruise Market, Royal Caribbean International, New York Times, National Geographic, Financial Times Locations: Port of Miami, Caribbean, Miami, The Port, Tuscany, Italy, Royal Caribbean, TikTok, Panama, Bahamas, Brussels, Netherlands, Douarnenez, Venice, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Amsterdam, Juneau , Alaska, Skagway , Alaska, CocoCay, London

☆ Virgin Voyages is the 'cool mom' of cruise lines — and it's only for adults. Here's what to know before booking so you're not disappointed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Lauren Mack | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

The unique entertainment is unlike anything you've seen at sea … or on land. Some ships have record stores on them. Lauren MackThe nightly shows are not typical song-and-dance affairs you see on other ships. Instead of trying to understand what the performances are ahead of time, just suspend disbelief, release your inhibitions, and enjoy. Many Virgin Voyages ships also have tattoo parlors, karaoke lounges, and record shops.

Persons: Lauren Mack Organizations: Virgin

☆ Influencers are the new travel agents: Here's how creators are using their adventures to build businesses, from planning group trips to becoming certified advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

DMs persuaded some travel creators to arrange group trips with their followersTravel creator Gabby Beckford led her first group trip with her followers in August 2021. Ismail initially worked with the group travel company TrovaTrip, which handled the logistics. AdvertisementAs more travel creators build communities to travel with, startups like Jerne are popping up to help support their businesses. Morgan said quite a few creators are now using Jerne to find brands to sponsor group travel, as well. "Travel advisors have been hosting group trips for as long as they've existed," he said.

Persons: —, Tia Cooper, she's, Cooper, they've, Instagram, influencers, Tim Morgan, Gabby Beckford, she'd, Beckford, Nabila Ismail, Ismail, Morgan, It's, Dharma, Charaf El Mansouri Organizations: Service, Business, BI, DMs, Intrepid, Brand, Virgin Voyages Locations: Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Croatia, Mexico, Indonesia, Pakistani

☆ A passenger was killed after falling off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A passenger died after falling off Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas. The cruise ship was traveling from Florida to the Bahamas. AdvertisementA passenger was killed after he fell off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Saturday, the cruise line told Business Insider in a statement. Royal Caribbean declined to confirm how the passenger died to BI. Out of respect for them, we won't provide any further comment," Royal Caribbean told BI.

Persons: —, TMZ Organizations: Service, Royal, TMZ, BI, Fox, Fox News, Royal Caribbean, Viking Cruises Locations: Florida, Bahamas, Royal Caribbean, Port Canaveral , Florida, Nassau

☆ From Virgin Voyages to Carnival: These 10 cruises are worth the money, travelers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

When it comes to a cruise vacation, it's all aboard. A study by the Cruise Lines International Association also found that traveling by cruise is becoming one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors. In October, U.S. News and World Report published its 2023 ranking of the best cruises for the money. The report ranked the top ships out of 17 of the most popular ocean cruise lines and gave them a rating of one through five. U.S. News and World Report ranked the cruise lines based on the following factors:

Organizations: Condé, Cruise Lines International, U.S . News, . News Locations: U.S

☆ Traveling alone on a cruise could double the cost of your vacation — but this could soon change
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The "single supplement" fee could double the cost of your solo cruise vacation. On cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, this charge can double the cruise fare. But this doesn't mean you have to give up on the solo cruise vacation of your dreams. More cruise lines are adding single-person cabins to their new shipsSome of Norwegian Cruise Line's ships have a lounge for solo travelers. Norwegian Cruise LineMore people have been opting to travel alone , and it seems these cruise lines are now taking notice.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Virgin Voyages, Virgin, Norwegian Cruise, Cruise, Princess Cruises Locations: Caribbean, Oceania, Norwegian

Cruise travel insurance can help cover emergency costs as well, which is why I have an annual travel insurance policy. For Caribbean cruises in particular, this part is easy since almost all spots in and around cruise ports accept US dollars. Drinks (if you drink a lot)I drink a lot on cruises, and I'm not just talking about cocktails and beer. This is why I always have a drink package when I cruise, which is easy since I normally cruise with MSC Cruises. On my next Caribbean cruise, we've booked a resort day pass at an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic through a platform called Resort for a Day.

Persons: I'm, Coke, we've Organizations: Voyages, MSC Cruises, Caribbean, MSC Yacht Club, Yacht, MSC, tote Locations: Caribbean, Europe, Miami, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

☆ Virgin Voyages raises $550 mln in Ares Management-led fundraise
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady cruise liner sits docked at Dover Port in Dover, Britain, February 21, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson Acquire Licensing RightsSept 8 (Reuters) - Virgin Voyages, the cruise brand from Richard Branson's Virgin Group, said on Friday it has raised $550 million in fresh capital to expand into new international markets. The funding was led by Ares Management (ARES.N) with participation from existing investors, including British conglomerate Virgin Group and venture capital firm Bain Capital. Launched at the end of 2021, Virgin Voyages operates three ships servicing the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. It plans to operate in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the year.

Persons: Simon Dawson, Richard Branson's, Tom McAlpin, Nirmal Saverimuttu, Manya Saini, Arun Koyyur Organizations: REUTERS, Richard Branson's Virgin Group, Ares Management, Virgin Group, Bain Capital, Virgin Voyages, Caribbean, Thomson Locations: Dover Port, Dover, Britain, British, Australia, New Zealand, Bengaluru

AdvertisementAdvertisementI love cruises as a vacation option with an affordable fixed price, and my Virgin Voyages cruise was great. Vacations often come with surprise expenses — cruises are a great value and make it easy to know exactly how much you'll spend in advance, and my Virgin Voyages cruise was a great value. While the cruise ship itself offered plenty to see and do, I thought the four included stops were some of the best I have ever visited on a cruise. Finally, we loved the inclusiveness the Virgin Voyages brand builds into their cruise product, which helped make the cruise more carefree and fun. Now all I have to do is start planning how we'll spend days in port on our next Virgin Voyages cruise in February.

Persons: Richard Branson's, Jeff Bezos, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Usher, That's, Burger, we'll Organizations: Service, HBO, Virgin, Voyages, Virgin Voyages Locations: Wall, Silicon, Athens, Greece, Dubrovnik, Split, Croatia, Kotor, Montenegro, Corfu, Old, Montenegro Kotor, Town, San Juan , Puerto Rico, St, Croix , Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Bahamas

☆ An Instagram travel creator who's earned 5 figures this year shares her rates for sponsored content and how much she's been offered on Threads
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Ufuoma shares her sponsored-content rates for Instagram and what she's been offered on Threads. Some days, Jessica Ufuoma still can't believe brands pay her to travel and post about her trips. Now, 31-year-old Ufuoma is a full-time travel creator with 128,000 followers on Instagram , and who has visited 50 countries. Even though her main platform is Instagram, she's recently started getting requests to post on Threads, as well. Ufuoma turned down the deal because she didn't think it would sit well with her audience, who she said seemed to be enjoying the "ad-free" nature of the app.

Persons: Jessica Ufuoma, Ufuoma, she's, I've, Ufuoma wasn't Organizations: Nokia, Virgin Voyages Locations: Nigeria, Canada, Lagos, British Columbia, Netherlands, Peru, Machu Picchu, Instagram, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro

☆ How Virgin Voyages is using A.I. — and a partnership with J. Lo — to boost bookings
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow Virgin Voyages is using A.I. — and a partnership with J. Lo — to boost bookingsHosted by Brian Sullivan, “Last Call” is a fast-paced, entertaining business show that explores the intersection of money, culture and policy. The cruise line is betting big on its recently launched campaign starring J. – and her digital twin: "Jen AI."

Persons: J, Lo —, Brian Sullivan, “, J ., –, Jen, Andrea Day Organizations: CNBC

☆ 2 blind passengers say being ordered to leave a cruise ship before it set sail was 'humiliating': report
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Two blind passengers told ITV News they were ordered to leave a P&O Cruises ship. P&O Cruises offered them a full refund after first charging the pair a cancellation fee. Two blind passengers who were ordered to leave a cruise ship before it set sail said it was "humiliating" and that they "felt like criminals". Pam May and Jennie Bailie told ITV News they were asked to leave a P&O Cruises Ventura ship in May for "health and safety reasons". They just decided 'oh you're blind you can't be on there'."

Persons: Pam May, Jennie Bailie, Bailie, Donovan Tildesley, Tildesley, Richard Branson Organizations: ITV News, O Cruises, Morning, Daily, Virgin Locations: West Sussex, Southampton, England, Miami, Honduras

☆ I'm a cruise musician on an adults-only ship. I make thousands of untaxed dollars each month and get to travel the world.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Jack Nolan, 32, is a guitar player who lives and works on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. He was starting his own cruise ship band and he asked me if I wanted to play guitar. Our drummer already knew the process of how to get a cruise ship gig, so he led the way. That's a really sweet part of being a full-time cruise ship musician, to save so much money. Jack Nolan makes $4,000 per month as a cruise ship musician, he told Insider.

Persons: Jack Nolan, Nolan, I'm, Valiant, Elvis, Etta James, Bruno Mars, It's, I've, we've, we're, Greece — it's, haven't, it's Organizations: Virgin, Morning, Celebrity, British, Kangaroos Locations: England, Australia, New Zealand, Norwegian, Greece, LA, California

☆ A passenger died after falling from a cruise ship balcony and landing on a lower deck, where they also struck another person
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Virgin Voyages passenger died after falling from a balcony on the Valiant Lady cruise liner. The person struck another passenger, but that person was not seriously injured. The cruise ship was redirected back to Miami before departed again with a changed itinerary. The passenger who fell also struck another passenger on the lower deck, but that person was not seriously injured, per the spokesperson. He also said Virgin Voyages has been very accommodating and offered passengers future cruise credits.

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