MIAMI, FL - August 30, 2022 - Recognized as one of the best ocean cruise lines in Travel + Leisure’s 2022 World’s Best Awards, Virgin Voyages has made its mark on the travel industry as one of the most sought-after holiday havens for rejuvenation, relaxation and a hint of adventure on the high seas. Having launched two award-winning ships in a span of just nine months, 2023 promises more industry-first milestones for Richard Branson’s newest travel brand. As an exciting precursor to the most epic loyalty program at sea, set to make its formal debut in 2023, Virgin Voyages is saying “Ahoy!” to The Sailing Club. This incredible dual-pronged perks program is teeming with brilliant benefits and exclusive offers for the remainder of 2022 and unlocks a limited window of opportunity for its Sailors to elevate themselves to the brand’s highest status tier in 2023.
“This brand was built on innovation, so we’re taking a truly unique approach and developing a program that will give Sailors a taste of what’s to come while rewarding those who’ve supported the brand all along,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, President and Chief Experience Officer. “I’ve met so many incredible Sailors – many who’ve voyaged with us more than 10 times since we’ve launched – and this new program is a thank you for their commitment. We’d also love their help in shaping the future and are seeking their ideas to create a game-changing loyalty program they’ll fall in love with.”
2 Perks in 2022:
As part of the brand’s perks program, Virgin Voyages’ Sailing Club is introducing 2 Perks, exclusively available to loyal qualifying Sailors in 2022. The introduction of these new perks will reward and benefit those who book or sail in the near future, promoting end-of-year travel set to coincide with increases in booking trends and the cruise industry’s comeback.
Perk 1: Sail in 2022 with Deep Blue Extras: Deep Blue Extras, a collection of unrivaled luxuries that elevate qualifying Sailors to VIP treatment. From one free Shake for Champagne, anytime boarding and premium wifi (when available), to exclusive cocktail parties and laundry services, these rewards are meant to amp up the experience and encourage Sailors to unleash their inner RockStar. With rebooking rates as high as 50% from past Sailors craving another adventure with Virgin Voyages, the line continues to impress travelers, earning the most five-star reviews than any other cruise line on TripAdvisor. Now, the company is rewarding these travelers, as well as giving avid sea-goers, an opportunity to step aboard while maintaining their benefits from other lines. Deep Blue Extras are available for all qualifying Sailors that sail from September through December 2022.
Perk 2: Book in 2022 with Red Hot Booking Bonus Months: Virgin Voyages is also introducing Red Hot Booking Bonus Months. Spanning from Aug. 30 through Nov. 15, 2022, any new qualifying booking made during these select Red Hot Months (excludes bookings made with existing voyage credits), will allow all qualifying Sailors to be treated to special on-board spending perks and chances to win extraordinary experiences across the Virgin family. More exciting prizes will be announced next week. For a sneak peek, these will include a luxurious trip to Ulusaba, Richard Branson’s private game reserve in South Africa, and Virgin Points through Virgin Red, the rewards club from Virgin designed to give you exclusive access to the Virgin family and beyond. In addition, Sailors who take advantage of this perk by making a qualifying booking between now and Nov. 15, 2022 will earn an extra $200 in Sailor Loot (aka on-board spending credit), which is combinable with all other promotions, offering rich rewards to loyal Sailors.
As a further enhancement to the Red Hot Booking Bonus Months and with an eye towards 2023, Virgin Voyages is introducing “Tokens” to track all qualifying spend to ensure Sailors are positioned for benefits in 2023. All of the money spent with Virgin Voyages since inception will be counted and tallied as Tokens. And as an exclusive perk for all loyal Sailors, every dollar spent during these Red Hot Booking Bonus Months – up to four Tokens per dollar for Sea-Blazers, and three Tokens per dollar for Sea-Rovers – will contribute to an individual's future status. As the program is unveiled in 2023, these Tokens will fast-track Sailors to the highest tiers possible, unlocking even more phenomenal perks in the next year.
Three Ways to Unlock the 2022 Perks:
The 2022 Perks will be available to all loyal qualifying Sailors defined as:
- Sea-Blazers - Pioneers who took to the high seas in 2021 were dubbed Sea-Blazers to match the trail-blazing brand. These Sailors were the first to come aboard and will be rewarded handsomely for their support. Additional perks include a $125 Bar Tab Bonus for life.
- Sea-Rovers - We’re coining anyone who has sailed with Virgin Voyages twice in 2022 as a Sea-Rover as they too, are bold and inspired. Sea Rovers will earn a $100 Bar Tab Bonus for two years (valid through 2024).
- Match & Sea More Sailors - World travelers enrolled in other cruise and select airline travel rewards programs will now have the opportunity to come aboard and Virgin Voyages will match their status. They’ll also be granted Sea-Rover status, which includes the $100 Bar Tab Bonus for two years (valid through 2024) .
“We are thrilled to introduce The Sailing Club and offer our loyal Sea-Blazers and Sea-Rovers our 2022 Perks Program as a thank you for being our biggest fans,” Nirmal Saverimuttu added. “We look forward to welcoming our future Match & Sea More Sailors to experience setting sail the Virgin Way. And to those who aren’t Sea-Rovers yet, there is plenty of time to treat yourself to an award-winning, exclusively adult, kid-free vacation twice in 2022 and unlock a world of benefits with Virgin Voyages.”
As the final component of the 2022 program, Virgin Voyages is inviting Sailors to channel their inner Richard Branson and awaken their entrepreneurial spirit. The brand is eager for Sailors to share what perks they’d like offered, how Virgin Voyages can elevate its loyalty program, and what the company can do to make its Sailing Club one of the most irresistible in the travel industry.
To share an idea on what The Sailing Club should encompass, please email loyalty@virginvoyages.com. Virgin Voyages is accepting all ideas along with volunteers to participate in surveys and/or focus groups. For more information, swim on over to www.VirginVoyages.com.
Members of the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Virgin Red in the US can redeem their Virgin Points on sailings from Miami and Barcelona on both Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, providing outstanding value to loyal customers from across the Virgin Group. Through the existing Capital One and Virgin Red partnership announced in March 2022, Capital One cardholders can also access these offers.
For more information about The Sailing Club – the most epic rewards program at sea – visit here and learn more about how to start getting rewarded. And, to get sailing, visit us here to book your next gorgeous vacation.
ABOUT VIRGIN VOYAGES
Set Sail the Virgin Way with Virgin Voyages, the irresistible travel brand founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering epic vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. The brand's four Lady Ships – inspired by 50+ years of Virgin history -- include Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady. Designed for discerning travelers, Virgin Voyages offers relaxing, exclusively adult (18+) sailings. Working with a Creative Collective of the world’s most sought-after designers, performance artists and architects, Virgin Voyages delivers an enchanting boutique hotel at sea with fresh, elevated spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami and Barcelona – and soon to include Athens, San Juan and Melbourne – the fleet offers itineraries to more than 100 awe-inspiring destinations across four continents. Virgin Sailors are spoiled for choice with 20 eateries offering Michelin-star culinary experiences all included, a festival-like line-up of entertainment, stylish and comfortable cabins, Rockstar Quarters, authentic and locally inspired shore excursions, and a dose of Vitamin Sea with well-being naturally intertwined throughout the experience. Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages also puts sustainability front and center.
ABOUT VIRGIN RED
Virgin Red is Virgin's rewards club, first launching in the UK in 2020 and then in the USA in November 2021. Virgin Red connects the Virgin family, where members can earn on the everyday to save for the extraordinary. 2023 will bring an even deeper partnership between Virgin Red and Virgin Voyages, providing more exciting opportunities for customers.Virgin Red celebrates its members for living a life more Virgin – giving them exclusive access to rewards from the Virgin family and beyond. It makes it really easy for members to earn and spend Virgin Points – Virgin's universal currency which never expires. Whether it’s earning points everyday with some of the biggest online retailers or saving for a bigger extraordinary experience like a holiday- or a Voyage- there is something for everyone. More information can be found at: https://www.virgin.com/virgin-red.
