Virgin Voyages plots new course as Middle East conflict escalates
Virgin Voyages has rerouted a repositioning cruise from Australia to Europe next month to swerve the ongoing skirmishing in the Red Sea and wider Middle East region.
The line said that owing to its concerns about the risk of "potential escalations" of tensions in the region over the next 12 months, it had made a number of changes to Resilient Lady’s upcoming voyage, which is due to depart Sydney on 27 March.
Virgin Voyages has pledged to protect agent commissions where guests take advantage of the flexibility the line is offering owing the changes to the voyage.
The line added a full review of "other geographically similar repositioning voyages and linked sailings" was under way owing to "the very likely continuation of this escalated regional conflict".
Several commercial and military vessels traversing the region – the Red Sea and Suez Canal – have come under attack from Yemen-based Houthi forces in the wake of the conflict in Gaza, prompting retaliatory strikes by several major powers, including the US and the UK.
Virgin Voyages said the safety of its passengers and crew were its foremost priority. "Like many other cruise brands, we have been watching the current conflict in the Middle East closely, connecting regularly with global security experts to consider the impacts to the repositioning voyages planned for Resilient Lady in 2024," said the line.
"We remain concerned about potential escalations in this part of the world over the next 12 months and the risk that this presents for safe passage through the region. As a result, we have been left with no choice but to make changes to Resilient Lady’s repositioning voyage taking place on 27 March."
Resilient Lady will now sail a new voyage around the coast of Africa from Sydney en route to Europe, calling in Eden and Fremantle (Perth), Port Louis (Mauritius), Durban and Cape Town (South Africa), Walvis Bay (Namibia) and Praia (Cape Verde). From there, it will continue to Santa Cruz (Tenerife), Casablanca, Barcelona, Valletta, Santorini and Athens.
All passengers booked on the three former legs of the repositioning voyage will have their places on the new itinerary guaranteed at no additional cost, with Virgin Voyages also pledging to honour a price protection commitment.
Any passengers no longer wishing to travel can request future voyage credit based on their paid balance, or a full refund.
"We know that based on our conversations with passengers and travel partners, they understand the complex geopolitical challenges that have arisen, making this change necessary," the line continued in a statement issued late on Thursday (8 February).
"In addition to this, we are committed to remaining a good partner to our First Mates [travel advisors] and will be protecting their commissions."
An update on any further changes will follow "in the coming weeks".
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