Virgin Voyages is the latest cruise line to announce it will reroute its ships around Africa instead of transiting through the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
This route reroutes the Resilient Lady to the Mediterranean, starting with a 15-day voyage from Sydney to Singapore on March 27, a 14-day voyage from Singapore to Dubai on April 11, and a 14-day voyage on April 25. We made three itinerary changes. From Dubai to Athens.
Instead, the ship will depart from Sydney on a new route that will include extended time at sea, with stops at Eden and Fremantle (Perth), Australia. Port Louis, Mauritius Island; Durban and Cape Town, South Africa; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Praia, Cape Verde; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Casablanca, Morocco; Barcelona; Valletta, Malta; Santorini and Piraeus (Athens), Greece.
Guests on any of the three previous sailings are guaranteed a spot on the new sailing at no additional cost. Guests who do not wish to sail on a new itinerary can receive a future sailing credit or a full refund, depending on the balance paid.
It said the line would protect commissions for advisers called First Mates.
The line is reviewing other geographically similar relocation sailings and connected sailings and will provide updates on other changes in the coming weeks.
