Virgin’s Ladies for the Caribbean
202, April 2: The Virgin brand has entered the Caribbean cruise world.
The flagship of Virgin Voyages mv Scarlet Lady, was scheduled to make her maiden voyage on April 1, 2020, sailing out of her Miami homeport. She is the first of four ‘Lady ships’ being built by Fincantieri of Italy, all of which were designed ‘carbon-neutral’, in keeping with Virgin Group’s founder, Sir Richard Branson’s commitment to a ‘net-zero carbon future’.
Technologies on board include a scrubber system to control CO2 emissions; a catalytic converter to reduce NOx gases; LED lighting; and, streamlined lines to greatly minimise drag. It also comes with technology to convert heat, radiating from the engines, into electricity. The line’s Caribbean itinerary includes (among other ports) Puerto Plata, Costa Maya or Key West, San Juan, Cozumel and The Bahamas. []
