Virgin Voyages, the adult-only boutique cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson, is celebrating a historic milestone with record-breaking revenue and bookings. The award-winning cruise brand has experienced its most successful trading season to date, driven by an exceptional wave season. Bookings have surged by 34%, while revenue has seen an impressive 45% increase.
The company attributes much of its recent success to the introduction of longer itineraries, ranging from 8 to 14 nights. These extended voyages have seen bookings soar by more than 50%, signalling a growing appetite for immersive travel experiences and new destinations aboard the Virgin fleet.
Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s growth, stating:
“These outstanding results show the incredible momentum our brand has built – driven by our Travel Advisors who recognize that our kid-free, award-winning experience offers a true premium alternative in the industry. They love that our size offers a blend of intimate and elevated experiences and real variety. Our record repeat rates are loved by First Mates because another booking is almost guaranteed after their client’s first sailing. The entire Virgin Voyages team couldn’t be more grateful. We’ve created this together, and we remain completely committed to making sure our partners are always appreciated, supported, and rewarded for their trust in us and the journey ahead.”
The brand’s rapid growth comes as Virgin Voyages continues to redefine the cruise industry with its signature mix of luxury, laid-back sophistication, and the bold Virgin spirit. Web traffic has also seen a significant surge, with a 25% increase in search interest, making it one of the only cruise brands to achieve such growth. Virgin Voyages’ innovative approach to cognitive marketing and non-traditional media has been instrumental in reaching new audiences, increasing brand awareness, and boosting word-of-mouth referrals.
“As a Virgin brand, we are committed to keeping our unique market position and strong customer loyalty. It’s because of this focus that we have captured the most five-star reviews and boast the highest engagement rates on social platforms, including Reddit, YouTube, and Meta,” Saverimuttu added. “As the world embraces Gen AI and LLMs, we are seeing significant growth for our brand in nontraditional spaces—we’ve witnessed a 200% increase in ChatGPT brand searches during Q1, demonstrating how our approach is driving meaningful engagement in emerging channels. We are a brand that is much loved, much talked about, and much commented on, and we embrace that.”
Excitement around Virgin Voyages continues to build as the brand unveils fleet-wide innovations aimed at attracting more sophisticated travellers in their 50s and 60s seeking a premium, kid-free cruise experience. Plans include new dining concepts, expanded menus, seven new entertainment offerings, and longer itineraries. The company is also preparing for the launch of its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, set to debut in September 2025. This milestone will see all four Lady Ships sailing the Caribbean this autumn, with homeports spanning New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, Barcelona, Athens, and Portsmouth.
“This is just the beginning of what we know will be our best year yet,” Saverimuttu concluded. “We’re not just changing how people see and experience cruising—we’re redefining what a vacation at sea can be. And we’re doing it with our signature mix of style, substance, and innovation that only Virgin can deliver. Watch this space; we’ve got some brilliant announcements coming soon that will make waves across the industry.”
Now in its fourth year, Virgin Voyages has cemented its place as a leader in the adult-only cruise sector, attracting a significant number of first-time cruisers while maintaining a repeat rate of 60% on select voyages. The rising demand for child-free holidays has positioned Virgin Voyages as the premier option for adults seeking an exclusive and immersive travel experience.
Last year, the brand was recognised with top industry accolades, winning the highest honours in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards for two consecutive years. 2025 is already off to a strong start, with Resilient Lady securing the top spot in USA Today’s 10Best Awards for Best Adults-Only Cruise, Best Dining, and Best Cruise Ship for Entertainment.
For more information on Virgin Voyages and its latest offerings, visit the Virgin Voyages website or contact a First Mate.
