A new cruise ship by Virgin Voyages, the Scarlet Lady, will embark on its maiden voyage with paying passengers later this week.
Scarlet Lady will be the first cruise to take place since Lockdown began in March 2020, and she’ll depart from Portsmouth on Friday 6th August at 7pm. Not only that, but she is also the largest cruise ship ever handled by Portsmouth International Port.
To get an idea quite how massive the ship is, take a look at the aerial photo: That’s the Wightlink car ferry behind it!
The vessel is currently on its Friends and Family cruise and will be returning to Portsmouth on Friday for the maiden paid passenger cruise.
Carbon neutral claim
The fleet of Virgin Voyages ships (there will be four of them) has been designed to the “latest energy-efficiency standards with state-of-the art equipment”. Virgin Voyages say they are offsetting their direct climate change emissions through the purchase of carbon offsets.
Virgin Voyages claim this commitment makes the brand the first cruise line to become carbon-neutral for its direct emissions footprint from its first day of commercial operation.
McAlpin: We want to be part of the solution
Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages, said,
“The ocean is our home, and we are on a mission to protect it. The single-biggest threat facing our ocean is climate change, and we want to be part of the solution.
“We are committed to pioneering new technologies onboard, and working with our industry peers to advance research and development for zero-carbon fuels.”
Branson: Commitment to preserving the ocean
Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson, says,
“It’s wonderful to welcome Scarlet Lady, I’m so proud that as we start this exciting journey, we also bring to life Virgin Voyages’ commitment to preserving the ocean and the first of many steps towards a net zero carbon future.”
Expandable photo
Click to see the ship, full screen (fantastic aerial shot by © Marcin J Photography)
Image: Headline image – the fantastic aerial shot by © Marcin J Photography. The rest supplied by Virgin.
