Virgin Voyages’ Celebration Cruise Shifts Itinerary Due to Wind
Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady is about to embark on a special celebration voyage – and a last-minute itinerary change shouldn’t be enough to put a stop to the fun.
The 11-night voyage is due to embark from Athens, Greece, on May 18, 2025, and will sail through Turkey and the Greek Isles.
However, the second-to-last stop on the itinerary – which was supposed to be a visit to Mykonos, Greece, on May 26, 2025 – will no longer be possible due to anticipated high winds.
Instead, the final port call on Chania (Souda Bay)- which is a town in Crete, Greece – has been extended to become an overnight visit, giving the up to 2,770 passengers more time to explore the destination.
“Ahoy Sailor! Due to forecasted high winds in Mykonos, we’ll now be calling at Chania, Crete, for two full days, including an overnight stay,” Virgin Voyages wrote to booked guests.
“Shore Things will be available to book soon. Check your email or visit Sailor Services on Deck 5 for more details,” the notice continued.
Indeed, Mykonos is known for being rather windy – and has actually been given the nicknames of “The Island of the Winds” because of it.
These winds can get particularly bad during the summer season – sometimes even reaching speeds of over 50 miles per hour – because that’s when the strong Meltemi winds blow the island.
While cruise ships are capable of withstanding high winds, Mykonos is primarily a tender port – meaning guests are usually ferried to and from shore in lifeboats or other smaller vessels.
Strong winds can cause unpredictable swells and waves that increase the risk of accidents while loading and unloading passengers, and while navigating the harbor. Winds of 30 miles per hour (and sometimes even less) are enough for tendering operations to be deemed unsafe.
However, even if the 110,000-gross ton ship was slated to dock at the small pier, higher winds can make docking more dangerous and increase the risk of collisions.
Plenty of Fun to Still be Had
Although a last-minute itinerary change can be disappointing, this special edition sailing still has all the ingredients to be the trip of a lifetime.
Plus, only one port has been removed from the itinerary. The remaining destinations – which include Istanbul and Kusadasi (Ephesus) in Turkey and Santorini and Rhodes in Greece – remain unaffected.
Chania is also known for its charming old town, pristine beaches, rich culture and history, and an exciting nightlife (especially when tourists are around!) – which Resilient Lady’s guests will now get more time to experience.
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This sailing is also one of two Virgin Celebration Voyages setting sail in 2025 – which was a tradition that started in 2023 to commemorate decades of innovation for the Virgin brand.
The only other sailing in this category for this year will be onboard Scarlet Lady and will last from July 22-27, 2025.
These unique cruises are extra fun because many important VIPs come onboard to join in on the fun – including higher ups in the cruise line and usually even founder Sir Richard Branson himself.
Adding to the hype, popular singers like Melanie C, who Spice Girls fans know as “Sporty Spice,” and Kathy Sledge, a founding member of the Sister Sledge musical group, will also be onboard for exclusive performances.
After that, the next rendition of these sailings won’t be until 2026 – and will be even more in demand as it will be hosted onboard Brilliant Lady, which is joining the fleet as its fourth ship in September 2025.
Starting next year, these cruises will also be known as Red Hot Sailing Club Voyages to better align with the cruise brand’s focus on musical legends and original programming designed specifically for fun-loving adults.
Virgin Voyages’ Celebration Cruise Shifts Itinerary Due to Wind