Virgin Voyages has been forced to redraw a repositioning voyage on board Resilient Lady due to escalating tensions in the Red Sea and the wider Middle East region

Instead, the vessel will now depart Sydney on a sailing around the coast of Africa with a new route stopping in Eden and Fremantle; Port Louis; Durban and Cape Town; Walvis Bay; Praia; Tenerife; Casablanca; Barcelona; Valletta; Santorini; and Piraeus.

All passengers on the former three legs of the repositioning voyages will have guaranteed spots on these sailings at no additional cost and a price protection commitment in place. Virgin is also protecting agent commissions.

Virgin Voyages to conduct ‘full review’ of similar voyages

If the dates are not convenient they can receive a future voyage credit (FVC) based on their paid balance or a full refund. “We know that based on our conversations with passengers and travel partners, they understand the complex geopolitical challenges that have arisen making this change necessary,” a spokesperson said.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority. Like many other cruise brands, we have been watching the current conflict in the Middle East closely, connecting regularly with global security experts to consider the impacts to the repositioning voyages planned for Resilient Lady in 2024.”

The brand said with the “very likely” continuation of the escalated regional conflict, in an effort to minimise further disruptions, it is conducting a full review of other geographically similar repositioning voyages and linked sailings, with more updates in due course.