Virgin Voyages’ adults-only ‘premium’ cruise ship to set sail from Station Pier, Port Melbourne

Sir Richard Branson’s cruising company Virgin Voyages is heading to Port Melbourne with sailings scheduled to start next year.

The Resilient Ladyship will be home-based at Station Pier, Port Melbourne for a series of adults-only cruises in the summer of 2023-24.

It’s a major coup for Victoria given most Australian cruises start and finish in Sydney.

The massive luxury ship, which can carry 2700 passengers, will take passengers to destinations across the country including Hobart, Burnie, Sydney and across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand.

Virgin Voyages will offer Aussie holidaymakers a mix of itineraries, ranging from two to 14 nights.

“Australia has a very special place in my heart, and we can’t wait for Australians to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style,” Virgin Voyages founder Richard Branson said in a statement.

Virgin Voyages, which has four ships, offers a unique, high-end approach to cruising, with no children or buffets and vessels designed to feel like huge “superyachts”.

“Richard challenged us to create the kind of cruise holiday that he and his friends would like to go on,” Virgin Voyages President and CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu told Sunrise.

Described as a “premium sailing experience”, Resilient Lady features six signature restaurants and 14 other eateries, sunrise and sunset yoga on an outside deck, mood lighting in all cabins and hammocks on all balconies.

“My personal favourite touch is shake for champagne, where if you shake your phone on a Virgin voyage, we’ll have champagne delivered to you within minutes,” Saverimuttu said.

The Resilient Lady will sail to Australia after a summer season in Greece next year, with stops in Singapore, Sri Lanka and Dubai on the way.

Cruises from Station Pier, Port Melbourne will run from December until late March 2024. The Hamptons Apartments - Port Melbourne continues to be the only hotel accommodation available in Melbourne's affluent beachside suburb so will be sure to benefit from guests looking to stay before and after their cruise.