Inside Look: Open Ship Nights Kick Off With Virgin Voyages In Sydney

Invited Guests attended Open Ship Night

Virgin Voyages, the award winning cruise line, made a grand entrance into Australia with an exclusive Open Ship Night aboard the Resilient Lady. The exclusive Open Ship Night event, the first of two such events, happened on the evening of 5 December 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

This unforgettable event, attended by invited media, First Mates (travel agents), and a crowd of around 1000 enthusiastic paying guests, marked the beginning of Virgin Voyages’ venture into the Australian waters.

The VV Insider team were among a slew of invited guests and media who were present for a special message delivered by CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu and Sir Richard Branson.

The second Open Ship Night is due to take place in Melbourne on 10 December 2023 at Station Pier, Port Melbourne. Tickets are now sold out for this highly anticipated event.

Schedule of Events

Media Exclusive Tour (3:00 pm)

The festivities commenced at 3:00 pm with an exclusive ship tour for the media, offering a sneak peek into the Resilient Lady. The highlight of this segment was a speech by the visionary himself, Sir Richard Branson.

Paying Guests (5:00 pm)

At 5:00 pm, the ship opened its doors to paying guests, who each paid AUD$99 for an evening filled with excitement and entertainment, as well as an exclusive first look at the ship. Resilient Lady launched in May this year from Athens, Greece.

Performances and Culmination

• 6:00pm: The special performance of Persephone set the stage for the evening.
• 8:00pm: The legendary Scarlet Night unfolded against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
• 9:45pm: The night reached its pinnacle with the Scarlet Night Pool Party, a celebration like no other.
• 12:00am: The festivities came to a close, leaving lasting memories for all attendees.

Live music was also playing at On the Rocks bar throughout the night.

Returning Happenings Cast

The Resilient Lady played host to some familiar faces, including the beloved Happenings Cast – Abi the Hostess, Jake the Foodie, Titty Kaka the Diva, and Patrick the Balancer. Their presence added a touch of familiarity to the launch, delighting both new and returning fans.

Messages from the Leaders

Sir Richard Branson and CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu took center stage, addressing the invited guests. Their speeches not only emphasized the significance of bringing the Resilient Lady to Australia but also celebrated the ship’s distinction as having the most diverse crew at sea.

Exclusive Cabin Showcase

As part of the launch, guests had the exclusive opportunity to explore all categories of cabins, including the luxurious Massive Suite. For many, it was their first glimpse of the Resilient Lady, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening.

Scarlet Night Extravaganza

The Scarlet Night, held against the iconic Sydney Harbour, created a visual spectacle. Guests, adorned in splashes of red, reveled in the joyous atmosphere, making the night truly special.

The pool party began with a thank you speech from CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu and the Diva for the night Titty Kaka.

Among the more adventurous guests a few accepted the Happenings Cast invitation to join them dancing in the pool. Some brave invitees made an extra splash by jumping in the pool.

Scarlet Night concluded with a short thanks you message delivered by The Happenings Cast. The party continued with live music in On The Rocks, concluding the night’s festivities.

The Journey Ahead

The Resilient Lady is set to embark on a special 2-night voyage to Melbourne on December 7th for the second Open Ship Night, with tickets already sold out. Following this, the ship will navigate through various itineraries in Australia and New Zealand until March 2024.

In conclusion, the Open Ship Night aboard the Resilient Lady was not just a launch event; it was a celebration of diversity, entertainment, and the beginning of an exciting journey for Virgin Voyages in the Australian waters.