Virgin Voyages has made a late change to one of its New York sailings, with Bermuda now replaced by Saint John, New Brunswick.

The update comes just days before departure, following forecasts of strong winds and rough seas across the western Atlantic.

Why the Itinerary Has Changed

Forecasts around Bermuda showed winds of 20 to 35 knots, with gusts up to 50 knots, and seas reaching 10 to 16 feet outside the reef.

These conditions would make docking and tendering difficult, with the ship needing to sail directly into an active weather system offshore.

This is not a decision Virgin Voyages would have taken lightly, especially so close to sailing.

New Port: Saint John, New Brunswick

• Arrival: April 8 at 6:30 a.m.
• Departure: April 9 at 4:00 a.m.

Saint John brings a different experience, with cooler coastal weather and a more rugged setting compared to Bermuda.

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Port of Saint John Preparing Early Welcome

The Port of Saint John has confirmed it is ready to welcome the ship, sharing on Instagram that the 2026 cruise season is starting early with Valiant Lady’s arrival.

According to @portsaintjohn, local teams are preparing to roll out the welcome mat for around 2,000 guests during the overnight stay at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal.

The post also highlights that tourism partners are already working behind the scenes to ensure the visit runs smoothly, marking an unexpected but significant early start to the season.

 

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A post shared by Port Saint John (@portsaintjohn)

Impacted Sailors Get $100 Loot

Shore Things booked in Bermuda will be canceled and refunded automatically. Sailors visiting Saint John will need to meet Canadian entry requirements and should plan for cooler weather. Highs around 39°F (4°C) and lows near 27°F (-3°C), with clear skies are expected for Valiant Lady’s stay.

Virgin Voyages is also adding $100 in Sailor Loot per cabin to use onboard. Virgin Voyages already changed this itinerary last month when it moved from New York’s Manhattan Port to Brooklyn.

A Different Voyage Ahead

While Bermuda remains a key itinerary highlight, Atlantic conditions can change quickly, especially when sailings head further offshore. This adjusted route keeps the voyage within safer conditions, while still offering a new destination and overnight port experience. This could be another reason that Virgin Voyages is planning to not sail from New York in 2027.

COO Letter

Following the change of itinerary the COO of Virgin Voyages, Michelle Bentubo has written directly to sailors to provide more information on this change, this letter is provided below:

Dear Sailor,

I wanted to reach out to you directly to personally apologize for the recent change to your upcoming voyage and to explain why we made this decision. I hope that after reading this, while you may not like the decision, you will understand it was a difficult but necessary one made with your safety and comfort as the first priority.

Safety As First Priority

We watch weather patterns closely across the areas where our fleet operates. It is very clear that weather conditions on the planned route to Bermuda are going to deteriorate to the point that we were presented with genuinely unsafe conditions for everyone onboard – sailors and crew. While there is a possibility that the port will remain open, the path presents an unacceptable risk. We will never compromise on that, regardless of how much we wish the answer was different, because of the disappointment it may cause.

Why Saint John?

Maritime regulations require a foreign port of call for voyages. Given the length of this voyage, our routing and what we’re navigating around, it was the only viable option. That said, Saint John in New Brunswick, Canada will be ready for us. The port is opening ahead of their season to welcome Valiant Lady, and this will be our first time sailing into the Bay of Fundy. That preparation matters to make sure it is a place you will be glad you got to visit even if not planned

Onboard Will Be Even More Joyful

We are making sure this voyage delivers more on board. We’re adding some additional programming and happenings. There are surprises I’ll leave for when you’re with us. What I want you to know is that the time you spend on the ship matters just as much as the time you spend ashore — and we’re treating this voyage accordingly to make it brilliant. With our award-winning dining and entertainment, you can feel excited for the voyage and the memories you will make.

Our Crew

I also want to acknowledge something that often goes unsaid. This change isn’t easy for our crew either. They planned for Bermuda. They had experiences ready for you there, and they were looking forward to delivering them. Asking them to pivot on short notice — and asking you to accept that pivot — is something we don’t take lightly, and know they will do their very best to make this a great experience.

A reminder of the other details

• $100 in non-refundable Sailor Loot has been added to your account — use it however you like.
• Shore Things in Saint John are being curated now and will be live in the app shortly.
• Any Shore Things booked in Bermuda are automatically canceled and fully refunded.
• Canadian visa requirements apply for going ashore — check if this applies to you [here].
• Pack a few extra layers. Saint John is not as warm as Bermuda would have been.

I’m sorry this isn’t the voyage you originally booked. I mean that. And I’m personally committed to making sure you step off that gangway, glad you came.

Sincerely

Michelle Bentubo

Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Voyages