Virgin Voyages Named Top Large Cruise Ship – Condé Nast Traveller
Virgin Voyages were listed as the top Large Cruise Line by Condé Nast on 3 October 2023. Condé Nast is an influential luxury travel magazine with global readership.
The Condé Nast ‘Large Cruise Ships’ Category
Condé Nast, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s most esteemed print and digital media titles, carries a certain influence that is widely recognized and revered in the travel industry and beyond. The Condé Nast Traveller magazine is a luxury travel publication that has a global readership of discerning travellers looking for the best luxury experiences around the world.
Condé Nast holds an annual Reader’s Choice Awards – the voting occurred earlier this year among the magazine’s audience, a sector of the travel community who expect the very best in vacation experiences. Virgin Voyages falls into one of the most competitive categories; the ‘Large Cruise Ship’ category (ships with capacity of 2,500 to 4,000 passengers).
Norwegian Cruise Line took home the gold for the ‘Mega Cruise Ship’ category (ships with a capacity of 4,000+ massagers) while Viking and Emerald were listed number one for the Medium and Small categories respectively.
The full list of names cruise lines in the ‘Large Cruise Ship’ category:
| Position | Cruise Line | Average Reader Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgin Voyages | 94.07 |
| 2 | Disney Cruise Line | 92.21 |
| 3 | Cunard | 89.55 |
| 4 | Princess Cruises | 89.42 |
| 5 | Celebrity Cruises | 88.57 |
| 6 | Costa Cruises | 87.95 |
| 7 | Holland America Line | 87.79 |
| 8 | Norwegian Cruise Line | 86.41 |
| 9 | Royal Caribbean International | 84.31 |
| 10 | MSC Cruises | 83.77 |
| 11 | P&O Cruises | 81.73 |
| 12 | Carnival Cruise Line | 80.37 |
About The Condé Nast Reader’s Choice Awards 2023
A Beacon of Travel Excellence
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are especially prestigious due to the magazine’s rich history and its affluent, well-traveled readership. With an editorial lens that blends luxury and authenticity, Condé Nast Traveler has been influencing affluent travelers for decades and has a significant impact on consumer choice in the luxury travel market.
Why the Acclaim Matters:
- Influential Readership:
- The readership encompasses a blend of seasoned and affluent travelers, offering perspectives that are both rich in experience and discerning in expectation.
- Vigorous Selection:
- The awards are derived from comprehensive surveys and the insights of a vast pool of travelers, thereby ensuring that the accolades are reflective of a wide spectrum of experiences and preferences.
- Global Recognition:
- Garnering an award from Condé Nast Traveler propels winners into a global spotlight, attracting attention from both potential customers and industry peers worldwide.
- Quality Assurance:
- Winning in a category signals to consumers that the company provides top-tier service and excellence in its offerings.
- A Boost for Consumer Trust:
- Recognition by such a venerable institution bestows a mark of quality assurance and reliability in the eyes of both existing and potential customers.
Journey to Success
Despite the initial challenges and mixed reviews that clouded the debut of their initial sailings in 2021, Virgin Voyages has not merely weathered the storm but also charted a triumphant course in the subsequent years.
The line, under the stewardship of recently-appointed CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu, has not only consolidated its position in the market but also enhanced its offering, carving out a unique niche in a well-established industry. Saverimuttu’s predecessor, Tom McAlpin, handed over the helm on September 7, with robust ambitions for growth and profitability now guiding the brand’s vision.
An Award-Winning Journey: 2021-2023
Virgin Voyages’ notable rise in the cruise industry is significantly highlighted by its accumulation of prestigious awards over the past few years.
2023 Accolades:
- Cruise Critic Cruisers Choice Awards: Multiple awards including Best Overall Cruise Line and Best Dining in the Large Ship Category
- Cosmopolitan – Must-Visit List: Featured among the Most Exclusive All-Inclusive Resorts
- Condé Nast Traveler – 2023 Hot List: The Valiant Lady recognized as one of the Best New Cruises in the World
- Travel + Leisure – World’s Best Awards: Crowned #1 Best Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line
- Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: #1 Best Large Cruise Ship
In addition, the brand notched commendable recognitions in 2022, including a No. 2 rank for large ships in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards, and being listed for the best new cruises in the world (Valiant Lady and Scarlet Lady) in Condé Nast Traveler’s Cruising Hot List.
Moreover, 2021 saw Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady not only win the Gold award for Best Cruise from Travel Weekly’s Magellan Awards but also get christened as the Best New Cruise Ship in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks.
Customer Loyalty at the Forefront
The Virgin Voyages Sailing Club, recognized for being one of the market’s most generous loyalty schemes, reflects the brand’s overarching strategy: to not only entice new sailors but ensure they embark on further voyages with the line.
A Fair-Weather Outlook
Given the awards and acknowledgements showered upon Virgin Voyages over a relatively short timespan, it’s apparent the brand has successfully maneuvered through initial choppy waters to set sail on a smoother, award-winning journey.
With the steadfast leadership of CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu and a swathe of awards decorating the brand’s young history, Virgin Voyages is certainly navigating toward a horizon aglow with potential and promise.
