Virgin Voyages Updates 2027 and 2028 European Itineraries With New Overnight Ports
Virgin Voyages has updated two Scarlet Lady European itineraries, adding a Mykonos overnight in 2027 and a Cairo overnight in 2028.
Virgin Voyages has announced changes to two longer European itineraries aboard Scarlet Lady in 2027 and 2028.
The updates add an overnight stay in Mykonos to a 2027 voyage. Meanwhile, a September 2028 sailing will replace its Istanbul overnight with Alexandria, Egypt, providing access to Cairo.
Both are 11-night voyages sailing round-trip from Athens, with the changes giving sailors more time to explore destinations during their cruise.
What Is Changing?
The changes affect Istanbul and Mykonos on the 2027 voyage. The 2028 itinerary receives a bigger change, with two days in Istanbul replaced by an overnight visit to Alexandria.
| Voyage | Port | Change |
|---|---|---|
| July 21, 2027 | Istanbul, Turkey | Departure moves from 6:00 PM to 5:00 PM on July 29 |
| July 21, 2027 | Mykonos, Greece | New overnight stay, arriving 2:00 PM on July 30 and departing 5:00 PM on July 31 |
| September 6, 2028 | Istanbul, Turkey | Previously scheduled overnight removed |
| September 6, 2028 | Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt | New overnight stay, arriving 7:00 AM on September 13 and departing 8:00 PM on September 14 |
2028 Voyage Replaces Istanbul With Alexandria and Cairo
The biggest change affects the Greek Isles, Turkey & Istanbul Overnight voyage departing September 6, 2028.
Virgin Voyages has removed the planned overnight stay in Istanbul and replaced it with an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt. Virgin says the change follows strong demand for Cairo.
Scarlet Lady will arrive in Alexandria at 7:00 AM on September 13. The ship will then remain overnight before departing at 8:00 PM on September 14.
This gives sailors almost two full days in Egypt and allows time for excursions from Alexandria to Cairo. Options are expected to include some of the country’s best-known sights, including the Pyramids of Giza and museums in Cairo.
Other ports on the voyage remain unchanged. Scarlet Lady will visit Chania, Rhodes, Santorini and Kusadasi before the new Alexandria overnight. Mykonos will follow before the ship returns to Athens.
View Affected September 2028 Voyage
2027 Voyage Adds an Overnight in Mykonos
Virgin Voyages is also adding more time in Mykonos to the Greek Isles & Istanbul Overnight voyage departing July 21, 2027.
The existing overnight stay in Istanbul remains in place. However, Scarlet Lady will now leave Istanbul at 5:00 PM on July 29, one hour earlier than previously planned.
The following day was originally scheduled to be spent at sea. Instead, Scarlet Lady will arrive in Mykonos at 2:00 PM on July 30.
The ship will remain in Mykonos overnight and depart at 5:00 PM on July 31. This gives sailors an evening on the island as well as most of the following day.
The rest of the voyage continues to visit Chania, Rhodes, Santorini and Kusadasi before reaching Istanbul and Mykonos.
View Affected July 2027 Voyage
Virgin Voyages Expands Its European Itineraries
The changes come as Virgin Voyages continues to expand the range of destinations available during its European seasons. For summer 2028, the cruise line has already announced 39 Mediterranean sailings between May and October. Voyages will range from six to 14 nights, with Scarlet Lady sailing from Athens and Valiant Lady from Barcelona.
The 2028 season also brings more overnight stays and new ports across the Mediterranean. Alexandria is already part of Virgin Voyages’ wider plans for the season, alongside new calls in Italy and Slovenia.
Longer itineraries and overnight stays give Virgin Voyages more opportunities to visit destinations beyond its traditional seven-night Mediterranean routes. The latest changes give sailors more time ashore in Mykonos in 2027, while the 2028 update adds the opportunity to explore Egypt and Cairo.
Sailors already booked on either affected voyage do not need to take any action. Existing bookings remain in place and the updated itineraries will apply automatically.
VV Insider will update both voyage pages with the new port schedules in due course.
