by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 4:22 PM ET, Tue June 11, 2019
With Cuba cruises now off the table as part of the Trump administration's latest policy changes, Virgin Voyages has announced that it will instead visit Key West and Riviera Maya during its 2020 inaugural season.
The fledgling cruise company has just revealed the full line-up of itineraries for its premiere season.
Most notably, in response to the new U.S. government restrictions on Cuba travel, Virgin will instead offer what it is calling "Fire and Sunset Soirées" including a sunset departure from Key West and a midnight departure from Bimini.
The trips allow participants to experience the cultural and boating paradise of Key West, paired with a day of rejuvenation in Bimini, Bahamas, that's topped off by an exclusive late-night beach bonfire soiree. The celebration under the stars is exclusive to the Fire and Sunset Soiree sailings.
In addition, the 2020 season includes five-night Riviera Maya sailings that visit Cozumel/Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The trip features opportunities for travelers to experience some of the world's best diving, as well as the chance to explore ecological and archeological treasures, including Mayan ruins or neighboring Tulum.
In response to demand for longer itineraries, Virgin Voyages has also developed special seven-night sailings for the 2020 holiday season. Options include the all-new Holidaze and Nights and New Year's Ahoy voyages, which fall over the Christmas and New Year's respectively, and feature stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and late-night sail aways in both Bimini, Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
New itineraries were just part of the updates announced by Virgin Voyages. The company also revealed that it has appointed Captain Wendy Williams as Master of Scarlet Lady, making her the first Canadian woman to captain a ship for a major cruise brand.
Tapping Williams for the lead role is a notable milestone in Virgin's Scarlet Squad program, which was announced last year. The initiative is focused on bridging the gender gap in leadership across the maritime industry, where women make up less than three percent of the workforce.
The Scarlet Squad program actively works to recruit, support and mentor female shipboard talent, while also growing opportunities for leadership roles in marine, technical and hotel management positions on board.
"Captain Wendy's extensive maritime background makes her an excellent choice to lead the Scarlet Lady, but it is her spirit and drive to approach life at sea differently that make her the perfect fit to join the Virgin Voyages family," Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages, said in a statement.
Williams has more than 28 years of experience working on ships at sea. Her background includes more than a decade as a deckhand in commercial fishing as well as working as a ferryboat captain.
Although she has spent more than 15 years working on the bridge of mega cruise ships, her role with Virgin Voyages will be her first promotion to master of a cruise ship.
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