Virgin Voyages newest boat, Resilient Lady, checked into Airlie Beach last week, adding our port to their list of destinations on its expedition around Australia and across the South Pacific and Europe.
The Resilient Lady has just over 1400 cabins and can host between 2800 and 3200 passengers with just over 1100 members of staff and crew.
Resilient Lady is the third vessel in Virgin’s fleet, with the fourth due to be setting sail in 2024.
“We are thrilled to be here,” explained Andrew Eglin, General Manager on board Resilient Lady.
“This is the most port we have seen so far, and we have been from Athens, all the way down.”
The vessel is currently completing the tail end of a 45-day cruise, from Athens, through Europe and the south Pacific.
“This is day forty-two, and we’ll end up in Sydney in three days’ time, but Airlie Beach has been our favourite. It’s beautiful, clean, friendly, it’s just an incredible experience,” Mr Eglin explained.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said it was exciting to welcome the first Virgin cruise ship to the Whitsundays.
“It was an honour to present the Virgin Resilient Lady captain with a plaque last Friday to commemorate their maiden visit,” she said.
“The cruise ship was given a special acknowledgment with a smoke ceremony and the Cruise Whitsundays team joined our amazing Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors to welcome guests with a cheerful Whitsundays welcome.
“Adding to the regular cruise ships arrivals at Port of Airlie, our Shute Harbour Marine Terminal is also kicking goals and will host 17 cruise ship visits over the Christmas-New Year period.
“On Wednesday welcomed another ship on its first visit to Whitsunday waters when Celebrity Edge with 2900 passengers and 1200 crew docked at Shute Harbour,” Mayor Hall said.
“In the first season after reopening in December the facility hosted 28,000 total passenger movements but by sticking to its strategic plan the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal is on track to host over 260,000 passenger movements in 2023-24 with 155,000 marine tour passengers and 55,000 resort connections.”
Resilient Lady received a warm welcome from Mayor Julie Hall, Cruise Whitsundays staff and the Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
Mayor Julie Hall with Andrew Eglin, General Manager on board Resilient Lady. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
A traditional smoking ceremony was performed on the day. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge
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