Virgin Voyages in Sydney HarbourCredit: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages in Sydney Harbour
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History was made as Virgin Voyages – Sir Richard Branson’s multi, award-winning cruise line – sailed into Sydney today ahead of the highly anticipated inaugural summer sailing season.
Resilient Lady made her grand entrance into Sydney Harbour at 1 p.m. where she received a spectacular welcome from Sir Richard Branson. The Virgin Group founder met the superyacht-inspired cruise ship in a classic wooden speedboat as it sailed through the Heads.
Sir Richard Branson then took his Aussie welcome to new heights and scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge in an exclusive, Virgin Voyages takeover of the iconic BridgeClimb experience.
From the summit of the bridge, Sir Richard Branson welcomed Resilient Lady to Circular Quay as she pulled into the Overseas Passenger Terminal for the first time. Excited Sailors lined the decks of the exclusively-adults ship to wave to Branson above and take in this iconic moment.
Virgin Voyages is the first travel brand in the Virgin Group to enter the Australian market since Virgin Australia (then Virgin Blue) launched Down Under in 2000.
Helicopters and drones circled the skies above to capture the incredible moment that encapsulated Sir Richard Branson’s pioneering spirit and the Virgin brand’s flair for creating iconic moments. It made Resilient Lady’s debut to Sydney a truly unforgettable welcome against the backdrop of one of the most liveable and scenic cities.
Virgin Voyages in Sydney Harbour Credit: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages in Sydney Harbour
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Virgin Voyages in Sydney Harbour Credit: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages in Sydney Harbour
Speaking about this historic occasion, Sir Richard Branson said: “Sydney is one of my favourite cities in the world, and we wanted to ensure our arrival was as spectacular as the Sydney Harbour itself.”
“To stand at the summit of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and watch Resilient Lady come into Circular Quay was one of the most exciting moments since we founded the Virgin brand.”
“Australians' loyalty to Virgin brands over the years has been testament to the thousands of people who make Virgin what it is, and we know you’re going to love Virgin Voyages, the latest brand to come Down Under.”
“We are now less than one week away from our Aussie MerMaiden voyage, and we can’t wait to welcome Sailors aboard our ship where they will have a blast and experience our unique approach to cruising, with the very best food, wellness, entertainment and fun.”
Virgin Voyages CEO, Nirmal Saverimuttu said: “Australians love to go on holiday, and they’ve shown how much they love cruising. We’re excited to make our mark here in Australia with the newest ship in our fleet.”
“We celebrate being different, and it’s why we decided to push the envelope and do things in a fresh and exciting way. Richard challenged us to create a cruise line he’d want to take his mates on, and we’ve succeeded.
“We have some incredible destinations lined up for our first summer sailing season including Sydney, Hobart, Burnie along with other brilliant ports of call in New Zealand like Auckland, Wellington, Napier and Picton.”
Destination NSW CEO, Steve Cox said: “We are thrilled to welcome the striking Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady on her maiden arrival into Sydney, the nation's premier cruise gateway. Cruise is such a vital contributor to the visitor economy of NSW in terms of on-shore passenger spend, supply chain jobs and provisioning services. We are delighted that Virgin Voyages is offering its 'sailors' unforgettable experiences when they go ashore in the Harbour City and look forward to many more port calls into the future.
Virgin Voyages is set to redefine cruising in Australia with its unique offering for Sailors. As the only major cruise line explicitly designed for adults – encompassing everything from high-end design to chic wellness amenities – Virgin Voyages has been awarded the No.1 large cruise line in Condé Nast Traveller’s 2023 Readers Choice Awards. With every voyage offering Michelin-inspired dining experiences, awe-inspiring entertainment and rejuvenating wellness experiences for guests to relax and recharge, Virgin Voyages caters to seasoned cruisers while captivating the cruise-curious and skeptics alike.
Resilient Lady will spend two nights in Sydney before heading south to Melbourne, her new homeport for the summer cruising season. On 11 December, the ship sets sail on her Aussie MerMaiden voyage to Tasmania, stopping over in Burnie and Hobart.
For more information on Virgin Voyages, visit www.virginvoyages.com, or follow Virgin Voyages on social media @virginvoyages.
Sir Richard Branson on BridgeClimb Credit: Virgin Voyages
Sir Richard Branson scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge in an exclusive Virgin Voyages takeover
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Sir Richard Branson on BridgeClimb Credit: Virgin Voyages
Sir Richard Branson scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge in an exclusive Virgin Voyages takeover
Virgin Voyages - Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb Credit: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages - Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
#feelnewsydney
Virgin Voyages - Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb Credit: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages - Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
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About Virgin Voyages:
Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona and Athens - and soon to include Melbourne - the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 100 incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. In 2023, Virgin Voyages won Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Award for the best mega-ship ocean cruise line and swept the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards - the first time a brand has won in all five categories.
Notes to Editor:
Images: LINK
VNR: LINK
Credit: Virgin Voyages
Media Contact:
Jordana King
jordana@enthral.com.au
0426 294 221
Chloe Hamilton
chloe@enthral.co
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Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
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Destination NSW has teamed up with the popular YouTube channel Yes Theory, with its impressive 9.2 million subscribers, and Qantas, to fulfil 102-year-old San Franciso local, Dorothy Smith’s lifelong dream of visiting Sydney, Australia, completing her remarkable journey to every continent in the world.
Yes Theory producers Ammar Kandil and Staffan Taylor first met Dorothy in October 2024 when they moved into The Redwoods Retirement Village for 48 hours. Moved by Dorothy’s heartfelt regret of not yet reaching her final frontier, Australia, Ammar and Staffan felt compelled to help her complete this remarkable journey.
Reflecting on her motivation to travel and time in Sydney, Dorothy shared, "Travel is important to me because it’s a big world, and each country is different and has something different to offer; I want to see them all and I don’t want to miss anything!
“I loved visiting Sydney; it’s a beautiful city. The people are charming, the food is good, the scenery is just wonderful, and even the weather is nice! We saw the little koala bears, of course the Sydney Opera House, we went to the Botanic Gardens, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, good restaurants, and the lovely Bondi Beach where we got our feet a little wet and the water was really cold! And the people – they are all so nice, and so friendly!”
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn Credit: Ethan Rohloff; Destination NSW
Sydney Harbour aerial at dawn featuring Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney CBD and Opera House
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
#feelnewsydney
Dorothy Smith & Yes Theory, Sydney Credit: Bluesfest
102-year-old visits Sydney and officially completes her seven-continent lifelong dream
A living link to history, Dorothy is more than twice the age of the Sydney Opera House. In 1922, the year she was born, the NSW Government passed the Sydney Harbour Bridge Act, laying the foundation for the construction of the iconic bridge. Today, the Sydney Harbour Bridge stands as a powerful symbol of Australia’s resilience and connection to the world—a fitting backdrop for Dorothy’s own journey of exploration and discovery.
With Qantas’s support, Dorothy embarked on her adventure to Sydney in comfort, and received an exclusive invite to the cock-pit to meet the pilot, before she was warmly welcomed at Sydney Airport with personalised displays and a crowd of Yes Theory fans eager to celebrate her arrival. Her stay at the luxurious Shangri-La Sydney became a “home away from home,” offering Dorothy the chance to wake up to the breathtaking view of the Sydney Opera House—a landmark she had always dreamed of seeing firsthand.
Ammar Kandil, co-founder of Yes Theory, was driven to support her adventure saying, “Dorothy’s story is a powerful reminder that life is meant to be lived to the fullest, and we’re incredibly happy to help her achieve this lifelong dream to visit Sydney and tick of Australia as her seventh and final continent.
“Our mantra is ‘seek discomfort’ and embrace adventure, and Dorothy’s journey truly embodies the spirit of our channel. Her incredible story is set to inspire millions around the world to pursue their own adventures, no matter the obstacles.”
The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
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The Rocks, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Family exploring The Rocks in Sydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
#feelnewsydney
Sydney Luxury Cruise, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
Sydney Luxury Cruises operates on Sydney Harbour exploring the harbour beaches, waterfront mansions and icons.
Dorothy’s time in Sydney has been nothing short of iconic, filled with experiences that capture the heart of NSW. Her itinerary included:
- An afternoon cruising on Sydney Harbour, marvelling at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House
- An up-close encounter with Australian wildlife at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo in Darling Harbour, where Dorothy met koalas, and even a kangaroo named Dorothy.
- A tour of the Sydney Opera House adding yet another milestone to her journey.
- A visit to the iconic Bondi Beach, where Dorothy enjoyed splashing her feet in the waves and seeing one of the world’s most famous beaches.
And Dorothy’s secret to a long, healthy life? “You have to exercise, you have to eat lots of fruit and vegetables and stay hydrated. And also, FUN! You have to have fun so you’ll stay healthy, and you can also enjoy 102 years! And if there’s anything else you want to try, go ahead and try it!”
To follow Dorothy’s journey and see Sydney through her remarkable perspective, check out Yes Theory’s latest video at youtube.com/@YesTheory.
For inspiration for your own Sydney adventure, visit sydney.com
Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
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Australian Wildlife Tour Credit: WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Australian Wildlife Tour at WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo
Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.
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Bondi Beach, Sydney Credit: Destination NSW
The scenic Bondi coastline in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.