VIRGIN Voyages is temporarily replacing cruise calls at Key West (pictured) following community outcry.
The cruise line cited its desire to respect Key West’s decision to ban cruise ships carrying more than 1,300 passengers, after a vote last year (CW 05 Nov 2020).
Earlier in 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill overturning the right for Key West to self-determine such matters (CW 29 Apr).
Despite this, Virgin has swapped calls to the city with visits to Nassau.
The change will be in effect from Scarlet Lady’s four-night Fire and Sunset Soiree sailings in Oct.
“Part of our brand ethos is…respecting the communities we visit and making a positive impact,” Virgin said last week in a statement to travel advisors.
“We are actively working on a plan that suits the local Key West community, as well as our [passengers], and are hopeful that we’ll [return to] Key West.”
In Nassau, Virgin plans to offer activities such as snorkelling & diving, forest treks, fish fries and distillery tours.
The Key West Committee for Safer, Cleaner Ships tweeted a thank-you note to the cruise line, saying “huge respect to [Virgin] today for doing the right thing and pulling out of Key West.
“A lot of cruise lines say they respect the communities they visit…Virgin is the first to back it up with concrete action.”
At least two other cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line, are scheduled to call on Key West later this year.
