Virgin Voyages is doubling down on Florida’s reputation as the world’s cruise capital with a new “True Crime Voyage” that departs Port Miami on October 10, 2025. Developed in partnership with iHeartMedia, the five‑night sailing aboard the 2,700‑guest Valiant Lady marks the adults‑only line’s first foray into the booming true‑crime podcast genre.
Departing round‑trip from Miami gives the themed cruise extra cachet: PortMiami already funnels millions of vacationers through its terminals each year, and the Sunshine State is Virgin Voyages’ primary U.S. hub. That home‑port advantage means Floridians can skip airfare while out‑of‑state guests enjoy a direct gateway to South Florida’s tourism infrastructure.
Once under way, the itinerary calls at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Virgin’s private Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Florida. Two sea days leave ample time for onboard programming and Halloween‑season revelry.
Programming is curated around hit iHeartMedia titles such as Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know, Betrayal and Buried Bones. Sailors can sit in on live podcast recordings, join “how‑to‑podcast” workshops, mingle with hosts at meet‑and‑greets, and sample themed cocktails and bites inspired by infamous cases. The cruise also layers in costume contests, bar crawls and a spooky spin on Virgin’s signature Scarlet Night party.
Fares follow the line’s all‑inclusive model—Wi‑Fi, gratuities, group fitness classes, non‑alcoholic beverages and more than 20 dining venues are bundled into the rate, curbing surprise costs once on board.
Virgin is positioning the one‑time sailing as a “culture‑driven sales opportunity” for travel advisors—known internally as First Mates—highlighting its appeal for group bookings and newcomers who might be lured to cruising by pop‑culture fandoms rather than traditional seas‑and‑sun marketing.
Valiant Lady is one of four yacht‑inspired “Lady Ships” in the Virgin Voyages fleet, each carrying roughly 2,700 passengers. The company says the cruise is the first in a series of genre‑driven itineraries that will explore niches such as wellness, comedy and music in future seasons.
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