DANIA BEACH, Fla. -- Virgin Voyages treated travel advisors
attending CLIA's Cruise360 conference to a 1970s-themed disco party and a
glimpse of what two cabins will look like on its first ship, the Scarlet Lady.
Agents debarking buses from the Broward County Convention
Center were greeted by dancers on roller skates and Afro-style wigs doing
pirouettes and other dance moves dressed in sparkly-mirrored jackets and body
suits.
A sound system boomed disco favorites from Donna Summer and
Chic.
Entertainers in roller skates and disco ball outfits greet travel advisors attending Virgin Voyages' Warehouse54 party. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Virgin had created "Warehouse54" out of industrial
flexspace rented in Dania Beach to display mock-ups of cabin layouts.
Agents toured full-scale mock-ups of a Brilliant Suite, one
of the top Rock Star suites on the Scarlet Lady, as well as a standard cabin.
In the standard cabin, they got a look at Virgin's novel Seabed,
a daybed during the daylight hours that converts to a more conventional bed,
freeing space in the cabin and providing seating for guests.
Outside, under a tent, agents gathered around an open bar
that featured a drink of tea and gin served in a cup that looked like a disco
ball.
Agents photographing themselves on 1970s-era furniture at Virgin Voyages' Warehouse54 party. Photo Credit: Tom Stieghorst
Inside, they could pose and have their photos taken on a
giant revolving turntable that Virgin is using as a promotion for its brand.
Virgin president Tom McAlpin, who attended in a white blazer
over a dark red shirt, said Virgin is on track for its launch in the spring of
2020. He said it is important for the cruise line to connect with travel
advisors at Cruise360 because they are the gateway to Virgin customers.