CRUISES WITHOUT RUG RATS—AT LAST

Sailing from Miami in 2020

My first cruise was a modest one: Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta.  There was a traditional send-off cocktail party on the pool deck.  Guests placed cameras, handbags and other items on a large table next to the diving board while they could have their hands free to partake of the sparkling bubbles and the hors-d'oeuvres.

Meanwhile, lurking about an unattended toddler proceeded to pick up the cameras and handbags and giddily tossed the Nikons, Canons and Leica’s into the deep end of the pool.

Watching from the upper deck it was quite a show.  I wonder whatever happened to that mischievous child?

Point of my true tale is simply to say I applaud Virgin Voyages' Richard Branson for backing a cruise line that will cater to adults (18 years and older) only.

Test Kitchen Restaurant on the Scarlet Lady was designed by Concrete Amsterdam

 The official keel laying ceremony for the first Virgin ship, recently named the Scarlet Lady, was held last year at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy

President and CEO Tom McAlpin, appearing along with Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, said the minimum age to sail onboard the 2,860-passenger ship will be 18.

Virgin's first ship is scheduled to debut in 2020 with 2 more arriving in 2021 and 2022. 86% of the cabins onboard will have balconies, or "sea terraces".

The three Virgin newbuilds will be known as “Lady Ships”, which is a play on the ‘your ladyship’ term and a nod to the British heritage of Virgin.   Among the interior designers selected are Tom Dixon and Concrete Amsterdam.

The first Virgin ship will sail out of Miami FL.