Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages celebrated the long-awaited grand opening of its new Terminal V cruise terminal at Port Miami on February 13. The mermaid-studded event marks the completion of the cruise line’s first official terminal.
First Official Cruise Terminal For Virgin Voyages
The opening of the new Terminal V marks a special day for Virgin Voyages. The new cruise line launched their first ship, Scarlet Lady, only last year and now have their own terminal to welcome passengers.
The new terminal is the year-round home of Scarlet Lady. Virgin’s second cruise ship, Valiant Lady, will also sail from the new cruise terminal in winter 2022.
The mermaid-studded opening ceremony was attended by Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and Virgin Voyages’ CEO Tom McAlpin.
“Coming to this beautiful new terminal and seeing Scarlet Lady in her home port here in Miami has been such an incredible experience. The team at Virgin Voyages has created a stunning building that delivers on our commitment to being better stewards of the earth with its LEED Gold Certification,”
Sir Richard Branson
Terminal V is a three-story, 132,000 square foot building with unobstructed skyline views of Biscayne Bay, downtown Miami, and Edgewater.
Terminal V Design Evokes Palm Trees
The terminal’s geometric design is inspired by Miami’s palm trees and historical origins. Architecture and landscape firm Arquitectonica designed the building, which Suffolk Construction later constructed.
The curved support pillars are a clear nod to the twisting trunk of palm trees reaching for the sky – more than 1,000 palm trees surround the terminal.
As passengers approach the new building, they are welcomed by the Virgin logo and “Ahoy Sailor” greeting across the doors. Inside the terminal, guests will find LED screens with changing artwork along with local artwork by the nonprofit organization Art in Public Places.
After an escalator ride, guests are led to the second-floor security and registration area.
After the registering, guests will notice the lack of typical seating, replaced by scarlet-red cushioned seating, double sun loungers, and the cruise line’s signature modern appearance.
VIP and Rock Star guests enter via a private entrance and expedited screening. These lucky passengers have access to a dedicated area with seating, an outdoor terrace, and food and beverages.
Terminal V strikes a balance between cutting-edge design and environmental sustainability, boasting a LEED Gold Certification. From the colors of the pavers to the materials and HVAC systems, the building is designed to minimize the terminal’s environmental impact.
“We’ve always strived to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and Terminal V gives us greater opportunity to elevate the Sailor experience from the moment you see the AHOY sign to the time you disembark. Scarlet Lady deserves a home as beautiful as she is, and we cannot wait for our Sailors to begin their voyage at Terminal V,”
Tom McAlpin, Virgin Voyages’ CEO
Scarlet Lady and Scarlet Valiant
Scarlet Lady welcomed passengers at the new Terminal V, the first time a cruise ship sailed from the new building. The cruise ship will call the new Terminal V home, offering year-round itineraries from PortMiami.
From the winter of 2022, Virgin Voyages’ second cruise ship, Valiant Lady, will join her sister ship in Miami. Valiant Lady was delivered to the cruise line earlier this month and will offer sailings in the UK and Mediterranean before transferring to Miami in October. Valiant Lady will be offering guests a variety of Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Terminal V at PortMiami.
