Richard Branson’s commercial cruise ship, “RESILIENT LADY,” has officially set sail on its maiden voyage from the New Port of Mykonos.

The ship, which will offer seven-day cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean until October before sailing to Australia, celebrated its inaugural voyage by hosting a party onboard with the participation of local officials. It will make weekly stops in Mykonos, as well as other ports, including Athens, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, and Argostoli. The adults-only ship features more than 20 eateries, a spa, cycling and yoga studios, and an outdoor track. Passengers can also find a record store and two nightclubs aboard the ship, in keeping with the Virgin brand.

The launch of Virgin Voyages as a cruise line was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which postponed the original launch date of April 2020. The ship’s launch has brought a welcome boost to the tourism industry in Greece, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. The “Resilient Lady” is expected to attract visitors from around the world and provide a much-needed economic boost to the region.