Virgin Voyages has announced two new partnerships with Intelligentsia Coffee and Emerald Brand, adding sustainable coffee to the list of complimentary beverages onboard and a new line of plastic-free, tree-free, disposable products.
Virgin Voyages and Emerald Brand's creation of a new line of plastic-free, tree-free disposable products includes cups, napkins and paper towels. The brand had previously banned traveler-facing single-use plastic on all ships, including straws, bottled water, beverage bottles, condiment packets, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers, and take-away coffee and tea cups. The Emerald Brand products will now be used onboard on Virgin Voyages ships as a replacement for the single-use plastics. The product line will first be made available during the Scarlet Lady’s maiden voyage in 2020.
The cruise line has also partnered with Intelligentsia Coffee as a coffee provider to create a custom Virgin Voyages blend that will be available complementary at all eateries onboard Scarlet Lady and her sister ships. Ministry of Ground and Ministry of Ground Too will serve as the ship’s coffee bars, serving made to order beverages. Intelligentsia’s coffee educators will also provide training to all Virgin Voyages baristas.
Designed by Softroom of London, Ministry of Ground includes large, porthole-style windows designed with their very own window seat. The coffee bar has been designed with soft earth-tone finishes and furnished with aquamarine and purple hues for seating, tables and loungers. In addition to specialty coffees, the venue will also serve complimentary light cakes and bites with retail items like bags of Intelligentsia coffees and Kilogram teas, coffee cups, kettles and more available for purchase. Additionally, Ministry of Ground Too will be located in the galley food market.
Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady, is scheduled to sail in 2020. The adults-only vessel will homeport in Miami, operating Caribbean itineraries.
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