The vessel, which is set to launch from Athens this summer, will sail to Australia on a 44-night transcontinental voyage in October 2023.

The first 14-night leg of the itinerary will take guests to Dubai, calling at Santorini and Rhodes, before visiting Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. 

From Dubai, the ship sails to Singapore via Mumbai and Goa, with the final 15-night voyage taking the vessel to Sydney, via the South Pacific including an overnight in Bali.

Resilient Lady will then arrive at Station Pier in Port Melbourne.

The ship will offer itineraries from New Zealand and Australia from 11 December 2023 to 27 March 2024.

Its New Zealand schedule features calls in cities such as Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, with destinations across Australia including Hobart, the Tasmanian city of Burnie and Sydney.

Virgin Voyages chief experience officer, Nirmal Saverimuttu, said: “With sister ship Scarlet Lady sailing the gorgeous Caribbean seas and Valiant Lady soaking up the Mediterranean sun, we can’t wait to mark Resilient Lady’s arrival to the southern seas of the Pacific.”

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson described the decision to homeport Resilient Lady in Melbourne as an exciting milestone for the brand.

Branson said: “Australia and New Zealand have a very special place in my heart, and we can’t wait for them to meet our Resilient Lady and experience all that she has to offer in true Virgin style.”