Virgin Voyages’ “Duel Reality” Makes History in First Sea-to-Land Debut

With its formal debut in 2021 aboard the line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, Duel Reality is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Virgin Voyages and The 7 Fingers, an innovative circus company of award-winning writers, directors and choreographers. Always wanting to push the envelope on traditional cruise ship convention, Virgin Voyages sought out The 7 Fingers to create an immersive and captivating production for its Sailors.

Duel Reality performance

The result: Duel Reality, a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with houses divided amongst red and blue, further showcased in an unconventional alley stage flanked by audiences on both sides. Throughout the retelling of this age-old tale of star-crossed lovers, audiences are captivated by the athletic and acrobatic skills of the performers. From dizzying flips to death-defying drops mere centimeters above the ground, The 7 Fingers envisioned a show that would take traditional cruise entertainment and challenge the status quo.

“Like everything Virgin Voyages does, we wanted to lean into the brand’s musical history and wow audiences with entertainment that had never been seen before on a cruise ship,” said Richard Kilman, Vice President of Entertainment for Virgin Voyages. “Rather than adapting Broadway style shows, we sought out partners to co-create entirely new shows with a unique, distinctly Virgin twist. We even designed The Red Room, our on-board theater space, so that it could evolve into three unique stage configurations, giving us more flexibility with the shows we can sign on.”

Not only is Duel Reality available on both Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, which are currently sailing around the Caribbean for the winter season, but sailing audiences are also invited to enjoy Virgin Voyages’ wider line-up of immersive productions. From its newest show, Persephone, a rock n’ roll retelling of the Greek myth, to UNTITLED DANCE SHOW PARTY THING, an absurdist dance show that comments on pop culture, there’s no shortage of incredible acts to keep audiences entertained. Most recently, the line introduced the Miss Behave Show, a lighthearted game show that will have audiences laughing, screaming and singing, along with Lola’s Library, a sultry cabaret in its on-board nightclub, The Manor. Later this year, the brand will introduce new laughs with its LOLz Supper Club comedy show, debuting first on Scarlet Lady.

About Virgin Voyages
Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, Athens, San Juan and Melbourne, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 100 incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. In 2023, Virgin Voyages won Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Award for the best mega-ship ocean cruise line and swept the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards – the first time a brand has won in all five categories.