Virgin Voyages Adds Smart Wristband Technology
Virgin Voyages has joined the ranks of Royal Caribbean, Princess, MSC and other cruise lines. The fledgling cruise line has revealed their latest entry into smart wearable technology; a nautical-themed, cleverly designed wristband called The Band.
I love the little anchors and that the rope bracelet is coordinated with Virgin’s red and white brand colors. The Band is lightweight, relaxed and sports a nautical look. And after your Virgin Voyages cruise, you can take home a cute little reminder of your cruise.
“Just like our stunning fleet of Lady Ships, and through our partnership with BIONIC, our wearable technology marries sustainability with smarts and style, which is quintessentially Virgin,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “The Band will be our seamless and worry-free way for Sailors to not only unlock their cabin with ease, but to explore all of the thrills and great experiences that Scarlet Lady and the rest of our fleet will have to offer.”
How Virgin Voyages The Band will work
Once you’ve booked your cruise, you have to go onto the Virgin Voyage website and order your Band. Sailors, Virgin’s kitchy name for their passengers, will receive The Band in the mail at home before leaving on their cruise. The Band is activated with just the tap of the wrist, and is a hands-free “wallet” to use throughout the cruise.
How to use The Band On Board
You’ll be able to do almost every on board that you would have used your key card to do. First, The Band becomes your room key to unlock your cabin. Using The Band, because it can store almost all of your boarding info, will speed up the embarkation process. It’s good for making on board purchases as it’s linked to your credit card. Want a drink? Just use The Band.
But be careful…you can also use it at the casino, making it really easy to double down when you know you should hold.
If you’re lucky enough to book a Suite, The Band becomes your VIP pass to enter Richard’s Rooftop.
Here’s a really cool feature. The Band gives a Virgin Voyages’ waiter or waitress your exact delivery location when you Shake for Champagne (shake your wristband). Out of seemingly nowhere, a bottle of Möet & Chandon Impérial will be delivered in a Virgin red champagne bucket.
What The Band bracelet is made of
Virgin Voyages worked with BIONIC Yarn and continued its commitment to create, as Richard Branson states, an “epic sea change for all.” The rope material for The Band is built entirely from BIONIC Yarn and contains six grams of marine and coastal plastic, equivalent to half a plastic bottle that washes ashore.
Virgin Voyages and BIONIC have committed to further sustainability initiatives. This includes additional ocean clean-ups and a commitment to recovering at least two pounds of plastic for every new Sailor joining Virgin Voyages in 2020.
The Band is just one of many sustainability initiatives onboard Virgin Voyages. Through their commitment for a luxurious and green cruise experience, Virgin Voyages is banning all single-use plastic materials, using smart design to minimize electricity usage, reduce food waste and much more.
