Virgin Voyages has revealed The Band – a wearable technology made from recycled ocean plastic that will be offered to passengers on board Scarlet Lady when she sails on 1 April 2020.
Developed through a partnership with Bionic Yarn, a material engineering specialist committed to addressing plastic pollution in marine and coastal environments, the design of the lightweight accessory is nautically inspired.
Activated with a tap on the wrist, the band will be used by passengers in boarding the ship; accessing their cabins; pinpointing their location for delivery of Shake for Champagne, a mobile app-enabled service; making onboard purchases and paying for their drinks tab and gaming at the casino. It will also serve as a VIP pass for Suite Sailors to enter Richard’s Rooftop. The rope material for the band is built entirely from Bionic yarn and contains 6g (0.2oz) of marine and coastal plastic, equivalent to half a plastic water bottle washed ashore. Passengers will receive the band via mail in advance of their journey and can take it home as a keepsake.
“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.”
Virgin Voyages’ Sailor App digital companion will be available in the coming weeks, allowing passengers to complete the check-in process, book shore excursions and access other services.
Scarlet Lady will sail from Miami, Florida, to the Caribbean in 2020, hosting more than 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew from around the world.
Image: Virgin Voyages
