Virgin Voyages, Intelligentsia Coffee Partner

Posted by Gerry Barker

Photo: Scarlet Lady Coffee Bar (Credit: Virgin Voyages)

(PRESS RELEASE)_CHICAGO — April 22, 2019 — When Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady, embarks on her inaugural season in 2020, Sailors will have access to extraordinary brews from Intelligentsia Coffee.  The specialty coffee pioneer and Virgin Voyages’ partnership will be rooted in shared values of commitment to quality and responsible sourcing.

Coffee lovers should rejoice because Virgin Voyages Sailors will never have a bad cup on their holiday. Virgin Voyages’ exclusive Intelligentsia blend will be available complementary at all eateries on board Scarlet Lady and her sister lady ships. The Virgin Voyages Blend sources fresh coffee year-round, from Intelligentsia’s Northern season menu in the summer and fall and Southern season menu in the winter and spring.  Throughout the year, Intelligentsia’s team creates a consistent flavor experience, balancing the comfort of familiar flavors with a spirit of adventure and discovery.  Look for caramelized sugars, a touch of roastiness, and the natural sweetness that is the hallmark of Intelligentsia’s very best coffees. 

In addition to a constant supply of freshly brewed coffee in all eateries aboard Scarlet Lady, Ministry of Ground and Ministry of Ground Too powered by Intelligentsia will serve as the ship’s coffee bars, fully equipped with expert baristas and made to order beverages. Intelligentsia’s renowned coffee educators will provide extensive training to all Virgin Voyages baristas.

"I judge a city by the quality of its coffee as social conversations cannot start before I've had my daily dose of personality juice,” said Chris Stubbs, Senior Director of Sailor Experience at Virgin Voyages.” We all knew Scarlet Lady needed a special coffee partner prepared by exceptionally trained baristas who can create the perfect cup of coffee to fuel our Sailors' voyages with us. 

Environmental sustainability and social impact are at the core of Virgin Voyages’ values. The brand’s purpose is to create an Epic Sea Change for All and use business as a force for good, creating positive changes for people and the planet. Those values are shared by Intelligentsia’s team, who focuses on making extraordinary coffee an agent of change. 

Chicago-based Intelligentsia is a pioneer of coffee’s “third wave”, and the ideals of exceptional quality, transparency, and innovation that define specialty coffee today. Best known for being the first to adopt the direct trade model, a progressive sourcing method where their buying team travels directly to coffee-producing countries to source and collaborate with partners, paying well above fair trade prices. Intelligentsia continues to innovate the industry, elevating every cup to a curated, culinary experience and working with partners to grow the world’s most exceptional coffees. 

Located in the heart of the ship on deck 7, coffee lovers can gaze out at the sea through a porthole-style window while enjoying their coffee. Designed by Softroom of London, Ministry of Ground features large porthole-style windows designed with their very own window seat so Sailors can gaze out at the ocean while sipping a single-origin crafted coffee. Ministry of Ground has been designed with soft earth-tone finishes and furnished with aquamarine and purple hues for seating, tables and loungers. In addition to great hand-crafted specialty coffees, Sailors visiting Ministry of Ground can indulge in complimentary light cakes and bites with retail items like bags of Intelligentsia coffees and Kilogram teas, coffee cups, kettles and more available for purchase. Ministry of Ground Too is located in The Galley food market, so Sailors can sip their favorite specialty coffee while grabbing a quick bite. 

Future Sailors and First Mates, travel partners, are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visitingwww.virginvoyages.com.

(Gerry Barker is a freelance travel writer who has covered the cruise industry for 10 years, formerly with The Palm Beach Post. He and his wife Pam maintain a Cruise Blog on NorthPalmBeachLife.com)