​Virgin Voyages Announces First Female Canadian To Captain Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages have announced the Captain for the cruise line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady which is set to launch in 2020.
 
Captain Wendy Williams will take the helm of the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady. She will become the first Canadian women to command a cruise ship for a major cruise line.

Tom McAlpin, President & Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Voyages, said: “Captain Wendy’s extensive maritime background makes her an excellent choice to lead the Scarlet Lady, but it is her spirit and drive to approach life at sea differently that make her the perfect fit to join the Virgin Voyages family,”
 
Captain Williams has more than 28 years of experience working at sea. She spent over 15 years working on the bridge of cruise ships but this is her first time is command.
 
Captain Wendy Williams, said: “I have salt water in my veins and nothing brings me more joy than being at sea. It’s a dream come true to be working with Virgin Voyages, a company that is focused on creating an incredible experience not only for our Sailors but for our Crew as well; while also taking action to minimize our footprint on our oceans.”
 
Virgin Voyages is committed to bridging the gender gap in leadership roles across the cruise industry, where female crew make up just three percent of the workforce.
 
The cruise line’s Scarlet Squat program aims to recruit, support and mentor female employees and offer growth opportunities for leadership roles.