Hero of the Seas - Resilient Lady
VIRGIN VOYAGES - DIVEs INTO DIVERSITY, DEBUTS NEWEST MERMAID AND TRIBUTE TO LATIN HERITAGE
WHAT: Resilient [ ri-zil-yuhnt, -zil-ee-uhnt ] - to spring back or rebound. After navigating the choppy waters of the past two years, Richard Branson’s exclusively adult cruise line is moving ahead full throttle, debuting its third ship in just a 12-month span. Resilient Lady launches this August, and at the helm of the newest 110,000-ton, mid-sized vessel is the beautifully powerful, Latina mermaid designed by oil painter and muralist Jodie Herrera.
WHY: Meant to be an emblem and guardian of the ship, Herrera’s Latina mermaid is a strong and powerful figure carrying Sailors forward onto incredible adventures. She’s a hero of the seas. Unrelenting. Courageous. Curious. Resilient.
Inspired by the powerful images painted on the aircrafts of American WWII planes, Virgin Voyages’ mermaids are a symbol of individuality and rebellion. Boldly emblazoned on the hull of its Lady Ships, the mermaids are empowering representations of the brand and its commitment to diversity.
The captivating Resilient Lady mermaid, featuring a fiery red tale and resolute stance, is the work of Jodie Herrera, an accomplished artist who’s exhibited abroad and across the US such as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami Santa Fe, Denver and more. She also has a permanent piece that's a part of the Art Archives of America in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.
Herrera’s work and heritage is embedded in New Mexico and further complemented by her Latina, Jicarilla Apache and Comanche ancestry. Her photorealistic oil paintings and murals connect and uplift women by highlighting feminist issues, with each story portraying remarkable people who have perservered throughout their lives. Resilient Lady’s mermaid is no different as it celebrates the culture and history of the incredible regions Virgin Voyages’ newest ship will visit including sunny San Juan.
Reminiscent of Rosie the Riveter, the mermaid is proudly brought up to date with Latina representation. Virgin Voyages, a company heralded by its inclusive ideology, is on a mission to showcase the global beauty and diversity of its Crew and Sailors. From its “Dive Into Different” initiatives to its recent partnership with Hispanic icon Jennifer Lopez, the brand wanted a mermaid that proudly showcases its ties to the Latin community.
Setting off on her MerMaiden voyage this August, Resilient Lady hits the water from the ancient and historical city of Athens, offering a series of seven- and nine-night voyages. Among the ports of call are Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Catania, Palma de Mallorca and Lisbon, to name a few.
Visit VirginVoyages.com for additional details and to book a voyage on one of Resilient Lady’s captivating itineraries.