Sir Richard Branson’s cruise company is praised for painting a black mermaid on the bow of its brand new liner in a bid to be ‘inclusive’ – saying it’s ‘just a drop of water in an ocean of change’
- Time-lapse video posted by Virgin Voyages shows the helm of its brand new cruise ship, Valiant Lady, being decorated with a black mermaid
- Giant mural on Valiant Lady ship is the artwork of US illustrator Hilary D Wilson
- Brand said it wanted ‘an inclusive group of mermaids to reflect the real, beautiful, and dynamic world we live in’
- Company has been praised for the move, with one Instagram user saying: ‘…and this is how you show representation not just for a month’
The cruise company owned by Sir Richard Branson has been praised for painting a black mermaid on the side of one of its cruise ships.
A time-lapse video posted by Virgin Voyages shows the bow of its brand new cruise ship, Valiant Lady, being decorated with a black mermaid carrying a flag bearing the brand’s name.
On Instagram, social media users praised the company for its more inclusive approach, saying: ‘This is how you show representation’.
The giant mural is the artwork of US illustrator Hilary D Wilson and the video shows it being unfurled across the ship by workers using a cherry picker.
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A new time-lapse video posted by Virgin Voyages shows the bow of its brand new cruise ship, Valiant Lady, being decorated with a black mermaid
In a post on Instagram, the adult-only cruise company told followers its inclusive mermaids were real, beautiful, and dynamic world we live in.
At the video’s end, the full mural is revealed, showing a black mermaid ‘Valiant Lady’ in the company’s trademark red carrying a billowing flag with the brand’s logo on it.
On Instagram, the adults-only cruise brand said of the new artwork: ‘We always knew we wanted an inclusive group of mermaids to reflect the real, beautiful, and dynamic world we live in.
‘Thanks to the talented @hillarydwilsonart, we created a strong and gorgeous mermaid that would represent and tell a story that is commonly not told.’
The post added: ‘Although this is just a drop of water in an ocean of change, we couldn’t be more excited for the world to meet our Valiant Lady and experience the beautiful and unique stories she will tell.’
The mural was greeted with a hugely positive response, with many praising the company for embracing inclusivity.
Simplyynae wrote: ‘& this is how you show representation not just for a month.’
Jenniferhardycruiseplanners added: ‘Couldn’t love this more. A black mermaid for my black daughter to look up to.’
Letsgoexploretravel added: ‘I love it! She is like me and my sisters!’
The video shows workers in a cherry picker sticking on the artwork, which features a black mermaid carrying a billowing red flag with the brand’s logo on it
The design was greeted with a warm response; one Instagrammer wrote: ‘Couldn’t love this more. A black mermaid for my black daughter to look up to.’
‘Virgin cruises are for people who hate cruises’: Sir Richard’s company, which launched its Scarlet Lady liner in March last year. is steering the cruise holiday image in a cooler direction
British cruise fans will be able to board the ship when it sets sail from Portsmouth to Bruges in March on its maiden voyage.
The Virgin Voyages fleet launched last spring, with Valiant Lady the latest addition.
Sister ship Scarlet Lady boasts more than a dozen restaurants, nightclubs and even a tattoo studio.
Across 17 decks, the vessel has spas, pools, gyms, not to mention its very own high street – and can carry 3,000 passengers.
Speaking at the launch last year, Sir Richard said: ‘Virgin cruises are for people who hate cruises’, adding: ‘Our team has curated such a fantastic experience for our sailors and know this is a holiday they will love.’