Virgin Voyages unveils fashion-forward uniforms

Virgin Voyages’ crew will be clad in uniforms created by British fashion designer Gareth Pugh that might be described as one part Star Trek and one part Kinky Boots.

Images of the uniforms on models in moody industrial settings were released ahead of their appearance at a showcase on Sept. 15 as part of London Fashion Week.

The collection — in brand-correct red, white and black — was two years in the making. Virgin said it allows for most crew to have a range of looks day and night and also breaks with cruise traditions by having no epaulettes stripes for officers.

One outfit worn by a female model includes a long, flowing red cape. A male model sports a tunic with a deep V design.

Pugh’s designs will be paired with signature, custom-designed red sneakers made by San Francisco-based PLAE.

“For this project, we were really allowed to push the boundaries and to redefine the idea of what constitutes a uniform. We ultimately wanted to make everything about it modern, luxurious and desirable,” Pugh said.

‘Star Trek: The Cruise II’ Further Detailed for 2018

The “Star Trek” franchise will once again set phasers to fun with “Star Trek: The Cruise II” setting sail twice in 2018.

Hosting both sailings will be George Takei on January 5-11 and January 11-17, 2018 aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade.

“This will be the most interactive experience ever created between ‘Star Trek’ fans and actors,” said Takei, in a press release. “Come aboard and experience the voyage!”

The final lineup of fan favorites set to join Takei (on both cruises) include Vaughn Armstrong, Rene Auberjonois, Casey Biggs, LeVar Burton, Jeffrey Combs, Michael Dorn, John de Lancie, Jonathan Frakes, Max Grodenchik, Gates McFadden, Robert O’Reilly, John Paladin, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Armin Shimerman, Brent Spiner, Connor Trinneer and Nana Visitor.

Produced by Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC, under license by CBS Consumer Products, the event will transform the Norwegian Jade with a franchise-inspired specialty restaurant and bar.

Sandrine’s II will be the sister restaurant to Chez Sandrine from “Star Trek: Voyager,” and 13 Forward will channel 10 Forward from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” There will also be a special “Star Trek: The Cruise” Museum filled with archival memorabilia.

The ship will sail roundtrip from Miami, Florida—though not quite at warp 9—to the ports of Roatan, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Guests will have a chance to interact with the “Star Trek” crew via photo-ops and autographs sessions, as well as take a group picture specifically with George Takei (one per cabin). They will also have the opportunity to partake in plenty of special activities like Captain Sulu’s Soiree and other theme nights. There’s even a Klingon Pub Crawl.

Other celebrity-led events onboard will encompass wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and vow renewals. Shoreside, actors will even host excursions in each port. A makeup artist will be on hand to transform passengers into characters, and live music will be performed by avant-garde synth-pop band Information Society.

Additional nightly shows will be performed by the celebrities themselves, and one can only hope Brent “Data” Spiner’s crossover—acting as a cruise director in the great comedy film “Out to Sea”—will somehow take center stage beyond his characterization of the android from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Pre-registration has already been secured by more than 4,000 fans, and the sailings are expected to sell out. Per person rates begin at $1,300 including meals, main stage events, parties, port charges, taxes and shipboard gratuities. Follow along at hashtag #StarTrekTheCruise.