Virgin Voyages has always believed that great hospitality is deeply human — intuitive, personal, built on genuine connection. For First Mates, delivering that kind of experience means balancing expertise with efficiency, all while guiding Sailors through one of the most exciting purchases they’ll make.
Today, we’re introducing what makes that easier.
Project Ruby is our enterprise AI platform, built in partnership with Google Cloud — a new intelligence layer designed to connect every part of the Virgin Voyages experience, from the moment a Sailor starts dreaming about a trip to the moment they’re ready to book again.
It’s not a feature. It’s not a chatbot. It’s a complete rethinking of how intelligence supports you and your Sailors at every step.
The problem we set out to solve
Planning and selling a voyage is exciting. It’s also complex.
Itineraries, cabins, Shore Things, dining, entertainment, timing — every decision matters, and as a First Mate, you’re often managing multiple Sailors, preferences, and timelines at once. What should feel seamless can quickly become layered with friction.
We’ve seen where that friction shows up. And when a Sailor hesitates or drops off, it’s not about lack of interest.
It’s a system problem.
You already bring the expertise. You already create loyal Sailors. What you need is a system that carries the complexity — so you can focus on delivering standout service.
So we built it.
Built in partnership with Google Cloud
Project Ruby didn’t start as a product. It started as a question: what if selling and planning a voyage felt as seamless as the voyage itself?
To make that real, we partnered with Google Cloud.
This wasn’t a vendor relationship. It was co-creation. We brought deep insight into Sailor behavior, booking patterns, and where First Mates experience friction in the sales journey. Google Cloud brought the infrastructure and AI capabilities — including BigQuery, Vertex AI, and Gemini — to power it.
What we built together isn’t off-the-shelf. It’s purpose-built for the nuances of cruise planning and selling, designed to support both you and your Sailors.
Want to learn more about the exciting partnership? We sat down with our friends at Google Cloud to talk all things Project Ruby, from conception to execution. Check out the video below to hear about the future of our partnership directly from Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu and VP of Marketing & Digital Innovation Billy Bohan Chinique.
Seven modalities, one seamless experience
Project Ruby isn’t one tool. It’s a system made up of seven connected modalities, each designed to support a different layer of the First Mate and Sailor experience.
Together, they create something powerful: a journey that feels more intuitive, more personal, and more connected from first conversation to final booking.
- Connection brings everything together into a single, living Sailor profile.
- Constellation understands behavior and anticipates what comes next.
- Context powers natural, conversational interaction.
- Curation delivers the right recommendations at the right time.
- Choreography ensures every interaction happens when it should.
- Confidence equips you with real-time insights to better support your Sailors.
- Concert continuously improves the system through feedback.
Seven modalities. One seamless experience.
Meet Rovey
All of this intelligence needed a way to come to life. Meet Rovey — our first AI Crew member, and the consumer-facing expression of Project Ruby, launching summer 2026.
Created in partnership with Google Cloud, Rovey brings together data, context, and real-time intelligence to make planning and booking simpler, faster, and more personalized — for both you and your Sailors.
Your Sailors can interact with it just like they would with a Crew member. They can ask about itineraries and receive guidance based on travel style, not just dates. Curious about Shore Things? Rovey recommends experiences tailored to what they actually enjoy. Comparing cabins? It’s ready.
Rovey understands natural language, has access to real-time availability, and helps guide Sailors from inspiration to booking with minimal friction — supporting your sales process, not replacing it.
Rovey also remembers.
A first-time Sailor gets a different experience than a returning one. Every interaction builds on the last, creating something that feels less transactional and more like a relationship — one you continue to own and grow.
A living system
Project Ruby isn’t static. It’s designed to evolve alongside you. Every interaction makes it smarter. Every booking helps refine the next.
That means the Rovey your Sailors meet today won’t be the same in a month — or six months. Recommendations will sharpen. Conversations will feel more natural. The system will better anticipate needs, helping you close with more confidence and less friction.
This is what we set out to build: not just a new tool, but a system that keeps getting better for you and your business.
This is just the beginning
Project Ruby is a new foundation for how we support First Mates and connect with Sailors. Not just a feature — a new way of working. One where planning and selling a voyage feels as smooth as the voyage itself.
Our guiding principle remains the same. Technology isn’t here to replace human connection. It’s here to strengthen it.
Project Ruby carries the complexity so you can focus on what you do best: building relationships, delivering expertise, and creating unforgettable experiences for your Sailors.
Project Ruby is already underway, with Rovey launching summer 2026. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to sail forward and make waves.
