Onde di criminalità in arrivo: Virgin Voyages fa del crimine vero una destinazione
Omicidi, misteri e Martini incontrano il lusso caraibico mentre iHeartPodcasts porta storie di crimini veri in mare.
Crime Waves Ahead: Virgin Voyages Makes True Crime a Destination
Murder, mysteries, and martinis meet Caribbean luxury as iHeartPodcasts brings true crime stories to sea.
MIAMI, FL – July 17, 2025 – Calling all amateur sleuths and podcast junkies. Virgin Voyages is setting sail on an unforgettable adventure. Setting sail Oct. 10, Travel + Leisure’s No. 1 mega-ship ocean cruise line is debuting its first-ever True Crime Voyage, a groundbreaking cultural experience that taps into one of today’s most compelling storytelling phenomena. This five-night Caribbean sailing promises a haunting experience on the high seas, blending the spine-tingling intrigue and cultural resonance of true crime storytelling with the elevated, kid-free experiences Virgin Voyages has perfected, giving “chilling on-board” a whole new meaning.
Evolving far beyond standard entertainment, true crime has become a cultural force that connects millions through shared fascination with justice, human psychology and the search for truth. From water cooler conversations to social media deep-dives, true crime storytelling has created communities of engaged listeners who crave authentic and gripping narratives. Virgin Voyages recognizes this cultural moment and is pioneering its own take on an immersive true crime experience at sea.
In an electrifying partnership with iHeartPodcasts and its cult-favorite podcasts – including Betrayal, Buried Bones and Stuff They Don’t Want You to Know – Virgin Voyages is transforming its Dominican Daze itinerary into a thrilling, Halloween-season escape aboard Valiant Lady. Departing from Miami, this specialty five-day voyage brings gripping tales and curated content to the high seas with a gorgeous splash of sunshine and unforgettable experiences.
True Crime Podcasts Coming Aboard:
- Betrayal: One of iHeartPodcasts’ most gripping and emotionally raw series, Betrayal pulls back the curtain on real-life stories of deception, heartbreak and resilience. From explosive secrets to shocking double lives, each season follows individuals blindsided by the people they trusted most and their journey to reclaim power and find justice. With millions of listeners and a devoted following, Betrayal delivers jaw-dropping twists and deeply human stories that stick with listeners long after the final episode.
- Buried Bones: From the Exactly Right podcast network and hosted by legendary cold case and forensic investigator Paul Holes and true crime historian and journalist Kate Winkler Dawson, Buried Bones exhumes some of history’s most riveting true crime cases and reexamines them through a modern forensic lens. From unsolved murders to infamous scandals, this hit series blends historical intrigue with investigative expertise, bringing fresh perspective to decades-old mysteries. With its rich storytelling and chilling insights, Buried Bones is a must-listen for true crime fans who crave depth, drama, and a little historical detective work.
- Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know: With more than 1,300 episodes and millions of monthly downloads, this wildly popular show has kept fans questioning everything since 2008. Hosts Ben Bowlin, Matt Frederick and Noel Brown unpack history’s most bizarre and unexplained events, from UFOs and psychic powers to government cover-ups, cults and lost civilizations. Equal parts spooky and thought-provoking, Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know explores the strange, surreal, and suspicious sides of our world, including crime, and what might be hiding just beneath the surface.
“We’re beyond excited to bring our investigations to the high seas as there’s something deliciously twisted about discussing cold cases while sipping cocktails under the Caribbean sun. Our fans are going to experience true crime storytelling like never before, and honestly, what better setting for mystery than the middle of the ocean?” said Kate Winkler Dawson, co-host of Buried Bones.
This immersive experience goes far beyond a typical podcast binge. Throughout the journey, Sailors can anticipate live podcast recordings of their favorite shows, behind-the-scenes “How to Podcast” workshops, exclusive meet-and-greets with top hosts, special giveaways and themed cocktails and bites inspired by infamous cases. In true Virgin fashion, there’s also an entire lineup of Halloween-inspired programming: costume contests, bar crawls, eerie entertainment and a special edition of the ship’s beloved Happenings Cast show. Of course, a specialty voyage wouldn’t be complete without a spooky version of Virgin Voyages’ signature Scarlet Night soiree.
The true crime twist amplifies every aspect of Virgin’s signature experiences. The elevated dining, award-winning entertainment and transformative wellness Sailors expect are still at the heart of the journey, now wrapped in a layer of mystery. For podcast obsessives, Halloween lovers and curious thrill-seekers, it’s a fall getaway that’s as immersive as it is unexpected.
Nicole Huang, SVP of Fleet Experiences at Virgin Voyages said, “We’re always looking for ways to craft experiences as bold and original as our Sailors. This True Crime Voyage is a perfect expression of that, blending the intrigue of incredible storytelling with the indulgence of elevated travel. We’re taking everything our Sailors already love about Virgin Voyages and adding a twist for the Halloween season. It’s going to be mysterious, glamorous and like nothing else at sea.”
Beyond the onboard chills and thrills, the Dominican Daze itinerary adds a sun-drenched counterpoint to the voyage’s darker delights. Between true crime tales and mystery-filled moments, Sailors will explore the white-sand beaches and colorful colonial charm of Puerto Plata before retreating to the Beach Club at Bimini, Virgin’s private Bahamian hideaway. Framed by turquoise waters and swaying palms, the Beach Club offers luxe daybeds, a lagoon-style pool, locally inspired flavors and restorative wellness experiences like beach yoga.
This limited-edition True Crime Voyage marks the start of a bold new evolution in Virgin Voyages’ immersive experience platform, one that brings the cultural conversations, trends and fandoms shaping pop culture to sea. Building on Virgin’s signature approach to storytelling and connection, the sailing introduces a new way to fuse entertainment, access and travel through a growing lineup of genre-driven voyages that celebrate what today’s Sailors are most passionate about, from true crime and comedy to wellness, music, food and beyond.
With exclusive access to podcast hosts and programming crafted specifically for this five-night journey, the True Crime Voyage offers unparalleled connection to the true crime community’s most beloved voices and stories. It’s an experience Sailors simply can’t get anywhere else.
To secure your alibi and book an experience that’s guaranteed to give you goosebumps, visit virginvoyages.com/truecrime.
About Virgin Voyages
Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, Athens and San Juan, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 150+ incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. For three consecutive years – 2023, 2024 and 2025 – Virgin Voyages won best cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Awards for mega-ship ocean cruise line, along with the 2023 and 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for best large ocean cruise line.
About iHeartMedia
iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, with 90% of Americans listening to iHeart broadcast radio every month. iHeart’s broadcast radio assets alone have a larger audience in the U.S. than any other media outlet; twice the size of the next largest broadcast radio company; and over four times the ad-enabled audience of the largest digital only audio service. iHeart is the largest podcast publisher according to Podtrac, with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined, has the most recognizable live events across all genres of music, has the number one social footprint among audio players, with seven times more followers than the next audio media brand, and is the only fully integrated audio ad tech solution across broadcast, streaming and podcasts. The company continues to leverage its strong audience connection and unparalleled consumer reach to build new platforms, products and services. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.