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Virgin to offer tattoos at sea
Virgin Voyages announced today that the company’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, will have an onboard tattoo studio.
It has teamed up with industry legends from World Famous Tattoo Ink to launch Squid Ink.
"Tattooing is a time-honoured seafaring tradition, and we’re continuing that legacy with rock and roll style by bringing some of the best ink artists to sea," said president and chief executive officer Tom McAlpin.
"Our sailors are looking to make lifelong memories, and we think there’s no better way to commemorate their first voyage with us than with a souvenir they’ll never lose track of."
When Scarlet Lady sets sail in 2020, she will have two full-time resident tattoo artists on board, appointed by Lou Rubino Jr, the visionary behind World Famous Tattoo Ink, Soho Ink and Freshly Inked Magazine.
Squid Ink will also feature guest celebrity artists, including Spike TV’s Ink Master star Sarah Miller, surrealist specialist artist Arlo DiCristina, and illustrative specialist Jime Litwalk
Squid Ink will also offer body piercings as well as permanent makeup treatments using vegan-friendly Perma Blend pigments.
"The World Famous Tattoo Ink family has been working with sailors, pirates and rock stars for more than 50 years," said Rubino Jr. "As global acceptance of tattoos and body art continues to grow, partnering with Virgin Voyages gives us the unique opportunity to bring colour to places people might have never thought possible before. We couldn’t be more excited to leave our mark on the sea travel industry."
Virgin Voyages will encourage its crew members to also express themselves freely through tattoos if they wish; in a unique move for the cruise industry, the company has indicated that the hiring of shipboard candidates with visible tattoos is ‘a-okay’.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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