Virgin Unveils Cruise Ship Plans

Virgin Cruises, the brand new cruise ship firm by billionaire Sir Richard Branson and his London-based Virgin Group, will construct three cruise ships at Fincantieri and the primary vessel is scheduled to set set from PortMiami in 2020, the corporate revealed Tuesday.

The new plans have been unveiled Tuesday throughout a information convention on the Perez Art Museum in Miami, Florida. The firm mentioned it has signed a binding letter of intent with Italian shipbuilding firm Fincantieri for 3 new mid-size ships. The first cruise ship is anticipated in 2020 and will probably be homeported in Miami, the corporate mentioned. No particulars have been launched concerning the second two.

Branson instructed reporters that the corporate will spend $2 billion with Fincantieri on the brand new ships.

Virgin Cruises was launched in December 2014, revealing solely that it will be based mostly within the the Miami space and was planning to design and assemble two new ships. At the time, Virgin didn’t disclose when or the place the cruise ships would start working, or who would construct them.

Virgin Cruises says the three new mid-size ships – about 110,000 gross tons every – are slated for supply in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Each ship will function 1,430 visitor cabins to host greater than 2,800 visitors and make use of about 1,150 crew. The firm plans to supply a spread of seven-day Caribbean itineraries from PortMiami with a Sunday sail date.

“This is a very exciting day for Virgin and travelers around the globe,” Richard Branson mentioned. “We now have the right partners in place to build a world-class cruise line that will redefine the cruising experience for good. The Virgin Cruises approach will appeal to cruisers and non-cruisers alike, and we look forward to being in Miami and delivering an experience for people who want a new way to cruise.”

Virgin Cruises’ says its binding letter of intent with Fincantieri is the primary a part of a two-step course of with each corporations dedicated to signing a contract on the finish of 2015. The PortMiami settlement will probably be current on the Miami-Dad County Board of Commissioners assembly on June thirtieth, 2015.

“We are committed to making waves in the cruise industry, and partnering with Fincantieri and PortMiami sets Virgin Cruises up to do just that,” mentioned Virgin Cruises CEO Tom McAlpine. “Today’s announcement brings together important ingredients in our future success – Miami’s vibrant culture paired with the excellent Port infrastructure and Port team; and Fincantieri’s expertise in prototyping, their creativity and understanding of our vision.”

Virgin has recruited Tom McAlpin who will act as President and CEO of the brand new firm. McAlpin joins Virgin Cruises recent from his place as President and CEO of The World, Residences at Sea, and beforehand as president of Disney Cruises.

Virgin Cruises was launched with assist from Bain Capital Partners, LLC, one of many world’s main non-public funding corporations.