Richard Branson’s high-profile entry into the cruiseship world continued today with a contract for three newbuildings at Fincantieri becoming effective.
Information about Virgin Voyages’ plan has been drip-fed into the market and after much speculation Fincantieri today placed a value on the ships for the first time, stating the contract to be worth approximately EUR 2bn ($2.08bn).
Fincantieri will build the three 110,000-gt vessels at its shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa, with deliveries coming in 2020, 2021 and 2022, a statement said.
The 278 meter-long vessels will house over 1,400 guest cabins and carry 1,100 crew.
Branson has employed cruse veteran Tom McAlpin as chief executive of the division and has financial backing from Bain Capital Private Equity.
The Virgin Voyages brand was adopted in October, replacing the Virgin Cruises previously favoured.
When Branson officially launched the project in Miani in June, confirming Fincantieri as his preferred yard, he said: “We now have the right partner in place to build a world-class cruise line that will redefine the cruising experience for good."
Industry observers said at the time that the arrival of Branson and the Virgin brand in the cruise sector will open up the industry for newcomers in the same way as McAlpin did with Disney Cruise Lines.
