UPDATE:
You can read our latest post now that the announcement has come and gone.
PREVIOUSLY:
If you haven’t already heard then Virgin Cruises will be making a major announcement on Tuesday, October 18 at the Faena Hotel at Miami Beach. We can expect the newly formed cruise line to unveil more details about its cruise operations including at least one of its ships.
What we know so far is that Virgin Cruises which was formed at the end of 2014 has agreed to order three 110,000 gross ton ships with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The ships will carry 2,800 guests and 1,150 crew members. The first ship will enter service in 2020 and will sail 7-day cruises from Port Miami every Sunday. The other two vessels which will be identical enter service in 2021 and 2022.
Virgin Cruises aims to make waves across the industry and offer a unique way of cruising. Richard Branson’s company will be based in Miami which is the cruise capital of the world. The cruise line will take on industry giants including Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
The cruise line’s CEO is Tom McAlpin, previously president for Disney Cruise Line. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the newly formed cruise line. A lawsuit against Virgin Cruises by Colin Veitch was recently settled. Vetch, a former Norwegian Cruise Line CEO claimed that Virgin stole his ideas and plans during the time he was involved with the new Virgin venture.
