Italian shipyard Fincanteri has officially begun construction of the first Virgin Voyages ship. Executives from both companies celebrated the cutting of the first piece of steel that will be used to build the vessel. This is the first of three cruise ships commissioned by Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, from Fincanteri, with deliveries scheduled for 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Design and technology are cornerstones in the construction of these three cruise ships for Virgin Voyages. Tom McAlpin, President and CEO of the company, highlighted the “unique creativity” that will bring a fresh and distinct design perspective to Virgin Voyages' cruises. These ships stand out for their original design and will incorporate highly innovative ideas and design solutions, especially for energy recovery, reducing their overall environmental impact.
The first ship will begin sailing in 2020 and will be based in Miami, Florida, with itineraries in the Caribbean. It will displace approximately 110,000 tons, be 278 meters long and 38 meters wide, and feature more than 1,400 cabins, accommodating over 2,800 passengers.
