Virgin Group founder and Virgin Voyages Chairman Sir Richard Branson, along with Tom McAlpin, CEO of the new cruise company, participated in the coin ceremony that took place at the Fincantieri shipyards in Sestri Poniente, Genoa, during which they revealed interesting details of the design and style of travel they will offer.
The first of their ships, whose keel was laid during the ceremony, will be available in 2020 and will feature an innovative design with a completely gray hull and tinted windows, although with several details in Virgin's signature red, such as the stern and funnel. These cruises will be for adults only (18+), a decision the company made after listening to its future customers and travel agents.
86% of the cabins will have a veranda and 93% will have an ocean view, so there will be almost no interior cabins. The ships will be called “Lady Ships” and the passengers “sailors,” and a little mermaid with a red tail will adorn the bow of each vessel.
The commitment to sustainability comes from Scanship, with whom they will develop a technology to convert waste into energy.
A $500 deposit can now be made at www.virginvoyages.com to gain access to the pre-sale before it opens to the general public. Itineraries have not yet been released.
