Virgin Voyages has announced that the company's first ship, Scarlet Lady, will include Cuba in its cruises during the inaugural season in 2020.
The decision to visit Cuba was made following a study of consumers and travel agents in North America and the United Kingdom. Both groups identified the Caribbean island as one of the most desirable and interesting destinations to visit on a trip.
“Virgin Atlantic has been visiting Cuba for 13 years, and I can’t wait to see our iconic Scarlet Lady shining in Havana harbor,” said Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson.
The adults-only cruise line will offer the newest and most beautifully designed ship sailing to Havana, ensuring its passengers arrive on the island in style. All cruises to Cuba from Miami will include an overnight stay in Havana, giving passengers ample time to explore and experience the capital's vibrant nightlife.
Final route details will be revealed when sales open next year.
At the same time, Fincantieri, Italy's leading cruise ship manufacturer, announced an agreement with Virgin Voyages for the construction of a fourth ship , scheduled for delivery at the end of 2023, at a cost of €700 million. The new vessel will be a sister ship to the previous ones, with a gross tonnage of 110,000, a length of 278 meters, and a width of 38 meters, accommodating 2,800 passengers, or "sailors" as the company calls them. This means Virgin Voyages will launch a new ship in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
These ships will feature the latest technologies in energy recovery and environmental impact reduction. For example, they will have a 1 MW power generation system utilizing the heat emitted by the diesel engines.
