Virgin orders fourth ship

VIRGIN Voyages continues its strong drive into the cruise market by signing on for the construction of a fourth ship.

The new player in the sector headed by the flamboyant businessman Richard Branson has agreed to terms with ship builder Fincantieri, signing a contract worth an estimated €700 million.

Delivery of the new vessel is scheduled for the end of 2023 and will be a sister ship of the three vessels already on order, including the first arrival Scarlet Lady in 2020 ( CW 24 Jul).

The latest vessel to be announced will feature 1,400 guest cabins and cater for 2,770 passengers, employing approximately 1,100 crew.

Virgin Voyages’ first three ships will enter service in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

MEANWHILE Virgin Voyages has announced that Scarlet Lady will feature itineraries to Cuba as part of her inaugural season in 2020.

“Virgin Atlantic has been visiting Cuba for 13 years, and I cannot wait to see our iconic Scarlet Lady gleaming in the Havana Harbor,” said Virgin Group Founder Richard Branson.

The adult-focussed brand decided to add Cuba after conducting market research which ranked the Caribbean island as one of the most desired cruise destinations.

Dates for the Cuban sailings will be released next year.

Pictured top is a rendering of Scarlet Lady and inset an exuberant Richard Branson.