Virgin Voyages’ reveal

s/ / E Group founder Sir Richard Branson has renamed Virgin Cruises as Virgin Voyages and announced a ship building contract for three vessels.

The vessels will be built by Fincantieri, and the company will be the first major cruise line to adopt the clean energy system, Climeon Ocean.

Steel cutting is slated for early 2017, followed by the keel laying in Genoa in the fourth quarter of 2017 and the first ship will arrive at PortMiami in 2020.

Accommodating more than 2,700 “sailors” (the line’s term for guests) and 1,150 crew members, the first vessel will offer a range of 7-day Caribbean itineraries.

The Climeon heat power system will transform low-grade energy into clean electricity, saving an estimated 5,400 tons of carbon dioxide savings annually per ship.

This is anything but just another cruise or holiday, it will be a transformational experience delivering a very ‘ Virgin style’ of adventure,” said Virgin Voyages president and ceo, Tom McAlpin.

At the reveal event in Miami Beach yesterday, Branson said the company was tasked with “delivering the most irresistible vacation at sea”.

A new logo ( ) was also announced at the event.

The company is backed by investors Bain Capital Private Equity and Virgin Group.

For more information, head to www.virginvoyages.com.