The Virgin Group has announced the formation of its new cruise line business Virgin Cruises with two new purpose-built ships.
07/12/2014
The Virgin Group has announced the formation of its new cruise line business Virgin Cruises with two new purpose-built ships.
The company will be led by Tom McAlpin as chief executive. Previously he was the president and chief executive of The World, Residences at Sea and president of the Disney Cruise Line.
Virgin Cruises has been formed in conjunction with its lead investment partner Bain Capital and will be based in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area.
However, the company is yet to confirm when it will start operating for competitive reasons.
Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson said: “We plan to shake up the cruise industry and deliver a holiday that customers will absolutely love.
“They’ll be sailing on the latest ships offering great quality, a real sense of fun, and many exciting activities all delivered with the famed Virgin service.”
McAlpin added: “Cruise guests deserve something better and different to what is being offered today, and Virgin Cruises is committed to creating breathtaking experiences for them and a new generation of guests.
“Opportunities like this do not come often, so I am very excited to lead this business and introduce the Virgin brand to the cruise industry, as it has always put customers at the heart of what it does.”
Stephen Pagliuca, a managing director with Bain Capital, said: “From our earliest conversations with the Virgin team, we recognised there is a unique opportunity here to help build the next great cruise line serving travelers from around the world.
“We know that thanks to the strategic vision laid out by our collective team - and now under the guidance of Tom McAlpin - Virgin Cruises will help reshape consumers’ expectations of what a cruise experience can be.
“All of us at Bain Capital are thrilled to partner with the Virgin team on this compelling opportunity.”
We here at WRS Tech are excited to hear what Richard Branson has in store for these vessels. It is good to see a new Brand enter the marketplace to challenge those already established.
We certainly can’t way to see the futuristic gadgets that are sure to be in place with Virgin Cruises and no doubt they will certainly send your mind into outer space!
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