Virgin Cruises Rebrands as Virgin Voyages, Finally Signs Deal for Three Ships

Virgin Cruises, the cruise line announced last year by Virgin founder Richard Branson, will rebrand as Virgin Voyages as it attempts to bring Virgin-brand style and experiences to cruising.

The new Virgin Voyages logo.

At the time it was first announced, Branson had said his goal was to create a cruise line more likely to appeal to millennials and other people who don't normally take cruise vacations.

The line is still set to launch in 2020, with a ship homeported in Miami that will sail Caribbean itineraries.

“Thousands of future sailors and travel professionals let us know they want us to deliver the most irresistible vacation at sea and that even our name should leave them dizzy with anticipation.” said Branson. “I’m excited to reveal we are now Virgin Voyages and while we have lots of work ahead to build our three ships, we can’t wait to welcome you aboard the ship of things to come."

The company has also signed a contract to order three new ships, more than a year after Branson originally announced his plans, from Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which is expected to begin work on the first Virgin Voyages ship in 2017. Virgin Voyages is still waiting for its financing agreements to be finalized.

Earlier this year, Virgin Cruises settled a $300 million lawsuit filed by former Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Colin Veitch, who claimed Virgin had stolen his ideas and moved on with the cruise line concept without him.