Court documents filed in Miami have revealed a futuristic cruise ship design at the centre of Virgin Cruises’ entry into the marketplace.
Renderings of what could take to the sea under Virgin branding shows an innovative hull design typical of the Virgin/Branson creative mind.
The striking image is a stark move away from the conventional cruise ship design and is at the centre of an argument by former Norwegian Cruise Line ceo Colin Veitch who says Virgin founder Richard Branson stole his concept design (CW 17 Mar).
Virgin Cruises has signed a letter of intent with Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard for two 4,000-pax “ultra-ships” but currently isn’t planning on debuting until 2019.
MEANWHILE, fifteen-year Princess Cruises executive Stuart Hawkins has been appointed as Virgin Cruises’ senior vp in charge of newbuilds, president and ceo Tom McAlpin has confirmed.
Hawkins will oversee the design of the Virgin Cruises entry to cruising, and brings experience in having managed the design of Royal Princess and Regal Princess.
