By Alexander Britell
Virgin’s highly-anticipated cruise brand Virgin Voyages as released the first renderings of its ships.
And the results, well, they’re pretty cool.
The adults-only cruise brand has made it clear it plans to disrupt the cruise industry, and the renderings are no exception, with a range of contemporary, original designs that don’t look like anything else you see in the cruise industry right now.
Virgin Voyages has partnered on the ship design with Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio, along with design houses including Concrete Amsterdam; Softroom in London and Roman and Williams and WorkAC in New York.
The first Virgin Voyages ship is due for delivery in 2020.
“At the core of our Epic Sea Change For All is ensuring that the spaces on our ships are well-styled, distinct and reflective of the dynamic experience we want to bring to our sailors,” said Tom McAlpin, President and Chief Executive Officer for Virgin Voyages. “Our design partners together with our internal design team have dreamed up eye-catching, intimate and alluring spaces that we can’t wait to see come to life.”
Virgin said it opted to use multiple interior designers “in order to focus on the strengths of each firm and to show diversity throughout the ship,” all undertaken under the principle of the “Modern Romance of Sailing.”
The bar at The Manor.
“Ranging from gritty to glamorous, we’ve collaborated with a collection of brilliant interior designers and architects to create a variety of spaces that our sailors will love,” said Dee Cooper, Senior Vice President of Product Design for Virgin Voyages. “With careful thought, humor and attention to detail the Creative Collective has designed a ship that’s styled for those thirsty for a wonderful modern holiday at sea.”
Virgin Voyages has also revealed some of its food and beverage concepts, from the Richard’s Rooftop outdoor lounge reserved for suite guests to Pink Agave, the ship’s upscale Mexican restaurant.
The Dock.
The ship will also include The Manor, a signature nightclub inspired by Richard Branson’s history in the music industry (and named after his first-ever Virgin music studio), along with The Dock, an outdoor lounge aiming for a Hamptons-meets-Ibiza vibe.
The Pink Agave eatery.
That’s along with eateries like the Test Kitchen, a laboratory-styled environment designed by Concrete Amsterdam.
Virgin Voyages currently has three ships under order with shipbuilder Ficantieri, with the first slated to arrive at PortMiami in 2020 for her inaugural sailing season around the Caribbean.
The initial ship will have the capacity for 2,700 guests, or, as Virgin Voyages calls them, “sailors.”
— CJ