Richard Branson’s high-profile entry into the cruiseship world continued today with a contract for three newbuildings at Fincantieri becoming effective.

Information about Virgin Voyages’ plan has been drip-fed into the market and after much speculation Fincantieri today placed a value on the ships for the first time, stating the contract to be worth approximately EUR 2bn ($2.08bn).

Fincantieri will build the three 110,000-gt vessels at its shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Genoa, with deliveries coming in 2020, 2021 and 2022, a statement said.