Virgin Voyages has months to go before its first ship sets sail, but the brainchild of Sir Richard Branson has already made a firm commitment to respecting the environment.

The Florida-based adults-only cruise company plans to launch the 2,700-berth Scarlet Lady in the spring as the first of four sisterships to take to the seas by 2023.

While the fleet may be small, fledgling Virgin Voyages is making a huge effort to ensure that its vessels cruise lightly upon the marine environment, chief executive Tom McAlpin said.