Branson to enter cruise market

The man who wants bring space travel to the masses has unveiled plans for a new cruise line.

In his typically flamboyant style, Richard Branson arrived amid fireworks at the Perez Art Museum in Miami, descending from a helicopter dressed in a captain's uniform and shorts.

Branson promised "a world-class cruise line that will redefine the cruising experience for good".

"It’s no secret I’ve dreamed of building a cruise line for a very long time," the British entrepreneur told reporters during a news conference on Tuesday.

The British tycoon has ordered three ships, with delivery to start in 2020 and the first ship to operate out of Miami.

Virgin is shying away from the mega-vessels that Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd are building, which can carry more than 5,000 passengers, hoping to provide a more intimate experience to customers who might not otherwise consider cruising with each ship fitting almost 3,000 guests.

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“There’s a segment of the market that just isn’t getting served today,” Virgin Cruise President Tom McAlpin said. Companies that try to appeal to all segments of society “are trying to be all things to all people and at the end of the day you aren’t providing anything specific.”

Branson voiced hope that Virgin Cruises will be able to stop in Cuba in the near future, calling it a "great country."

But so far, there are no specific plans to do so.