Richard Branson Wins Approval For Virgin Cruise Terminal

MIAMI, FL — Sir Richard Branson, the English billionaire who parlayed a mail-order record business into a global empire of more than 400 companies, has won approval to build a futuristic-looking cruise ship terminal at PortMiami ahead of the planned 2020 launch of Branson's Virgin Voyages. The company will operate two adult-only cruise ships from Miami by the fall of 2021.

“It’s great to be based here,” said Branson. “I pinch myself every time I look at the designs."

Branson also said that he had gotten approval to sail into Havana from Miami and that he will soon be announcing the purchase of an island.

"We’ve got a beautiful island which we’ll soon to be announce where people will be going in the Bahamas so it’s very convenient," he told reporters.

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The Miami-Dade Board of Commissioners approved Branson's 100,000-square-foot terminal design on Tuesday. The facility will be built at PortMiami with a design that is meant to evoke a lush, tropical structure as it becomes part of the iconic Miami skyline

"With this new terminal and a long-term commitment to PortMiami, Virgin Voyages also announced that its first ship, the Scarlet Lady, will continue to sail to the Caribbean from Miami throughout 2021," said company officials. "The company’s second ship will sail from Miami during the fall/winter cruise season of 2021/22."

With 22 cruise lines berthing 55 ships at PortMiami, millions of passengers travel through the South Florida port every year with an emphasis on cruises to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico and other destinations, according to port officials.

Virgin Voyages will begin accepting bookings from the general public on Feb. 14 and starting on Feb. 5 for pre-sale deposit holders.

Based in South Florida, Virgin Voyages plans to hire nearly 100 customer service positions to support its February opening.

“Miami is an incredible city and one of my favorite places to work and play,” said Branson. “From our headquarters for Virgin Hotels, Virgin Voyages and now Virgin Trains USA, South Florida has quickly become another home for Virgin brands in the leisure travel sector.”

The Virgin Voyages Terminal will be located on the northwest side of PortMiami. Construction will begin in 2019 with completion expected by November 2021.

“It’s gratifying to see Virgin Voyages expand its presence in Miami-Dade County," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “By constructing a new cruise terminal at PortMiami, Virgin Voyages is signaling its confidence in our thriving community, which is not only the cruise capital of the world but also the gateway to the Americas."

The new Virgin terminal will be designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica. "This new concept encompasses a design that builds on Virgin Voyages’ design ethos of the modern romance of sailing," according to Virgin officials.

The two-story glass terminal's rooftop is designed to resemble a palm tree grove with rooftop pockets that allow natural light to flow into the building. At night, the company's Virgin Voyages red logo will be illuminated.

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Photos courtesy Virgin Voyages