The Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady cruise liner sits docked at Dover Port in Dover, Britain, February 21, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson Acquire Licensing RightsSept 8 (Reuters) - Virgin Voyages, the cruise brand from Richard Branson's Virgin Group, said on Friday it has raised $550 million in fresh capital to expand into new international markets. The funding was led by Ares Management (ARES.N) with participation from existing investors, including British conglomerate Virgin Group and venture capital firm Bain Capital. Launched at the end of 2021, Virgin Voyages operates three ships servicing the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. It plans to operate in Australia and New Zealand by the end of the year.

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Persons: Simon Dawson, Richard Branson's, Tom McAlpin, Nirmal Saverimuttu, Manya Saini, Arun Koyyur Organizations: REUTERS, Richard Branson's Virgin Group, Ares Management, Virgin Group, Bain Capital, Virgin Voyages, Caribbean, Thomson Locations: Dover Port, Dover, Britain, British, Australia, New Zealand, Bengaluru