Hundreds of surprised members of the public received free cruise holidays on a liner Sir Richard Branson promises is 'like a private yacht but not just for Roman Abramovich'.
The billionaire was in London on Thursday morning aboard a double-decker bus converted to look like a glistening Virgin Voyages ship, 'sailing' around the city. As he disembarked a crowd of curious Londoners flocked around him, and he tested their knowledge of his various Virgin ventures in an impromptu pavement pop-quiz.
Those who knew their Branson back-catalogue - or who simply showed suitable amounts of enthusiasm - received a free cruise for two people aboard his cruise line, Virgin Voyages. Sir Richard sat down with the Mirror aboard the bus-ship to explain what he thinks sets the company - which is for adults only - apart from its competitors.
"Half the ship that would've been for kids can be put aside for health centres, running tracks, entertainment, theatre, bands, 24 restaurants. For adults you can lay it on beautifully," the business magnate told the Mirror.
Sir Richard was in London to hand out free cruise holidays (Virgin Voyages)"Our cruise line is more like a private yacht but not just for Abramovich, but for quite a few people. It is really great quality, really great fun. I just put a pickleball court onboard because I love pickleball. It is all the rage in America and I think it will become all the rage in the UK as well."
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Sir Richard explained how he sat down with his team ahead of Virgin Voyages' launch nine years ago and wrote down all the things they loved and hated about the cruise experience. "They drew this picture of this cruise ship that is more like a private yacht, better than a private yacht. When I walked on there (for the first time) there was nothing I wanted to change. Nothing. Which is rare when you launch a new company."
The lucky 200 who won a free cruise this morning will be treated to a holiday aboard one of the firm's three 2,700 passenger ships which run routes through the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Virgin Voyages has two vessels based in Europe: Scarlet Lady sailing from Barcelona, Spain and Resilient Lady sailing from Athens, Greece. For the first time this summer British passengers will be able to board in the UK, with a stop in Portsmouth starting this August. Resilient Lady will embark on a series of three- to six-night sailings from the UK, visiting the historic towns of Amsterdam and Zeebrugge.
Onboard they will be pampered through a number of luxury features including 24, all al-a-carte restaurants, a rooftop garden, sunrise yoga sessions and even a tattoo parlour.
He sailed into central London on a bus-ship (Virgin Voyages)"The last time I went on I was going to get my first ever tattoo at the parlour onboard, then I was told it is best not to swim for two weeks, so I decided to park it. I was going to get the history of flight as it's been important in my life. Ballooning right through to space, and everything in between, obviously with our airlines and so on. I thought that'd be a fun one to have. One day," Sir Richard continued.
He also shared his favourite feature of the ship which allows guests to order a glass of bubbly to where-ever they are, any time they want at the mere shake of the wrist.
"You shake your phone and you get Champagne served wherever you are. If you shake it once you get one glass of Champagne, if you shake it three times you get three glasses. That is why it is voted the best cruise line in the world and has won pretty much all the awards," he claimed.
Virgin Voyages also promises "delicious food to elevate any mood, Wi-Fi included, tipping taken care of, unlimited group workouts, all essential drinks already covered, a festival-like line-up on seam, and clever cabin technology with sophisticated styling providing the ultimate space to hide away and relax – setting sail the Virgin way is the perfect way to adventure the Mediterranean sea this summer."
Celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary today, Yutta and her husband Allen Merilanen were in the right place at the right time as they were given a free cruise trip by Sir Richard. Winners who also received vouchers were Aamir Malik, and marathon runner, Olivia Kelly - winning ahead of her race this weekend.
The first person to receive a free cruise in central London was Izzy Imlach, who runs female sports focused organisation Sportess and asked Sir Richard who his favourite sports star was - to which he answered Venus Williams.
UK Virgin Voyages itineraries this summer and autumn
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- From England to Amsterdam (and back) – 4 nights
- Portsmouth to Zeebrugge (and back) – 3 nights
- English Sights & European Delights (Portsmouth / La Coruna / Bilbao / Bordeaux) – 6 nights
- UK to Zeebrugge and Amsterdam – 5 nights
- UK to Spain and Morocco – 12 nights
- England to Iceland and Norway – 10 nights
- Reykjavik to Amsterdam & Portsmouth – 11 nights
- Portsmouth to Ireland, Scotland and more – 13 nights
- Portsmouth to Amsterdam and Bordeaux – 7 nights
- Portsmouth to Lisbon, Casablanca & Spain – 13 nights
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