Around 150 passengers on a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Hobart got an early morning call from Sir Richard Branson.
In a surprise Facetime call over the plane’s PA system, Sir Richard gifted each passenger a cruise on Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady worth $7,000.
The flight was chosen to represent the same route Resilient Lady will sail on her MerMaiden Voyage.
Sir Richard said “We’re counting down to Virgin Voyages’ arrival Down Under. Setting sail the Virgin way with adults-only itineraries across Australia and New Zealand. Sorry kids, you’ll have to sit this one out…,” Sir Richard Branson announced over the plane’s PA system.
“Well, today, you happen to be travelling on the same route as our Aussie MerMaiden Voyage! To celebrate this milestone, I’m pleased to gift each adult onboard a FREE Virgin Voyages cruise,” he said to the excited passengers.
“The foundations of Virgin Australia were about keeping the air fair. And we’re proud to be taking that same mantra to the sea with Virgin Voyages.”
“We want to give Aussies the opportunity to have an affordable, stress-free holiday where they can take a well-earned break, have fun and get a dose of vitamin sea,” he said.
RockStar Quarters
The departure gate at Melbourne Airport was transformed into Sir Richard Branson’s RockStar Quarters. It had a hot tub, hammock and a sea view vista, unseen before at Tullamarine.
For those who were not lucky enough to score a free holiday, Virgin Voyages is offering discounted rates/
Cabins will go on sale from today starting from $149 per person / per night and a bonus. And guests can get $1000 of inclusions including entertainment, fitness classes, wifi, tips and essential drinks.
Virgin Voyages CEO, Nirmal Saverimuttu said excitement was building for the arrival of Resilient Lady.
“There will never, ever be better prices to experience our award-winning dining, entertainment and wellness onboard the luxurious Resilient Lady. This is a new way of cruising Down Under. And we can’t wait for Aussies to sail with us,” said Mr Saverimuttu
“If you haven’t booked your Summer holiday, these new prices will give you a good excuse to book a trip of a lifetime,” he said.
Resilient Lady will dock in Australia for the first time on December 4 in Sydney, before heading to Melbourne for the Mermaiden Voyage on December 11, 2023. Sir Richard Branson will be coming to Australia to celebrate the historic voyage.
Sir Richard Branson is an intelligent, altruistic, generous, wise and humble man.
We are currently sailing on Virgin’s Resilient Lady from Athens to Sydney.
The cruise has exceeded our expectations so much so that we would never consider any
other cruise companies for future sailings.
It is a boutique hotel on water.
Our experiences have connected us to people, places, food and sea paths we would never have wandered.
So inspiring.
Thank you and Salutations to you Sir Richard and to all your friendly and dedicated staff.