Sir Richard Branson was in London yesterday to give 200 people tickets for a Virgin Voyages cruise.
The Virgin Group founder was in the capital to launch his first audiobook Losing and Finding My Virginity, but found time before the launch to ‘sail’ the streets in a bus designed to look like the hull of the cruise line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady.
He stopped off at Oxford Street, Embankment and around Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square, before heading over Westminster Bridge towards The London Eye.
Members of the public who were given tickets included Yutta and Allen Merilanen who were celebrating their 32nd wedding anniversary and runner Olivier Kelly, who is taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday.
Sir Richard said: “It’s been wonderful to go aboard ‘Scarlet Lady’ this morning, sailing around and surprising lucky Londoners with free voyages! I’m a big believer in it not just being about where you go, but how you get there. Summer is a time for exploration, relaxation, and creating unforgettable memories, and sailing the Med in style is the vitamin-sea everybody needs.”
Starting in May, Virgin Voyages will have two vessels based in Europe: Scarlet Lady sailing from Barcelona and Resilient Lady sailing from Athens.
In August, Virgin Voyages will offer cruises out of Portsmouth, with Resilient Lady operating three- to six-night sailings from the UK, visiting Amsterdam and Zeebrugge.