- Passengers on board VA 1316 enjoy a free cruise
- Sir Richard Branson gave $1 million in gifts
More than 150 Virgin passengers received a free cruise from company founder Sir Richard Branson.
Passengers on VA Flight 1316 from Melbourne to Hobart were left speechless on Thursday morning when they were told they had each received a cruise worth up to $7000.
Mr Branson had called via FaceTime from his private island Necker, in the British Virgin Islands, to alert passengers that they would be leaving on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
The cruise line, which launches in Australia next month, offers voyages to Australia and New Zealand.
Sir Richard Branson had called via FaceTime from his private island Necker, in the British Virgin Islands, to alert passengers that they would be leaving on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
Thursday morning’s flight was chosen because it is the same route that Virgin’s Resilient Lady cruise ship will take on its Mermaiden voyage.
“Well, today you are traveling on the same route as our Aussie MerMaiden Voyage,” Mr Branson was heard saying over the flight’s public address system.
“To celebrate this milestone, I’m happy to offer every adult on board a free Virgin Voyages cruise.”
Passengers immediately burst into cheers and applause before cabin crew handed each person on board their free cruise voucher.
Passengers immediately burst into cheers and applause before cabin crew handed each person on board their free cruise voucher.
The cabin crew, baggage handlers and pilots of VA Flight 1316 were also included in the mass giveaway, with more than $1 million donated in total by Mr. Branson.
Resilient Lady will leave her home port of Melbourne for Tasmania on December 11.
The cruise line’s voyages are all adults only.
Resilient Lady has a tattoo parlor on board and even has a special feature allowing guests to request a glass of champagne from anywhere on the boat via their phone.
The ship has already passed through countries such as Greece, Croatia, Dubai, Bali and Singapore.
