Should Branson Stick to Flying?

Sir Richard  Branson is an English business magnate, investor, and philanthropist who is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies, was in Miami yesterday to unveil renamed ‘Virgin Voyages’ as the inspiring new identity for Virgin’s cruise line.

In March 2014 Branson created speculation around the globe after he was quoted in an Abu Dhabi newspaper as saying he was particularly interested in creating a cruise line that would appeal to a broad range of the travel market – including travellers and holidaymakers who have never previously considered cruising claiming “We plan to shake up the cruise industry and deliver a holiday that customers will absolutely love.

“They’ll be sailing on the latest ships offering a great quality, a real sense of fun and many exciting activities all delivered with the famed Virgin service.”

This week in a theatrical performance in Miami he announced the re branding of the company’s cruise line name and shared that Virgin Voyages has officially signed a multi-billion dollar ship building contract for three vessels, this is a  bold move by the tour operator. The new cruise line promises to provide “the most irresistible vacation at sea” and a “transformational experience”

Construction of the first ship will begin next year and is expected to arrive in Miami by 2020,with 2 more to be delivered by 2022

Having taken on board thoughts of thousands of future sailors and travel professionals he promises to  deliver the most irresistible vacation at sea and that the name alone should leave them ”Dizzy with Anticipation,”

At the press release he said ”We’re on a mission to build a bold new cruise line just for you. One that makes sailing the ocean blue exhilarating. After all, that’s how travel should feel. It should be a departure from an ordinary getaway — audacious, romantic and always about you. It should never be just about getting from point A to point B. Virgin Voyages will be the place where irresistible style has finally found its sea legs.

Virgins first ship hosting 2,700 passengers will set sail on a range of Caribbean itineraries to ports offering “unique and very social experiences”, the company said.

The internet is full of images of what these new slick designed ships might look like – far from traditional cruise ships, also promising to be the first major cruise line to partner with Climeon, a clean energy provider, to use “clean electricity” on board all of its ships, with an estimated 5,400 tons of carbon dioxide savings per ship each year – the equivalent of which would take 180,000 trees 30 years to absorb, according to the cruise line.

Can Richard Branson succeed where Stelios of Easycruises failed or should he stick to Package Holidays and Trains that he does so well?

Is there a place in the market for Virgin to run side by side with the USA and Caribbean Tour Operator product?

Probably YES…. what do you think?