Workplace On Waves? Richard Branson Launches Remote Work Boat With Virgin Voyages' Extended Sea 'Workation'

Virgin Voyages, owned by Richard Branson, has introduced a month-long cruise package specifically designed for remote workers, combining work and travel in an unprecedented way.

What Happened: Virgin Voyages, based in Miami, rolled out the “Scarlet Summer Season Pass” in March. This package comprises four week-long cruises to attract remote workers who wish to spend a month at sea in southern Europe, reported CNBC.

“People have really adopted the flexible working style, and it resonates with travelers,” stated Virgin Voyages’ CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu.

The Season Pass, costing $9,990, covers two people and includes a room, meals, group fitness classes, Wi-Fi, laundry services, daily coffee and tea credits, and access to workspaces. According to Virgin’s website, booking the Season Pass is 30% cheaper than booking four separate week-long cruises.

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Within 24 hours of announcing the Season Pass, over 2,000 people registered interest. When bookings opened, spots on the month-long cruise sold out in 48 hours, prompting Virgin Voyages to open additional spots on a second cruise ship this summer.

The cruises, set to sail from June to September, will be on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady ships, each accommodating around 2,700 guests.

This successful launch of Virgin’s Season Pass cruise reflects the broader shift to remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are in the midst of a massive transformation in how, what, and where we do our jobs,” commented KPMG‘s chief economist, Diane Swonk.

The overwhelming response to this novel offering highlights the ongoing transformation in work styles. “There is no putting the work-from-home genie back in the bottle,” said Swonk.

Why It Matters: Virgin Voyages’ initiative taps into the growing trend of remote work, offering a unique solution that combines work and travel. As BlackRock’s Rick Rieder acknowledges, the Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in an era where remote and hybrid work arrangements have become the new standard.

This shift in the workforce landscape has led companies like IBM to issue directives to their remote managers to either relocate close to an office or leave the company.

Meanwhile, Virgin Galactic, another company under Branson, had laid off 18% of its workforce to focus on building new spaceships in 2023.

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