Sir Richard Branson Pens Open Letter To Reluctant State

Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, the new adult-by-design cruise ship setting sail in 2020, has already opened bookings. All across America would-be sailors have been clamouring to be amongst the first to climb aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady when she sets sail on her inaugural season in 2020. In fact, people from all but one of the 50 US states have already booked their places. 

So who has yet to be seduced by the femme fatale?  Well surprisingly, given that it is home to a place called Rapid City, it is South Dakota that is slow off the mark.

Dear South Dakota...

In an effort to galvanise the Mid-Westerners to leave their prairies in favour of an ocean voyage like no other, Sir Richard Branson took the unprecedented step of writing a personal open letter to South Dakotans urging them not to miss the boat!  

In his letter, which was published in Thursday’s New York Times, Sir Richard began by thanking the 49 states that have already booked, and promised that they would enjoy “a cruise experience unlike any holiday [they’d] ever taken.” Then, rather than admonishIng South Dakotans for their tardiness, Sir Richard instead revealed an interesting statistic that may explain their lack of engagement:

Apparently, the average full-time employee in South Dakota uses only 26% of their vacation days to travel. In fact, about 73% of South Dakotans have left over days each year!  

Now, whilst there is much to be said for the old adage “there’s no place like home”, as Sir Richard so eloquently states in his letter there are so many benefits provided by travel.  So in order to rally South Dakotans, Sir Richard Branson extended a very personal invitation to book a voyage ASAP and come join the fun in 2020.

Billboards and Incentives

To further encourage these reluctant sailors, Virgin Voyages have erected clever billboards across the State reminding them to get onboard. One on the 605 reads “6 Minutes to Book, 0 Reasons Not To, 5 Days at Sea”. Another in the ironically named Rapid City, accuses “Rapid City...You’re Not Booking Fast Enough”; and in Sioux Falls yet another asks “Sioux...Ya Gonna Book Or What?”

As an added incentive, and to give them even more of a nudge,Virgin Voyages is offering the first lucky South Dakotan who books a cruise a prize package that includes:

• $605 in Sailor Loot to use on-board the Scarlet Lady
• 2 first class tickets from the 605 to the 305
• One-night hotel stay in Miami
• Limo transfer to the ship in Miami

South Dakota - Come and Join the Party

Ship happens, but I'd hate for South Dakotans to end up with a massive case of FOMO. Fingers crossed they get the hint and take the plunge, after all it's going to be "an epic sea change for all" and it would be a shame to miss out!