What do you give the billionaire Richard Branson for his birthday? A cruise ship full of lookalikes
Name: Richard Branson.
Age: 72.
Richard Branson? Rings a bell. Just remind … So Sir Richard Branson was like the old Elon Musk, before the real Elon Musk came along. Largely superseded these days.
Got it. Virgin, right? And still going? Going strong, partying hard.
Ooh, I love a billionaire party. Do tell. It was supposed to be his 70th but that got delayed, because Covid.
And just a low-key affair I imagine – little Italian restaurant, close friends and family. Don’t be daft – it was a surprise five-night Caribbean cruise on one of his luxury Virgin Voyages luxury ships. On his blog there’s a helpful link to Virgin Voyages’ site, with some tasty-looking discounts, in case you’re inspired to book a voyage yourself.
Now that is classy: birthday party-slash-marketing opportunity. Any dress code at all? Richard Branson.
Yeah, you said. I know whose party; I’m asking about the dress code. I know, and I’m saying Richard Branson.
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Eh? So one night there was a Richard Through the Decades soiree. “It was a little bizarre but also hilarious seeing the creativity and fun people had put into their costumes,” blogged Branson. “From people inside mini-hot air balloons to ripped clothes from many near-death escapades, to recreating my Student magazine days in the 60s.”
Now that is hilarious. Also inspirational, and energising. A whole ship full of Richard Bransons. Another night the dress code was all-white.
Why am I getting David Brent vibes here? And Richard’s musician son Sam performed a song called Sympathy for the Legend, inspired by the Rolling Stones hit.
Now you’ve taken me straight to Succession – you know, Logan’s birthday party episode. Meets Carry On Cruising maybe. There were shore excursions too, to the incredible Virgin Voyages beach club in Bimini, in the Bahamas, to meet some entrepreneurs and Bimini business owners …
Inspirational ones? Obvs.
At a birthday party, though! There was also a diving trip in the caves in Rio Secreto in Mexico. Richard had a brilliant time, “making the most of being onboard our fantastic new ship, and taking part in activities close to my heart – supporting entrepreneurs and conserving the environment”.
Yeah, because cruise ships are well known for being really great for the environment. Well …
Do say: “For he’s a jolly good fe-e-llow … and so say all of us!”
Don’t say: “The bars? I’ve come as 1971 Richard, in jail, arrested for tax evasion.”