It can be hard to get into a productive mindset when gazing out of the window to a drizzly day. It may be the case that more inspiring views could elicit greater productivity – say perhaps, a sprawling blue ocean…
This is the opinion of Virgin Voyages, the adults-only cruise line, which is now offering a unique opportunity for remote workers to trade their home office for a desk with view of the sea onboard one of its vast cruise ships.
Dubbed the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass," the offer allows professionals to turn "work from home" into "work from helm" aboard a ship in the Mediterranean Sea.
Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages, highlighted the appeal of breaking away from the traditional work-from-home routine. "No longer does working from home mean being tied to a desk or home office and eating leftovers for lunch," he noted in conversation with Fox News.
For those wondering if being miles from land may scupper their meeting schedule, the cruise line's upgraded wireless internet aims to ensure that remote workers can stay connected while “enjoying the scenic views and Mediterranean cuisine”.
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In fact, in February, the company announced its adoption of SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO internet, claiming to offer the "fastest WiFi at sea."
Saverimuttu recommended that ‘work from helm’ professionals utilize the flexibility of working from a daybed at The Dock, and explore ports of call during breaks between calls.
Professionals who purchase the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass" will embark on a four-week journey through coastal towns like Cannes, Rome, Ibiza, and more. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, noted the pass's alignment with the company's ethos of ‘blending work and play’.
Branson reminisced about his own beginnings, working from a houseboat when he founded Virgin.
"I’ve never thought of work and play as two different things — it’s all just living," he said, expressing enthusiasm for the idea of professionals traveling the world while working aboard Virgin's ships.
The sailings will take place aboard the Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages' first ship, christened in February 2020. The cruise fare includes a cabin with a balcony, meals, premium WiFi, laundry service, daily coffee credit, and daily happy hours.
While the offer presents an enticing opportunity for professionals seeking a change of scenery, it raises questions about the feasibility and productivity of working from sea. Would you accept the invitation to work remotely from a cruise ship in the Mediterranean?
If the answer is yes, prepare for a steep cost, as the package will set you back an eye watering $9,900 for two passengers. You may need another holiday to handle the trauma of shelling out that much cash.