Virgin Voyages: Ship No 1

Sir Richard Branson knows how to have a bit of fun at his own expense, and his latest ad for a new scent inspired by his Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady ship fits the bill.

As a cheeky nod to the classic perfume ads, Virgin Voyages has released Ship No. 1, the “signature scent of Scarlet Lady” with a video featuring Branson.

The black and white video starts like a typical perfume ad, with Branson on the rail of a ship and glamour shots of the Scarlet Lady cruising through the ocean. The voice over asks “What do you desire…what if your object of desire is literally an object” as the ship comes into full view.

Cut to the perfume bottle and a description of it. Cut back to Branson, who looks into the camera and deadpans “It smells like ship.”

The accompanying website states “When somebody walks into the room and says, ‘It smells like something in here, but I just can't put my finger on it.’ Let them know. It smells like ship.”