Sir Richard Branson is not worried about the coronavirus (Covid-19), he revealed today ahead of the launch of Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady.

The founder of Virgin Group appeared on Good Morning Britain to talk about the launch of the new ship.

When asked if he was concerned about the timing of the launch with all the press around Diamond Princess, he said: “We’ll be operating out of America, where this is not a major issue. We’re not worried at the moment and I think the authorities seem to be do everything they can to get it under control.

“I obviously feel enormously for the people in Japan… Virgin Atlantic, our airline, offered to send an airline to pick them up. I’m not sure whether the government are going to use that plane or use somebody else’s plane, but I think out of the States, it’s not an issue at the moment and hopefully it’ll never become an issue.”

Talking about the adult-only cruise liner, he revealed that he’s going to get his first tattoo in the ship’s tattoo parlour.

“I’m having my birthday on the ship later this year and I’ve actually decided to get my first tattoo, just because we’ve got our own tattoo parlour.

“We’ve created a cruise ship that is lots of fun, very special, very Virgin. I think it’ll attract a lot of people who had never dreamt of going on cruise ships.

“I came on the finished cruise ship yesterday in Dover and was absolutely wowed by every single aspect of it and I think other people will be too.”

Also announced today was the launch of a new Voyage Store, a dedicated packaging platform for travel agents.

Announced on the debut of Scarlet Lady, it has partnered with Aviate to develop the store in an effort to increase the line’s reach within the UK.

To find out more on Virgin Voyages, visit virginvoyages.com/