scarlet lady cruise itinerary

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Scarlet Lady

Cruise line Virgin Voyages

• Miami (Florida)
• Barcelona (Spain)

Scarlet Lady current position

Scarlet Lady current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 25.21427 N / -77.36631 W) cruising at speed of 15.2 kn (28 km/h | 17 mph) en route to LAST UPDATE TIME. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Scarlet Lady

Scarlet Lady current cruise is 5 days, round-trip Riviera Maya . Prices start from USD 1890 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 07 Apr, 2024 and ends on 12 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Scarlet Lady

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Scarlet Lady Itineraries

Scarlet lady review, review of scarlet lady.

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated MS Scarlet Lady cruise ship is the first in the Virgin Voyages fleet . The name was announced on July 20, 2018. Scarlet Lady's three sisterships (of the same design ) are Valiant Lady (2022 May), Resilient Lady (2023 May) and Brilliant Lady (2024 March).

All Virgin cruise ships were constructed at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente yard (near Genoa Italy ).

These liners are known as "Lady Ships" - a play on "your ladyship" term regarding Virgin Group's British heritage. A number of renown designers were chosen to create a new "cruise ship" style and "adult cruising" vacation concept. For the ship's interior design, the Virgin cruise line contracted the marine architecture and naval design companies Roman and Williams (NYC), Concrete Amsterdam, Tom Dixon's Design Research Studio (London UK), Gem Srl (Italy), Softroom (London UK), WORKac (NYC), Knibb Design, HL Studio (UK), HKS Architects (Dallas USA), PearsonLloyd (London UK).

Virgin Voyages (fka Virgin Cruises) is a new cruise line company headquartered in Plantation (Florida USA). Virgin Voyages was created in December 2014 as a joint venture between Virgin Group Ltd (UK-based multinational holding company, 49% stake) and Bain Capital LP (USA-based multi-asset investment company, 51% stake). Virgin is an adults-only cruise company (passengers' minimum age is 18) and officially starts operations in April 2020.

The vessel (IMO number 311000807) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 311000807) and registered in Nassau .

Scarlet Lady is owned by the company VC SHIP ONE LTD and managed/chartered by VIRGIN VOYAGES LTD.

Decks and Cabins

MS Scarlet Lady staterooms (a total of 1408 passenger cabins for 2770 guests/ max capacity is 2860) include 78x Suites, 1030x Balconies, 95x Oceanviews and 105x Interiors. The staff and crew (total 1160 people) are accommodated in 813 crew cabins.

The boat has 17 decks , of which 13 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

In mid-January 2019, Virgin Voyages announced details on the RockStar Suite cabins. Staterooms were designed by Tom Dixon Design Research Studio (interior, product and design consultancy). All staterooms are "smart", with mood lighting and sensors auto-adjusting the lighting according to passenger's movements. The cruise ship has a total of 78 cabins in the category "RockStar Suite", including 15x "Mega RockStar Suites" (9x Gorgeous, 2x Posh, 2x Fab, 2x Massive). Most of them are on Deck 15, with the above Deck 16 housing one "RockStar Suite Sailor" (bow-facing Owner Suite).

The decor is music (rock-and-roll) themed, with a retro-futuristic design, a color palette of deep blues with iridescent dichroic elements in the cabin's bathroom. Massive Suite has a separate bedroom that doubles as a music room (fitted with electric guitars and an amplifier). The cabin's terrace (bow-facing) is fitted with Jacuzzi, dining area (6-seat table with built-in stairs), lounge area (circular sofa with low table), padded sun loungers, 2 hammocks, outdoor shower, catamaran net (canopy partially covering the terrace), live plants. Keeping with the music theme, each of the 78 suites boasts a record player.

All categories RockStar Suites (SB-Brilliant, SG-Gorgeous, SP-Posh, SF-Fab, SM-Massive) have marble-clad bathrooms (with hot tubs, premium brand bath products, rain-shower heads, multi-colored dichroic glass doors and windows / Peek-a-Boo shower), Terrazzo flooring, Tom Dixon brand furniture, large mirrored vanity tables, modern L-shaped sofabeds (for 2), low tables, cabinets, 3-door wardrobe, large smart TV (55-inch), vinyl turntable (gold-plated player with a collection of records), complimentary full bar (nautically-themed barware kit), brass and leather finishing, chaise lounge chair (bedroom).

RockStar Suite passengers enjoy exclusive access to "Richard's Rooftop" (VIP club lounge located forward on Deck 16). RockStar Suites receive as perks (price-inclusive amenities and complimentary services) airport-ship transfer (via private drivers), priority helicopter arrangements, luggage assistance, private walk-down service (express VIP pathway) at Virgin Voyages Miami Cruise Terminal (upon arrival), anytime boarding, early access to special shipboard events, complimentary laundry service, clothing pressing, nightly swimsuit drying, RockStar Agents (dedicated butlers per stateroom), dedicated hair and makeup crew (upon request), complimentary Thermal Suite access (Redemption Spa), all-inclusive premium drinks (in all shipboard eateries and bars), personalized bottomless in-room bar (free of charge), option to curate in-port activities.

All Virgin cruise ship staterooms offer as standard amenities European King-size bed (premium linens, plush bedding), wall-mounted reading lamps, bedside tables, mirrored vanity table / writing desk with stool, large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), 4K smart Ultra HDTV (with infotainment system), large balcony (with padded loungers, low table, 2-seat sofa, Yellow Leaf hammock, dining table / custom-designed champagne table fitting an ice bucket). Balcony access is via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors.

Every cabin is equipped with a custom-designed "seabed" and "mood lighting" which is familiar to customers of Virgin America (part of Alaska Airlines). Cabin lights automatically adjust according to passenger's movements. There are also staterooms suited for groups (each with 4 bunk beds) and single cabins (designed for solo travelers). Staterooms are divided into 21 categories. Balcony cabins have "sea terrace" (private, step-out veranda) and are serviced by "Rockstar Coordinators" (personal assistants), while "personal wardrobe teams" provide luggage packing and unpacking.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dining on Virgin Voyages ships is ticket price-inclusive - no extra charges are applied to any of the 20-plus onboard dining options. The cruise company doesn't believe in "paying more for great food", so it ditched traditional surcharges levied in specialty restaurants. All eateries on Scarlet Lady offer "exceptional made-to-order eats" - complimentary.

As part of the company's sustainable travel policy, Virgin Voyages banned single-use plastics and there is no buffet food on the ships. All shipboard food is made-to-order - to reduce waste and lower energy consumption and emissions. Savings are reinvested into fresh (locally sourced) top-quality products, exotic ingredients, highly trained staff, and clean technologies.

The company doesn't follow any traditional cruise dining concepts. Virgin ships don't have the main dining room, buffet restaurant, dress code (formal wear policy), assigned dining times or seating. All these concepts were replaced with intimate (boutique hotel-type) eateries offering 20+ dining options - all of which are included in cruise fares.

Follows the complete list of Scarlet Lady restaurants and food bars.

• The Galley (main venue for casual dining and quick meals) is modeled on popular food halls. Here guests can taste food from various onboard restaurants via 8 shops and carts, including panini shop, bakery and pastry shop, a taco shack, noodle bar, a burger grill, a sushi bar with bento boxes, soup, and salad island, 24-hour American diner.
• The Test Kitchen (laboratory-like eatery with metallic furniture, beakers, test tubes) offers "avant-garde cuisine". It is a part restaurant, part cooking school. Chef-driven menus are presented in the form of ingredient list to guests to discover how the chef combines the flavors throughout the course of each meal.
• Wake (sized 5866 ft2 / 545 m2) is a steakhouse-seafood restaurant located aft and featuring views of the ship's wake. It serves "theatrical take" food inspired by The Grill-New York and The Wolseley-London.
• Geonbae (Korean barbecue restaurant) is "hosted by the loudest servers at sea". Meals start with complimentary soju (distilled beverage) for the table with guests encouraged to take part in Korean drinking games.
• Pink Agave (Mexican restaurant) provides shared plate experience with DJ music until late. It features porthole windows, metallic lighting fixtures, large tables, elongated curved area (intimate seating with 2-seat tables), separate bar (in the Lobby), private dining room (can be booked for parties and other private events).
• Extra Virgin (trattoria restaurant) serves traditional Italian food specialties, including handmade fresh pasta.
• Dock (sized 220 ft2 / 20.4 m2 beach club-inspired restaurant) offers Mediterranean cuisine with small plates, dips, mezze, salads. The Dock features wooden deck chairs, day beds, and loungers.
• The Pizza Place (beach club-inspired restaurant) offers complimentary oven-baked gourmet pizzas by the slice.
• Razzle Dazzle is the ship's vegan-vegetarian restaurant. Part of Razzle Dazzle Restaurant is the Red Bar - juice bar offering fresh-squeezed juices and tonics, as well as crafted cocktails from a menu that varies every night. In two days per cruise, at Razzle Dazzle is hosted Drag Brunch featuring live entertainment by "sassy drag queens". Considered one of the ship's most energetic spots, Razzle Dazzle gets its design and name from the practice of camouflaging vessels during both World Wars via patterns of black and white paint.
• Sun Club Cafe - Outdoor Eatery
• The Sip is the ship's wine bar lounge (Virgin's champagne house) where along with a selection of premium wines can be enjoyed traditional British Afternoon Tea service.

Virgin cruise ship passengers (Sailors) are offered complimentary water (filtered and sparkling) at all onboard bars and dining venues. Throughout the ship, there are also complimentary water stations.

Via the Sailor App (when your phone is shaken) a secret "Champagne button" allows Sailors to order Moet-Chandon Champagne (Brut Imperial, 750 ml bottle) delivered in an ice bucket and with two glasses. The service is called "Shake for Champagne" and provided anywhere on board.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Each Virgin ship features 93% oceanview cabins and 86% balconied staterooms (called "sea terraces"), casino, several live entertainment venues (similar to traditional theatre lounges).

Ship's signature venues include:

• Athletic Club (training center) is an outdoor gym area with a boxing ring and gym club equipment) located top-deck aft. Part of the Sports Deck is also the raised jogging track (Runway track, red-white colored), sundeck with open-air lounge (furnished with double daybeds and semi-circular loungers), triple netting area (220 ft2 / 20.4 m2 overlooking below decks), 10 private cabanas (cushioned bed, low table, 2 lounge chairs), beverage service (from the outdoor Sports Bar), foosball tables, swimming pool, showers. The Athletic Club on Scarlet Lady was designed by Concrete Amsterdam and inspired by New York City's sports clubs in the 1920s.
• Sun Club - Sun Worship Sanctuary
• MyBeast is an outdoor playground / poolside gym area.
• The Crow's Nest (aft sundeck) offers 360-degree views and is furnished with loungers and mats colored in Virgin's signature red. Here are also hosted sunrise and sunset outdoor yoga classes.
• The B Complex is an indoor fitness center with Technogym ARTIS equipment, floor-ceiling windows and separate rooms (studios) for cycling, yoga, cardio and spinning classes.
• Gym and Tonic Bar serves cold-pressed fresh juices.
• Aquatic Club Sundeck - Poolside Oasis and Aquatic Club Bar.
• Two Pools (including the Well-being Pool - ship's main pool surrounded by an adult playground and fitness apparatus named MyBeast).
• The Manor is the ship's 2-deck high Disco Nightclub with a large dance floor. The NYC-based design studio Roman and Williams designed Scarlet Lady's ballroom, The Manor, which is a venue for innovative entertainment, dancing, music, and fun, destined to be one of the most exciting spots onboard. The Manor Nightclub was inspired by Richard Branson's first Virgin music studio of the same name and has been expertly outfitted with platforms, corners, and details that make it both somewhere to see and to be seen.
• The Dock is an outdoor lounge (aft on Deck 7) with cushioned wooden furniture (loungers, deckchairs, daybeds).
• Richard's Rooftop is a top-deck VIP area (Suite passengers only sundeck) furnished with daybeds, deckchairs, circular loungers, large umbrellas, colored crystals. Named after the company's founder Richard Branson, it has a futuristic feel with giant umbrellas, circular loungers, and accents of colored crystals that cast rainbow reflections.
• "Ministry of Ground" and "Ministry of Ground Too" are specialty coffee bars serving Intelligentsia coffee (Virgin Voyages Blend) and made-to-order beverages made by expert baristas. Ministry of Ground (designed by Softroom of London) is located midship on Deck 7 (in The Galley food market) and features round-shaped/porthole-type large windows with window seats, purple and aquamarine hues for seating, comfy loungers and modern tables. In addition to the hand-crafted Intelligentsia Coffee brews, passengers receive complimentary cakes and light bites. Retail items (bags of Intelligentsia Coffee and JoJo loose-leaf teas, kettles, coffee cups, and others) are available for purchase.
• Redemption is the ship's Spa complex (on Deck 5) consisting of Reception, Mud Room, Salt Room, Hydrotherapy Pool, cold plunge pool, Jacuzzi, Thermal Suite (indoor spa with porthole windows, plunge pool and Jacuzzi), treatment rooms (for massages and treatments) with quartz-mattress beds, Dry Dock Salon (hairdressing services), Stubble and Groom (barbershop), Blow Dry Bar, Male pedicure Spa, Mani-pedi Spa. At night, the wellness complex transforms into a dancing lounge with live DJ music.
• The Scene Event Space
• Squid Ink is a tattoo studio via a partnership with World Famous Tattoo Ink. The facility is operated by two full-time tattoo artists (handpicked by Lou Rubino Jr) plus celebrity artists. All tattoos are created by using original vegan ink. Other services at Squid Ink include body piercings and permanent makeup treatments (using certified vegan Perma Blend pigments).
• The Red Room was designed by theatre consultants Auerbach Pollock Friedlander and renowned architects WorkAC as the first-ever transformational multi-form theatre at sea. The Red Room transforms into 4 different configurations: an alley stage used in fashion shows, a traditional Proscenium stage, a dance flat-floor configuration, and a unique reverse stage setup. The first at-sea theatre enables the cruise line to create different experiences for each day of the cruise. Scarlet Lady offers 6 original shows that include production by Randy Weiner (The Donkey Show, Queen of the Night, Sleep No More).
• The Groupie (privately bookable karaoke room/for sing-alongs) also doubles as Cinema and VIP Casino (gaming lounge).
• The Den Flex Event Space
• DJs in residence who perform on Scarlet Lady (at call ports and at Virgin's Bimini Bahamas destination) include British musician Mark Ronson, NYC-based band "Sofi Tukker" and DJ MK (Marc Kinchen).
• Voyage Vinyl (record store) features listening stations, record collections and a DJ spot for live performances (by resident and guest DJs).
• "JLo Beauty" is an onboard shop selling skincare products of Jennifer Lopez's brand "JLo Beauty & Lifestyle".
• Draught Haus (on deck 7, adjacent to Voyage Vinyl) is the ship's taproom - an exclusive bar serving craft beers.

Draught Haus offers 8 different draft beers, also boilermakers (beer cocktails), bottled craft beers, shots, shot-cocktails. The bar also provides growler/jug service that allows passengers to take their drinks throughout the ship (public spaces and in cabins). The beerhouse features themed furniture, rustic decor, a beer tap display (behind the bar).

Onboard MS Scarlet Lady is served Virgin's own brand of craft beer (English Pale Ale) created by Wynwood Brewing Company (Miami). For the new "Virgin cruise beer" is used English yeast and American malts and hops.

In April 2023, Virgin Voyages signed a partnership deal with WPT/World Poker Tour (2002-founded, internationally televised gaming and entertainment brand). The premium poker experience is offered on Scarlet Lady during all 4-5-night Caribbean itineraries. The ship's new WPT at Sea Poker Room is fitted with 8 poker tables and served by professional dealers. The new gaming venue hosts beginner training sessions, as well as cash games and WPT Prize Package poker tournaments with buy-ins between US$80-320. The US$320 buy-in WPT Prize tournament is held once per cruise. The prize (US$5000) can be used on any future voyage or WPT tournament.

Virgin cruise deals

In regard to onboard gratuities, the company has "No Tipping" policy, which means all gratuities are included in the base cruise fares. Also included in basic fares are beverages, all eateries, group fitness classes. The company also doesn't charge penalties or change fees. Customers are able to hold staterooms for 24 hours with no money down once they've placed a 20% non-refundable deposit. They also have a 7-day grace period allowing them to change bookings for any reason. Cruise departure date and names on bookings can be changed without fees or penalties.

Shortly before opening the bookings on Scarlet Lady (Feb 14, 2019), Virgin announced all-inclusive deal policy by which cruises are sold "by cabin price". Fares are also inclusive of dining (shipwide / 20 options, some 24-hours), unlimited WiFi, all fitness classes. Cabin pricing only varies by the number of occupants. For 5-day itineraries, fares start from ~USD 250 pp per day (excluding taxes-fees).

Itineraries

In early-April 2021, Virgin announced that after multiple delays, Scarlet Lady will debut on August 6, 2021 (Inaugural Cruise date) with a mini-season in the UK. The "Summer Soiree" sailings (3-4-day cruises to nowhere roundtrip from homeport Portsmouth England ) were open for booking (to UK residents only) on April 13, 2021.

Virgin's Scarlet Lady inaugural season (2021) is based on 4-5-day Caribbean roundtrips leaving from homeport Miami (Florida USA) . During the maiden season (originally 2020), the ship was also planned to visit Cuba. Virgin's decision was influenced by conducted customer and travel agency research in the UK and North America. All cruises to Cuba offered an overnight in Havana , allowing passengers ("sailors") to explore the country's capital and its unique nightlife.

• 5-day "Mayan Sol" itinerary visits Havana (overnight) and Costa Maya (Mexico) . In Mexico, shore excursions include scuba diving (coral reefs) and Mayan ruins.
• 5-day "Dominican Daze" itinerary visits Havana (overnight) and Puerto Plata (Dominicana) or Bahamas ( Bimini Islands ). In the Dominican Rep, shore excursions include trekking, surfing, and shopping.
• 4-day "Havana After Dark" itinerary visits Havana (overnight) and Bimini Islands.

The liner will be also seasonally deployed in Europe (via Transatlantic crossings), with planned visits to several major Mediterranean and UK ports (including Dover and Liverpool ).

Virgin cruise bookings on Scarlet Lady opened on February 5, 2019 (for customers with pre-sale deposits) and on February 14 (for the general public). Following the June 5, 2019-issued US Government restrictions on the USA to Cuba travel, Virgin Voyages revised all scheduled itineraries to exclude Havana. The new/revised itineraries offer late-night call port departures (some at midnight).

• 5-night "Riviera Maya" itinerary visits Playa Del Carmen (across Cozumel Island), with opportunities to explore archaeological and ecological sites or touring the neighbouring Tulum (walled Mayan city).
• 4-night "Fire and Sunset Soirees" (short-breaks) visit Key West Florida (sunset departure) and Bimini Bahamas (with a late-night beach bonfire party and midnight departure).
• 7-night itineraries (for Xmas 2020 holidays/cancelled) included the themed cruises "Holidaze and Nights" and "New Year's Ahoy" visiting Puerto Plata (Dominicana) with Bimini Bahamas and San Juan Puerto Rico .

All Virgin Scarlet Lady cruises visit Bimini Bahamas as a private island destination.

MS Scarlet Lady's Maiden Voyage from the USA is currently scheduled for September 22, 2021 (4-day "Fire Sunset Soirees" itinerary).

Scarlet Lady - user reviews and comments

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Other Virgin Voyages cruise ships

• Brilliant Lady
• Resilient Lady
• Valiant Lady

Scarlet Lady Wiki

Scarlet Lady ship's construction (Fincantieri yard/hull number 6287) started with the steel-cutting ceremony held on March 22, 2017. Vessel's keel-laying ceremony was on October 31, 2017, attended by Giovanni Toti (Liguria's President), Marco Bucci (Genoa's Mayor), Richard Branson (Virgin Group's founder), Tom McAlpin (Virgin Voyages' President and CEO) and Alberto Maestrini (Fincantieri's General Manager). Boy George (UK singer, songwriter, fashion designer) performed as superstar DJ. During the ceremony were revealed ship design and hull art.

On July 20, 2018, was the drydock's flooding, during which 2 drydock-assembled hull sections were floated out and connected. On the same day (also at Sestri Ponente Shipyard, near Genoa ) was held the steel-cutting ceremony for the second Virgin cruise liner ( Valiant Lady ).

The vessel's launch (float-out from drydock) was on February 8, 2019. The special ceremony was attended by Tom McAlpin (Virgin Voyages President and CEO), Luigi Matarazzo (Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division's Director) and Paolo Capobianco (Sestri Ponente Shipyard's Director). The ceremony's godmother was Giuliana Rindone (shipyard employee). The ship successfully completed the Mediterranean sea trials in November 22-30 navigating between Genoa and Marseille and back. On Nov 27, the 69-year-old Richard Branson, together with his family (wife Joan and kids Holly and Sam) boarded the vessel in Marseille.

The Bahamas- flagged vessel Scarlet Lady (MMSI 311000807, registered in Nassau ) was officially delivered to Virgin Voyages on February 14, 2020. The delivery ceremony was attended by Tom McAlpin (Virgin's President and CEO), Giampiero Massolo (Fincantieri's President and Chairman), Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO) and Marco Bucci (Genoa City's Mayor).

The ship's first Master/Captain was Wendy Williams. Her appointment was announced in June 2019 by Sir Richard Branson. Captain Wendy Williams (from Sept-Iles Quebec ) became the first Canadian woman appointed Master of a major cruise line vessel. She has 28+ years of maritime service (as of 2019), including on commercial fishing vessels, ferryboats and large cruise liners (15+ years). By the Scarlet Squad (recruitment and training program), Virgin Voyages hired Captain Williams plus 12+ other female officers for Scarlet Lady, including for the positions Hotel Director (Jill Anderson), Safety Officer (Christin Wenge), Environmental Officer (Lindsay Kerber), as well as engineers and 2nd and 3rd officers.

Scarlet Lady refurbishment 2022 review

In 2022-Q1 (January and February), all Scarlet Lady staterooms were updated while the boat was operational (deployed in the Caribbean) and carrying passengers. Noise-generating works were conducted during the stays in PortMiami (between the voyages).

The refurbishment project included refreshing the cabins' interiors by adding authentic artworks, new-theme linens and decorative pillows (with nautical stripes), vertical wooden beams (decorating the wall facing the bed), more wooden furniture (increasing the drawers and storage space).

Virgin ship technology

Virgin cruise ships are with passenger capacity 2750 (plus 1150 crew), GT tonnage 110,000 tons, ABB Azipod XO propulsion system (electric drive motors with off-hull submerged azimuth thrusters / 360--degree rotating propellers). These units provide the best maneuverability (allowing in-port navigation without tug assistance) and minimal vibrations/noise. By placing the propulsion units outside the hull, the Azipod system frees up space for more lower-deck staterooms. ABB Ability technology is based on a network using real-time data transferred to remote centers monitoring and analyzing the propulsion system data and also offering remote technical support.

These vessels stand out with innovative design ideas and solutions, as well as the latest marine technologies for energy recovery and environmental impact reduction. Ship's cleaning energy system is provided by the Swedish company Climeon Ocean. The technology allows reducing CO2 emissions by converting diesel engines generated heat into electricity (capacity approx 1 MW) for onboard use. Each of the Virgin liners has 6 such units, saving annually approx 5400 tons of CO2. The ship's waste processing system is provided by Scanship.

Wartsila (Finnish marine technologies corporation / former shipbuilder) was contracted to provide ships' powerplants . Each liner is powered by two 8-cylinder plus two 12-cylinder "Wartsila 46F" marine diesel engines. Wartsila's Hybrid Scrubber System operates in both open and closed-loop and uses seawater to remove SOx from the vessel's exhaust, also significantly reducing NOx emissions. The Wartsila-made navigation and automation control systems are from the company's latest NACOS Platinum series.

Alternative power is provided by 4-stroke engines powering the 4 electricity gen-sets, each equipped with TPL-C turbochargers (by ABB).

In February 2020 Virgin announced "The Band" - smart wearable technology introduced on Scarlet Lady (April 1st). The device is made from recycled marine plastic (sustainability initiative) and developed via partnership with The Bionic Company. The lightweight device (RFID wristband) is mailed to all passengers and is complimentary (keepsake). The Band is activated upon boarding the ship and used for onboard purchases and payments (beverages, Casino gaming), booking tours, cabin access (room key), room service ordering (points guest's current location), VIP pass (for Richard's Rooftop).

In early-April 2021 was announced that following multiple delays, Scarlet Lady's Maiden Voyage (August 6, 2021) will start a mini-season in the UK. The "Summer Soirees" (3-4-day cruises to nowhere roundtrip from Portsmouth England ) were open for booking (to UK residents only) on April 13, 2021.

The mini UK season ended on September 3, when the liner left Portsmouth Harbour for the Transatlantic crossing to the USA ( NYC New York ). The Caribbean Maiden Voyage departed on October 6. The 4-day "Fire Sunset Soirees" itinerary was themed "MerMaiden Voyage". Its prices started at USD 1700 (EUR 1430 / GBP 1230) per person with double occupancy.

Inaugural itineraries 2020-2021 (CANCELED)

In early-April 2021, Virgin Voyages canceled all ex-USA cruises on Scarlet Lady previously scheduled for the period July 4 through September 17 (2021). With the latest cancellations, a total of 102x Caribbean roundtrips (from PortMiami) were canceled in a one-year period (April 2020-2021).

Next table shows the ship's MAIDEN VOYAGE from the USA in 2021 (4-day "Fire Sunset Soirees" itinerary) priced from USD 1170 per person (GBP 855 / EUR 985) with double occupancy.

Virgin also announced that after multiple delays, Scarlet Lady will debut on August 6, 2021 (Inaugural Cruise date) with a mini-season in the UK. The sailings (all roundtrips from homeport Portsmouth England ) were open for booking to UK residents only.

Next tables show the canceled inaugural cruise itineraries (originally planned maiden voyages from PortMiami by length and theme) as call port sequences, port stay times (arrival/departure) and prices per person (double occupancy rates).

Scarlet Lady's ever-first cruise was planned to start on April 1, 2020. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis, Virgin Voyages cancelled (CruiseMinus) a total of 102 departures from PortMiami.

4-day "Inaugural Cruise" ("Havana After Dark" itinerary) - from USD 4100 pp

5-day "Havana After Dark" itinerary - from USD 4300 pp

5-day "Mayan Sol" itinerary - from USD 3800 pp

On June 26, 2019, Virgin announced that Scarlet Lady will be chartered for a themed LGBTQ+ cruise ("lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender") by Atlantis Events. The charter deal was confirmed by Rich Campbell (Atlantis Events' President and CEO).

Following the June 2019-issued US Government ban on the USA to Cuba group travel, Virgin Voyages revised all scheduled itineraries by replacing Havana. The new/revised itineraries have late-night call port departures (including at midnight).

4-day "Fire And Sunset Soirees" itinerary (from USD 3550 pp)

5-day "Riviera Maya" itinerary (from USD 3400 pp)

5-day "Mayan Sol" itinerary (from USD 3400 pp)

5-day "Dominican Daze" itinerary (from USD 2200 pp)

In mid-November 2019 were announced two pre-inaugural (themed "Sneak-a-Peek") mini-cruises. The 3-night voyages (March 26-29, and March 29 - April 1) were both Miami roundtrips visiting only Bimini Bahamas.

In late-October were canceled all December 2020 departures (6 more cruises) including two holiday-themed voyages.

7-day Christmas "Holidays And Nights" - from USD 2600 pp

7-day "New Years Ahoy" - from USD 3250 pp

In mid-December 2020, Virgin canceled all Scarlet Lady cruises (PortMiami-roundtrips) scheduled for January 3 through and including May 5, 2021. The ship's Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled from January 3 (5-day "Dominican Daze") to May 9 (5-day "Riviera Maya"). The cancellation affected a total of 25 departures from PortMiami.

Virgin Cruises' private island resort "Bimini Beach Club" (Bahamas)

The liner Scarlet Lady is the first cruise ship to stop at "Bimini Beach Club" (Virgin Group's private island resort in Bimini Bahamas ). The exclusive destination allows Virgin's Sailors to enjoy world-class entertainment from a rotating cast of DJs led by Mark Ronson.

Virgin's Bimini Beach Club offers premium food with locally sourced ingredients and traditional Bahamian favorites like banana leaf-wrapped queen snapper, conch and mango salad, Bahamian rum cake. The complex has 6 bars, outdoor lounge areas with hammock groves, beach loungers, watersport activities, (optional/at extra cost) private poolside and beach-side cabanas for rent.

RockStar Suite passengers benefit from complimentary food service, exclusive bar and outdoor terrace lounge, VIP beach cabanas. The 7-mile (11-km) long island offers extraordinary activities like boating, snorkeling, wreck diving. The partially sunk wreck of SS Sapona (concrete-hulled steamship that ran aground in 1926) is located just a few miles off the island's southern coast.

Virgin's private resort is located on North Bimini Island and at a short bus transfer from the docking pier. It was built via a partnership with Resorts World Bimini. This is a 750-acres (3 km2 / 1,2 mi2) beachfront resort-casino-marina-hotel complex operated by Genting Group (Malaysia-based multinational corporation). North Bimini is approx 68 km (42 mi) east of Miami. Resort's estimated building cost is USD 220 million.

Virgin's Bimini Beach Club overlooks the sea and features a large lagoon-style swimming pool. The "resort experience" also features morning open-air exercises (yoga and meditation), afternoon DJ poolside parties, night beach bonfires and live musical performances.

I've been on more than 150 cruise ships; here are my first impressions of Scarlet Lady, the first-ever Virgin Voyages vessel

I expected to hate it. I really did.

But four days into my first sailing on Scarlet Lady , the hot new cruise ship for adults from start-up line Virgin Voyages , I am finding that I am not hating it all. In fact, I'm sort of loving it.

It turns out that this flashy new brand, which initially filled its marketing messages with so many images of the young and the hip that some people thought it was just for millennials , might be the perfect cruise line for someone like me: A somewhat balding, 52-year-old father of three who is starting to look back wistfully at the fun of his younger, more carefree days.

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I'm not sure what that says about Virgin Voyages' prospects. It may not be what they want to hear. If too many people like me start booking Scarlet Lady, the line's chances of drawing twentysomethings and thirtysomethings may be lost forever.

But maybe this is all part of the plan. People my age do have more money to spend than the youngsters.

The allure of Scarlet Lady

Designed as a no-kids zone , Scarlet Lady is filled with stylish, adult-oriented nightspots and bars promising a hopping scene late into the night as well as such hipster venues as a tattoo parlor and a colorful karaoke lounge . There's onboard entertainment that is innovative and sometimes edgy in a way that you don't normally see on cruise ships. There's staff that are there in part to encourage you to let loose a little -- or a lot.

In short, it feels like the sort of cruise ship that young people would want to sail on, even if, in the end, it doesn't draw as many young people as some might have expected (early word is the average booker is in her or his 50s ). And that may be what makes it the perfect ship for somewhat older people like me who miss the wilder and crazier days of their youth.

If we can't be young again, at least we can pretend for a few days, right?

I expected to hate Scarlet Lady in part because of the way it was initially marketed, as a place for the young and the hip and the beautiful. That clearly isn't me.

I also was put off a bit by Virgin Voyages' "we know better" attitude toward cruising. It has been a cruise company that has talked itself up at times in the lead-up to Scarlet Lady's launch by pooh-poohing the things that other cruise companies do . This seemed suspect to me given how incredibly successful these other cruise companies have been.

RELATED: Why you've got it all wrong if you think Scarlet Lady is just for millennials

Could Virgin Voyages and its backers at Richard Branson's Virgin Group really know better?

Now that I have been on board Scarlet Lady for a few days, I am starting to think that maybe, in a few areas at least, they do.

Here, some of my first impressions of the vessel, which is on its maiden voyage out of Miami (I will post more of my initial thoughts on the experience in the coming days):

It's a ship for adults like no other

It's taken me a few days to fully appreciate what a difference it makes that this is an adults-only cruise vessel -- one where nobody under the age of 18 is allowed on board.

The fact that there are no kids on board means Virgin Voyages can offer a far more adult array of entertainment from one end of Scarlet Lady to the other than you'll find on the ships of Royal Caribbean , Norwegian Cruise Line and other big cruise brands, even during the daytime, and even in public areas such as around the pool. The line even can be a little naughty.

A couple of days ago, during an impromptu wedding event at the base of the swirling staircase in the center of the ship, an emcee loudly quizzed one of the two women getting married about their favorite sexual positions, much to the delight of the crowd of passengers looking on. You probably wouldn't see that on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas .

Naughty sex talk also was the theme of a one-woman cabaret show called Never Sleep Alone that took place last night in the ship's The Manor nightclub (transformed into a cabaret lounge). Raunchy and heavy on audience participation, it involved "resident sexologist" Alex Schiller, who claimed to have slept with more than 4,000 people, offering up tips on how to make sure you're never lacking for a partner in bed at night.

In a playful hint at what we were supposed to do with the information, there were condoms on every table in the room for us to take away. And just to sexy it up a little more, Schiller (who some may know from her sex-focused podcast, also called Never Sleep Alone) stripped down to her bustier and stockings at the end of the show.

The kicker here is that I was watching this performance at 8 p.m., before I even had gone to dinner (there was another showing at 10:30 p.m.). This is a time when pretty much every other big ship at sea is running PG-rated entertainment in its showrooms to cater to a family crowd.

Virgin Voyages isn't the first cruise line to tout adult-focused ships where no kids are allowed . A handful of other lines such as Viking and the U.K.'s Saga Cruises have similar no-kids policies. But those lines offer a more traditional cruise experience aimed at older travelers. They are lines for sixtysomething and seventysomething retirees looking for late-in-life "enrichment" in the form of onboard lectures and educational touring in ports.

As you can see from the image above, Virgin Voyages is offering a whole new type of adult cruise.

The entertainment sets a new bar

Virgin Voyages promised to shake things up when it comes to cruise ship entertainment, and -- in my opinion, at least -- it has delivered. Big time. The entertainment that you'll see on Scarlet Lady is edgy and experimental and really pushes the boundaries of what entertainment at sea can be -- and not just because it includes a sex-themed show with a "resident sexologist."

For starters, the line has done away with the traditional, Broadway-style theater with rows of fixed seats that you'll find on most big cruise vessels as well as the traditional, Broadway-style shows and Las Vegas-style musical reviews that you'll typically find playing in them. In its place is a soaring, box-like entertainment space called the Red Room that can transform into all sorts of configurations to allow for different types of unusual performances.

The Red Room, notably, is home to what is surely the most avant-garde "show" ever on a cruise ship -- an energetic, dance party-meets-performance extravaganza called UNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHING. Created by the well-known choreographers Sam Pinkleton and Ani Taj, it takes place in the Red Room configured as a flat dance floor, with a rolling stage in the middle and several other platforms on which dancers perform and interact as showgoers stand on the dance floor around them. The music is blasting, and the walls are lined with video screens projecting an ever-changing kaleidoscope of often incongruous images, including a giant cat head that exclaims "don't be an a**hole" to the crowd as assistants push the stage around the room, ushering showgoers out of the way. At times, the dancers encourage the crowd to join in with the dancing, and many do.

The line has described the show as "a hype music video disguised as an absurdist style dance party," and that pretty much sums it up. I absolutely loved it.

Reconfigured to have two rows of stadium seating with a performance area in the middle, the Red Room hosts another wowzer of a show called Duel Reality that is a modern take on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" told through highly choreographed, music-infused acrobatics.

Other entertainment on board is more subtle but no less avante-garde. Throughout this sailing, small groups of performers have appeared as if out of nowhere in lounges and bars to perform short "micro plays" lasting just a few minutes before disappearing. I was sitting in Sip, the ship's Champagne bar, a few nights ago with my TPG colleague Madison Blancaflor (stay tuned for her take on Scarlet Lady in the next few days) when a seemingly crazed man wearing a poncho and carrying an umbrella began asking me if I had "seen her." He then launched into a tale that I think was about some sort of rogue sailing ship of old.

Madison and I were both so stunned by this odd intrusion into our otherwise quiet conversation that neither of us really caught what he was talking about. But in retrospect, it was kind of delightful (at least for me. Madison seems to still be a bit traumatized by the whole experience).

The entertainment on Scarlet Lady also includes a lot of party-like events such as the everyone-wear-red-and-be-prepared-to-dance Scarlet Night Pool Party that happens on the second night of this itinerary. There are performers dancing on the pool deck and part-way through the event, they encourage passengers to jump into the water with them.

There also is nightly dancing in the ship's two-story-high nightclub, The Manor.

In general, it's a ship where there's always a party going on somewhere at night, and there's always music playing in almost every venue, even in places where it probably shouldn't be (often at a sound level several twists of the speaker dial too high -- at least for a 52-year-old like me; by the time you get to my age, you like to actually be able to hear the people with whom you're talking in bars and restaurants).

The dining sets a new bar, too

The days of cruise ships having one big main dining room where everybody on board eats in fixed seatings is long gone. These days, you'll find a wide choice of restaurants on most big cruise vessels, and even smaller vessels offer at least a few choices.

But the idea of a main dining room hasn't completely disappeared from the cruise world. On many ships, even when there are a lot of restaurant choices, there still is one or more "main" restaurants that is notably bigger than all the rest and where you will eat the bulk of your meals.

Often, these big main dining rooms are included in the fare, whereas the smaller "specialty" restaurants, which typically offer a more intimate and upscale experience, come with an extra charge.

Virgin Voyages has done away with this sort of main vs. specialty restaurant arrangement completely on Scarlet Lady. There really is no main dining room on the ship. There is no default place where you will eat on most nights. Like a resort on land, Scarlet Lady is home to an array of eateries, none notably bigger than another, and there is no differentiation between "included eateries" and extra-charge venues.

The cost of going to any of the restaurants on Scarlet Lady is the same: nothing.

My take on this is one word: finally. Longtime cruisers are accustomed to the idea of the main dining rooms vs. specialty restaurants split on cruise ships. But to anyone who isn't a regular cruiser, it can just feel weird -- and outdated. I suspect it's a major hurdle for many non-cruisers (still the majority of Americans) to give cruising a try.

Virgin Voyages hypes the fact that it has more than 20 eateries on Scarlet Lady. But the reality is there are just six restaurants. The line gets to the higher number in part by counting all of the many separate food stations at Scarlet Lady's buffet-like food court . There are about a dozen of these stations, depending on how you count them.

But six restaurants for a ship the size of Scarlet Lady still is impressive (at 110,000 tons, Scarlet Lady isn't nearly as big as the biggest ships from some other lines).

I've tried four of the six eateries so far, and I've enjoyed them all, even if I quibbled a bit about the quality of a 'secret,' off-menu steak that is available at one of them.

I particularly loved Gunbae, a Korean barbecue eatery with circular tables built around specially engineered flameless grills where servers cook Korean-style seafood and meat in front of you. These same servers also lead you in Korean drinking games (the first round of shots of Korean soju is on them).

I also was impressed with the pasta dishes at Extra Virgin, the ship's Italian eatery. I ordered a side of carbonara to accompany my main course, a porcini-rubbed New York Strip steak, just to test it. I was pleasantly surprised to see the dish was made with bucatini, the long, narrow tube-like pasta that is considered proper for carbonara but often isn't used at Italian restaurants.

The pasta, notably, is hand-made on site.

It's inclusive in a wonderful way

The fact that none of the restaurants mentioned above come with a charge is a big deal.

There are $2,000-a-night luxury ships such as Crystal Cruises ' new Crystal Endeavor that include the cost of dining in all of their restaurants in their fares. But you don't see this sort of thing on the bigger ships operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line.

And it's not just the restaurants that are included in the fare on Scarlet Lady. So are gratuities for the ship's staff, a line item that can cost $15 a day per person or more on many lines, and onboard Wi-Fi (for a basic Wi-Fi connection that is relatively slow; a faster connection on this sailing came with a $40 per person, per cruise upcharge ).

In addition, a wide array of wellness classes, including spin classes and yoga classes, are included in the fare. That's not something you see on many lines.

A common complaint about Virgin Voyages that I have heard from cruising regulars over the past year as it has prepared to debut is that its pricing is too high. And, indeed, it's not an inexpensive line. The starting rate for four-night Scarlet Lady sailings out of Miami over the coming months is $650 per person. That's more than four times as much as the $151 per person starting rate you'll find for some four-night sailings out of Miami on what many cruisers consider the port city's best short-haul ship: Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas.

But you'll pay a lot more in "extras" if sailing on Freedom of the Seas, where specialty restaurants, gratuities and Wi-Fi are not included in the fare.

Bottom line

I'm not blown away by everything that I am encountering on Scarlet Lady. While much of the ship is well-designed, with stylish, contemporary spaces, there are a few areas that are so minimalist as to appear almost unfinished. The elevator hallways, in particular, are so plain, unadorned and brightly lit that they give off the air of a hospital ward. There also is a noticeable lack of signage around the ship, to the point that it took me two days to discover one tucked-away bar called The Loose Cannon. Virgin Voyages' app isn't much help when it comes to getting you around, either (nor is it particularly intuitive).

But, for the most part, I am impressed by what I am seeing on Scarlet Lady -- and that's coming from someone who has sailed on more than 150 different ships during 20-plus years of writing about cruising. Virgin Voyages clearly has spent a lot of time rethinking what a cruise can be, and it has come up with some wonderful new ways of doing things.

That doesn't mean that I'm sure Virgin Voyages is going to be a success. It's possible that, despite the line's best efforts, the ship is still not cool enough for the young and the hip crowd that some have thought would be its natural market. Maybe no cruise ship can be. It also may be too pricey for a younger crowd. At the same time, Scarlet Lady may turn out to be just a tad too cool for many people in my generation, even for those of us looking to have some fun.

It's a fine line that Virgin Voyages is trying to walk. Whether it's a hit with the younger generations, older generations, both groups of people, or none at all, remains to be seen.

Gene Sloan is part of a three-person team from TPG and sister brand Lonely Planet reporting live this week from Scarlet Lady's maiden voyage out of Miami. You can find all of his dispatches on his author's page .

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Scarlet Lady

Ship overview.

Designed to make an epic change in the cruise industry Scarlet Lady is the inaugural ship of Virgin Voyages. Developing a new concept of cruising Sir Richard Branson main purpose was to move away from the traditional cruise brands in preference of providing a boutique hotel style experience and create an adult-only retreat. Unlike traditional cruise ships, Scarlet Lady doesn’t have a main dining room, no set seating’s, and no buffet. However, the ship doesn’t short-change guests when it comes to food. There are over 20 dining venues with no set menus or enforced meal times. Passengers or the Sailors as they are called on board, will also have a choice of healthy snack at 6 am or a midnight feast, just ask the crew and they will cater to you. Some of the dining venues onboard are Razzle Dazzle Restaurant serving a selection of vegetarian and vegan fare dishes, upscale Mexican restaurant Pink Agave, Korean BBQ restaurant Geonbae, and Test Kitchen designed to encourage guests to think about food from a different perspective.  Of the ship’s 1,408 staterooms 93% have ocean views and 86% balcony. There are different categories starting from Suites, XL Sea Terraces, Sea Terraces, Sea Views, Insiders, Social Insiders and the cabins for single travelers called Solo Insider.  The ship’s exclusive outdoor lounge, named Dock is where you can find total peace and tranquillity, with just the gentle sound of the waves and the sun. 

Ship Specifications

City Portsmouth

Scarlet lady itineraries, 4 night fire & sunset soirees, 5 night riviera maya, 5 night dominican daze, 14 night transatlantic miami to med, 7 night the irresistible med, 7 night french daze & ibiza nights, 7 night irresistible med & rome, virgin voyages fleet.

Brilliant Lady

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Valiant Lady

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Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Deck Plans & Reviews

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady

Activities & entertainment

• Active Diversions
• Aquatic Club
• B-Complex Build & Balance
• B-Complex Burn & Bike
• Boxing Ring
• Fitness Classes
• Gym & Tonic Bar
• Redemption Spa *
• Sports Area
• Stubble & Groom *
• Sun Club Sanctuary
• Tattoo Parlor *
• The Roundabout Atrium
• Training Camp
• The Tune Up *
• The Crow's Nest
• The Cabanas *
• Squid Ink *
• Richard's Rooftop
• The Casino *
• Vibrant Nightlife
• The Wake - Aft-facing Surf & Turf
• The Test Kitchen - Experimental
• Extra Virgin - italian
• Gunbae - Korean BBQ
• The Galley - Market-style food hall
• Pink Agave - Mexican & Mezcal
• Sun Club Cafe - Outdoor Casual
• The Dock - Outdoor Eatery
• The Pizza Place - Pizza
• Aquatic Club Bar - Poolside Bar *
• The Athletic Club Bar - Sports Drinks *
• Razzle Dazzle - Vegetarian
• Excellent 1,837
• Very Good 472
• Average 310
• Terrible 172
• All languages ( 2,949 )
• English ( 2,938 )
• Spanish ( 11 )

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Cruising on Virgin Scarlet Lady Review – Our First Lady Ship

Since the cruise line’s inception, we’ve been curious about sailing with Virgin Voyages. Finally, we can say we sailed the Virgin Way, which did not disappoint. In our Virgin Scarlet Lady review , we dive into what made this cruise one of our favorites and where it could improve.

The Scarlet Lady is Virgin Voyage’s inaugural ship, making it the flagship of its current fleet of four Lady Ships. It holds a maximum of 2,770 passengers.

When we booked the Scarlet Lady, I didn’t know if cruising the four-year-old ship on a short itinerary out of Miami Cruise Port would be enough to sway us since this would be our first Virgin Voyages cruise. Would I be giving it the best chance? At the time, it was what worked with our schedule, so we went ahead completely open-minded.

We had a fantastic five-night stay on the Scarlet Lady cruise ship. While we booked the Dominican Daze itinerary, visiting Puerto Plata, DR, and Bimini, Bahamas, in the Caribbean, the cruise was the standout destination on this trip. We loved our Virgin cruise. It wasn’t by any means perfect, but it was enjoyable throughout and the best value for a cruise of this class.

Table of Contents

Sailing on Virgin Scarlet Lady Review

This is our first Virgin Voyages cruise and our first time sailing the Lady Ship, Scarlet Lady.

Virgin Voyages Lingo: Lady Ship = Cruise Ship. It comes from the British term ‘Your Ladyship’.

If this is your first time visiting our site, there are a few things you should know as you dive into this review:

• I [Kathy] travel with my husband; therefore, when I say “we,” I usually mean us.
• My husband is sober. So, we are not cruising with the goal of drinking our faces off. But I do like a drink here and there.
• We love to cruise for many reasons , but when we cruise are looking for a great itinerary on a great ship that serves great food, shows, and entertainment.
• The party scene is not for us, but we love great music.

Virgin Voyages App

The Virgin Voyages app has the potential to be amazing. The problem is that it does not work as well as it should. Even though we upgraded to Premium Wi-Fi on the ship, it gets bogged down easily, which is frustrating when you’re trying to make reservations. Have some patience while dealing with it. When it works, it works.

• Download the Virgin Voyages App
• Check-In Using the App : Complete your check-in process as soon as you can get the best check-in time for cruise day. 
• Book Dining Reservations at the 60-Day Mark : Mark your calendar to secure your dining spots as soon as the booking window opens, 60 days before your cruise on the app.
• Use the App for Embarkation Day Check-In : Have the app handy on embarkation day.
• Book Activities Once Onboard : Connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi to reserve Shore Things (excursions), Fitness Classes, and Entertainment options.
• Don’t fret if you have issues booking things. You can book many of these things once onboard on that first day, and they will happily work it out for you. Do this first thing you’re onboard.

One of the things we loved about the app was the notifications we received in the messages. You may not have a cruise director, but you have an app to remind you of all your bookings, port information, and the ship’s ongoings.

You can also ‘shake for champagne’ with the app.

Embarkation on Scarlet Lady in the Miami Cruise Port

• Scarlet Lady embarks in Terminal V of the Miami Cruise Port.
• You can drop off your baggage with the porters starting at 9 a.m. They provide the luggage tags. ( Don’t forget to tip them ; they do not work for the cruise line.)
• Boarding does not start until 2 pm, but depending on your check-in time and status, you can start lining up as early as 1:15 pm.

Full disclosure:  We had status matched to Deep Blue Extras with Virgin Voyages in 2023 for 2024. Deep Blue Extras was a status-match loyalty program they offered until the end of 2023. One of the perks is priority embarkation, which allowed us to embark right after the Rockstars. 

Virgin embarks a little differently from other cruise lines. They have a late embarkation process and are strict about arrival times. Because we had Deep Blue Extras, we lined up to get into the terminal at around 1:15 pm. At 1:30 pm, they allowed us to enter the terminal, where we passed through security, checked in, received our Sea Bands, and then an attendant guided us to a comfortable, air-conditioned terminal.

While we waited in the terminal, music played, and MC worked on getting us excited to board and start our cruise vacation. It was unlike anything we had experienced before embarking on a cruise. Usually, we are frustrated with lines and waiting, but this time, we were excited to make it on the cruise.

Before we knew it, we were boarding the ship. Rockstars boarded first, followed by Deep Blue Extras, Splash of Romance, and timed entry groups. The Happenings cast welcomed us on the cruise as we entered the ship.

Embarkation was a breeze, and it was when we truly started to experience the Virgin Way.

The Scarlet Lady Ship is Like a Trendy Boutique Hotel for Adults Only

The Vibe: The Scarlet Lady cruise ship has a cool, chill vibe that is different from your typical cruise experience. It’s like stepping into a modern boutique hotel that’s classy and a lot of fun. The decor is trendy, clean, and vibrant. I wouldn’t call it 5-star luxury, but it’s relaxed, modern, with a touch of luxury, and enjoyable in its unique way.

No Announcements: What a breath of fresh air — no cruise directors or constant PA announcements! We loved that there were no cruise directors or announcements over the PA during our entire cruise. The Captain spoke only for the welcome and muster drill, hinting at the undisturbed peace we’d enjoy the rest of the cruise.

Entertainment and Leisure The ship sometimes felt like a playground for adults where you could find your inner child by playing board games at the social club, your favorite arcade games, or joining lively dance parties at night. However, you choose to experience it how you want to experience it.

Ample Outdoor Spaces: There was plenty of seating space throughout the cruise ship, not just by the pool areas. The pool decks are small, and there are not enough lounge chairs for everyone.

Quiet Corners : If you want to find a quiet nook, you will. My favorite spot was The Dock, where I could relax with a drink and small bites.

The Layout: Navigating the ship is an adventure in itself, with a layout that encourages discovery. Getting lost was part of the charm, leading to new finds. I’m sure there were spots on Scarlet Lady I didn’t get to see.

Photographic Opp: The fun Instagrammble spots throughout the ship made for great photos.

Scarlet Lady’s XL Sea Terrace Cabin

We booked the XL Sea Terrace Cabin on the Scarlet Lady. Initially, we were assigned to a cabin that didn’t even have one of their infamous red terrace hammocks—a chair instead. When we found out, we immediately called, and they kindly moved us to a cabin with a hammock.

So, just be aware that some XL cabins do not have hammocks for security reasons because of their location on the ship. You’ll also find that instead of a glass partition, there is a metal one.

Our final assigned cabin on this Scarlet Lady itinerary was XL Sea Terrace 12322A. It’s located on deck 12, portside (what the “A” stands for), and FWD.

Tip : Always research your cabin # on YouTube or Google to see if you can find photos or videos of the cabin. 

This XL Sea Terrace cabin worked out great for us during our stay. It did have its pros and cons, but the cons are superficial at best and do not stray us from booking it again.

We loved: 

• The bathroom in this cabin category is larger than the regular Sea Terrace, with a separate toilet and rain shower. If you’re tall, you’ll appreciate this shower.
• The mattress was so comfortable, which surprised us since it was a sofabed turned into a bed.
• Located near the forward elevators.
• Quiet area of the ship. Never heard noise overnight. 
• The tablet controls everything in the cabin (except the bathroom light) and where you can order services.
• All the free movies are included.
• They refill the still and sparkling water daily.

We didn’t love:

• Ikea-like decor. Didn’t match the rest of the ship.
• The sofabed situation.
• There was just enough storage for 2 for a short stay.
• No other seating in the room besides the ottoman.
• The cabin is starting to show its wear and tear. 

That said, we’d stay in this cabin again.

Dining on Scarlet Lady

How was the dining on Scarlet Lady? Above and beyond what we expected. 

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that food is my love language. When I booked my cruise on Virgin Voyages, my priority was the food. I couldn’t get to everything within the five nights on the cruise. I did get to dine at five out of six sit-down restaurants, had brunch at The Wake and Razzle, and tried a few things from the Galley.

We loved that The Galley was not a buffet but more like a food court with the option of having servers take your orders. You could make lines, but with a flag raised for service at a table, they came quickly to take your order. Not only was the food made fresh, but I think it also helped reduce food waste and kept people from touching everything.

My final verdict is that Virgin Voyages has some of the best food at sea I’ve tried so far. Almost every meal was like eating at a specialty restaurant. The dining experience was as good as eating at some of my favorite restaurants here in Pasadena. The food was high quality.

The best part is that ALL dining from the 20 eateries is included, except for a few upcharges for extravagant selections like oysters and caviar. Fountain drinks (sodas), teas, and regular coffee are also included.

The downside is making and finding reservations for the sit-down restaurants. You can make reservations on the Virgin Voyages app at 12:01 am EST 60 days before cruise day or on embarkation day; straighten that out immediately.

A few standouts (but not all) of the amazingness we loved:

• Pink Agave: The Ribeye (Bistec Marinero en Escabeche)
• Razzle Dazzle: The Fried Chicken
• The Test Kitchen: The Venison
• The Wake: Steak and Eggs
• Korean BBQ: Spicy Chicken appetizer
• The Daily Mix at The Galley: Spinach and Quinoa Salad
• Well Bread: Chocolate Chip Cookies
• The Sweet Side at The Galley: Pistachio Macaron
• The Social Club: The Pretzel
• The Grounds Club: Excellent espresso drinks
• Like Me Till Ice Cream: Stop by for the flavor of the day
• The Pizza Palace: Pretty Fly For a White Pie

Pink Agave is one restaurant to add to your must-eats.

We missed dining at Extra Virgin (not enough days in our itinerary) but only heard amazing things about it when we spoke to other sailors.

Virgin Voyages Lingo: Sailors = passengers

❤️ Be aware of the food pushers serving you at all the dining establishments. They will ensure you leave happy and full and will not let you leave until you’ve had dessert.

We watched a couple try to sneak out without dessert, and the waitress caught them just in time and lovingly ordered them to sit down for dessert. It was a hilarious moment in which they said they’d stay for a taste and then ate the entire thing.

🍽️ Late-night Eats: Diner & Dash is open 24 hours, and The Pizza Place is open until 1 am.

We will have another post about our dining experience and guide.

The Scarlet Lady Crew

Speaking of food pushers, the ship’s crew we interacted with throughout the cruise couldn’t have been more helpful, happy, and going out of their way to ensure we had a great vacation. Everyone we encountered was nice and ready to assist, from the cabin attendants to the shore things staff. 

On our last night, when hubby decided to get a latte from Sips bar (Grounds Club was closed), the bartender went out of his way to get my husband a to-go cup they normally do not have at the bar. We couldn’t have been more thankful, even though we hadn’t asked him to go out of his way. The bartender replied and said it best, “It’s just the rockstar treatment.” 

Even though we were not staying in the Rockstar Quarters and wearing black bands, we felt we got excellent service throughout our time on the Lady Ship.

Scarlet Night on Virgin

One of the biggest nights on Virgin Voyages ships is Scarlet Night. It is THE NIGHT that everyone looks forward to. This night is a ship-wide event and celebration that starts with sailors dressing in red and transforming the ship into an array of festivities.

The evening is a tribute to the Octopus Goddess of the Sea and the Sailor whose love story captured her heart. 

We are not partiers. We were unsure what to expect, but we dressed in red and went out to experience what made this night so epic. We found out that this night is more than just a party.

The ship COMES ALIVE. 

From deck to deck, you find everything lit up and decorated for the night. Music, entertainment, and live bands playing from one venue to another. Performances popping up when you least expect it.

Later in the night, there is the pool party. It is unlike anything we ever experienced on a cruise. There were dancers and entertainment. The DJ is playing a remix of music from old school to present that would have gotten anyone up to dance at some point. The music was amazing!

It really takes off when everyone jumps into the pool to dance—well, not everyone. Many onlookers and people on the top deck take in the festivities from afar. You can enjoy the night as you see fit.

We watched and danced, but there was no pool jumping – maybe in the future.

We thought the night was EPIC and so much fun. We finally understood the hype.

The Happenings Cast on Scarlet and Entertainment

From day one to the end, The Happenings Cast enthusiastically welcomed us and saw us off. You can always make out who they are bouncing with energy, which I appreciate – it keeps me feeling young. You see them at activities and performances throughout the ship.

We didn’t attend many of the activities and shows. Most of the time, the times did not work for us, and the venue was fully booked. However, we did get to see the Diva playing Karaoke and singing at one of the bars, some other fun pop-up performances by the cast, and the band playing at The Dockhouse, which was good.

Duel Reality:   I booked a reservation upon getting on board. This is a modern tale of Romeo and Juliet with dancing and acrobatics at the Red Room. You must give the show a moment to take off and get into it because you’re impressed by the incredible talent once you do. It was a beautiful and fun show about love and not war.

LOLs Supper Club:  Reservations recommended. This is a comedy club hour with dinner at The Manor, a nice venue. We chose not to eat and only got drinks since we were heading to the Test Kitchen afterward. There were three comedians; the first two were okay, and the last was the funniest. The host was full of lame jokes but funny because they were intentional. 

There is one complaint about the lack of entertainment on the ship. We didn’t see it that way because we like to relax during the day. What we did find is that shows are booked quickly.

Disembarking Scarlet Lady

The 1-2 days before disembarkation, you will receive a notification to book your disembarkation time. You do this through the Shore Things section of the app. We chose a 9:45 am disembarkation and chose to keep our luggage.

We had one of the easiest walk-offs on a ship we’ve ever had. It’s not because we decided to keep our luggage with us but because we got to sleep and disembark the ship at around 10 am.

That’s right—10 am! I fell in love with Virgin Voyages even more. Technically, you have up to 10:30 a.m. to get off the ship, which is not how it’s traditionally done with other mainstream cruise lines.

The Best Value We’ve Booked on a Cruise

Booking the cheapest cruise doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the best value. That also applies the other way around; booking the most expensive cruise doesn’t mean you’ll have the best cruise.

The value of what is spent may mean something different to you than it does to us. We paid almost $3500 for our Scarlet Lady Cruise in an XL Sea Terrace, which came with a couple of promotions: a $350 bar tab and $600 in sailor loot. Plus, a $100 bar tab for being Deep Blue Extras, $10 a day at Grounds Club, and Premium Wi-Fi for one.

Virgin Voyages includes all dining, entertainment, gratuities, basic Wi-Fi, and Fitness classes in your cruise fare. Their offer is the closest to an all-inclusive experience at sea because they don’t nickel and dime you for specialty restaurants, soda, and every other little thing on the ship.

We spent most of our sailor loot at Shore Things, so Virgin paid for our excursions. They also paid for the Premium Wi-Fi upgrade for hubby. We never spent the bar tab, but believe me, we tried.

With all that they offer, along with the quality of their food, top service, and beautiful ship, this cruise was the best value we’ve booked in a long time.

We will sail with Virgin again as we purchased the My Next Virgin Cruise Voyage while on the ship.

Other Thoughts, Pros, Cons, and Things You Should Know

• Instead of a cruise sea pass card, you’re given a sea band for your cabin and all charges.
• Loved the to-go containers for food in The Galley and The Dockhouse. And the fact that they are reusable and environmentally friendly.
• Love the inclusivity on the ship and the you-do-you motto.
• The casino on Scarlet Lady is too small and situated inconveniently by The Manor.
• The tattoo shop is a surprising and fun addition to a cruise ship. FYI: Their spots get booked up quickly.
• Get to the pool earlier if you want seating and a laid-back vibe. The vibe changes once the DJ starts around 1:30 p.m. Tip: Book a private pool cabana for an extra charge.
• At The Groupie, you can find Karaoke rooms that you can book for up to 10 people.
• If you can’t get into a restaurant, Diner & Dash always has a special meal of the night, such as prime rib and truffle mash.
• The cocktails they offer on board are not typical frozen vacation cocktails. Throughout the ship, you’ll find more mixed and crafted cocktails.

What is the average age on Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady’s demographic includes people in their mid-twenties to the late 60s and above, with a higher representation of adults in their 30s to 40s.

Is there a formal night on Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages does not have formal nights. Instead, the cruise line promotes a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere where passengers are encouraged to express their personal style. Additionally, the cruise line celebrates themed nights such as “Scarlet Night” and “We Fancy Night,” where sailors are invited to dress in red and gold, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Is Virgin Scarlet Lady adult only?

Yes, Virgin Scarlet Lady is for adults only. Virgin Voyages is an adult-only cruise line.

What Sets Virgin Voyages Apart

BEFORE YOU SET SAIL, HERE ARE SOME RELATED ARTICLES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS:

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Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.

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Work from sea: Virgin Voyages brings remote friendly summer season pass to second ship

Virgin Voyages is doubling down on its remote work-friendly season pass.

The adults-only cruise line is offering the Summer Season Pass on its Resilient Lady ship, which sails from Athens, Greece. This follows high demand after revealing the offer for Scarlet Lady earlier this month.

Passholders can take back-to-back cruises at a cheaper cost.

“No longer does working from home mean being tied to a desk or home office and eating leftovers for lunch,” Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu previously said in a news release when the first pass was launched. “With our latest WiFi upgrades, Virgin Voyages can now offer our Sailors the chance to see the world while working from a daybed at The Dock (outdoor lounge) and sampling Mediterranean mezzes, then hopping off the ship in between calls to make the most of our incredible ports of call.”

What are the terms of Virgin’s Summer Season Pass?

The passes for Resilient Lady are available in three stints of four cruises each:

• June 30-July 28
• July 7-Aug. 4

Destinations include the islands of Santorini and Mykonos, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Bodrum in Turkey, and Kotor, Montenegro, though exact itineraries vary by sailing.

How much does Virgin’s Summer Season Pass cost?

The pass starts at $9,990 for up to two guests, a savings of roughly 30% compared to booking four sailings separately. Passholders will stay in a Central Sea Terrace cabin with a private balcony.

They will also get complimentary wash and fold laundry service, access to Richard’s Rooftop – usually reserved for suite guests – a $10 daily coffee credit per cabin and more.

Can I work from a cruise ship?: We gave it a try

Premium Wi-Fi will be provided at no extra cost, handy for those who need to get work done on board. If you do, Virgin recommends posting up at the “in-cabin desk, your hammock, or in the Grounds Club” coffee bar, according to an FAQ section on its website.

Travelers can fill out an online form to book.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Richard Branson’s cruise line launches month-long cruise for remote workers

Virgin Voyages is targeting a new type of traveler: remote workers.

In March, the Miami-based cruise line owned by Sir Richard Branson introduced a month-long cruise called the "Scarlet Summer Season Pass." It's essentially four week-long cruises packaged together to appeal to remote workers who want to spend a month at sea in southern Europe.

"People have really adopted the flexible working style, and it resonates with travelers," Virgin Voyages' CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu told CNBC Travel . "We got a lot of people who said it feels like an incredible value."  

The Scarlet Summer Season Pass covers two people and costs $9,990. The rate includes a room, meals, group fitness classes and Wi-Fi, plus laundry services, daily coffee and tea credits and access to workspaces. 

Booking the "Season Pass" is 30% cheaper than booking four week-long cruises back to back, according to Virgin's website. Travelers can also swap out travel companions for different legs of the cruise, said Saverimuttu, as long as they are 18 or older, in line with Virgin Voyages' adults-only policy .

Within 24 hours of announcing the Season Pass, more than 2,000 people registered interest in it, said Saverimuttu. When bookings opened, spots on the month-long cruise — which stops at places like Cannes, Rome and Ibiza — sold out in 48 hours, a company representative told CNBC Travel.

That prompted Virgin Voyages to open additional spots for remote workers on a second cruise ship this summer.

The "Season Pass" cruises will sail on Virgin's Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady ships, each of which can accommodate around 2,700 guests. Cruises are scheduled to sail from June to September this year.

'One of Richard's ideas'

The popularity of Virgin's Season Pass cruise stems from the broader shift to remote work since the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We are in the midst of a massive transformation in how, what, and where we do our jobs," KPMG's chief economist, Diane Swonk, told CNBC Travel. "There is no putting the work-from-home genie back in the bottle. Firms who try too aggressively to do so, lose a lot of their access to top talent and the diversity of their workforce."

Saverimuttu said most of the digital workers who have booked the cruise are in their mid-50s and are employed in full-time remote roles. 

He said the idea for the program came directly from Branson himself, after he learned passengers were taking extended trips while working remotely on the company's ships.

He attributed the program's quickly growing popularity to Branson's "magic touch" for understanding today's consumers.

"The response has really been phenomenal. It's really surprised us," he said. "But you know, maybe I shouldn't be surprised because it was one of Richard's ideas."