Cruise Review: Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady

“Detox, then retox” is the name of the game during a cruise with Virgin Voyages — and it was a game I was willing to play.

I bounced from a morning deep-tissue massage on Deck 5 to a bungee group fitness class on Deck 15, and then over to my piercing appointment at onboard tattoo parlor Squid Ink before heading to Richard’s Rooftop (the cruise line’s members-only sundeck) for happy hour bubbles. Finally, I went back down to Deck 5 to Pink Agave restaurant for a Mexican feast — paired with a spiked agua fresca, of course.

Although this all took place over the course of just one day, the rest of my five-day Fire and Sunset Soirees sailing onboard Scarlet Lady was equally packed. I had stuffed my schedule with sunrise yoga; three nightly shows; reservations at a handful of the ship’s more than 20 eateries; and a snorkel excursion (aka “Shore Thing”) with reef sharks during a port stop in Bimini, the Bahamas. 

Sleep is for the weak, right?

But even more fun than cycling between fitness classes and cocktail hours was watching my boyfriend — a “virgin voyager” when it comes to the cruise scene (and someone who was never particularly interested in cruising) — delight in doing the same.

The Virgin Touch

Between the sky, the shore and outer space, there isn’t much left that Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, hasn’t marked with his distinctive red and magenta hues.

But four years ago, Branson set his sights on the sea. He launched Virgin Voyages just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, billing it as a cutting-edge cruise line for a new type of cruiser (or, dare I  say, “un-cruiser”). After the cruise industry’s shutdown delayed the line’s formal launch, the 2,770-passenger Scarlet Lady was finally able to introduce herself during an inaugural season in late 2021, embarking on a series of Caribbean cruises from PortMiami in Florida.

As I quickly learned, a Virgin Voyages vacation places sailors’ well-being at the forefront of the experience, while peppering the relaxation with a mix of “high-energy moments” (cue: my aforementioned day of indulgence). 
Onboard Scarlet Lady, clients won’t find massive buffets, Broadway renditions or screaming kids. Instead, this “Adult-by-Design” ship (for guests 18 years and older) feels more like a boutique hotel — young, hip and on-trend — while still appealing to the traditional demographic of cruisers. 

Fans of the all-inclusive model will be happy to learn that all food, essential beverages (tea, soft drinks and water), gratuities, group fitness classes and basic Wi-Fi access are included in the fare (alcohol packages are available at an added cost.)

The ship also mixes long-established cruise ship favorites (think: outdoor pools, onboard shops, a casino, hot tubs and an outdoor running track) with novelty offerings. During my sailing, Squid Ink was always packed with cruisers looking to get inked or poked, and offered everything from small flash tattoos (the most-requested was, fittingly, an anchor) to detailed custom designs. And much of the ship’s nightly entertainment — including the Never Sleep Alone sex-positive comedy show and the absurdist-style dance party, Untitled DanceShowPartyThing, are participatory, putting sailors right at the heart of the experience.

Ship Eats, Sailors’ Quarters and Sustainability

Intimately sized eateries and bars have options that fit a wide range of tastes and diets. In particular, I loved veggie-forward brunch at Razzle Dazzle; the multicourse tasting menu (featuring molecular gastronomy) at The Test Kitchen; and takeaway comfort food at The Galley, an elevated food court that features more than eight food carts and shops. Sustainability is also top of mind; there’s a ban on single-use plastics (such as cups and straws) and engine waste is converted into clean electricity.

When I wasn’t engaging in literal feasts, I was indulging in feasts of a visual nature. The ship’s public spaces feature sophisticated and elegant design, a result of collaborations with design firm Creative Collective. And the pleasing aesthetic flows into the staterooms, of which 93% feature an ocean view and 86% have a balcony.

Our Sea Terrace cabin on Deck 10 was a perfect blend of elegant design and sensibility. Beds could be converted into a sofa during the day to provide us with more space, and in-room temperature and lighting could be controlled via a tablet (lighting presets with cheeky names such as “Hangover,” “Get It On,” “Photoshoot” and “Zen” are a cute touch). There are also 78 “RockStar Quarters” (suites) onboard.

Although I’m sure some of our fellow passengers spent some time creating Instagram-worthy photoshoots in their cabins (and who could blame them?), my boyfriend and I spent as much time as we could exploring all the ship had to offer.

Like I said — sleep is for the weak.

We sank hoops during a late-night game of one-on-one, danced the night away during the cruise line’s iconic “Scarlet Night” outdoor dance pool party and were captivated by “Duel Reality,” a modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet complete with acrobatics. 

After we disembarked, I asked my partner to sum up his first cruise — and the entire Virgin Voyages experience — in one word.

“Future,” he said. 

Indeed, I can see many cruises in this (no-longer) virgin voyager’s future.

The Details
Virgin Voyages