scarlet night cruise ship

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, and the layout 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.

Watch Our Cabin Tour On YouTube

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.

Must-Know Tips for a Successful Virgin Voyages Cruise

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

• What Sets Virgin Voyages Apart
• Review of Cabin 12322A on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
• Caribbean Cruise Packing List
• Is the Retreat on Celebrity Beyond Worth it?

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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I've sailed on every major cruise line but the entertainment on adults-only Virgin Voyages blew me away, from drag disco to a sex therapy show

• I paid $2,711 for a 5-night sailing on Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages' first adults-only ship.
• All entertainment was included in my fare and unlike anything I've seen on other cruise lines.
• From drag disco to a sex therapy show, here's how nightlife, music, and entertainment surprised me.

This past summer, I was excited to try the new Virgin Voyages adults-only cruise. Right away, I knew it would be a different experience from other cruises I've taken.

I'm a seasoned cruiser and have spent more than 100 weeks at sea on popular cruise lines like Carnival , Norwegian , and Royal Caribbean. 

And while I tend to be loyal to a few cruise lines, I was intrigued by the adults-only experience with Virgin Voyages and wanted to see for myself how it made this cruise line different.

So this past summer, I decided on a June sailing out of Miami on Virgin, and paid $2,711 for a 5-night cruise on Scarlet Lady. Included in the cruise fare was specialty dining, unlimited Wi-Fi, crew gratuities, and shipboard entertainment. 

The latter immediately differentiated this cruise from others.

On my previous sailings, I've become accustomed to original main stage productions on Carnival, Broadway shows on Norwegian, and featured dance shows on Royal Caribbean.

Based on what I saw in Virgin Voyages' advertising, I knew to expect dance parties and some sort of main stage attraction.

But once we set sail, I learned there were many surprises in store when it came to entertainment, nightlife, and music offerings, many of which I've never seen on a ship before. 

I realized the vibe on Virgin Voyages would be different the moment I boarded.

From the moment I entered my balcony stateroom on Scarlet Lady, I knew this would be a different cruise experience.

First, I had a wristband tech wearable that opened my door instead of a traditional key card. I also found colorful mood lighting inside my room and a bright red hammock on my balcony, which were all features I had never experienced on other cruises.

And when I turned the TV on to watch the safety briefing, I again sensed how different the vibe was on Virgin Voyages. 

While the safety briefing video played in my cabin, the tone went from serious safety to serious rock 'n' roll in a flash.

At first, the video began by explaining the typical cruise safety instructions for where to find a life jacket and how to join a muster station. Then, the video transformed into an original rock music video, with safety instructors singing the rest of the briefing. 

It was a preview that music and entertainment would be a big part of my cruise. With Virgin Records founder Richard Branson at the helm of Virgin Voyages, it made sense to me that music would feature prominently on the ship.

I appreciated how the ship had so many different music venues, even in unexpected places, with something for everyone.

Most cruise lines I've sailed on have a variety of music venues, so it wasn't surprising to see them on Scarlet Lady.

But I did find it surprising to see how many performance spaces Scarlet Lady had onboard, even transforming non-traditional music venues into them at night for everything from low-key tunes to all-out dance parties.

I found a quiet piano bar next to a restaurant where, throughout my sailing, I saw a solo pianist perform while guests sipped cocktails. I thought the piano corner was a nice place to hang out and listen to classic and popular music before dinner.

Many ships I've been on have smaller performance spaces like this for solo musicians, but I liked that this space was located directly within one of the most popular specialty restaurants, so it was convenient to catch a few songs before being seated for dinner. 

Just below the atrium, another lounge area had a small stage where soloists and bands performed. I only counted seating for about 30 people here, but thought that made the space feel more intimate. I saw a few different acts in this setting on my cruise, and not once did I see all the seating occupied.

I think this was largely due to the fact that there were just so many different venues where passengers could hear music. I also found solo musicians and DJs in other places like restaurant entryways, wide hallways, and near the ice cream parlor. 

I was surprised to find an onboard record shop called Voyage Vinyl, where a resident DJ played some of the shop's collection.

With another nod to Virgin's music-loving mission, Scarlet Lady had a vinyl record shop onboard my sailing.

I thought the space was really cool and noticed it had an occasional DJ spinning selections from disco to rock and country hits.

While the shop didn't seem that large compared to land-based music stores, I thought the record selection was eclectic with albums from artists like Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Lizzo, and Depeche Mode.

The lighting inside the shop was also neat, adding a nightclub vibe with deep blue and purple hues at all hours of the day.

When a DJ was on-site, passers-by like me would slow down to peruse the collection, but most times I went by, the shop seemed like a quiet space to browse.

In all my years sailing, I have never seen a record shop on a cruise ship, so I thought this was a unique feature that really made Virgin Voyages stand out from the others.

Scarlet Lady has two large venues that host casual events like bingo and aerobics by day, but at night, transform into nightclubs.

There were two main entertainment venues onboard Scarlet Lady where music was the main attraction for those that wanted to stay out late and dance the night away, The Manor and The Red Room.

Both venues had DJs and dance floors and anyone could attend with no ticket or reservation requirement.

I stopped by both, and was surprised that neither venue felt crowded considering it was where most guests showed up to dance and socialize at night. 

Many cruise ships I've been on in the past host dance parties as well, but more often, they take place on the open pool deck or in atrium spaces. It's rare that I've noticed larger dance clubs apart from the new Norwegian Prima, which has a large disco dance venue. 

The Manor, pictured above, hosted nightly dance clubs while The Red Room was a multi-use space with a variety of events like game shows during the day and dance parties at night. I found both venues to be social and not crowded, making it easy to pop in and out for a few songs. 

I loved dancing at The Red Room, especially when drag queen hosts led the party.

Virgin Voyages is probably the most inclusive cruise line I've been on.

In addition to a drag brunch served at Razzle Dazzle restaurant, drag queens also often hosted the nightly dance parties in The Red Room. These ladies kept the energy going by dancing on stage, posing for photos with guests, and cheering on the DJ. 

I loved the fun-loving vibe, and also occasionally saw ship entertainers doing a few street dance moves on the stage to encourage the fun among guests.

I'm not usually one to stay out late at a club, but the atmosphere was so fun and different from what I've experienced on other cruises, I found myself dropping in for a few songs throughout my voyage. 

Another new-to-me experience on Scarlet Lady was seeing an onboard sex therapy show.

One of the big headline shows on Scarlet Lady was Never Sleep Alone , an interactive event led by a sex therapist.

Couples from the audience volunteered to go on stage and share their fantasies, talk about inhibitions, and partake in playful games to test their boundaries. Since Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise, they were able to explore topics more than I've seen in somewhat similar Match Game-like shows on other cruises that were tamer in comparison.  

All audience members were provided with free masquerade-style masks, so there would be an element of secrecy and anonymity for those who confessed secrets onstage. After the initial introduction, the audience was also asked to put away their phones and avoid taking photos of people onstage to further protect privacy.

So with that in mind, the only other thing I'll say about the show without spilling someone else's secrets is that it was fascinating to watch guests lower their inhibitions and freely share fantasies with one another in a supportive commentary led by the show's host. 

I've never seen anything like this on another cruise line. To me, the event seemed part performance and part casual therapy, as the therapist combined games and challenges with live music from a band. 

It was definitely one of the most intriguing aspects of nightlife on an adults-only sailing. 

Not every event on Scarlet Lady was risqué or sexy. Some events felt more familiar to my past cruise experiences, like wine tastings, but with added variety.

Wine tastings and pairings were offered day and night on my Virgin cruise, and though I've seen these on other cruises, I thought they had a wide variety and good value in this case.

One wine pairing I saw offered six selections to accompany a six-course meal at The Test Kitchen for $35 per person. A typical glass of wine on Scarlet Lady costs around $10, so that seemed like a good value for those who want to try different varieties. 

I also noticed beer pairing events that cost $25 per person and cocktail events seemed to average $35. Since I was satisfied with one or two cocktails per cruise, I didn't join, but I thought it was cool to see the cruise line offer so many tasting experiences to suit all palettes.

I wasn't sure what to expect with the cruise's signature Scarlet Night party. I was extra curious when I saw an inflatable octopus on the pool deck.

One other really cool event on my Virgin Voyages sailing was the Scarlet Night party.

When I chatted with crew while getting my morning coffee, they would often ask if I was going to attend the big party, but refrain from sharing any actual details about it. No one wanted to ruin the element of surprise by giving away what to expect — all I knew was guests were invited to dress in scarlet red and join the fun.

Once Scarlet Night began to unfold on my last night of the cruise, I saw why it was such a big deal. The ship-wide party featured inflatable characters on just about every public deck, and DJs set up in most of the lounge spaces. The primary party took place on the pool deck where a huge inflatable octopus was highlighted by disco lighting and colored smoke.

While I've experienced my share of cruise ship deck parties, I thought Scarlet Night had a much different feel thanks to these inflatable characters and dramatic red light enhancements. By day, the pool deck on Scarlet Lady was a relaxing hangout with more deck loungers than I've ever seen . But by nightfall, it transformed into Scarlet Night, a hot nightclub. 

The crew led the crowd with dance moves, and some guests actively joined in the fun, while others were simply mesmerized by the venue transformation. 

After all it took to set up the big party night, I was a little surprised that the Scarlet Night party at the pool lasted just a little more than an hour. After that, the dance club vibes continued back inside at The Manor and The Red Room, and guests were able to return to lounging by the pool. 

While Virgin Voyages has typical cruise entertainment like musicians and bingo, I thought the overall vibe was more energetic thanks to unique events.

Some entertainment seems to always appear on cruise ships, like bingo, musicians, and wine tastings.

And Virgin Voyages offers all of that, which is great for guests who want to experience familiar events onboard.

Yet for those who want to try something a little out of the box, I found this cruise gave me exactly that. Between a drag disco, scarlet red dance party, and the unexpected Never Sleep Alone show, I was blown away by the variety and uniqueness the cruise line entertainment offered.

I can't wait to see what they'll have on my next Virgin Voyages sailing onboard the Valiant Lady.

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Virgin Voyages Scarlet lady / Scarlet Night?

By tom3562 , September 20, 2023 in Virgin Voyages

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First time trying VV, looking forward to all the great reviews I've read!

A few questions, if anyone knows.......Scarlet night? on a 5 night sail to Cozumel and Bimini on Nov 5 2023. who knows which nights are dedicated for Scarlet night and PJ night?

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PJ party is normally the first night about 11 pm.

Scarlet night will normally be the night before the last sea day.

17 hours ago, tom3562 said: First time trying VV, looking forward to all the great reviews I've read! A few questions, if anyone knows.......Scarlet night? on a 5 night sail to Cozumel and Bimini on Nov 5 2023. who knows which nights are dedicated for Scarlet night and PJ night?

You will know what night it is when all of the ship's lights go red sometimes during the day 🙂

The "app" has spoken.........

Scarlet Night:

Wednesday 11/8 starts @ 9PM - Scarlet Night Pool Party @ 10:45PM - Scarlet Night "The Afterparty" 12AM

PJ Party is first night 11/5 10:45PM

Did everyone have issues booking dining on the app??

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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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What To Know As Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady Begins Cruising From Miami

Scarlet Lady , the new 2,770-passenger ship from Virgin Voyages , offers a reimagined take on ocean cruising. Originally slated for its US debut in March 2020, the vessel officially began sailing from Miami on October 6, 2021, embarking on four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas and Riviera Maya.

The cutting-edge, adults-only ship is complete with its own Squid Ink tattoo parlor, Dry Dock blow-dry bar, and Virgin Vinyl record shop. Now, it will cruise at 50% capacity, eventually increasing to 65% capacity in the coming months. 

All Scarlet Lady passengers must be 18 years old and fully vaccinated for more than two weeks prior to embarkation. Cruisers will also have to submit to take a COVID-19 Antigen test prior to embarkation. In addition, all crew will be tested every two weeks on average and are required to wear masks — which are also highly recommended for passengers in indoor public spaces when not eating or drinking.  

Virgin Voyages, the cruise arm of British entrepreneur Richard Branson's lifestyle and hospitality brand, offers a sophisticated, high-energy onboard social experience that could appeal to a younger cruise demographic. However, according to Frank Weber, Virgin Voyages’ Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, “sailors” (as passengers are called) aboard Scarlet Lady include folks of all ages. He claims that Virgin Voyages cruisers fit a certain “mindset or psychographic" — citing the cruise line’s “come as you are” philosophy of acceptance. He also notes that crew members are welcome to express their individuality through their hairstyles, tattoos, and makeup. Guests won’t need to conform to set dress codes, either.

Ultimately, Scarlet Lady — along with her sister ships Valiant Lady (set for a March 2022 debut) and Resilient Lady (scheduled for a summer 2022 inaugural) — offers a range of unique onboard experiences. What's more, these ships are geared towards cruisers looking for the antithesis of traditional, or what Weber calls “a premium experience that isn’t stuffy.” 

Here are some other key factors that make Scarlet Lady stand out from other cruise ships. 

All 20+ Dining Venues Are Included in the Cruise Fare — And The Culinary Offerings Are Exceptional

Virgin Voyages turned to an array of world-class chefs to create its incredible onboard dining experiences. The cruise line purposefully chose not to offer a main dining room or buffet-style restaurant.

Instead, passengers will find 20-plus dining outlets. These include six restaurants: The Wake for an old-school steakhouse menu, Pink Agave for elevated Mexican, Gumbai for Korean barbecue, Extra Virgin for regionally inspired Italian, Razzle Dazzle for veggie-forward dining, and Test Kitchen for an exquisite (both in taste and presentation) six-course tasting menu.

In addition, The Galley serves as the ship's onboard food hall, complete with a dozen eateries. Here, you'll find an array of made-to-order items ranging from tacos and sushi to noodles and poke bowls — plus a 24-hour diner (yes, breakfast is available at any hour). Other venues throughout the ship offer Mediterranean-style mezze (The Dock House and al fresco Dock) and made-to-order pizza (The Pizza Place).

Beer, Wine & Cocktails Are Extra — But Passengers Can Pre-Pay Their Bar Tab

While water, soda, non-pressed juices, and drip coffee are complimentary, all alcoholic beverages are priced a la carte (including gratuities) — from $5 to $6 for beer to $9 for a basic cocktail. Meanwhile, 42% of wines by the glass are priced under $10. Sailors who plan to imbibe a lot can purchase a $300 pre-paid bar tab before embarkation, which includes $50 to spend at any bar or at The Beach Club at Bimini , an exclusive private beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini.

Onboard lounges and bars include Draught Haus (a beach-bar style taproom), Sip Lounge (a retro-inspired venue where sailors can shake their Virgin Voyages app three times to summon a $95 bottle of Moet & Chandon bubbly), On the Rocks (for martinis and craft cocktails), The Loose Cannon (a nautical-themed seaside pub with adjacent air hockey tables and arcade) and two poolside bars (think: frozen cocktails aplenty). 

The Entertainment, Spa, & Shopping Venues Are Designed For The Unexpected

Making an entrance is half the fun at The Manor, where a dizzying hallway of mirrors leads to one of Scarlet Lady’s prime nightlife venues. Here, sailors can enjoy “Never Sleep Alone,” an edgy, interactive cabaret lead by Dr. A, the ship’s resident sexologist. The Untitled DancePartyShowThing, described as an “absurdist dance party," is also ideal for the energetic and uninhibited. The event, which offers a music-video-meets-club-ambiance that takes place in the ship's largest nightlife venue, The Red Room. 

More lighthearted are Phantom Folktales, a series of enchanting pop-up performances around the ship created by Pigpen Theatre Co. Meanwhile, those looking to belt out a favorite tune can also reserve time in The Groupie, a private karaoke space. Plus, every Virgin Voyages cruise features a Scarlet Night, when the ship is transformed with lighting and theatrics, while its passengers are encouraged to wear red. 

Any night-time over-indulgence can be remedied on the ship's Redemption Spa, a gleaming modern space complete with hot tubs, heated tile loungers, cold plunge pools, a salt room, and a very sexy couple’s treatment room. Sailors looking to shop at sea can browse the offerings at High Street, which is set around the architecturally striking Roundabout lobby. Scarlet Lady has offers designer pop-up shops, along with several boutiques featuring eco- and socially-conscious brands. You can also expect a fun assortment of Virgin-branded merchandise. 

Cabins & Suites Range From Solo to Rockstar — But All Feature Fun Innovations

Scarlet Lady accommodates most travel budgets since it offers a wide range of staterooms to choose from. 

Solo Insider cabins are designed and priced exclusively for solo travelers. There are even chalet-style Social Insider cabins that can sleep up to four. There are 78 Rockstar Quarters — including two 2,147-square-foot suites complete with separate living, sleeping, and music rooms (equipped with guitars and a turntable) as well as a spacious outdoor terrace with a hot tub and stargazing loungers.

It's also worth noting that the majority of the ship’s accommodations (86%) have balconies. The Sea Terrace cabins or XL Sea Terrace cabins feature both a Seabed (which can be configured as a bed or sofa/lounging area for socializing and entertaining) plus a spacious balcony with two chairs and a (very on-brand) scarlet red-hued hammock.

Winter 2021-2022 Itineraries Offer Fun In The Sun

Scarlet Lady offers passengers the chance to escape the cold weather and soak up the sun. On Oct. 6, 2021, the ship will embark on a four-night Fire & Sunset Soirees itinerary, which calls on Nassau and The Beach Club at Bimini. The five-night Mayan Sol itinerary visits Costa Maya on Mexico’s Riviera Maya and The Beach Club at Bimini. (You'll also spend two days at sea.) Lastly, the five-night Riviera Maya itinerary sails to Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, and The Beach Club at Bimini. Cruise fares start at $1,450 and $1,650 per person for the four- and five-night cruises, respectively.

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The Magic of Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyages

• Categories: Virgin Voyage

Virgin Voyages , a contemporary cruise line, has been making waves in the travel industry with its unique approach to sea journeys. They are known for their adult-only cruises, which combine luxury with adventure and offer an array of onboard experiences that are far from ordinary. One such experience that has caught the attention of many is the Scarlet Night. But what exactly is this Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyage? Let’s delve into this enchanting event.

The Enigma of Scarlet Night

Scarlet Night is a signature party hosted by Virgin Voyages, designed to create an unforgettable experience for its sailors (as they fondly call their passengers). It’s a night where the ship transforms into a vibrant red playground, filled with music, dance, and entertainment. This event is inspired by Richard Branson’s love for parties and his belief in celebrating life to its fullest. The Scarlet Night is not just about dressing up in your best red attire; it’s about immersing yourself in an atmosphere that exudes fun and excitement. It’s about letting loose and dancing the night away under the stars while sailing through some of the world’s most beautiful waters.

Understanding The Scarlet Night

This event is a staple of every Virgin Voyage cruise line journey – a night where passengers are encouraged to embrace their bold side and celebrate life in all its glory. The theme revolves around the color scarlet, symbolizing passion, courage, and adventure – all elements that embody the spirit of Virgin Voyages. The atmosphere during Scarlet Night is electric with live music performances, themed cocktails, and interactive entertainment that keep guests entertained throughout the night. The dress code isn’t strictly defined but encourages passengers to express themselves creatively through their attire.

Creating Unforgettable Memories: The Highlights of Scarlet Night

One cannot talk about scarlet night on Virgin Voyage without mentioning its key highlights. The evening begins with a grand transformation of the ship’s public spaces into a sea of red. The décor, lighting, and even staff uniforms align with the theme to create an immersive environment. Next comes the entertainment. Virgin Voyages partners with some of the world’s best DJs and performers to ensure that sailors have an unforgettable night. From live music performances to DJ sets that keep you dancing till dawn, there’s something for everyone at this party. But it doesn’t stop there! Alongside music and dance, there are also surprise pop-up performances throughout the night. These could range from aerial acrobatics to immersive theater, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment during the Scarlet Night. And let’s not forget about the food and drinks. Virgin Voyages pulls out all the stops to ensure that their sailors are well-fed and hydrated. There are themed cocktails and a late-night menu curated specifically for the Scarlet Night, allowing you to indulge in some delicious treats while you party.

Why You Should Experience Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyage

The Scarlet Night is more than just a party; it’s an experience that embodies what Virgin Voyages stands for – breaking away from tradition and offering something fresh and exciting. It’s an opportunity to let your hair down, meet new people, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Moreover, it gives you a chance to experience luxury in a fun and relaxed environment. From the stunning décor to the world-class entertainment and gourmet food, every aspect of the night is designed to give you an unparalleled experience.

Embracing Your Bold Side

Scarlet Night is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing your bold side. When choosing your outfit for this eventful evening on Virgin Voyage cruise line, think vibrant colors with a strong emphasis on shades of red. For women, consider wearing a stylish red dress paired with statement accessories like bold earrings or a standout clutch bag. If dresses aren’t your thing, opt for chic separates like a scarlet blouse paired with black trousers or even a jumpsuit in varying shades of red. Men can also join in the fun by incorporating red into their outfits. A crisp white shirt paired with red chinos or even just adding a pop of color with a scarlet tie or pocket square can make a big difference. Remember, the key is to feel confident and comfortable in what you’re wearing. So, while it’s fun to embrace the theme, don’t feel pressured to wear something that doesn’t reflect your personal style.

In conclusion, the Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyage is not just another cruise ship party; it’s a celebration of life at sea. It encapsulates everything that makes Virgin Voyages unique – its commitment to creating extraordinary experiences for its sailors, its focus on entertainment and fun, and its dedication to pushing boundaries in the cruise industry. So if you’re looking for an unforgettable sea journey filled with adventure, luxury, and lots of dancing, then it’s time to book your ticket on Virgin Voyages. And don’t forget your red outfit for the Scarlet Night! Contact me today and I can help you book your next cruise!

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• November 14, 2023
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Adult-Only Experience on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady

Posted on Published: 10/23/2023

When Virgin Voyages announced their brand-new, industry-changing adult-only cruise line, I was intrigued. Although I do love cruising with my kids, I often cruise with friends. The prospect of an adult-only cruise line sounded exciting, and I’m always interested in whatever Richard Branson creates. If you are interested in sailing, this Virgin Voyages review should help you make your decision.

For those unfamiliar with the brand, we’ve reviewed all of the differences below between Virgin Voyages and other cruise lines. These differences include the adults-only aspect, dining (no main dining room and all specialty dining is included), and the included tips.

Recently, I embarked on my first Virgin Voyages cruise on the Scarlet Lady – their first ship. This cruise ship currently leaves from PortMiami’s Terminal V , on various itineraries including Bahamian and Caribbean cruises. We booked the four-day Fire and Sunset Soiree, which stopped at Nassau, and the private Beach Club at Bimini .

Since my first sailing on Virgin Voyages, I’ve sailed two other times on the Scarlet Lady. One of these was the five-day Dominican Daze itinerary, with stops in Puerto Plata and Bimini.

This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, or if you are just reading the title of the blog, you probably know this isn’t our usual content. Instead, it’s the start of a new category here called Gen X Travel. This new category will focus on travels beyond family travel when you are ready to progress into mid-life travel.

Virgin Cruise Review: Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady

Check out prices and itineraries on Virgin Voyages here .

Virgin Voyages Differences

Virgin Voyages’ new cruise line has really changed the cruising paradigm. Some of the differences are very obvious from the start. The traditional key card has been replaced by The Band, a bracelet-style wearable that can be used to get into your room and charge purchases.

The main dining room and set dining times are gone. Instead, there are included specialty restaurants on board. Guests are able to reserve these in advance and can make one dinner reservation per venue.

The traditional cruising buffet is also gone. Instead, you’ll find the Galley, a food hall-style venue with lots of options. Servers bring your order directly to you. Options at the Galley include ramen, sushi, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and tacos. Soda, filtered/sparkling water, tea, regular coffee, and standard juices are also included.

Instead of a cruise director, Virgin has the Happenings cast. Each one has its own role, with unique titles such as “The Hype”, “The Glow”, “The Hostess”, and “The Bounce”. The amazing crew was all fantastic, and unlike other cruises, tips are all included in your cruise fare.

It took a day or two, but I realized that Virgin Voyages also doesn’t have any ship photographers. As someone who never purchases photos and never wants to take them, I really appreciated this.

Wifi is also included. There are higher speeds available for purchase. I definitely noticed that the included free WiFi was pretty slow, but it served its purpose of keeping me in contact with home. If I had work to do that required WiFi, I would have purchased the upgrade.

When booking your stateroom, you won’t have the option to choose your specific room. Instead, you’ll be assigned one. You can, however, upgrade to a central location when booking your cruise for a slightly higher fee.

Virgin Voyages also doesn’t use single-use plastics. There are no water bottles for sale on the ship, and you’ll have a carafe of water in your room each day. Refill stations are also available around the ship.

Before the Cruise

We registered for a May cruise in March, so we paid in full right away. Restaurant reservations were available in the Virgin Voyages app several weeks later. I tried to time our dining times with the show schedule and ended up being pretty successful. Our sailing was at less than half capacity, so there were plenty of openings.

Check-in can be done in advance on the app, and you’ll be able to provide a payment method, a selfie, health information, and your passport, making your first day a bit easier.

Embarkation Day

Virgin Voyages allow guests to stay onboard longer than other cruise lines on the last day. Therefore, check-in times tend to be a little later on embarkation day. We received the 1:30pm time, which was the earliest offered. Guests that are part of their loyalty program and who purchase the “Splash of Romance” package are able to get onboard in the first group.

It was an easy process to check in, get our wearable, and get on the ship. Our cabins were all available when we arrived, and our luggage was delivered within two hours.

Staterooms on the Scarlet Lady

We booked a sea terrace cabin, which includes a king bed that can be split, as well as a balcony (called sea terrace). The room was very comfortable, although a bit smaller than other cruise rooms I’ve been in recently.

The balconies include bright red hammocks, which is a fantastic addition. I loved reading on the hammock while we were at sea. While most of the Virgin Voyage balcony staterooms have this hammock, a few don’t.

Rooms include mood lighting, which can be controlled by a tablet over the desk. Lights, blinds, and the tv can be individually controlled, or there are also presets that help set a mood.

Hairdryers, mini refrigerators, a carafe of water, a chair, a small table, and bath toiletries (refillable pumps including body wash, conditioner, and shampoo) are all offered in the room. Stateroom service is done once per day, but special requests can be made through the app or the tablet.

Unlike other cruise staterooms I’ve been in, there is no couch. The bed does split into an L position if you are traveling with a friend and want your own bed.

Before our sailing, we received an offer to bid for an upgrade to a suite. We decided, however, to save money and stick with the room we had booked.

Virgin Voyages Restaurants

There are six main restaurants on board, in addition to the Galley, the Dock, the Social Club, the ice cream shop, several coffee shops, and other dining options. Room service is also offered. There was also a display at the entrance of the Galley offering packaged food to go including charcuterie plates, crudite, and salads.

We dined at five of the restaurants – four for dinner and a fifth for three breakfasts. Reservations for these sit-down breakfast meals need to be made in advance, on the app.

Razzle Dazzle: This stylish vegetarian restaurant does have a “naughty” section of the menu including meat dishes including a chicken sandwich and unbelievably delicious bacon. They also have a gorgeous Red Bar. I absolutely love Razzle Dazzle for brunch, but dinner is delicious as well.

Extra Virgin: This Italian restaurant offers a selection of antipasto, appetizers, main entrees, and pastas. We ate there on our first night and really enjoyed it. The highlight of the meal is the affogato cart, which includes a selection of gelatos along with toppings.

Gunbae: We didn’t have a chance to dine in this Korean BBQ restaurant, but we had heard great things about it.

The Wake: The Wake is an upscale steak and seafood restaurant. The decor is closest to the main dining room decors on other cruise lines, and it’s the most upscale of the restaurants. However, like every venue on Virgin Voyages, there is no dress code.

Pink Agave: We loved the food at this upscale Mexican restaurant. We ate there on our last night, and it was my favorite meal of the sailing. In my opinion, this is one “don’t miss” restaurant on Virgin Voyages. In many people’s opinions (including mine!) Pink Agave has the best steak dish onboard.

The Test Kitchen: The Test Kitchen is an experimental restaurant offering a set, six-course menu. It’s definitely an experience, and it’s fun to try food prepared in these different unique ways. If you are on a longer sailing, there’s a second menu so you can try the restaurant twice.

Shops on the Scarlet Lady

With a nod to her British heritage, most of the shops on the Scarlet Lady are located on High Street. Shops include two Virgin Voyages watch shops, a resort-wear shop, a duty-free shop, a cosmetics shop, an essentials shop, a jewelry shop, and a watch shop. In addition, there’s a small display selling vinyl records.

Like other cruise lines, the shops are only open when the ship is not at port. In our experience, they were never too crowded. However, I would have liked to see more branded merchandise. The shops, in my opinion, are definitely an area to improve.

Tattoos on the Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages launched with the first tattoo studio at sea – Squid Ink. Squid Ink offers some of the best tattoo artists around the work, on the ship for a limited engagement. You can’t book your tattoo or piercing appointment until you are onboard, but you can look at their Instagram stories to see which artists will be on the ship during your sailing.

Once you are on the ship’s WiFi, you’ll be able to view the schedule for the ship events. Included will be the open booking hours for tattoos. Squid Ink offers some flash tattoo options, and can also accommodate custom requests.

You’ll need to book your time in person. Squid Ink has become very popular, so you’ll want to line up right at opening (or even before).

I got a small wave flash tattoo, and it was a great experience onboard. I’d definitely recommend it if you are considering a tattoo. I did find that the prices were higher than those at shops at home, but the experience is worth it.

If you look at the Squid Ink Instagram page, you can see the various visiting artists for the different ships. Look through the artists’ Instagram pages to see their different styles and examples of their work.

Shows on Virgin Voyages

As you’d expect, the shows on Virgin Voyages are different from those you may be used to on other cruise lines. While the selection may vary depending on voyage and ship, expect to find several different shows playing. Most have several different showings, so you can work them into your dining schedule.

During our sailing, there were several options including a 2-part drag show hosted by “The Diva”, a beautiful dance/singing show called “Ships in the Night”, and a Romeo and Juliet-inspired acrobatics show called “Duel Reality”. Bingo on the ship is also hosted by the Diva, along with another member of the Happenings team. There are other show options, including some limited options specific to individual sailings.

Reservations are required for these shows, and they can be made in the app. For Bingo, you can purchase your cards before the actual games start.

There are several show venues on board, and they are beautiful and unique. The Manor is a two-story venue with a bar, stage, and seats around small tables. There’s a gorgeous mirrored hallway leading to it.

There’s also the Red Room, a multi-use room with stadium-style seating. Both venues are intimate and fairly small.

Parties on Virgin Voyages

There are fun ship-wide parties held every night of your sailing. The most popular of these is Scarlet Night, which was held on day two of our sailing. Be sure to pack your best bright red apparel.

Other parties include a PJ party (held on the first night of our sailing) and a pool float party (held at the Beach Club at Bimini). The parties are all optional but are definitely fun to attend.

Additional Experiences

There are some additional experiences that can be booked on board, in addition to the Shore Things (shore excursions). We signed up for three of them – both at an extra charge.

Shot for Shot – a mixology seminar hosted in The Test Kitchen. In addition to learning how to mix four drinks, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn how to photograph these best for social media postings.

Afternoon Tea – hosted in the Sip Lounge, afternoon tea is an elegant affair with your choice of teas, as well as a selection of scones, pastries, and mini sandwiches. Your tea is offered with or without bubbles (champagne).

Plate, Snap, Eat: Foodie Photo Workshop – In this class, you’ll learn to plate food and take some great pictures, then you’ll enjoy eating your creations.

There’s also a paint night-style event where you’ll learn how to create artwork with the Artist. We didn’t do that event, however. Over my three sailings, I’ve noticed that some of the offerings have changed, and new ones are added regularly.

One very popular activity is the Grog Walk. This is a paid activity that you’ll have to purchase in advance. It books up quickly so you’ll want to reserve it as soon as you get on board.

During the Grog Walk, you’ll travel with a group to different bars and lounges on board. You’ll sample a drink and participate in different fun icebreaker activities.

There’s no beverage package offered on Virgin Voyages. However, you are able to pre-purchase a bar tab. Currently, you’ll get extra money added to the top of your bar tab when you purchase it in advance.

Other Amenities on the Scarlet Lady

In addition to the parties, events, and shows, there are other things to do on Virgin Voyages. There’s a fitness center, as well as a full array of group fitness classes that are included. You do need to sign up for some of these in advance. They are very popular and are a great way to stay fit while on vacation.

The top deck of the ship has a jogging trail loop, and there is also fitness and recreation equipment, like a basketball court, punching bag, boxing ring, swings, and more, on the outdoor decks.

The ship has two pools in the pool area, including one with seating all around the edges. There are also hot tubs on the pool deck.

I loved the arcade, which includes old-school games like Tapper and Donkey Kong. There are also board games that can be played in the Social Club. The Gamer is around at times to show you various games.

Like karaoke? There are several private karaoke rooms that can be booked for small groups. These are completely private.

The Beach Club at Bimini

Although Virgin Voyages does not have a private island, guests do have access to a private beach club when sailing to Bimini. The Beach Club at Bimini is located in the Resorts World area in Bimini, in the Bahamas. During our sailing, our ship was docked at Bimini starting at 8 am and ending with a ship return time of 7:30 pm. This will vary based on your sailing.

As you exit the ship, you’ll see containers of towels that you can bring with you to the beach. Bring along the essentials you’ll need, like your phone charger , sunscreen, reading materials, etc. Shore things excursions are available, including cabana rentals at the Beach Club. However, there are plenty of beach and pool chairs and umbrellas available.

The sand and seawater at the Beach Club at Bimini are absolutely amazing. The water is a beautiful light blue and the sand is incredibly soft. The resort includes bars, restrooms, two pools, lots of waterfront space, and more.

Unfortunately, during our first day at Bimini, a thunderstorm interrupted our plans. While we did have the chance to spend some time at the beach and the pool, we didn’t get the opportunity to eat there.

Luckily, on our second and third sailings, we had gorgeous weather at Bimini. We were able to enjoy lunch, which is really fantastic.

For adults looking for something a little different, Virgin Voyages is a fantastic option. After three different sailings, I keep wanting to book another one. The food, fun activities, and fantastic service really make it a great vacation option.

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Saturday 8th of October 2022

Hi! My husband and I are interested in this cruise line but we are not interested in a "Las Vegas vibe" cruise (seeing as how we live in Las Vegas, we can get that anytime) We want to go on a cruise and be able to relax. For example, read a book on the lido deck or enjoy an intimate dinner. Do you feel like we could have a "chill" experience and not a "spring break" type experience on Virgin cruises? Thank you

Thursday 13th of October 2022

@stacey, You can absolutely make it a chill experience. My husband and I just got off the ship last Sunday and really enjoyed ourselves. We are not big party people. We were easily able to find plenty of quiet spots to sit up on deck and enjoy our books. At dinner we always had a table for two. We did not have a chance to eat at Gunbae, but our understanding is that it is a shared table experience (which would have also been fine with us, we are not antisocial. Lol). We enjoyed the trivia games, the arcade, and the couple of small venue shows we saw. The cruise really is whatever you want it to be. We had a lovely time together. We visited Key West, just walked around awhile and then did the Jet Ski tour around the island. Finished the port visit by sharing a slice of Key Lime pie. In Bimini my husband did the Scuba excursion and then met up with me on the beach. We loved it so much we booked 2 future cruises while on board because we knew we wanted to come back and they offered a pretty good incentive.

Jodi Grundig

We found that it was really what you make of it - you could definitely spend more relaxing time if you'd like.

Monday 3rd of October 2022

I'm so glad I saw this review on MSN, I first started seeing ads and info online about the new Virgin adults only cruises and have been curious ever since. I loved your info, it's very well detailed and gave me a great overview of your cruise with them. I have a few questions ... I may do a solo cruise if I can't get any of my friends to go with me, do you think this would be a good cruise for a solo cruiser? Also are all of the restaurants included in the price of the cruise? I very much appreciate your reply.

Hi Arlene, the restaurants are all included. There are some premium items on the menus that aren't but we were very happy with the standard items. It's also a great line for a solo cruiser, and there are even interior rooms perfect for a solo cruiser.

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Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Ship & Entertainment Review:

Posted by Takeoff To Travel | Feb 12, 2024 | Cruises , Reviews and Reports | 4

In this post:

In this review, I am going to highlight the common areas of the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady and highlight the entertainment offered onboard. Overall, Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady is a beautiful ship, and I had fun exploring it during my 4 night sailing out of Miami. None of the common areas ever really felt too packed during our nice journey, but it could be attributed to the fact that our sailing was off-season and we had about a 70% load.

Virgin Voyages Cruise Report

Check out my other reviews onboard Virgin Voyages below

• Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady: Sea Terrace Cabin Review
• Virgin Voyages Dining Review Onboard Scarlet Lady
• Virgin Voyages Embarkation & Ports Review: Key West, Beach Club at Bimini
• Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady: Ship & Entertainment Review

The roundabout with a large circular staircase connecting Decks 7 to 6 is the heart of the ship and the first thing you see when boarding.

Roundabout Seating

Sailor Services, which is like the front desk/reception is actually not located here but rather it is kind of tucked off, and located on deck 5.

Sailor Services

The main floor with the shops also features Dry Dock which is a beauty salon and Stubble & Groom which is a barber shop. And even a tattoo parlor called Squid Ink. 

The shopping area is called “High Street”, and features souvenirs, cosmetics, luxury accessories, and fashion items. There is an essentials shop as well as a Virgin Voyages branded shop too.

High Street Shopping

On Deck 7, there is also Voyage Vinyl which is a record shop and matches Virgin’s roots.

Virgin Vinyl

Takeoff Tip: As a Gold tier First Mate travel agent with Virgin Voyages, I’m happy to help make your cruise booking as seamless as possible. From helping you secure a restaurant to gaining you priority boarding, I’m here to assist. Simply  use my booking link  to discover your next Virgin Voyage and I’ll assist you on your journey!

The Groupie (Private Karaoke)

I loved the private karaoke offered here at the Groupie. Sign-up sheets for the day are released in the morning, and you can grab a one-hour slot. There are three rooms, Blue (2-4 people), Pink (4-6 people), and Purple (6-8 people). On our voyage, the Blue room was closed, but Pink and Purple were available.

On our voyage, sign-up slots weren’t hard to get, and one day we signed up for the Pink room but it wasn’t working. We called Sailor Services and they said they would send someone up to troubleshoot, but after 20 minutes no one came and we decided to do something else as our slot was going to end. We tried again another day, and thankfully this time the room was working.

I love karaoke and thought it was a nice touch to have one on a cruise ship! Super fun!

Groupie Entrance

The Pink Room

Purple Room

The casino on the Scarlet Lady is a solid size and features the latest slots and table games. It was a pretty popular place in the evenings, and I enjoyed my visits to the casino. I really appreciated how the casino is smoke-free, so it was easy to breathe!

Virgin Voyages Casino

Virgin Voyages Table Games

Video games both new and old are available at the arcade free of charge. I tried out the racing game and won, but unfortunately, one of the pedals was broken, so it was a bit hard to avoid crashing into the walls! A nice place to hang out with friends and unleash some friendly competition.

Fitness & Wellness

Fitness center.

On deck 15, there is quite a large fitness center called B-Complex, with also a bike and a balance studio.

B Complex Treadmills

B Complex Weights

I signed up for a spin/cycling class and thought that the cycling room was quite nice with beautiful ocean views. But, the instructor was not good and didn’t seem like he didn’t know what he was doing. His resistance and output ranges were far too extreme and high. Perhaps I just got a bad instructor.

There is also outdoor gym equipment and a boxing ring on deck 16. They have a Training Camp with group fitness classes as well.

Training Camp

There’s a basketball court too, that was also used for pickleball.

Basketball/Pickleball Court

Also on deck 16 was The Net. It looked cool and is dubbed the highest catamaran net at sea. Sadly, it was closed during my visits to this deck, but nearby there were large daybeds, swings, oversized games, and even adult-sized seesaws spread out on the Athletic Club section of the deck.

Large Daybeds

The Sun Club has plenty of seating to lounge and relax in the outdoor sun, and there are private Cabanas for rent on this deck.

Running Track (The Runway)

On the top deck 17, there is a two-lane running track where 6 laps equals a mile.

Runway Running Track

The Redemption Spa is located on deck 5, and on top of massages and facials, its Thermal Suite includes a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, and hot and cold plunge pools. We didn’t have time to try the spa on this voyage, but perhaps next time!

Redemption Spa

Deck 15 also features The Tune Up, which does manicures and pedicures.

The Tune Up

The Aquatic Club on deck 15 features a main pool and wellness pool. They aren’t particularly large, but if you want to take a dip, you certainly can.

Aquatic Club

Some Hot Tubs

There are also hot tubs spread out around deck 16.

Richards Rooftop

The front of the deck is reserved for suite guests only (Rockstar Quarters) and it’s called Richard’s Rooftop which offers a VIP Sundeck and Bar.

Richard’s Rooftop

The Red Room

Most of the larger shows are hosted here, and it’s deemed the live performance space. It takes up two decks, 6 & 7.

Red Room on Scarlet Night

It’s the nightclub onboard the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady, and I love the sparkly mirror entrance. It was quite fun during the Pajama Party!

The Manor Entrance

Manor Pajama Party

When it is not a nightclub, they would host other shows here such as the Mentalist & Comedy Entertainer, as well as the variety/dinner show.

The shows are a bit of the low point on Virgin Voyages. I was expecting a bit more to be honest. I was able to see the shows below, and I chose them based on what I’ve read online. These require reservations, and you can make reservations for shows once onboard the ship’s Wi-Fi. I didn’t have any issues not getting the show I wanted, and nothing really “sold out”. I found out our voyages were sailing around 70% occupancy, so perhaps that is why. Even if a show sells out, you can check if they have walk-in slots available as there are no-shows. 

Duel Reality:

It’s like Romeo and Juliet with an acrobatic twist. I thought some of the acts were cool, but some of them fell flat for me. It was cool that I was ushered to sit in the front row and was right in the action, though it was scary sometimes as they were so close!

Duel Reality

Duel Reality Scene

It’s a Ship Show

This is a variety/dinner show that has a comedic host, singing, acrobatics, and a person who could balance a sword. The lineup was very cruise-ship-esque, and we stayed for about an hour or so and decided to find another activity on the ship. We just went for dessert and we were glad we did because the main courses were much more limited and of lower quality than the restaurants on board. The dessert also fell flat.

THE UNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHING

Now we’re talking! This was quite fun, almost like a mini-rave, with dancers, lights, and music. But, it really depends on the crowd you’re with and our sailing was very low energy. So, it wasn’t as fun as most of the audience wasn’t in the “party mood”. The stages move around, and audience participation can make or break the experience.

I would have loved to see a Broadway Stage Production, or something maybe a bit more to the Cirque du Soleil caliber.

In terms of other entertainment options, they had a few groups of singers, trio’s and cabaret performers. I did like the singer they had on board, and he was nice enough to take song requests and stay connected with the audience.

The Dock Live Music

Themed Nights

I loved the themed nights onboard the ship!

Definitely go to the Sail Away Party on the first day. It was fun and festive with dancing, and there was free champagne! It was from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.

Sail Away Party

Also on the first day was the Pajama Party at night. Normally it’s outside at the Athletic Club, but since we had bad weather, it was moved inside to the Manor.

On the second day was Scarlet Night , where everyone wore red! There are tons of shipwide activities and decor for a fun festive night.

Scarlet Night

The Verdict

Overall, Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady was a great ship for a four-night cruise with plenty to do. I did not want to get off the ship on the last day and would love to sail on the Scarlet Lady again. The ship’s spaces are great, and if they could spice up the entertainment options a bit more, it could be the perfect cruise.

Have you been on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady? What did you think of the ship and entertainment options? Comment below!

As a Gold tier First Mate travel agent with Virgin Voyages, I’m happy to help make your cruise booking as seamless as possible. From helping you secure a restaurant reservation to gaining you priority boarding, I’m here to assist. Simply  use my booking link  to discover your next Virgin Voyage and I’ll assist you on your journey! Have any questions? Comment below or email me at [email protected]. You can also view all my other posts here! Thanks for stopping by!

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Hi everyone! The travel bug hit me at the age of eight on my first flight and ever since then I’ve loved planning vacations for my friends and family. My goal is to try out new hotel chains and sample the many airline cabins out there. Having been both a city boy and living in the suburbs, I love traveling to all destinations both big and small.

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I failed to describe the UNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHING accurately to people who haven’t seen it. I end up saying that you need to experience it, and you’ll either hate it or love it. Until now, I’ve been the only one to enjoy the experience. I’m glad to see that others get it for its crazy energy, even if the show has no plot or even an understandable storyline.

I’m glad you enjoyed it! It certainly is an interesting experience, and I think it’s fun if the audience is in a good mood. Thanks for sharing!

Not impressed. Has 1984 vibes. I get that they want to cater to people averse to traditional cruising but making public areas uglier and tacky isn’t the way to do it.

Thanks for sharing! I would have preferred a more elaborate lobby, but otherwise didn’t mind the design.

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Trip Report: Virgin Voyages Dominican Daze Cruise, Scarlet Lady

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: November 9, 2023

In this trip report, I’ll detail my experience sailing with Virgin Voyages onboard the Scarlet Lady. I sailed on the 5-night Dominican Daze itinerary, with a slightly modified route. I’ll share exactly how we filled our our days, where we ate, and what the experience was like. Then I’ll go over some of the pros and cons of sailing with Virgin Voyages. Keep reading to learn what it’s like to sail with Virgin Voyages!

Disclaimer: This cruise was graciously gifted by our trusted travel advisor, Lauren Quirk, from Travel With Character . This post is not sponsored by Virgin Voyages or Travel With Character, and I do not receive any compensation in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

In This Post

Intro to virgin voyages.

• Booking & Pricing

Sea Terrace Cabin Details

Getting to miami, day 1: miami & embarkation.

• Day 2: Day At Sea
• Day 3: Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos (modified itinerary)
• Day 4: Day At Sea
• Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas
• Day 6: Debarkation
• First Impressions and Pros & Cons

And if you’re looking for more information about Virgin Voyages, be sure to check out our 10 best Virgin Voyages tips for your first cruise .

Virgin Voyages is the new kid on the cruise block, having only had its first sailing in late 2020. The cruise line was founded by billionaire businessman Richard Branson, who wanted to “shake up” the industry.

In a way, Virgin Voyages does offer an alternative cruise experience. Most notably, all Virgin Voyages cruises are adults only. And as such, things like the entertainment themes and upscale dining menus, are all tailored to an adult audience. There are some other practical differences too, like tips and wifi are included and the ships themselves are all very nice and new. Plus there are some unique features like an onboard tattoo parlor, nightclub and casino, that you won’t find every other family-friendly cruise ship.

But in other ways, Virgin Voyages is cruising as usual. It has the same general experiences and amenities that you would expect on most cruise lines. There’s a full-service spa, swimming pools, and lots of restaurants and bars around the ship. Entertainment is offered throughout the day and includes things like group fitness classes, bingo and trivia, plus stage shows in the evening. And of course, like all cruise lines, this is all managed by an app that is barely operational. #facepalm

Currently (as of 2023), Virgin Voyages has four ships that are sailing routes all around the globe including the Caribbean, Europe and Australia / South Pacific.

NOTE: The only other cruise I have personal experience with is Disney Cruise Line. If you’re considering either of these cruise lines, we have a detailed post that explores the 10 biggest differences between Disney Cruise Line vs Virgin Voyages .

Virgin Voyages Booking & Pricing

I sailed with Virgin Voyages on the 5-night Dominican Daze itinerary. This particular itinerary is listed as $1,750 average per cabin. Prices range based on the date, number of sailors and the specific cabin. For example, a Sea Terrace cabin for two on that itinerary in January costs $1,838, while an Insider Room (no outward facing porthole or terrace) costs $1,426.

Virgin Voyages often has promotional deals for certain routes throughout the year. (You can find current deals here .) This same Dominican Daze cruise has a promo at the moment that drops it down to $1,314 average per cabin. You can also get great deals and promotions if you purchase your next cruise onboard a current cruise. During my recent cruise, they were offering $300 off your next cruise plus $600 in bar tab if you booked onboard.

I personally sailed on the Dominican Daze itinerary from October 13 – 18, 2023. I was a solo sailor in a Sea Terrace cabin and the total cost for my cruise after taxes and fees as $2,284. As I mentioned above, my cruise was gifted by our travel advisor at Travel With Character .

If you find the itineraries and cabin options overwhelming, I would highly recommend reaching out to Travel With Character for assistance. We personally work with Travel With Character to book each of our Disney vacations , and I was equally impressed by their cruise knowledge and services.

I stayed in the Sea Terrace cabin onboard the Scarlet Lady. All of the cabins in this category are nearly identical throughout the entire ship and across all of Virgin’s ships. So if you book a Sea Terrace cabin, you can expect it to be a lot like this.

When you enter the room, there’s a closet on one side and the bathroom on the other. The light switch and Do Not Disturb button are inside the closet. The closet also had hangers (not the theft-proof kind), a hairdryer, safe, and the required life vests for each passenger. The bathroom is small but functional, complete with a rain shower.

The inside of the room opened up to a larger space and included a chair, end table, double bed, and a “glam station” with a vanity table and mirror. (There’s also full-body mirror in the room.) Behind the blackout curtains was a sliding door, which opened to a small balcony with two chairs, a table, and a hammock.

It’s a new ship, and that translates to the room design. Most everything (including the tv and customizable room lighting) is controlled by an in room tablet. Even the blinds are button-controlled and open automatically when you walk in the room.

Overall, the room was really nice and comfortable. I thought the cabin was incredibly spacious, but I was only one sailor. I think it would be comfortable for two sailors, but I can imagine it gets tight with 3-4. (FYI, you can see the setup for the 4-bed layout in the image carousel here .)

All Virgin Voyages’ Caribbean sailings depart from Terminal V at PortMiami in Florida. The cruise port is a 20 minute drive from Miami International Airport. (There is a public transportation option, but it takes much longer and still requires a lot of walking, so I don’t recommend it.)

Our scheduled embarkation time was 2 PM. However, I’ve had enough delayed morning flights to Florida to know that you can’t bank on an on-time arrival. To be safe, I flew to Miami the night before. If you’re flying, regardless of how far or how long the flight is, I’d suggest flying in the night before.

I flew American Airlines First class from New York. I’m still partial to Delta First Class for domestic flights, but I was happy to try something new. I had a nice dinner and a beer, binged my favorite podcast ( Be There in Five ) and crushed a few crosswords. Is there any better way to start a vacation?

Since this was a gifted trip, Travel with Character chose and booked my hotel for me. I stayed at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, which is conveniently located minutes away from the Virgin cruise terminal. In fact, I could see the ship from the hotel gym during my morning run!

I got in late, so it was straight to bed for me.

Okay, bear with me! I’m going to go into probably too much detail on day 1, because I want to explain things as I go. As we move on though later days, I promise things will be more succinct.

Since we didn’t board until 2 PM, we decided to go on a morning adventure before we sailed away. I had never been to Miami before, but our trusty travel advisors planned a morning in Little Havana.

It was such a cool area! We had an amazing Cuban lunch at Old’s Havana, which was such a vibe. There was a cute park next door where people played dominos and an amazing coffee shop (La Colada Gourmet). I didn’t make it to the ice cream shop across the street (Azucar Ice Cream), but I heard rave reviews from my fellow sailors. There was tons of cool street art, and our stroll down Tamiami Trail was just delightful. If you have a morning to fill, go to Little Havana.

After a fun morning exploring, we picked up our luggage from the hotel and made our way to the cruise terminal.

Embarkation

Virgin Voyages sails out of Terminal V in PortMiami. The newly opened terminal is as beautiful as it is functional. The boarding process was very organized and quick.

Our driver dropped us off in the dedicated area right across from the terminal, and we immediately saw the baggage check. You can leave your bags here and have them delivered to your cabin by 6 PM. This is an optional, complimentary service, but it was nice to have free hands during the boarding process.

Outside the terminal, there were queues for each scheduled boarding time. Our scheduled time was already called, so we went right in. There was a short line for check in, which only entailed a quick passport check. I received my cruise band, which I needed for basically everything onboard (tapping on and off the ship, getting into my room, making purchases, etc.). The bracelet part immediately broke, so I just slipped the device onto a hair tie, which worked perfectly. I also got a blue wristband to designate my Blue Extras status.

There was a brief security check and then we walked right on the ship. The whole experience took less than 15 minutes.

Getting Acquainted With The Scarlet Lady

Our cabins were ready when we boarded the ship. However, our bags weren’t schedule to arrive until 6 PM, so I couldn’t get ready for the night just yet. (Pro tip: Keep everything you need for the afternoon and early evening with you!)

Our group met up at Sip to start making plans. Once we connected to the ship’s wifi, we could view the schedule for the entire voyage and sign up for things. By 3 PM, some of the activities (like yoga and spin classes) were already fully booked. The app was also unbearable and was constantly crashing, logging us out, or spinning relentlessly. We signed up for a few high-priority activities, but then gave up.

Next up was the required safety drill. We first had to watch a safety video in the app. Then we had to report to our assigned meeting point at anytime during a 90 minute window. Safety demos were rolling and repeated every 5 minutes. We just had to scan our band at the start of the demo to get credit for attending.

After that, we decided to explore the ship. We scoped out some of the different locations on board (starting with the ice cream shop), visited Sailor Services to fix a dining reservation and took a tour of the spa. There were a few activities that required in-person registration — like spa services, tattoos or karaoke — so we did some of that, too.

Evening Plans

We started our evening at the Sail Away Party on the pool deck, which included complimentary champagne. This is where we were first introduced to the Happenings Cast. The Happenings Cast are really the hype crew for the whole cruise. They each have a persona — like The Diva, The Artist or The Cowboy — and they lead different events and activities throughout the cruise.

After a short dance party, we were off to our first dinner of the cruise at Extra Virgin. All food onboard is complimentary, so you can order as much as you want from the food menu. “Essential” drinks (water, soda, plain juice) are complimentary, and other drinks (alcohol, espresso drinks, mocktails) are available for an additional charge.

Extra Virgin turned out to be our favorite meal of the entire cruise. It is an Italian restaurant, and one of the fancier restaurants on the ship. The fried artichoke, gnocchi and table-side affogato were the highlights.

The themed event of the night was a PJ party. It was also a halloween cruise though, so there was a mix of PJs and halloween costumes, including a weirdly high number of Playboy Bunnies. The party included a DJ, dancing and special appearance by The Diva. However, it also took place at the back of the ship where there was a lot of seating, so plenty of people were just there lounging.

It was a long day, so we didn’t make it long before we put on our actual PJs and went to sleep.

Day 2 — Day at Sea

Our itinerary included two days at sea and two port days. I loved starting with a day at sea because it gave us time to explore the ship and take advantage of everything.

I’m the worst at relaxing vacations, so I started my day at the gym. The gym was pretty busy, and I snagged one of the last available treadmills. It was a really nice fitness center with cardio equipment on one side and weightlifting equipment on the other. Alternatively, there’s also a dedicated outdoor track on the upper deck. It was too hot for me to run outside, but this was a great asset of the ship.

My Deep Blue Extras got me $10 of specialty coffee a day , which I took full advantage of. There were two coffee shops onboard, including a small one in The Galley (the main food court) and a larger one on deck 7 near the main lobby area. Both coffee shops served Intelligentsia coffee.

Next up was a Boy Band Dance Class, hosted by a member of the Happenings Cast. We learned the famous dance to the chorus of Bye, Bye, Bye. The class was about an hour and included a performance at the end. It was really fun and pretty low effort.

We booked a brunch at The Wake, which was my second favorite meal of the trip. The quick-service options at The Galley were good, but we knew we’d grow tired of the offerings after a few days. For no extra cost, we were happy to indulge in more table service meals.

After that, we mostly just bopped around the ship. We got popsicles, desserts and champagne in The Galley. Then we played in the complimentary arcade, ate pretzels in the sports bar, and shopped in the many Duty Free stores.

Even after eating all day, we still had room for dinner. We had a reservation at Razzle Dazzle, which despite its name, is one of the more casual table service restaurants. It is vegetarian for breakfast, but has a handful of meat options for dinner.

As a vegetarian, I was a bit disappointed in this meal. The Nashville cauliflower was greasy and the s’mores dessert was basically just chocolate pudding. However, my meat eating friends loved the pork belly so much they all ordered seconds! So there’s that!

Our evening activity was Bingo With The Diva. We had to line up early to buy our cards, and then came back an hour later for the actual event. The Diva did some song and dance numbers, but it was otherwise standard bingo. I didn’t win, but I had so much fun! (Bingo cards were an additional purchase. I paid $45 for 4 cards.)

We swung by The Manor — the onboard nightclub — for circus night. It looked really cool, but it was too crowded by the time we got there. After some glitter hallway photos, we went to bed.

Day 3 — Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Despite sailing on the Dominican Daze itinerary, we didn’t actually go to the Dominican Republic. There was a last-minute itinerary change, and they subbed Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) for Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos). Honestly, I wasn’t mad about it. I’ve already been to the Dominican, but not Turks & Caicos, so I was excited to see somewhere new.

Since this was a modified itinerary, it won’t be much use to many sailors on the standard Dominican Daze route. However, if you’re on a different route that also stops at Turks & Caicos (the San Juan itineraries for example), this might still be helpful.

The ship arrived at the port in Grand Turk shortly before 10 AM, and we were among the first off the ship at 10:15 AM. The water was so unbelievably blue that I immediately loved the place.

Snorkel Excursion in Grand Turk

After the itinerary change, Virgin Voyages did immediately release new excursions for Turks & Caicos. Instead of waiting to see if they’d add them, we decided to book through a third party. (Since I was sailing with a few of the best travel advisors in the business, they took care of finding a trusted tour provider.)

We booked the Grand Turk – Exclusive Supreme Snorkeling Tour through Exclusive Escapes. It cost $144 per person and included snorkeling, beach time on a private island, rum punch, and conch ceviche made during the excursion from fresh-caught conch.

Now, I did get seasick on the boat (I always do), but this excursion was incredible. We got to see a barracuda, lots of Blue Tang, a school of zebra-looking fish, and several other fish. We swam over a coral reef near a drop-off that goes down 7,000 feet, which was really cool to see. The private beach part was my favorite, though. The water was crystal clear, we got to pet wild stingrays, but mostly I was really just happy to be off the boat.

The excursion was scheduled for 3.5 hours, but they run on island time. We checked in at 10:37 AM, and did not return until about 3:45 PM. Our group had a blast and loved the extra time, but there were other people in our group who had other plans on the island that they didn’t make it back for.

Speaking of the island, there’s plenty of things to do right by the port, even if you don’t have an excursion. There is a beach, several shops, a few restaurants (including a Starbucks) and even a large public pool adjacent to Margaritaville.

Back on the Ship

The excursion was amazing, but by the time we got back we were all starving. It ran right through lunch time and didn’t include an actual meal other than the conch at the end (which I didn’t eat). We didn’t want to spend money on food when it was free on the ship, so we basically ran on board and beelined to The Galley.

We had booked a spot at an evening show called Duel Reality. Virgin describes it as a “fast-paced retelling of Romeo and Juliet — with an elaborate circus twist.” The performance piece of the show was incredible (lots of acrobatics and stunts), but the acting and story-telling was meh. Still a fun use of an hour though.

Then we had dinner reservations at The Wake. (Yes, the same place we had brunch yesterday.) I liked their brunch much better than their dinner. In the evening, it is essentially a steakhouse. As a vegetarian, I only got sides. They were good, but not that great. I’m sure it was better if you ate meat.

Later, we swung by The Dock House for some karaoke. (They had public karaoke here, and also private karaoke rooms available, which we’d do later.) Some of the performances were incredible! A few people in our group did a bang-up cover of Lady Marmalade, and I heard a version of Strawberry Wine that was so good I’ll never listen to the original again.

Finally, we wrapped up at The Manor. This time we got there right as they opened, so we scored a table to set our things while we danced. We danced until well after 1 AM. The set list started out strong, but then kind of fell off at the end, which is when we left.

Day 4 — Day at Sea

Despite going to bed at 2 AM, I still made it to the gym for our next day at sea. I got there around 8:30, and found it to be much less crowded than it was on our first day at sea. After a slow 5K, I went straight to The Galley for breakfast and coffee. (I had grown quite fond of the rotating fruit chia and the bagel order I had put together.)

It had stormed over night, so instead of being a million degrees outside, it was a very comfortable low 70s. I decided to join my friends by the pool and happily double-fisted a latte and piña colada at 10 AM.

We cancelled our second brunch reservation so we could go to the hypnotist show at noon. Though it’s not typically my thing, it was actually very cool to watch! (The hypnotist was Nadeen .)

After a quick lunch at The Galley, our group parted ways. Half of us went to the spa. For $40, you could spend 3 hours in open areas of the spa. That included a sauna, steam room, mud mask area, salt room, hot and cold plunge pools, and few other calming areas.

I opted out of that and instead decided to take a 2-hour nap in the hammock on my balcony, lulled to sleep by the waves and ocean breeze. 10/10 recommend.

After that, I grabbed a beer and took another detailed lap around the ship before getting ready for dinner. Tonight was a big night: Scarlet Night.

Scarlet Night

Scarlet Night is the biggest event on all Virgin Voyages cruises. Essentially, everyone wears red and there’s a big dance party on the pool deck. I don’t typically participate in cruise themed nights, but this one was pretty strongly enforced. (I believe my travel advisor’s words were, “If you don’t wear red, they will kick you off the ship.”)

Before the Scarlet Night festivities, we had dinner at Test Kitchen. This restaurant offers a take on molecular gastronomy, where they prepare each of six featured ingredients into a unique course. Our menu included things like mushroom mouse, smoked pea carbonara and a blue cheese semifreddo. There was an optional beer, wine, cocktail or mocktail pairing to go with each course, for an extra cost.

Unfortunately, we didn’t love this meal. The food was interesting of course, but also just not that good. Our group actually had such a bad time that we went to a second dinner! We talked to the manager at our favorite place next door, Extra Virgin, and got him to get us in without a reservation.

The highlight of Scarlet Night is a big party on the pool deck, again hosted by the Happenings Cast. There’s a DJ, laser lighting, and tons of dancing. They even opened up the pool for dancing in the shallow end (just a few inches deep), and that was one of my favorite memories of the entire cruise. After the pool party, there is an after party in The Manor.

Scarlet Night had a really fun energy on the ship. The only people not in red were the people in costumes for the halloween activities which conflicted with the Scarlet Night dance party. (Poor planning!)

Day 5 — Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas

The Beach Club at Bimini is Virgin Voyages’ private beach in the Bahamas. The Beach Club at Bimini is open to all Virgin Voyages sailors and has a beach, pool, restaurant and bar. There’s plenty of beach- and pool-side seating and umbrellas, plus some hammocks for good measure.

There is a free shuttle that goes from the port right outside the ship, to the entrance of The Beach Club. It makes a few more stops too, including a small shopping area, an excursion departure point, and a place to rent golf carts to take around the island.

On one end of the club is a private VIP section for “Rockstar” guests, which is a cabin category onboard Virgin Voyages. Rockstar sailors can access the area and book private cabanas. We were not Rockstars, but our travel advisor was able to use her magic wand and book us two private cabanas here.

It was cold and windy during our visit, so the cabanas weren’t exactly necessary. We didn’t need the shade and since the weather was bad, the general seating areas were wide open. However, we did not complain about the extra comfy covered seating or the included $200 of bar tab, which we failed to fully utilize.

Virgin Voyages owns The Beach Club, so it operates as an extension of the ship. That meant that the food at the club was complimentary, just like it was on the ship. The food was good, but the rum cakes were by far the best part part.

The beach was beautiful, but it was very windy during our visit. I love playing in the waves on a windy day, but I was too scared to venture in past my waist. I wasn’t alone either. There was only one or two people on the whole beach that went in further. There are no lifeguards, so we were smart to be careful.

The cabanas opened at 10 AM and we stayed until about 4 PM. (They were open until 6 PM.) The shuttle back to the ship runs regularly, and includes a stop at a shopping area. We got off to shop, but only one store was open at that time.

We got back on the ship just in time for trivia, which we won! Our prize was a complimentary drink, which was great, but not helpful given we were sitting on plenty of extra bar tab that was going to go to waste when we got off the ship the next day.

Our final dinner was at Pink Agave, an upscale Mexican restaurant. This was my third favorite meal of the trip. (If you’re keeping track, that puts the rankings at 1: Extra Virgin, 2: The Wake brunch , and 3: Pink Agave.) Everything I ate here was the good, and the mezcal margarita was on point.

The final night’s theme was “We Fancy,” which meant we all wore as much sequins as we could find. There was no formal event, but we went to The Manor after our dinner.

After one last late-night snack in The Galley, I went to bed one last time in my cabin.

Day 6 — Debarkation

The ship docked back in Miami at roughly 6:30 AM.

I scheduled my debarkation time for 8 AM, but I was ready to go by 7:30 AM. I decided to head down and see if they would let me off early. As it turned out, there wasn’t anyone actually checking your scheduled debarkation time, so I simply hopped in the line and breezed off the ship.

There is a brief immigration check, which is a simple facial scan. (You don’t even need your passport.)

After immigration, there’s a baggage collection point. If you don’t want to carry your bags off the ship, you can leave them in the hallway the night before and pick them up in the terminal right before you exit. This is probably helpful for some, but this wasn’t necessary for my situation.

After exiting the terminal, I followed clearly marked signs to the rideshare pickup area. I was in the Uber waiting area by 7:42 AM, just 11 mins after I got in line to leave the ship. I was at the Miami airport just after 8 AM for a 10:52 AM flight.

Now, this all worked out fine, but it easily could have been very tight. There could have been delays getting off the ship, lines at customs, a longer wait for an Uber driver, more traffic or a longer security queue at the airport. If any of that pushed me back even an hour, I would have been pretty tight against my boarding time. All that to say, I wouldn’t recommend booking a flight much earlier than 11 AM on your debarkation day.

First Impressions

I’m so fresh off this cruise that my skin is still peeling from the sunburn. I wanted to be sure to get my initial reactions documented as quickly as possible. So without taking too much time to let it marinade, here are my honest thoughts on the Virgin Voyages Dominican Daze (that didn’t stop at the Dominican) cruise on the Scarlet Lady.

In short, Virgin Voyages is a great cruise experience. Do they put a few too many puns in their marketing material? Sure. (I get it, “ship” sounds like “sh*t.”) But they make up for that with their shiny modern ships, high-energy Happenings Cast and premium food options.

Virgin Voyages is adults only, and I think it most appeals to the late-20s/early-30s age range (in reality or at heart). There was a lot of DJs, dancing, and drinking, plus entertainment and parties scheduled well into the evening. All things that really cater to that age bracket.

I say late -20s though, because it’s still not a “party cruise.” It never felt out of control or too wild. (We only saw one hangover-puker in The Galley.) The party energy was usually pretty well contained to a certain event or area, and I never once heard anyone yelling in the hallways or causing a scene. It was fun if you wanted it to be, but there were always places to relax or have a more casual and even completely sober experience.

Now let’s get into the details.

Pros of Sailing with Virgin Voyages

• The food is really good . The table service dining features chef-curated menus, including some by Michelin-starred chefs. The food was tasty, diverse, and catered to a variety of dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc). Even the quick service dining was great and included sushi, ramen, tacos and the best dessert bar on the seas.
• 24-hour dining. There are no set dining times, so you can schedule reservations or eat in The Galley anytime throughout the day. Plus, there is breakfast, pizza, and burgers/fries available all night. There was also always grab-and-go snack boxes with fruit, charcuterie and wraps.
• Comfortable and modern cabins. The rooms on the Scarlet Lady were so nice, very spacious, and I loved the digital controls. I’d recommend a cabin with a balcony, which is easier on Virgin because there are so many balcony rooms.
• The crew was great . The Happenings Cast made the cruise so much fun, and we loved that they were involved in different activities throughout the trip. Beyond that though, all of the staff were proactive and very kind, without being overbearing. We had great interactions with restaurant managers, housekeeping staff, bartenders and servers, and we were constantly saying how kind and helpful everyone was.
• Tips are included. This could be why none of the crew were overbearing or fake. All tips were included, so we didn’t have to tip on each drink or at each meal, or pay 6-days worth of tips at the end of our trip.
• Free wifi. Everyone gets free wifi on Virgin Voyages, and passengers with Deep Blue Extras (their loyalty program) get premium wifi. We successfully used the premium and standard wifi to FaceTime, stream tv shows, and post to social without any issues.
• Great bar variety. No matter what vibe you were going for, there was a bar for you. There was a draft beer bar, cocktail bar, sports bar, pool bar. If you wanted to dance, there was a night club. If you wanted to relax outside, there was The Dock. There was a space for everyone.
• Rolling muster drill . Every cruise ship is required to give a safety demo to every single passenger before it can sail. On some cruise lines, they require the entire ship to meet at their stations at one set time. On Virgin, you have the flexibility to swing by your station at anytime for a quick briefing over a 1.5 hour window.

Cons of Sailing with Virgin Voyages

• The best entertainment books up fast. The stage shows, fitness classes and some other popular activities have to be booked in the app when you board. These events book up quickly, so if you forget or board late you might miss out on a lot.
• No pre-scheduled dining. This is posed a pro on the Virgin Voyages website, implying that you can eat whenever and wherever you want. The reality though is that you’re not guaranteed anything. If you don’t proactively book dining reservations 45 days in advance, then you will likely be stuck eating quick service food or waiting in long walk-up lines at 5 PM every night.
• The mixed drinks were weak . We found that most of our cocktails and mixed drinks were mostly juice or water. (I literally watched them add water to my gin and tonic.) If you want a more consistent drink, stick to wine or beer.
• The app was terrible. It was frustrating that we had to book everything in the app, and then the app was constantly crashing, kicking us out, or spinning.
• Ship layout is confusing . There were dead-ends, walkways that only went down one side of the ship, and hidden spots tucked into back corners. In many cases, you had to know what you were looking for to find it. You couldn’t just walk a loop around a floor and see all of things available, which I didn’t love.
• The pool got really crowded. During the days at sea, the pool area was very crowded. You could usually find a spot, but not always a good one. There was almost always seating available on the upper decks, though.
• No kids allowed . I know this is a pro for so many, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how much my kid would love this cruise! They loved their last cruise. They love arcades, all-you-can-eat ice cream shops, swimming pools and dance parties (just the kind that take place before 8 PM.) I had a great cruise with Virgin, but I just don’t see myself sailing without my kid any time soon.

Your Friend the Nomad

Virgin Voyages · July 17, 2023

Virgin Voyages Dress Code + Scarlet Night Outfit Ideas

If you know anything about Virgin Voyages, you probably know that this new cruise line has completely disrupted the world of cruising. Virgin’s four vessels—the Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady—all boast adult-only cruises, world class restaurants, 100% all-inclusive dining, and an innovate approach so many other aspects of the cruising experience. In addition, Virgin Voyages has thrown out the traditional dress code all together.

But there isn’t much about the Virgin Voyages dress code on their website, or app. If you’re trying to prepare for your upcoming voyages and have found yourself searching for a detailed guide on the Virgin Voyages dress code (or lack there-of) and information about what to wear on Virgin’s iconic Scarlet Night and Pajama Party , you’ve come to the right place.

Also, be sure to bookmark my other Virgin Voyages travel guides for future reading .

Strutting down the iconic walkway toward the Manor in my swimsuit coverup (which doubles as a dress when I need it to)

Note : This article may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases through these links, at no cost to you. But don’t worry, I only share products I’d truly recommend to a friend.

The Ultimate Guide to the Virgin Voyages Dress Code + Outfit Ideas

My goal with this guide is to equip you with everything you need to know in order to pack outfits for your next Virgin Voyages sailing. I rely on my own firsthand experience as an avid traveler and recent Virgin Voyages sailor. Also, I include links to ethical and sustainable attire (available on Amazon) for on-board events, port days and everything in between.

Does Virgin Voyages have a Dress Code?

If you’re here, I’m guessing you’re wondering this question: what is the Virgin Voyages dress code? The answer is simple:

Virgin Voyages has no dress code! You can wear what you want, when you want, whether its something fancy or casual. However, there are several on-board events where certain attire is suggested, such as Scarlet Night and the Pajama Party.

You definitely will want to pack some special outfits for these events and some of the other on-board entertainment, but don’t worry about whether or not your outfit fits into a dress code. Even during special events when certain attire is encouraged, there is no enforced dress code. You will see sailors wearing everything from ball gown-style dresses to shorts and tee shirts.

That being said, let’s go into what you should consider wearing at each event, and some suggestions for clothing to wear during sea days and port days.

About My Virgin Voyages Outfit Ideas

In this guide I wanted to include outfit ideas for both men and women, and I wanted to make sure that the pieces I recommend are both ethically made and accessible. I recommend ethical and sustainable clothing on this site because I want to know that the people who make my clothes are treated well.

But I also like to recommend products on Amazon that ship quickly for folks with upcoming travels. I know it can be difficult to find clothes that are ethically made on Amazon, so I did the hard work for you and included plenty of links below.

On-Board Events With Suggested Attire

As I mentioned above, although Virgin Voyages does not have a strict dress code, certain attire is suggested at specific events. Here is an overview of the events on board you will want to pack a special outfit for!

1. Scarlet Night

Scarlet night virgin voyages ” dress code”.

Scarlet Night is the most iconic event on board any Virgin Voyages cruise. The crew encourages sailors to wear something red, though its not required.

During my sailing on board the Valiant Lady, I was surprised to see many people not wearing red. I’m not sure if it was because they didn’t get the memo ahead of time or didn’t want to wear read. Meanwhile, other sailors were dressed in everything from floor-length vibrant crimson dresses to simple red tee shirts. The diversity of attire made it feel like you could really wear anything you wanted without feeling out of place.

But if you ask me, it’s always fun to have a reason to dress up! And if you are to dress up for one single event on your sailing, dress up for Scarlet Night. You don’t have to wear something fancy—just something red.

Need a splash of red ASAP? Here are some Scarlet Night Virgin Voyages outfit Amazon finds. All clothes are ethically and sustainably made (woohoo!).

Women’s Scarlet Night Outfit IDeas:

★ Colorful Bright Red Boho Jumpsuit ★ Red Corduroy Overall Dress ★ Burnt Red Scarlet Night Dress ★ Simple Red Scarlet Night Tank Top

Men’s Scarlet Night outfit Ideas:

★ Simple Scarlet Night Shirt ★ Mens Rusty Red Button-Up ★ Funny Red Mens Graphic Tee ★ Rust Red Short Sleeve Henley

2. Pajama Party

Virgin voyages “dress code” for the pajama party.

The Virgin Voyages Pajama Party, which typically happens on the first night, is another event where a certain attire is encouraged. Of course, pajamas are not required, but they do make it a little more fun!

A fair warning about the Pajama Party: it usually happens late on the first night of the cruise. My husband and I were exhausted and went to sleep early, missing the pajama party. If you buy pajamas special for the cruise, make sure they’re pajamas you’ll want to wear in the future, just in case you sleep through the party like me!

Browse highly-rated pajamas on Amazon now .

3. Port Day Outfits

Of course you can wear whatever you’d like during your days in port. It’s a good idea to bring a variety of outfits, including athletic wear and cute casual attire in case your day trip plans change last minute.

Here are some port day clothing ideas (all ethical and sustainably made):

Women’s Port Day Clothing Ideas:

★ Adventure Shorts ★ City Shorts ★ Fun Wide Leg Pants ★ Athletic Dress ★ Cream Dress with Pocket ★ Comfy and Cute Womens Shirt

Men’s Port day Clothing Ideas:

★ Mens Comfy Shorts ★ Cozy Henley ★ Mens Button Up

Frequently Asked Questions About Virgin Voyages Dress Code

Are virgin voyages cruises clothing optional.

Virgin Voyages cruises are not clothing optional, however, there is a small sundeck (the Perch) where topless sunbathing is allowed. The Perch was one of my favorite spots to relax and read on board, but I didn’t realize it was a “topless” area until after the cruise. If you’re worried about encountering sailors without clothing, don’t worry, you probably won’t unless you spend all day at the Perch.

Should you dress up to visit reservations-required restaurants?

Since there is no Virgin Voyages dress code, there is no need to dress up for any meal. However, if you are visiting one of the reservations-required restaurants like the Wake, Extra Virgin, Gunbae, Razzle Dazzle, the Test Kitchen or Pink Agave, you may opt to wear something a bit nicer than your pool clothes. But full transparency—I dined at some of these restaurants with wet hair and a swimsuit under my clothes, and dressed up to dine at others. I never felt like I was over or under dressed.

What should you wear to group fitness classes?

Some group fitness classes are themed, and you may want to dress according to the theme (ie 90s Boy Band Dance Class). However, most sailors end up wearing regular workout clothes.

Final Thoughts: What to Wear on Virgin Voyages Cruise Ships

My Virgin Voyages sailing was my first cruise, so I’ve never experienced cruising on a ship with a dress code. But I appreciated being able to come back on board after a day of exploring and enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant without having to worry about dressing up. And on other days, I loved dressing to the nines for fun! No matter what I was wearing (swim suit or floor-length dress), I never felt out of place on board.

I’m curious to hear what you think of the “Virgin Voyages dress code”. Do you like having the freedom to wear whatever you want or do you wish that certain venues required sailors to dress up a bit more?

About Annie

Annie is the founder of Your Friend the Nomad and an expert in the digital nomad lifestyle and vegan travel. She's lived abroad in Mexico, Italy, and Palestine, and traveled extensively in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

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Planning Outfits for Themed Nights

This guide walks through the special events on board that are themed. These events offer a great opportunity for sailors to dress up. We’ve put together some outfit ideas to help you know what to pack for your next voyage.

This guide was last updated on 29 March 2024 by David Todd . If you spot any errors or missing information, please let us know .

What Should I Pack For Themed Nights/Events?

One of the great appeals of a Virgin Voyages vacation is how laid back it is. There is no strict dress code anywhere on board, you can come as you are. There are, however, great opportunities to show your creative flare during some of the ship’s special events and highlight of the voyage Scarlet Night. From glittering, gilded dresses to red tartan dinner suits, we breakdown what you might wear to each event on board.

Important to note: Although dress code rules are fairly relaxed, the Virgin Voyages’ Sailor Conduct Policy prohibits any nudity or indecent exposure (for example, wearing jockstraps in public) including at the ship’s pools and during pool parties.

Themed Night T-Shirts and Merchandise

Struggling for themed night outfit inspiration ? Scarlet Night , We Fancy , Klub Rubiks and PJ Party can sometimes be tricky to plan for. VV Insider have made it simple by offering a range of beautifully designed and exclusive t-shirts to help really celebrate these special nights in style!

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Skip To Section

• Scarlet Night Outfit Ideas
• PJ Party Outfit Ideas
• Studio 72 Outfit Ideas (Scarlet and Valiant Lady)
• We Fancy Outfit Ideas (Valiant, Resilient and Brilliant Lady)
• Klub Rubiks Outfit Ideas (Resilient and Brilliant Lady)

Are There Any Formal Nights on Virgin Voyages?

There is no formal night on Virgin Voyages cruise ships. This applies to all ships in the fleet, Scarlet Lady , Valiant Lady , Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady . Each restaurant has an upmarket feel but you are equally welcome in t-shirt and shorts as you are in a glittering ball gown – Virgin Voyages is set apart by its relaxed attitude to dress codes and everyone is made to feel welcome no matter what they choose to wear.

Some of the themed nights are held across the entire fleet of ships; Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady. As ever, all outfit suggestions are optional but it’s great to get into the spirit of things where you can.

Special Outfits for Themed Nights

What you could wear on scarlet night – all ships.

On Scarlet Night everyone is encouraged to wear red. If you’re going to participate in one thing during your voyage this is it. As you walk around the ship on Scarlet Night it’s unlikely that you’ll see anyone not wearing red so make sure you pack something!

You can be as creative as you like with Scarlet Night outfits, often part of the fun of Scarlet Night is people-watching and seeing what others have chosen to wear. We’ve seen everything from light-up dresses, red leather harnesses, and even inflatable lobster costumes.

What you wear for Scarlet Night will depend on your overall vibe and whatever makes you feel comfortable and confident. Here are some ideas for what you might wear:

Casual Vibe:

• Red T-shirt or Tank Top : For a simple but effective look, a bright red T-shirt or tank top is a go-to.
• Red Board Shorts or Skirt : Easy to slip on and comfortable for a full night of activities.
• Red Cap or Bandana : If you’re not one to go all out, a red accessory can still make you part of the festivities.
• Red Flip-Flops or Sneakers : Casual footwear that’s easy to walk in and matches the evening’s theme.

Sporty Look:

• Red Tracksuit : Comfortable and stylish, a red tracksuit can make quite the statement.
• Red Headband/Wristbands : Perfect for adding a dash of red without committing to a full outfit.
• Red Sports Jersey : Represent your favorite team while staying on theme.

Semi-Formal Affair:

• Red Button-Down Shirt or Blouse : Can be dressed up or down depending on the pants or skirt you pair with it.
• Red Chinos or Slacks : A step up from casual but not quite formal, perfect for a Virgin Voyages evening.
• Red Loafers or Pumps : These add a finishing touch to your semi-formal outfit.

Dressy Night:

• Red Cocktail Dress or Jumpsuit : Ideal for those who want to go all out and make a lasting impression.
• Red Suit or Tuxedo : For a bolder statement, a full red suit or tuxedo is sure to turn heads.
• Red High Heels or Dress Shoes : To bring the entire look together.

Quirky and Creative:

• Red Onesie or Pajamas : For those who prioritize comfort but still want to make a statement.
• Inflatable Lobster Costume : For those looking to add humor and fun to the event.
• Red LED Accessories : Light-up necklaces, bracelets, or even shoelaces can add a modern, techy flair.

Accessories:

• Red Sunglasses : For that extra pop and flair.
• Red Scarf or Shawl : Useful for adding a touch of red to any outfit.
• Red Handbag or Backpack : Functional and stylish, a red bag will ensure you’re prepared for any eventuality while staying on theme.

What You Could Wear For The PJ Party – All Ships

The PJ Party happens on every ship, normally on the first night of the voyage. Although optional, party-goers are encouraged to wear their favourite pyjamas for this night of 1990s and 2000s-inspired disco party. There is a pyjama competition so make sure you’ve dressed to impress to win the chance to have ultimate nightwear bragging rights over your fellow sailors!

Classic Comfort:

• Cotton Pajama Set : Simple, yet timeless, a cotton pyjama set often comes with matching tops and bottoms and is cozy for dancing the night away.
• Nightgown or Sleep Shirt : Easy to wear and move around in, a nightgown or sleep shirt is great for a more relaxed approach.

Retro Vibes:

• ’90s Cartoon PJs : Think Rugrats, Pokémon, or Power Rangers—any childhood favorite that fits the decade.
• Silk Pajamas with Piping : Gives off a vintage feel and looks both comfortable and stylish.

Playful and Quirky:

• Animal Onesies : Whether it’s a unicorn, dinosaur, or bear, animal onesies are always a hit at pyjama parties.
• Matching Group Outfits : Coordinate with your travel companions to become a walking, talking pajama ensemble.

Elegant and Sophisticated:

• Silk or Satin Nightwear : For a touch of luxury, you can’t go wrong with silk or satin.
• Lace-Trimmed Camisole and Shorts : Combines comfort and elegance and is perfect for those looking to impress.

For The Adventurous:

• Themed Costumes : Why not be a superhero for the night? Just make sure it’s comfortable enough for partying!
• Glow-in-the-Dark PJs : Light up the night and make a glowing statement.
• Fuzzy Slippers or Socks : Keep your feet cozy while adding a fun touch to your outfit.
• Sleep Mask : Not just for sleeping! A stylish sleep mask can be a chic accessory.
• Robes and Shawls : If you get chilly, a matching or complementary robe can round off your look while keeping you warm.

What You Could Wear For Studio 72 – Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady

A night entered around the golden age of DISCO – the 1970s. With performances from the not only the Happenings Cast but also a whole host of circus performers and acrobats from other events on the ship, Studio 72 is a club night with a lot of personality. If you want to help bring that disco energy yourself, sailors have started to don their 1970s-inspired outfits and disco garb for just an occasion, here’s how you can join in the fun:

• Flared Pants – A hallmark of the 70s, these could be in a variety of materials including satin or polyester, to groove comfortably on the dance floor.
• Platform Shoes – Add some height and style with platform shoes; a defining accessory of the disco era.
• Sequin Tops – Reflect the disco lights beautifully with tops adorned with sequins; available in various colors and styles.
• Wide Collar Shirts – Opt for shirts with wide collars to get that quintessential 70s look.
• Sunglasses with Colored Lenses – Protect your eyes from the disco lights and add a touch of mystery to your look with sunglasses featuring colored lenses.
• Headbands and Bandanas – Add a colorful headband or bandana to keep your hair in place while dancing the night away.
• Feather Boas – Drape a feather boa around your neck for a flamboyant and fun accessory that screams disco.
• Bell Sleeves – Tops with bell sleeves not only look great but allow for freedom of movement on the dance floor.
• Metallic Accessories – Think belts, necklaces, or bracelets; metallic accessories can add a shiny, disco touch to any outfit.
• Halter Tops – A trendy choice that offers a great level of comfort while dancing.
• Glitter Makeup – Enhance your look with some glitter makeup, perfect for catching the light and sparkling on the dance floor.
• Funky Patterned Socks – Pair your platform shoes with socks that have funky patterns for a cool and quirky look.
• Beaded Necklaces – Add a pop of color and texture to your outfit with beaded necklaces in vibrant hues.
• Vests – Layer a vest over your wide-collared shirt or halter top for a complete 70s look.

What You Could Wear For We Fancy – Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady

As the saying goes, “all that glitters is gold,” and nothing embodies this more than the “We Fancy” club night. Hosted on the last night of every voyage, this event gives you the chance to shine in your most luxurious attire. Organized by The Happenings Cast, it promises an unforgettable night of dancing, glitz, and glamour. Ready to sparkle? Here are some golden outfit ideas.

Casual Chic:

• Gold T-shirt or Tank Top : A simple but shimmering top can capture the theme while keeping you comfortable.
• Gold Shorts or Skirt : Great for those who want to be a little daring but not over-the-top.

Party-Ready:

• Gold Sequined Dress or Top : Perfect for those who want to truly shine during the night.
• Gold Metallic Pants or Leggings : These will capture attention and reflect the lights as you dance.

Pure Glamour:

• Gold Evening Gown or Suit : Go all out with a full-length gown or a classy suit in shades of gold.
• Gold Stilettos or Oxfords : A touch of elegance for your feet that pairs perfectly with your golden outfit.

Creative Flair:

• Gold Capes or Shawls : These add an extra layer of fabulousness to any outfit.
• Gold Face Paint or Body Glitter : If you’re feeling artistic, decorate your face or body with gold accents.

Boho Vibes:

• Gold Beaded Accessories : Think necklaces, bracelets, and even anklets for a more casual, bohemian look.
• Gold-Threaded Scarves or Headbands : Add a touch of gold to your look without going overboard.
• Gold Clutch or Handbag : For storing your essentials in style.
• Gold Jewelry : Earrings, necklaces, and rings can add the finishing touches to your ensemble.
• Gold Sunglasses : For a bit of dramatic flair even after the sun sets – when the real party starts.

What You Could Wear For Klub Rubiks – Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady

Hosted by The Happenings Cast , this is a night that unapologetically celebrates neon colors, funky patterns, and memorable ’80s tunes. While the dress code isn’t strict, the unofficial mantra seems to be “the bolder, the better.” Here are some outfit ideas that will help you rock this electric night.

Old School Casual:

• Neon T-shirt : Think bright pinks, electric blues, and zesty oranges.
• Stonewashed Jeans : A quintessential ’80s staple for a laid-back yet on-theme look.

Party Flash:

• Sequined Tops or Jackets : The more sparkle, the better.
• Leather or Pleather Skirt : Perfect for that Madonna or Billy Idol vibe.

Disco Vibes:

• Neon Leg Warmers : Perfect for jazzing up a pair of leggings or skinny jeans.
• Off-the-Shoulder Sweatshirt : A nod to the aerobics and dance movies of the decade.

Totally Rad:

• Parachute Pants : Perfect for men and women who want to go full-on retro.
• Mesh Tops : Layer these over a neon tank for a layered ’80s look.

Fashionista Focus:

• Shoulder Pads : Add these to your blazers or tops to emulate the ’80s “power look.”
• High-Waisted Pants or Shorts : A fashion trend that’s as relevant now as it was then.
• Chunky Jewelry : Think large hoop earrings and oversized necklaces.
• Fanny Packs : A practical and ’80s-approved way to carry around your essentials.
• Sunglasses with Colored Lenses : For that extra pop and ’80s flair.

Depending on the ship you are sailing on will determine what special outfits you might wish to pack, in general:

• All Ships: Something red for Scarlet Night , pyjamas for the PJ Party
• Scarlet and Valiant Lady: Something 1970s or disco-inspired for Studio 72
• Valiant, Resilient and Brilliant Lady: Something gold and glittery for We Fancy
• Resilient and Brilliant Lady: Something 1980s-inspried for Klub Rubiks

Bonus: An Overview of Resilient Lady Events By Alejandro The Hype

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