Scarlet Lady ship tour – I was invited onboard by Virgin Voyages, all opinions are my own.
What’s onboard Virgin Voyage’s Scarlet Lady? Well, scroll down for my Scarlet Lady ship tour of the eateries, entertainment and cabins that await guests sailors on one of the most highly anticipated cruise ships to launch in 2020.
Scarlet Lady – what’s it like?
Scarlet Lady is Richard Branson’s first voyage into the cruise industry, soon to be joined by sister ship Valiant Lady. Bold, fun and stylish are words you could use for the Virgin empire, which has been scaled up into this 60,000t grey and red steel vessel. During its construction the narrative online was playful – released around Christmas time on social media was #SmellsLikeShip, a fragrance you could buy titled ‘Ship No.1‘ which (I’m guessing) is what you smell when you step onboard into The Roundabout atrium.
There’s 17 decks, 1408 cabins, over 20 eateries, an athletic club, spa and nightclub on Scarlet Lady. The tattoo shop ‘Squid Ink’, unique cabin designs (which continues to divide opinion) and entertainment programme are areas that really set Scarlet Lady apart from her neighbours in port – expect drag brunches, flash mobs before dinner, and maybe even a nightcap turned pyjama party.
Related: What’s a Norwegian Fjords cruise like from Southampton?
Who’s Virgin Voyages aimed at?
Cruising had undergone an image overhaul in recent years, becoming appealing to all age groups with bigger ships and even bigger innovations. There remains plenty of options for the older generation, and an increasing number aimed at families – but one group that probably needs the most convincing are the 20-something’s. Enter Virgin Voyages, a young and fun newbie to the waters that’s designed exclusively for adults and the young at heart.
Dining options | Scarlet Lady Ship Tour
The eateries are included in your fare, so is the wifi, tips and ‘basic bevvies‘ – you may pay more upfront for this cruise than you have for others, but there’s little left to up-sell once you’re on – a drawback of many mainstream cruise lines that may catch first time cruises by surprise.
Dining options include; The Test Kitchen, a science laboratory turned dining room for unique and experimental cooking. Pink Agave is an upscale Mexican with a photo-worthy entrance, and The Wake offers a classy yet relaxed experience for seafood and steak lovers. Vegans and vegetarians are also catered to, particularly at the flamboyant Razzle Dazzle.
Related: Cruise bloggers share their must-try dining experiences at sea!
Virgin Voyages have thrown out the rule book (and dictionary!) of cruising, there’s no ‘main dining room’ or ‘buffet’ onboard – however ‘The Galley’ will be a popular alternative for casual dining as it’s a food hall with a bakery, burger grill, noodle bar and around-the-clock diner. The Galley occupies a similar area on the ship that a traditional cruise ship buffet would – the only difference is the food is not self-service. Stray The Course is Virgin Voyages own brew crafted by Miami’s Wynwood Brewing that you can try in some of the bars onboard.
Bars on Scarlet Lady
The Dock has a casual beach-bar vibe with large daybeds and reclined sofa chairs, The glamorous Sip is a champagne lounge embellished in rose gold and marble, and The Manor nightclub entrance has proved to be THE spot to get that perfect Instagram shot – you can see mine here.
The cabins | Scarlet Lady Ship Tour
93% of cabins onboard Scarlet Lady boast a sea view, 86% have their own balcony terrace where you can recline on a hammock and watch the sea slip by. The minimalist cabins can be transformed into your own private lounge in the day by converting the bed into a sofa.
Rockstar Suites may come with a rockstar price tag, but this is first class Virgin at sea with some boasting a hot tub, music room and 850 square feet of your own personal space.
Scarlet Lady’s Entertainment
Together with world famous directors and artists, Virgin Voyages have designed a festival-like extravaganza to amaze sailors. ’Duel Reality’ is a hair raising dance and gymnastics performance, whereas the ‘Untitled Dance Show Party Thingy‘ immerses you into a quirky, “what’s going to happen next” world of performance art.
Wellbeing | Scarlet Lady Ship Tour
Together with the B-Complex gym and outdoor Athletic Club, fitness fans will be in their element on Scarlet Lady. The fitness classes are also included in your fare, so you can enjoy group yoga and spin or take to the running track just as you would on land. There’s also a large spa with a salt and steam room, plus a nail bar and hair salon for those moments when you need to press pause from all that entertainment.
Where is Scarlet Lady sailing?
Scarlet Lady will be home porting in Miami and sailing around the Caribbean, typically on a mix of short 4 and 5 night itineraries, including a stop at Virgin’s own Bimini beach club. I’d not be surprised to see Richard Branson flex his star power and have some celebrity friends join you onboard or in Bimini for select cruises voyages, because what’s definitely on the menu is hair-raising, fist-pumping fun at sea – with a dash of sustainable food, health and fitness for good measure.
For more information about Virgin Voyages or to book a cruise on Scarlet Lady, visit their website.
I love this Ed! It was such a beautiful ship, I just want to live in The Dock or Sip! xx
Haha, thanks Alice – yes I liked that space too, very chilled out 🙂
I am booked on the Scarlet Lady for my cruise in November, as a first time cruiser, your tour has helped me.
Thank You Ed
Your welcome Sheila, fingers crossed cruising resumes soon and you get to enjoy your cruise! 🙂