Sensational Scarlet Lady - Virgin Voyages

I was invited to the UK launch in Liverpool to view this amazing and innovative adult only cruise ship.. the first in Sir Richard Branson’s fleet, with Valiant Lady to launch soon.

Scarlet Lady will sail out of Miami to the Caribbean. She will have itineraries starting from 4 nights, so a great way to twin with a Miami or Fort Lauderdale city break. From 2021, Valiant Lady will offer Mediterranean sailings – more accessible to the UK market.

Adult only, gratuities included with 20+ eateries, an amazing spa and gym, guest DJ’s and a cool nightclub. This ship will appeal to the younger party going crowd - she has a cool, funky vibe with rockstar service and if you can afford it.... Rockstar Suites!

I loved the atmosphere on board. Easy going, with some fabulous restaurants where you can have waiter service fine dine or just grab and go with vegetarian and vegan options. Sunrise yoga, a bout in the boxing ring or take your morning jog around the upper deck track then chill out in Richard’s Rooftop bar.

I stayed in a Sea Terrace Cabin. The Cabins are functional, if a little basic. As you walk in you will see the room seems to be missing something important – a bed! In typical Virgin innovative fashion, they have designed the cabins to be convertible. In the daytime, there is a large sofa area. Magically, when you return to your cabin at night you find it transformed into a bed, which was very comfortable and a good size for a cruise ship. The décor felt a bit ‘Ikea’ in the colour scheme and furniture and there is an open wardrobe with floor-to ceiling cube shelves too. Not a great deal of storage, but plenty for the 4 and 5 night itineraries – actually, as there is no real dress code – no posh frocks or tuxedos needed to be hung up! The higher grade Rock Star suites were huge, some with music rooms and marbled bathrooms. Some of the balconies were massive - the largest I've seen at sea and also come with a private hot tub.

Where Virgin Voyages have really excelled at is the public rooms and restaurants on Scarlet Lady. All the food I tried was excellent and worthy of a six-star ship, with inventive menus too. The multitude of bars were all more the type of thing you would see in a smart city location than the sprawling cruise ship lounges you usually see.

I loved the unusual entertainment, drag queens, and pop-up “happenings” around the ship. Interestingly, the Crew (First Mates) have all been hand-picked, so were all individual and quirky in their own way – think tattoos, hair colouring and piercings – great personalities and they were all genuinely friendly – from over 60 nationalities. In fact there is also the first-ever tattoo studio at sea which offers a selection of exclusive tattoo designs created specifically for Virgin Voyages.. as well as piercings and permanent makeup. The Virgin philosophy of bringing your personality on board was very much in evidence!

The Manor Nightclub with its fabulous mirrored entrance, is a two-story, three bar space which was named after Richard’s first recording studio. The night club has fun laser and special effects lights. Virgin aspire to have the best nightclub at sea and from what I saw they are doing a great job! They have a number of very well-known DJs that will be doing sets on board on certain voyages such as Mark Ronsen and Diplo.

There is a main pool plus a smaller jacuzzi pool and a super spa in the theme of an underwater cave, with hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, plunge pools, quartz beds and spa treatments. This ship is not for everyone and I'm sure Virgin Voyages make no apologies about that. It will be a divisive product aimed at a new-to-cruise market that always thought cruise was boring and stuffy. Virgin have clearly listened to what people dislike about cruising and tried to do things differently. No buffets or formal dining, a more relaxed less mass-market atmosphere without the stuffiness of the ultra high-end ships. Perfect for young at heart couples, singles and friends who enjoy the south beach lifestyle with fitness and healthy food options thrown in, but who also enjoy good food and a party lifestyle in the evening.

I really enjoyed my time on board and will definitely consider a Virgin Voyages cruise in the future after this little taster - please get in touch if you feel this style of cruising will float your boat too!