Virgin Voyages, a lifestyle and travel brand, has announced the launch of its inaugural ship, the Scarlet Lady. The 110,000 GT vessel was initially set to begin operating on 1 April 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ship offers a sumptuous mid-twentieth century chop-house atmosphere, raw bar, table-side drink cart service, and champagne poured by the glass from a magnum bottle.
The Scarlet Lady is one of four Lady-class ships currently sailing with Virgin Voyages, catering to guests who may not have considered cruising as a vacation option. The first ship, Scarlet Lady, began sailing on August 6, 2021, from Portsmouth with UK only itineraries. It will continue operating from Port Miami in October 2021 for her inaugural season, hosting more than 2,770 passengers.
Delivered by Fincantieri at the Genova Sestri shipyard, the Scarlet Lady is the first ship built for Virgin Voyages. With a gross tonnage of 110,000 tons, it can accommodate a maximum of 4,400 people onboard. The ship is currently sailing under the flag of the Bahamas, with the minimum age to sail being 18 years old. The ship embraces its adults-only status, with no kids on board. Cruise Critics expert reviews of the Scarlet Lady cruise ship provide insider tips on deck plans, cabins, food, entertainment, and more.
📹 Is Virgin Voyages for You? Scarlet Lady Review
This is my Scarlet Lady Cruise review. I walk through all the aspects of the cruise ship and touch on other topics such as the vibe …
📹 Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady | Full Walkthrough Ship Tour & Review | Adults Only | Ultra HD
To Book Call: 800-414-1531 Website: www.cruisesit.com This is a ship tour of the Scarlet lady cruise ship by virgin voyages …
I cruised in January. I loved it. I’m a large 71 yr old woman. I had a table next to my bed to put things on plus the sofa arm. I also found everything in cabin great. I travel with a mobility scooter and VV also planned for that. They have space and plugs outside of every cabin. The corridor had more than enough room for others passing by. I loved all of the food. I did do the room service. It was the first room service ever on land or sea that arrived piping hot in what appeared to be cast iron containers carried inside of a canvas bag. How shocked I was to open the containers and see the steam rise from it. The tattoo parlor was full of people that looked older than me getting tatted up. Best cruise I’ve ever been on and I found cost very reasonable! I’ve booked a suite on a 2 week segment of the world cruise for under $5000 for 2! I can’t wait to go back. I had premium Wi-Fi and streamed my Netflix and other movies to my cabin tv, although there were numerous options available on the tv without streaming. I also liked the in cabin mood lighting.
Tony, as a 51 yr old Fat Gal… you almost had me in tears!!! Your discussion about how welcoming Virgin voyagers are shocked me in a good way!!! Thank you deeply for giving me hope and making me think twice about this cruise company!!! Appreciate it!!! And hope you get to cruise with your Lovely wife Jenny B on V V very soon !
We watched this article prior to booking our first Virgin Voyages cruise and we appreciated the information and all of the details provided. We did book and my husband and I (LGBT Couple) just got back from an 8 night Caribbean cruise on the Virgin Valiant Lady (March 2023). We have been on 15+ cruises as a couple and never have we felt more welcomed. The diversity of both the crew and the passengers made this the most fun and at the same time relaxing vacation we have had at sea. We are middle aged and not what I would consider Instagram gays and will still had an amazing time interacting with fellow sailors and the crew. I really hope that Virgin Voyages does well and is around for a long time.
My wife and I sailed the Scarlet lady in June AND July (due to the credits from Covid cancellations). I agree it will not be for everyone. We have sailed over 15 cruises, and by FAR this was the best food on ANY cruise line we have sailed. June cruise was a basic balcony room and it was a little small. July cruise we had enough credit for the small suite, it was perfect, size and layout. Would Virgin be our first choice for our next cruise, probably not. But if you are “thinking” of trying it, you should. I would sail them again just for the food and no kids. And EVERY crew member seemed like they really wanted you to enjoy yourself, they were awesome.
We just sailed Scarlet Lady with the Dominican Daze itinerary, Puerto Plata and Bimini. I really didn’t know what to expect and I kind of expected to be a ‘one and done’ with Virgin, but having sailed 8 cruise lines, I have to say this was the best overall experience of any cruise line so far. The vibe reminded me of a cross between Celebrity and Disney. In fact a couple of our fellow cruisers said it felt like Disney for adults. We learned that many of the crew have come from Celebrity, Seabourn and Disney so that explained the high level of service. Your review is echoing what my review will be as well. It’s an incredibly open and inviting cruise line with a ship that’s set up to encourage social interaction with your fellow guests. And the dining experience is unreal.
I’ve watched 3 reviews of Virgin Voyages this summer and yours by far is the most thorough. I especially appreciate your observations of details that seem minor; but truly make a positive difference in the overall experience — such as: the generous availability of AC outlets and the “A” versus “Z” side of the ship. Your more objective and broader review of the shows painted them in a much more positive light than the other reviewers. I think that you “got” the point of the shows. Thank you!
We just got off of the Dominican Daze cruise last week. We are in our 60’s. We have already booked another Virgin cruise! Your review was right on the money…especially the part about not worrying about weight. I am very body conscious..and a bit “fluffy”. After seeing guys and girls..much fluffier than me..at the pool, or in more glamorous evening outfits..I thought they looked great..and realized..so did I!! Love Virgin Voyages!
I’ve been fortunate to go on Scarlet lady and Valiant lady from my Home Port. From knowing Virgin as a brand for many years, Virgin has never been the same from other companies, from trains to planes. VV is the exactly that. Personally they allow the crew to be themselves and I would recommend to anyone to try out the brand at least once. VV is not everyone because how it’s designed. All I can say, when you board, don’t think about other cruise brands, on how they operate, keep an open mind, Virgin has once again just did their own thing. They changed the British railway system and now they have brought that style to the sea. Personally it still has that Funky British vibe, but taking it across the sea.
This was a great article and super helpful. We were already booked on Scarlet Lady and both my wife and I (in our 50’s) were concerned about not feeling comfortable on a ship advertised as a younger person’s cruise. Your article really helped to put us at ease. We went and not only did we feel as comfortable as on any other cruise we have been on, but had an amazing time and booked our next cruise with Virgin. Yes, there are beautiful people on board both crew and passengers but there are also people like us, older, fatter, skinnier, etc. What there weren’t any of were children and while we are parents this was extremely nice to truly be able to get away and fully enjoy an adults only experience. I cannot say enough about how spectacular Virgin Cruises was, a unique experience for sure and certainly an option for everyone…….well except children. Can’t wait to be back on the ship. Thanks for your excellent article.
This is the first review of Virgin that I’ve seen that has made me want to try them out. I’m glad to hear you felt welcome because every other review I’ve seen has given off a vibe of “this is for the cool Instagram kids, you can’t sit with us.” I do appreciate how Virgin has tweaked cruising to make it more modern, and the food looks wonderful. But the last thing I want is to go on a cruise and be overlooked/ignored because I’m no longer in my 20s/30s.
As a single millennial who does not love kids virgin voyages is on my list for sure the fact that there are single cabins is a huge plus and the dining variety is huge for me. I am also fat so I really appreciate you talking about that aspect of a cruise ship that really promotes their fitness stuff. This review made me want to do a virgin cruise even more than I already did
Tony, I’ve been perusal your articles daily for about 2 months now. I wanted to stop in and say that we just completed our first ever cruise. A 4-night experience on the Scarlet Lady. Your articles were so helpful in understanding how it all works for us newbies. The cruise was amazing and only $1500 for a beautiful Sea Terrace room and a complimentary $300 bar tab. I couldn’t be more pleased with the experience and wanted to thank you for your guidance to a good time.
More cruise lines need to switch to the rain shower head so much better! Seems like Virgin Voyages really made statement with wanting to be a totally different type of cruise line, your in-depth article really describes the differences perfectly! There are many people that will love this type of cruising! I absolutely love their way of dining and more being inclusive! Thanks for the great article!
I watched someone else’s review of this cruise line and immediately said not for me. I watched your review and am ready to book! We are a smidge older than you and I, too, wondered if we might be too old; if we were not “hip” enough. Appears my perceptions were incorrect. Great, honest review and frankly can’t wait to try it out.
Tony is so right. I took a European cruise on the Virgin Valiant Lady. I am in my late 60’s and could lose a few pounds. The food and entertainment were wonderful. I loved the various food options and the quality was incredible. I cruise every two months or so, and Virgin is now one of my favorites. I little pricier than some lines, but then more is included in the cabin price, e.g. specialty dining and gratuities. I also loved Branson’s strategy to encourage passengers to explore the entire ship with various venues on several decks. I would definitely sail again with Virgin. Great review Tony!!
Never been on a cruise in my life but perusal this dude almost made me want to try one. I weigh about 240 myself so I can only imagine how rough it is on some of those cruises for even bigger guys like him. It’s definitely one of the reasons I haven’t tried one. So many places aren’t very fluffy-friendly these days with their setups and atmospheres unfortunately 🙁 Great work on the article.
Always value the disrupter. Even if it doesn’t hit it out of the park, it helps adjust perceptions and make people think differently about things that have “always been this way” but shouldn’t be anymore. Not having many of those interior multi-floor spaces may actually help me a little bit. Sound is ordinarily extra loud for me and when the ceiling is high enough that sounds start bouncing around a lot, I have extreme difficulty in picking out words. And by that I mean I’m probably not going to understand the words from the person next to me unless they speak directly into my ear or I concentrate enough that I’m unable to notice anything else, so I shouldn’t be walking while trying to listen. I deal with it as well as I can but I appreciate spaces where I don’t have to fight with it. If I find a price I can work with I’ll try Virgin happily.
we just did our first VV cruise in Scarlet Lady. After 20+ RCCL cruises I have to say Only VV from now on. Tony did not mention the games area, tons of old school games like Rockum Sockum robots and operation for free and a really cool arcade with the old school games, also no charge. also several foosball tables. Food was awesome. Have never been a cruise pool / hot tub person so the small pool was no issue for me.. Great review Tony! ALSO! if you have Cruise loyalty status on another cruise line, VV will Match it to their program! Well worth looking into!
Not going to lie, I’m loyal to royal and I’ve seen this cruise and I’ve as like… nah, I’m ok. HOWEVER, after seen your article and listening/seeing how cool and different it is….. You honestly changed my mind. THANK YOU! For being awesome, THANK YOU for being extremely detailed/funny, and just thank you! I honestly hope one day I’ll catch you on the lido ‼️
A-1 article Tony, your reviews are always three thumbs up in my book, plus you have a good flow and continuity that is very refreshing. It’s really a great looking ship that adults can relax and not worry about having their kids in tow. The in room control tablet is very cool! It’s amazing to see how much cruising has advanced in the last 30 years. As always, thanks for giving us the ins and outs!
Hey Tony! Thank you for this review. I love your website, and sought it out while finalizing my decision on a cruise ship for my SSBBW group’s 2024 anniversary cruise. I needed more information on the size-friendly aspects of the cruise (armless seating options, entertainment seating venues etc.). Your review was EVERYTHING I needed seal my decision. Thank YOU for the service you provide. This information was invaluable. Keep traveling for US larger bodies wanting to live life abundantly. We appreciate you more than you know!
I love the review and really appreciate the comments! Personally, I LOVE the Scarlet Lady. Been on it twice and will be going on it again in a few weeks. But I also love how some people are opting out of going! It’s not for everyone. But it’s hard for me to have to sit in a main dining room, or pay extra for “signature” dining. Too much is included for me to go back. At least not yet…
This was the review I was waiting for. Thanks for being so thorough. Having cruised with multiple parties before, the couch concept made a lot of sense for me. Invariably one room would always end up being a home base for everybody. So the idea of just turning the whole cabin into a hangout space seems smart. I know they’ve had to delay their third ship, and they got a lot of flack for cancelling the bookings. But I hope this line makes it. I’d love to see this concept expand.
Tony it’s nice to see that there were no physical barriers, that can be such a bummer when trying to enjoy the space on a ship. It is time for better understanding and welcoming for everyone! I’m glad you enjoyed it and would go again with Jenny! Thank you for speaking specifically to the age and fat issue…you rock! 😊😊😊😊👍🏻
I’m so happy you were able to to get on this ship. I love Virgin and for me its now my go to cruise ship. I love the vibe. As a single solo cruise its perfect for me and yes its so welcoming. Also you can tell they treat the staff right because the seem for relaxed and enjoying theirselves as well. On their down time they are hanging with in public areas which I love. They can actually enjoy and relax on down time in public on the ship that they are on for months at a time.
A really well structured, thoughtful, considered review. Your final thoughts about the true meaning of inclusivity, that by definition it means a space for everyone, is what reset my perspective of VV. We’ve booked Eastern Caribbean Isles next year and Virgin are going to help us scatter my fathers ashes in the seas where he skippered back in the early ‘60s, and where he and my mother met. Great food, a good cocktail, and a welcome for everyone is a fitting backdrop for my Dad.
I’m going in two months as a solo on Scarlett Lady and I’m older than you, Tony. I’m planning on having a blast enjoying all the fitness classes, the great food and being on the ocean again. I’m doing the same itinerary as you did.. your report is getting me so excited for my cruise in two months my first time solo!!!
Thanks for your review. I’m going on this cruise next month so it was very timely. I personally really like the aesthetic of the rooms and ship in general, and I love that I can get a solo cabin! Having good food that is all included and not having to sit in a skanky buffet or stuffy main dining room is a breath of fresh air. I like that there are no kids on this cruise, it’s an adult cruise and I like that. Also, no nickel and dime stupid drinks packages, etc. Thanks for this review, I’m really excited to go now!
Love Virgin Voyages for its outside-the-box approach to cruising. LOVE that they make everyone feel welcome and included. I sailed them in January 2022. I have 3 more voyages booked. No looking back for me. You can have the other mass market lines! Oh, no kids….massively attractive. Thank you Virgin Voyages
As someone who also does circus as a hobby, I’m so happy to see another circus person (picked up on it even before you mentioned you were a juggler when you called the performances “circus arts”)! Thanks for a great, in-depth review! I’ve been really curious about Virgin Voyages especially because they allegedly have solid vegan options.
This was a great review. I really love what you said about being inclusive and I absolutely agree. I don’t love cruising, but as a TA, I certainly sell cruises if that’s what my clients want and I do go and experience them from time to time to stay informed. So when VV debuted, I did my job and booked a cruise. I fell in love with this line from the moment we stepped on board. We were on the 8th sailing, so we were still very much the fog of COVID and several experiences were modified. I was gobsmacked by the inclusions onboard, the AMAZING food, the entertainment (both large scale and small scale), the activities (hello karaoke booths!), and the relaxation spaces. But the crew!! Omg they were phenomenal. They were so excited about what they were doing and so excited to share their ship with us. We found them to be very welcoming despite the fact that we also don’t fit the crazy petite to average 30-something party vibe I was afraid the line was trying to grab. I’m booked to go again in 2 months with friends and I’ll be doing an onboard booking so I can go again with my husband as soon as possible. I love, love, love this line. I am a mega Disney fan and all else being equal, I would choose VV over DCL in many circumstances. And I really don’t need to cruise on any line except those two ever again.
I’m a tall and big guy. I so appreciate you giving a bigger persons perspective. I too always feel like the fat guy when I go places, and being 6’5 they certainly cant miss me!!! I haven’t cruised in a while since the pandemic. So I’m excited to get back into cruising with my wife. We will most certainly be trying Virgin. Thank you
I was invited to cruise on the Scarlett Lady. I was a little worried about how I would fit in…. man was I surprised. All the talk about a cruise for swingers bla bla bla. Saw none of that. The show show dueling reality was so amazing. Loved it. The food was absolutely wonderful. I am going back for sure. I loved the no cruise director. No go spend money here, go spend money here. No photographers around evert corner. They leave you alone to enjoy the cruise the way you want to.
I appreciated your review 👍🏻. I went on Scarlet Lady in May 2022. Loved it! Never had better food on any cruise line. Just awesome. The staff couldn’t have been more accommodating. The vibe was intimate and welcoming. Can’t say I don’t also enjoy the big ship feel also, but I already put down money for my next virgin experience (and tomorrow I’ll try Margaritaville, (which is an entirely different thing )
Great review!! I agree with your perspective 100%. I just cruising on Scarlet Lady 9/11/22-9/17/22. I was solo also, I had a great time. I too didn’t participate in all the activities, but Iin my opinion this was best cruise I’ve experienced. EXCELLENT service, DELICIOUS food, GREAT music and so much to do.
I don’t think Virgin Voyages is for me, but you get my thumbs up for the Fire Juggling 🔥. I always love your reviews and even though I haven’t been able to go on my first cruise yet I have developed a love for cruising because of your genuine love for it and how well you share youe experiences with us. And I appreciate what you and Jenny do. My kids and husband even know who you guys are. Great review as always 👏
I enjoyed your review. It seemed very fair. That said, I don’t think Virgin has bubbled up to my top-anything list. Pro: The dining (cooked to order) sounds great. Cons: I did not care for the minimalist look of the cabin or the modern industrial outside decks. The shows didn’t look appealing either. And that “pool” leaves much to be desired. I like when cruise lines innovate. Celebrity Apex is probably my favorite cruise ship and the Edge class was an innovation. I think Virgin might have been trying too hard to be different initially, without getting input from prospective customers. The fact that they are making change to some of those innovations indicates that they are listening now. So I never say never; I’ll just say not now.
I know this was made a year ago, but I just did my first ever cruise and it was on the valiant lady. Went with my fam. I had a wonderful time, the food was amazing, and I will definitely do it again. All different types of people, everyone friendly and having a good time, parties were lit, shows were great and the vibe was too. Now I want to try other cruise lines just to experience them.
thanks for the information on Scarlet Lady, don’t imagine that I will ever be on it but your cabin did look a little small, lighting in the halls looked cool. I also thought IKEA when I saw the furniture. Wow on the fire juggling! Love the curtains opening /closing, fun! I also agree the charging points round the ship are a great idea .Happy caroosing
We have not done Virgin Voyages …yet. What I found most intriguing is the dinner options. Sounds like fun! Also, adults only cruising sounds good as well. Not too sure I’m a fan of the decor but from what you showed it seem to constantly change. Seems like they listened to some cruisers in the past and are making small adjustments without changing their themes. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I was on one for the first sailings from the US and found it to be the most boring 10 days of my life. I have only done traditional cruising and this was quite a change. I travel solo all the time and I felt more alone on this ship than I have on any other I have taken. I found that if you are not in to fitness there is nothing to do during the day or evening. No casual entertainment spots, no general activities. To me it was fitness, drinking and a couple of shows of questionable entertainment value It was something new to try but only burn me once, back to the old traditions of Carnival and NCL! Happy sailing.
I could see sailing on Virgin from Miami, but the attraction would definitely be the ship instead of the ports, although the proprietary beach club at Bimini looks gorgeous. I love the no MDR, multi-specialty restaurant vibe.. everything, including a lot of stuff in the “buffet” is its own specialty, and looks done to perfection.. Celebrity is playing with a hybrid concept on the Apex, with a few mini-MDRs that share some dishes and specialize with others.. I’ll be on the Apex for 14 days at the end of October and I’ll let you know what I think.. I don’t mind the ultramodern vibes of the cabins but the furniture looks cheap to me, and I didn’t see much in terms of storage.. maybe 5 nights worth.. I’d rather have 7 or 8 with 3 decent ports.. It is pricey, but since virtually everything is included, I’m sure if you deconstruct the cruise cost into pieces, you’ll have something in line with a mid level cruise line like Princess or Celebrity… I am definitely intrigued by Branson’s concept of cruising, and I’m sure they cross the line between sexy romantic and sexy gratuitous a few times… I’ll just cover my wife’s eyes… It seems definitely worth sailing at least once, because it is different and has a lot of positives.. did you have to book directly with the cruise line? don’t see it on my travel agent’s site..
You handled the vibe info very well and very delicately…but, that said,an adults only anything doesn’t have to be based in sex or risqué events…what this cruise line seems to lack is any kind of class or grace…a classy experience does not have to be stuffy, but it doesn’t have to land completely in the other direction.
My uncle and his GF went on Scarlet Lady in May and had a blast (they did the Cozumel/Honduras route). I’m not sure if this ship is for me (but we would love the inclusive vibe); I’d rather spend my money on a little more “traditional elegance” so we will go Celebrity Edge class in 2024. 🚢 But I do like the Adult Only concept, and that may sway my choices when it’s time to actually book a cruise.
Awesome review Tony!! I’ve only been on Royal Caribbean cruises to this point as I’m able to hide away pretty easily on the really large ships! Three times on Anthem. I was pretty skeptical if this was a cruise line for me, as I am also a larger guy, I’m very shy and very self conscious as well. I will definitely be looking at a Virgin cruise sometime in the near future!! However, my next is on Celebrity Summit to Bermuda, small ship, so we’ll see how it goes!!
This is the best and most helpful review of Virgin Voyages I’ve seen. It’s never really appealed to us, mainly because of the aesthetic, but after perusal your article, we may have to consider it for a future cruise! The adults-only aspect is what appeals to us the most, but on its own, it probably wouldn’t get us to put down a deposit. Combined with the other things you discussed (food, service, the wearable technology), it could be really great though! One question – how does the wearable/app compare to Princess’ app with functionality?
I loved this review. Nice to hear about the food. I love seeing how cruise food is presented and tasting different things so this sounds fun. The tablet is cool for sure. Yes, the outlets outside of cabins is epic. So many cool things. Helping cruisers to navigate to their rooms would tell me it is good for older people. Lol. I would go on this cruise after hearing your review, but not so sure I could be sexy. Love the “welcoming” aspect you talk about. Important for anyone traveling. Now, if I just hit the lottery. Haha. I saw the Lobster roll article. So happy you were able to make it happen. You just needed Jenny. Thanks for the review. It was super!❤️
So glad the lobster roll saga has been rectified!! I still remember you two explaining what happened and I was so sad for you!! Then when Key West tried to stop welcoming the larger ships, I thought you’d never get another shot at them! As a 51 yr old married old lady who is fairly close to what I call fluffy status, I really appreciate the reviews. I watched Emma give her review from a tiny young human and probably would have never tried the line myself; however, your photos and explanations have turned my decision around I think. Going to look for other articles about the Lady you put out as well. Keep the great articles coming!
We (my wife and I) sailed the Scarlet Lady on the cruise directly after you did. And the bottom line is we loved it. We cruised with another couple that we know and like very well and we all had a fabulous time. And for many of the reasons you mentioned in your review. But this cruise line might not be for everyone. If you are uptight or narrow minded, this might be out of your wheelhouse. If I could be critical about anything at all on the boat it would be I wish there was either more or a bigger pool area. But that did not keep us from having fun. So much so that my wife and I and the same couple will be cruising the Mediterranean in September on the Valiant Lady. Cruise On!
Great review Tony!! You hit on most of the main points about Virgin Voyages! I will wholeheartedly agree the food on board, no matter from which venue or room service, is second to none! The entertainment was top notch as well..The ‘Red Room'(or as you refer to it as the main theatre) was especially cool! The Manor, was a trip going in thru that mirrored shiny hallway..I am not a gambler, but the casino is rather small, even tiny..Glad you noticed the different colors for where you were on the ship in regards to the elevator banks..Also, this ship has a deck 13!!!Spooky…LOL..I got lucky and ended up being upgraded to a balcony(they call them verandahs), and I thought it was rather roomy, and I didn’t lack in storage(granted I was sailing solo, so, your mileage may vary)..ALSO, they also sail to Nassau and they are also starting to sail to Mexico(Cozumel)…All in all, it IS a very divergent cruise line, but one on which I am eagerly looking to sail on again!!
So this article was recommended to me by YouTube after perusal Mammoth Club’s first ever Virgin Cruise. I’ve been subscribed to them since day one for their Disney/Universal content, but their Scarlet Lady cruise peaked my interest. When your article popped up, it was the exact questions I had. So happy to see you had a good experience & I’m putting this on my travel wishlist. Thank you for your great review.
We were on your same cruise. Me, my hubby, my 23 year old and my 21 year old who has autism. I was so nervous that people would judge and be annoyed by him. With only 32% of the ship full, there were plenty of spaces for us to be by ourselves. The staff was so accepting and so kind to him. You’re right it really was “no judgement”. I’d love to do another cruise with Virgin but I feel that so many of the great things about our cruise might not have been as great if it was at 100% capacity. Do you have any thoughts of what the experience might be as the ship fills up?
My two cents: Pluses: The cabin was fine and loved the staff. The nicest bunch of people who truly love working for Virgin. Tips were included but we tipped anyway on top. That’s how much we liked everyone. No kids no kidding was a plus. Minuses: The pool was tiny! And so difficult to get in and out of. No step. At all. As well as slick and dangerous. My bum knee did not care for that. Also, I missed things. The boat wasn’t close to being full but the shows which needed to be scheduled showed sold out on the app. I didn’t even think to check my app beforehand to secure these things as no one really brought that to our attention. The steakhouse and the Italian restaurant were excellent. The other 3 were experimental-ish and not well suited for my husband who really just likes the basics. We were not able to reserve at our favorites more than once but we’re able to get a standby around 9 o’clock. Not sure if we’d be able to do that on a full ship. Lastly, the blaring club music was constant! I love club music at a club or at celebration times during the day at the pool… but it was all day at every venue including the upscale restaurants where you’d expect a live jazz piano or piped in Sinatra or something. By the pool maybe some J Buffet or Bob Marley. Maybe classic rock in one of the pubs. I love all types of music but on this trip I felt like an old lady because I was actively seeking out earplugs on day 2.
Don’t know how I stumbled upon your article since I’m not a cruiser but it was delightful. Virgin generally gets it right. I used to fly Virgin America between FLL and LAX a lot and it was the best economy domestic air travel I have experienced. Sad they were acquired by Alaska. Looks like a great cruise and Bimini Island looks lovely. 😍✌️
Thanks for the info. Interesting. Maybe not for me, but interesting nonetheless. I like arm rests, I am not a get up and dance guy, I am not physically fit forward nor am I impressed by those who have perfect form on the exercise bike or treadmill. I grew up in Vegas so I can take or leave the “adult” comedy/entertainment – sexually forward stuff. I’m secure in my sexuality, but retain pretty conservative views on the public expression of sexuality in all its various forms. SO, probably not for me.
Hi Tony, I have been on the scarlet lady and I’m 62 and I had a great time. I took my daughter with me and she is in her 30’s. She is a fitness enthusiasts and she loved that. I too had a bit of an issue with the shower, yes I am fluffy as well. I loved the vibe of the ship and I meet so many people that had the same question you did, am I too fluffy and am I too old for this ship. The answer to that is no, we all had a great time and we all had an issue with the shower, except for my daughter. She loved it so much she wants to bring husband next time on the valiant lady. I did try the hammock, but she was all into the hammock.
I’m a very fit 60 year old and I love food and working out. 🏋️♀️ This cruise line looks great and I know my wife and I are going to enjoy it. Tony, thanks so much for another great article. I watched your food-centered one first and now just watched this one. I like the fact that Virgin is open and accepting of everyone. I also love the industrial design. We can’t wait to sail with VV next year.
This is the kind of cruise I want to try! The price tag might be a bit high, but once you consider all the included amenities and excursions, it’s probably a wash. Bonus that there isn’t a focus on gambling, partying and kids. The fact that it’s so accommodating for plus size folks is an added bonus!
Tony, I appreciate your honesty and being vulnerable about your size. I am also a heavy guy, but your article made me feel more comfortable about our recent booking. Aside from that, I like your content overall and really liked your food review of this ship. My wife and I leave in November. Can’t wait! Looking forward to a unique cruising experience! Keep up the good work, sir! Your articles are awesome. Would love to run into you on a future cruise! God bless you!
Great review, Tony. I love the adults only aspect. And I’ve been told I’m too open minded (is that even possible?) so it isn’t likely any venue or entertainment would have me clutching pearls. Love, love love a veggie forward restaurant and couldn’t care less that they offer bacon too. To each their own! At the moment I’m on the fluffy side of life but my budget is not. I will definitely give some thought to trying the Scarlet Lady though. About your style of review: I appreciate so much that, when you find something negative to mention, you always emphasize that it’s just your opinion and still try to put a positive spin on whatever the subject is. You’re always kind. The world needs more of that. Be well.
Hey, we just followed you on the Scarlet Lady, it seems! 5 nights from July 22-27, Dominican Republic and Bimini. Had a blast and will definitely do it again! Also, thanks for the review, we wholeheartedly agree with your take on Virgin Voyages. One thing I would add is that the crew was awesome! They are as fun, hip and friendly as the ship herself. It was also nice to see the crew being taken care of and having a good time alongside the passengers. It made for an overall happy experience for all.
That late night breakfast bar is awesome. That is my biggest gripe about Royal Caribbean, you are required to eat what they want you to eat on their schedule. Sorrento’s Pizza at midnight is fine but not every night and having to wait for the buffet to open at 6:00 or 6:30 after a long excursion day is super frustrating. So, good for Virgin.
More and more i’ve watched the article the more on sold on Virgin Cruise lines. My only things are 1 my youngest will be 18 in 2025 so i’ll have to go without or wait til then and then 2nd is location it’s so far! I live in Hawaii and getting all the way to Miami it’s so far to travel hence why i haven’t traveled to the Bahamas yet but you giving the fluffy seal of approval really gets me. I love that soft drinks are included. The food looks amazing.
Such a great review. I went on VV in April and had a wonderful time. Can’t wait to go back! Your review was a perfect representation of the ship, vibe, entertainment etc. I watch your website every day, and as a ship guest entertainer I really appreciate the industry news! Thanks for all you do and keep rockin it out there. Hope to see you someday on the lido or maybe I’ll give you a big shoutout from the stage 🎉🌟🎶💃🏼
One thing I did not like is the bars that were tucked away where you couldn’t see anything but four walls – not even windows. These bars generally were empty every time I found one. I love the way Royal and Carnival have most of their bars on either side of the hallways. I sailed on the Valiant Lady last February in a Sea Terrace. The technology is It was a little smaller than staterooms on other cruise lines, but I liked it. I have another Valiant Lady cruise booked for November in a XL Sea Terrace. I got incredible deals on these two cruises and since I have noticed the cruises are more than twice what I paid at the time of booking. The showers were amazing! The water pressure is great! The food on this cruise line is the best I’ve had at sea.
Thank you so much for this article/review. Your article is the first down to earth real example of what Virgin is about that I actually trust. All the reviews I’ve seen our either way too negative or way too positive, and life isn’t that black and white. I feel so much more comfortable about taking my cruise now. Woohoo!!!
Thanks for your review Tony!! My husband and I are in your same age range and love cruising and personally, I’d love a cruise without kids running around everywhere! The food options sound really great too! I love the idea of the physical activity areas too – I’m recovering from spine surgery and need to walk a lot – my husband and I both do. Great review Tony!
Tony, This was the first time perusal your content and really enjoyed the article and information provided. My wife and I have never cruised, and I have just begun researching Virgin voyages. So thank you for confirming the feeling I had about the cruise line and ship!! Thank you! You have a new follower. Regards, Mike
i tell you sweetie, I NEED A GREAT CRUISE RIGHT NOW! i have not gone anywhere in three years (last cruise i done was in 2019) i lost my sister last year and i had to travel for her homegoing. i retired in February, started a business last year, and i am home, in my apartment. I NEED TO GET OUT AND SEE SOME WATER!!
We were on the Scarlet Lady in November 2021. It’s a very interesting departure from regular cruising. I’m on the fence about whether I would go on another Virgin Voyages cruise. While I loved the food itself, I did not like the idea of having to make restaurant reservations months ahead of time. We found that part of it to be inflexible and ended up having to eat later than we normally do. They take the sustainability thing too far by not making water available to purchase pre-cruise or from any venue on the ship. This was the first cruise we’ve been on where I had to bring a large Yeti water bottle to fill up each night in the galley so we’d have plenty of water in our stateroom.
As a shift worker whose internal clock doesn’t usually mesh with traditional schedules, it’s awesome they have food options around the clock. I find it fun to putter around when most are sleeping – you get to see the night crews and a different perspective… but it’s a bummer when you are hungry with no options. It’s probably great for people closing their night out to get some food in them, too! 😂
I got to go on Scarlet Lady in January. Some of the positives are that there are so many specialty restaurants and they were all great, and all free. The activities were unique. The entertainment (especially the man playing the guitar that is at 0:44 in your article) was great. At Bimini they had a mermaid and a merman lounging by the pool, and they had a light the bonfires ceremony in early evening. The downside was that you could only go to each restaurant once per cruise. Many entertainment options were “secret” and you had to be invited. I know I missed some things that I might have enjoyed. The tablet in our cabin didn’t work and we took it to guest services for help. Someone worked on it, but it never did work for us. The hammock is made to sit it, not lie in from end to end and I kept swinging into the sliding glass door. When I was on, the casino was a bit dead. No one was playing at the table that I like until the last night of the cruise. Card players know that your money lasts longer if there are other players at the table. There was enough to like about the cruise that I will go back if the price is right.
You should’ve talk about the fact that the water within the cabin and the drinking water does not smells fishy. The standard internet package is better than some I’ve paid for with other cruise lines. I enjoyed my first experience with Virgin and so did my wife. We took advantage of the on board deals and booked another cruise 🚢 with them.
appreciate this article and hope you do more cruise ship reviews in the future, i really enjoyed the articlegraphy and presentation. i sailed on the Scarlet Lady in December 2021, solo with an interior solo cabin. this meant a smaller space, more of a dorm room style bed but even with my size (also in the fluffy / round human category) i felt comfortable and not claustrophobic. i agree the bathroom feels small but i think that’s just how i feel anytime i’m onboard any ship – i’ve sailed on Celebrity, Carnival, and Princess and until i can convince my spouse we need an over the top suite with full bathtub, separate walk in shower, dual sinks, etc.. i’ll probalby always think the bathroom feels small. i’m glad you had good luck with the virgin voyages app, it was somewhat hit or miss for me but my hope was (and it sounds like) they’ve had time to now address bugs and get into a nice stride with everything else – likewise, the galley was a great experience but i feel like my time onboard was met with new employees and a new ship and folks were still feeling it all out. nothing negative, it just seemed like there wasn’t a great flow, confusion on what i could ask for at the counter vs “needing” to have a server take my order mainly. i attended the pseudo-cirque de soleil show and liked it! i REALLY appreciate your perspective on multiple shows in the same venue and just how different they can appear / how different setups lead to different presentations and experiences. this was my first solo cruise after 7 or 8 with my spouse and i’m not sure how differently another line would have felt, but i enjoyed the whole trip all the same.