Honestly, the first time you see the Virgin Scarlet Lady docked in Miami, it looks like a giant, silver-and-red tube of lipstick. It’s weird. It’s striking. It’s definitely not your grandma’s cruise ship. If you’re looking for towel animals on your bed or a buffet where people fight over lukewarm shrimp cocktail, you’re in the wrong place. Richard Branson didn't just want to build a boat; he wanted to blow up the entire idea of what cruising feels like.
No kids. None.
That’s usually the first thing people notice. The Scarlet Lady is strictly 18+, which changes the vibe from "family vacation" to "posh boutique hotel that happens to be floating." It’s a bold move. Most cruise lines make a killing on family cabins and arcade tokens. Virgin Voyages decided to gamble on the idea that adults want to act like adults—or sometimes like teenagers—without a toddler screaming in the background.
The Virgin Scarlet Lady Reality Check
You've probably heard the hype about "no buffets." That’s true, but it’s also a bit of a marketing trick. Instead of one giant hall of sneeze guards, you have The Galley. Think of it like a high-end food hall in Brooklyn or London. You sit down, someone takes your order, and they bring you tacos, sushi, or a burger. It’s better than a buffet, sure, but during the breakfast rush, it can get kinda chaotic.
The ship itself is huge, weighing in at about 110,000 gross tons. It carries roughly 2,770 passengers—or "sailors" as Virgin calls them. Using the word "sailor" feels a bit cheesy at first, but you get used to it. The design is the work of a "Creative Collective" including names like Tom Dixon and Roman and Williams. These aren't ship designers; they’re people who design trendy hotels and nightclubs. That’s why there’s a tattoo parlor onboard called Squid Ink.
Yes, people actually get tattooed at sea. It’s strangely popular.
Dining That Actually Deserves the Hype
Let's talk about The Wake. It’s the most "traditional" looking restaurant on the ship, located at the back with a massive staircase and a view of the ship’s trail. The steak is good. The salt-crusted snapper is better. But the real star is Pink Agave. It’s a Mexican spot with an entrance that looks like a neon tunnel. The mezcal selection is legit. You aren't getting "taco night" here; you're getting roasted duck with mole or grilled sea bass.
Then there’s Gunbae. It’s a Korean BBQ joint. You sit at circular tables with a grill in the middle. Every meal starts with a drinking game. It’s loud. It’s social. If you’re an introvert, this might be your nightmare, but the food—especially the wagyu short rib—is hard to argue with.
📖 Related: Tipos de cangrejos de mar: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre estos bichos
What's actually cool? All these specialty restaurants are included in the base fare. No $50 upcharge just because you wanted a nice dinner. That’s a massive departure from Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, where the "free" food is often "meh" and the good stuff costs extra.
Why the Cabins Are... Controversial
Here is where things get polarizing. The Virgin Scarlet Lady features "Sea Terraces" (balconies) with red hammocks. Those hammocks are the best thing ever. Swinging over the ocean while the sun sets is peak vacation vibes.
However.
The beds. In the beginning, Virgin pushed this "Seabed" concept—a sofa that converts into a bed. The idea was to give you more floor space during the day to hang out. In reality, most people just found it annoying. Who wants to wait for their room steward to flip a couch every night? Virgin mostly pivoted away from pushing the "couch mode," but the beds themselves are still a bit firm for some. If you’re used to the plush, cloud-like beds on a Celebrity ship, these might feel a little basic.
The bathrooms are also... tight. Even for a cruise ship. Unless you're in a RockStar Quarters suite (which are incredible and come with things like outdoor showers and marble everywhere), you’re going to be doing a bit of a dance to get dry in that shower.
The Entertainment is Actually Different
Forget Broadway covers. Forget the "magician" who’s been doing the same bit since 1994. The entertainment on this ship is weird in a good way. Duel Reality is a circus-style show that’s basically Romeo and Juliet told through acrobatics and a basketball court. It’s high energy and genuinely impressive.
Then there’s Untitled DanceShowPartyThing. Yes, that’s the name. It’s a chaotic, immersive dance party that starts in the theater and spills out into the aisles. It’s not for everyone. If you want to sit quietly and watch a play, you might be confused. But if you want to feel like you’re at a festival in Ibiza, you’ll love it.
👉 See also: The Rees Hotel Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences: Why This Spot Still Wins Queenstown
And we have to mention Scarlet Night. This is the ship's signature event. Everyone wears red. The entire ship turns into a massive, interconnected party. Giant inflatable octopuses appear. People end up jumping in the pool with their clothes on. It’s one of the few times a cruise "theme night" actually feels cool instead of forced.
The "Health and Wellness" Angle
Virgin calls it "Vitamin Sea."
The gym is split into two halves: B-Complex (Burn) and B-Complex (Build). One side is all cardio with a view of the ocean, the other is all weights. There’s an outdoor jogging track, but it’s more for a light stroll because it’s perched right above the sunbeds and gets crowded.
The Red Room is where the HIIT classes happen. They also have "VHS" workouts—80s-themed aerobics with headbands and neon leggings. It’s tongue-in-cheek but surprisingly hard.
The spa, Redemption, is a thermal suite with a mud room, salt room, and cold plunge pools. It’s gorgeous. It’s also one of the few things that costs extra. A day pass is usually around $39 to $59 depending on the port day, and it’s worth it just to escape the music by the main pool for an hour.
What Most People Get Wrong About Virgin Voyages
There’s a misconception that this ship is just for 20-somethings who want to party 24/7. That's not really true. You’ll see plenty of Gen Xers and Boomers who are just tired of the "standard" cruise experience. They like the better food, the lack of kids, and the fact that the WiFi actually works (it's included, by the way).
Another thing: the pool. People complain it’s too small.
✨ Don't miss: The Largest Spider in the World: What Most People Get Wrong
They’re right.
The main pool on the Virgin Scarlet Lady is tiny. It’s more of a "stand with a drink" pool than a "swim laps" pool. If your idea of a cruise is spending eight hours swimming, you might be disappointed. But if you prefer lounging on a circular daybed while a DJ plays deep house, you’re the target audience.
The Cost Breakdown
When you look at the price, it might seem higher than a 5-night Caribbean cruise on a budget line. But you have to do the math.
- WiFi: Included.
- Gratuities: Included (no "service charges" added at the end).
- Basic Drinks: Soda, sparkling water, drip coffee, and tea are all included.
- Fitness Classes: Included.
- All Dining: Included.
On a "cheaper" line, you can easily spend an extra $500–$800 per person on these things. With Virgin, the price you see is pretty much the price you pay, unless you’re hitting the bar hard.
Sustainable Sailing?
Branson talks a big game about sustainability. The ship uses Climeon technology, which converts heat from the engines into electricity. They’ve also banned single-use plastics. You won't find straws or plastic water bottles. Instead, there are filtered water stations everywhere and you get a reusable bottle if you don't bring your own. Is a giant cruise ship ever truly "green"? Probably not, but they’re doing more than most.
Actionable Steps for Your First Voyage
If you're actually going to book the Virgin Scarlet Lady, don't just wing it.
- Book your dining the second the app allows. Popular spots like Gunbae and Pink Agave fill up fast. If you wait until you're on the ship, you'll be eating dinner at 10:00 PM.
- Pack something red. Even if you aren't a "theme night" person, Scarlet Night is the soul of the cruise. A red shirt or dress makes you feel like part of the club.
- Don't sleep on the "Secret" menu items. Ask for the off-menu options at the pizza place (The Pizza Place—original name, I know). The white truffle pizza is usually available if you ask nicely.
- Use the "Shake for Champagne" feature. If you open the Virgin app and literally shake your phone, a button appears to deliver a bottle of Moët to wherever you are on the ship. It’s $95, but for a special moment, it’s a fun flex.
- Check the port times for Bimini. Most Scarlet Lady itineraries stop at the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas. It’s basically a private island experience. The pool there is much bigger than the one on the ship, so save your "pool day" for the island.
- Skip the standard coffee. The "free" drip coffee is fine, but Grounds Club has actual barista-made espresso drinks for a few dollars. It’s a massive step up.
The Virgin Scarlet Lady isn't perfect. The cabin layout is a bit divisive, and the "edgy" branding can sometimes feel like it's trying a little too hard. But if you hate the cliches of traditional cruising—the formal nights, the buffet lines, the "hustle" for drink packages—this ship is a breath of fresh, salty air. It’s a playground for adults who want good food and a stylish place to wake up in a new country.