Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady: Redefining Adults-Only Cruising with Innovation and Luxury
After a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic, the cruise industry is evolving, and Virgin Voyages—Richard Branson's innovative brand known for disrupting airlines, hotels, and now cruising—leads the charge. The adults-only line debuted its flagship ship, Scarlet Lady, from Miami on October 6, 2021, following an 18-month delay. Here's what sets this ship apart for modern travelers.
Edgy, Eclectic, and Energetic Vibes
Virgin Voyages swaps traditional cruise formality for a playful, "young-at-heart" atmosphere. Expect immersive late-night dance shows, festival-style concerts, and high-energy DJ sets at private beach clubs.
Forget buffets and fixed menus: Choose from 20+ diverse eateries, including Korean BBQ, a 24-hour diner, an international food hall, and a noodle bar. Menus are crafted by Michelin-starred chefs and renowned mixologists like Bar Lab.
Exclusively for adults 18+, the ship skips water parks and kids' clubs for unique features like the first-at-sea tattoo and piercing parlor, Squid & Ink, and a "Shake for Champagne" app that delivers bubbly anywhere onboard. Essentials like basic drinks, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and all dining are included in the fare, minimizing onboard extras.
Wellness and Detox at Sea
Balancing fun with fitness, Virgin Voyages emphasizes well-being. The Red Room theater encourages carefree dancing, while wellness options abound.
Enjoy complimentary sunrise and sunset yoga with panoramic ocean views, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boxing, spin classes, and fresh-pressed juices.
The cave-inspired spa includes a mud room for detoxification, cold plunge pools, quartz beds, and a salt therapy room. Environmentally, the line commits to carbon neutrality, eliminates single-use plastics, provides reef-safe sunscreen, and conserves energy in unoccupied cabins.
Rockstar-Level Accommodations
Cabins on Scarlet Lady draw from superyacht designs, featuring tech-savvy staterooms with mood lighting tablets and adaptable Seabeds that convert to couches. Amenities include rain showers, hammocks on terraces, record players, stocked bars, and marble bathrooms. Notably, 86% have balconies and 93% offer ocean views.
For ultimate luxury, RockStar Quarters—designed by Tom Dixon—offer epic suites with unpacking services, priority boarding, VIP show access, and entry to Richard's Rooftop private lounge.
Exceptional Itineraries Chasing Sunsets
Virgin prioritizes both journey and destinations with late-night stays and overnights. Caribbean and Mexico routes feature Bimini Beach Club for yoga, bonfires, and cabanas, plus unique excursions like farming with locals in Puerto Plata, crystal museums in Cozumel, and El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico.
Mediterranean sailings explore Greece, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Croatia, with overnights in Cannes or Ibiza, Riviera beaches, Tuscan wine tastings, and Sardinian waters.
