Everything you need to know about Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages has never made a secret of its Caribbean and Mediterranean focus – after all, its ships were built for partying – but it’s fair to say that Britain is Scarlet Lady’s spiritual home.

Although launched in February 2020 the pandemic delayed its first cruises until August 2021 when it offered short non-stop trips off the English coast from Portsmouth.

Since then she’s been based mainly in warmer seas but returned to Portsmouth briefly in 2024 and she’ll be back in July 2025 to show off her “Glow Up”. The fleet also includes Valiant Lady, introduced later in 2021 and Resilient Lady in 2023 but Virgin Voyages will unveil its fourth – and reportedly final – ship, Brilliant Lady, in September 2025.

What’s it like onboard?

If Scarlet Lady was intended to be a cruise industry disrupter she’s been an unmitigated success – at least during the regular six-night Caribbean cruise to Costa Maya, Roatán and Bimini that I joined in Miami.

There were no mobility scooters or walking frames, seniors were cool rather than old codgers and most passengers were in their 30s to 50s, with possibly a sprinkling of younger people – although no under-18s. It’s adults-only.

Everyone is welcome on Virgin Voyages ships. The message is come as you are and bring the best version of yourself, which is why it’s popular with LGBTQ+ travelers and a diverse range of people from all backgrounds.

Luxurious décor, excellent food and interesting itineraries are a given on most cruise ships but Scarlet Lady also offers alternative entertainment, parties every night and the chance to find your own tribe among the 2,762 fellow sailors (Virgin-speak for passengers).

The WOW factor

Scarlet Lady has always had the WOW factor. There’s The Red Room, which has the flexibility to be anything from a regular theatre to a hangar-like nightclub, and game-changing entertainment such as cabaret from the ship’s resident drag queen and high-risk acrobat performances in several shows.

Then there’s the rock star lifestyle. Scarlet Lady’s Glow Up means there are 24 new RockStar Quarters cabins to add to the original 78, offering VIP treatment including fast-track check-in with a Champagne welcome and access to Richard’s Rooftop sundeck where’s there’s a free cocktail hour every night.

Staterooms

RockStar Quarters come in several shapes and sizes. The Massive Suite is 2147sqft so there’s room for the guitars, record player, vinyl and bottomless bar plus a hot tub on the terrace.

Five smaller types of suites are not quite so self-indulgent but all have marble bathrooms, spacious balconies and plenty of space to entertain.

Even the standard balcony and inside cabins have a completely different feel compared to those of other cruise lines with their simple décor and signature red hammocks for those with balconies.

Although the bathrooms are quite compact all have excellent rain showers and rooms have large TV screens and in-cabin tablets to control everything from the entertainment system to the curtains.

Dining

Dining options are a strong point on all Virgin Voyages ships but Scarlet Lady’s Glow Up means it’s even more impressive thanks to the addition of the Lucky Lotus to vegetarian restaurant Razzle Dazzle.

Originally noisy with a distractingly colourful décor, this is now a much more sophisticated dining space – more comfortable on the eyes and with a Chinese evening menu in addition to the vegetarian vibe.

Michelin Star chef Brad Farmerie helped to develop Virgin Voyages’ overall culinary strategy and all its ships have 20 complimentary food options, although this is because Deck 15’s The Galley food hall is a collection of seven stalls including Japanese bento boxes, a sushi bar and taco shack.

The best restaurant is undoubtedly The Wake, a steakhouse at the back of the ship that also has a raw bar offering lobster, oysters, crab and more – although Italian restaurant Extra Virgin comes a close second and has shared tables that are a lot of fun.

The Test Kitchen is the most unusual restaurant. Its six-course set meals have an experimental theme and are paired with paid-for wine, beer, cocktails or alcohol-free drinks. The menu was created by Michelin Star chef Matt Lambert, inspired by Savoy Hotel founder Auguste Escoffier.

Other restaurants include Korean barbecue restaurant Gunbae, Mexican restaurant Pink Agave and the more casual Pizza Place. The Social Club has hotdogs and shuffleboard, Deck 16’s Sun Club Café serves alfresco lunch bowls and The Dock House is gorgeous and offers small Greek dishes in the afternoon or early evening at the back of the ship on Deck 7.

Lifestyle

When you’re not off the ship exploring you could spend a day working off all that food on the outdoor gym equipment scattered around the top decks.

There’s a Sports Area for basketball or kicking a ball around, The Runway jogging track and The Perch for outdoor yoga. There’s even a boxing ring.

Indoor group fitness classes are available in the Training Camp and the B-Complex gym has a studio for instructor-led free group classes in yoga, HIIT, cycling and bungee (which is easier than it sounds and a lot of fun).

You could also sit around the main pool or luxuriate in the large circular wellbeing pool – like a giant hot tub – and if you want a more rock star experience you can hire one of the VIP Cabanas installed during the Glow Up.

Money to burn? Bliss out at the state-of-the-art Redemption. A second couples treatment room was installed during the Glow Up for those with extra-deep pockets.

Entertainment

Virgin Voyages beats other cruise lines hands down with its mix of edgy entertainment, talented musicians and party nights.

Don’t forget to pack pyjamas for the PJ Party, usually a first night ice-breaker after the Grog Walk pub crawl, when there’s dancing to hits from the ’90s and ’00s and entertainment from The Happenings Cast.

You may also want to take ’70s outfits for Studio 72 discos in the Red Room – flared trousers and platform shoes work well – or stonewashed jeans for Klub Rubiks and it ’80s music theme.

There’s also a Y2K Party reliving New Year’s Eve 1999 and Scarlet Night when you’ll need to flaunt it dressed in red. Untitled Danceshow Partything in the Red Room is also a lot of fun.

For the rest of the evening there’s a bar to suit all tastes on Scarlet Lady, from the glamorous Champagne lounge Sip to the outdoor Aquatic Club with sports on TV screens above the bar.

The Dock has a Mediterranean chic feel, with an indoor section that has a small stage for acoustic music sets and lovely outdoor area for watching the sun set.

Beer drinkers will like The Draught Haus, or if you like bar games there’s The Social Club. The Loose Cannon is a British pub with quiz nights and On The Rocks has some excellent musicians playing.

Then there’s the new The Grounds Club, Too for cocktails or coffee at night – another Glow Up addition and conveniently close to The Galley if you’re in need of a late-night snack.

As for the shows, Dual Reality remains Scarlet Lady’s headliner – a death-defying acrobatic sensation – with Ships In The Night a thought-provoking music and dance show.

Lights, Camera, Drag! Is hosted by The Diva resident drag artist in The Manor, a comedy show with audience participation, and Love Love Love with The Hostess is a playful cabaret show exploring the language of love with songs, dance and games.

Fact box

Scarlet Lady is moving from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean from April, sails from Portsmouth this summer and then returns to Miami for a winter season that includes 6-night Western Caribbean Charm cruises calling at Costa Maya, Roatán and Bimini from £1,477 (virginvoyages.com).