| Virgin Voyages - Scarlet Lady An Honest Review with Dawn Kidd |
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As some of you know, Mark and I chose to sail with Virgin Voyages ourselves to better guide our clients. We enjoyed the 4-Night Fire and Sunset Soirees itinerary aboard the Scarlet Lady, a roundtrip from Miami with stops in Key West and Bimini. I can honestly say there were aspects of the cruise I truly enjoyed, along with a few that didn’t meet my expectations. Please remember that these are my personal opinions and might not reflect everyone’s experience. There is no single perfect cruise line for everyone; there is only the perfect cruise line for you. |
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| The Ship
The overall decor and style of the ship took a little getting used to. Sir Richard Branson’s goal has always been to shake up what you expect from a cruise. From the sleek hull to the bright red accents and modern minimalist design, the Scarlet Lady makes it clear this is not your typical cruise ship.
I think I prefer the décor on some of the other ships I’ve sailed. I missed having a central atrium and the softer, more varied color schemes that most ships tend to feature. That is not to say this is bad; it is just different. The ship definitely embraces a playful theme, with champagne, music, and cheeky humor woven throughout.
One of the best features of the ship’s layout was that I never felt crowded. Even with a full complement of guests, I could always find plenty of outdoor seating. And the seating they provided was exceptionally comfortable compared to the usual stiff lounge chairs you often find. |
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The Vibe
Virgin Voyages is known for standing apart in some key ways. One of the most noticeable is that it does not allow children on board, which many guests, myself included, found to be a welcome change. There were no crying babies in the dining room, no little kids running around the public areas, and no teens splashing nearby in the pool. Without young, impressionable eyes and ears, the shows can include playful innuendo and language you might not expect on other cruises. If you want a hint, just look at the name of the ice cream shop on board.
But the ship’s atmosphere goes beyond that. It truly encourages you to come as you are and be yourself. The crowd includes many guests from the LGBTQ+ community. It was refreshing to see people expressing who they really are. However, if you find the sight of two women holding hands or two men comfortably sharing a sofa unsettling, this ship might not be the best fit for you. |
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The Cabins
The cabins continued the ship's decor - minimalist with pops of red throughout. Two things stood out to me right away - the bed and the hammock. The beds were designed to convert into day sofas and then back into beds at night. I suspect this wasn’t very popular because our steward never converted it, and that worked just fine for us. I should also mention that I am not a fan of firm mattresses, and this one definitely was on the firm side.
Now, the hammock has to be one of the best additions on any cruise ship. In the evening, curled up in the hammock with my book while the ship gently swayed felt absolutely amazing. That alone made the trip worthwhile.
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The Food
Dining on Virgin Voyages is quite different from most ships. All the restaurants are specialty venues, but the good news is that they’re all included in the price. The downside is that you need to make reservations. By the time I tried to book dinner a day or two after the reservation window opened, most spots were already taken. On most cruise ships, the main dining room is always available. Although we managed to secure a few reservations as soon as we boarded, we still ended up with one night without a reservation at all. It was frustrating that there were not enough dining spots for everyone on board. That meant we had to use the dining hall instead, which on most ships works like a buffet. Here, however, everything is served to you, so there are no shared handles or trays to touch.
When we did dine in the specialty restaurants, the food was some of the best we have ever had on a cruise ship. The filet mignon at The Wake was excellent, and Razzle Dazzle served up the most delicious spicy ribs and hot and sour noodles. The desserts felt special, too — they tasted like someone made them just for you. Yum! |
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The Entertainment
On the first day, I quickly realized that having no kids on board meant no worries about what was in the pool water and allowed the shows to be more adult in content. The Happening Cast, Virgin’s version of multiple cruise directors, made it clear that fun and energy were the cruise’s main themes. The ship’s Red Room theater is unique because it can transform from a dance floor and festival-style stage, where everyone stands to watch, into a traditional seated theater. I was not a fan of standing in a crowd wearing dressy shoes, thank you.
My favorite entertainment option, however, was the "Booked" production in the Red Room theater. It was easily one of the top two shows I have ever seen on a cruise ship. With its cheeky humor, occasional four-letter words, and wild storyline, it was both genuinely funny and thoroughly entertaining. It felt like the kind of show you would happily pay to see on land. |
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Overall
In summary, would I sail with Virgin Voyages again? Yes. Is it my absolute favorite cruise line? No. Would I recommend it to my clients? Yes, wholeheartedly -but knowing my clients well and managing their expectations is key. I can overlook the dining challenges and firm mattress, especially for the relaxing hammock, the peaceful no-kids-in-the-pool vibe, and the ship’s fun, cheeky sense of humor that adds a playful edge to the whole experience. This review is candid because I want you to make the best decision for your dream vacation. If you’re ready for something fresh, lively, and a kid-free, Virgin Voyages might just be the perfect fit.
I welcome all questions - feel free to contact me - 603-244-2781 or dkidd@dreamvacations.com
-Dawn Kidd |
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