Experience unparalleled luxury and excitement aboard Virgin Voyages’ revolutionary cruise liners Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. These unique ships are designed to cater to a young and discerning crowd.
Expect a lot of social activities that aren’t typical for cruises. Think art classes, macrame, group projects and more. The line also boasts a variety of wellness and fitness classes.
Staterooms
While a cruise ship may be full of amazing dining and entertainment options, your sleeping quarters are the perfect place to unwind after a long day at sea. And Virgin Voyages’ cabins and suites are designed to be more than just a cosy bolt-hole with a porthole. With modern, yacht-inspired aesthetics and clever cabin technology, they’re a hero experience in their own right.
Each stateroom has a flat-screen interactive TV, a fixed iPad that controls the TV, lighting and curtains (which automatically open when you enter your room), a small safe, drawers and a mini fridge. In the bathroom, you’ll find a large mirror, premium linens and bath products, a shower with two reclining seats and a hot tub, a toilet with a view, and a sea-facing window. Most cabins have private balconies, and some feature the line’s signature red hammock.
You’ll also get 24/7 room service, and a personal Rockstar Concierge who will assist you with booking reservations for all the onboard attractions. If you want to live it up, upgrade to a RockStar or Mega RockStar suite, which have extra-large bathrooms, tricked-out terraces with lounge and seating spaces and perks like music rooms and turntables.
The ship is adults-only and offers a range of cabins, from inside and ocean-view rooms to balcony and terrace suites. All can sleep two to four people, although some have slightly awkward bed arrangements — you’ll have to book the most expensive suites to get three beds, and even then you’ll probably end up with one bunkbed in close proximity to the other. If you’re traveling with a large group, there are connecting cabins available as well.
Dining
The culinary experience on a Virgin Voyages cruise is unlike anything else at sea. The ship’s restaurants and bars are designed to delight your senses, with a variety of food and drink options to satisfy all dietary preferences. From Korean BBQ and casual Mediterranean eats to pizza and sushi, there’s something for everyone on board. Plus, all eateries and drinks are included in the cruise fare.
On a 14-night Transatlantic sailing, guests enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in a variety of unique venues. The Wake is a nod to the grandeur of transatlantic ocean liners, elevating traditional dining to new heights. The Test Kitchen offers a hands-on cooking class, and Veggies & Vegans can head to Razzle Dazzle for plant-based meals. The ship also has a variety of cafes, ice cream parlors, and a sun club cafe.
Room service is also available on the Lady Ships, with both breakfast and daytime menus available. A $5 delivery charge applies, but is waived if you order any drink.
For those looking to really live it up, Virgin Voyages has two categories of suites called RockStar and Mega RockStar. These spacious rooms come with features like music rooms with turntables, peekaboo showers that open to the sea, and fully-stocked bars. Guests booked in these suites also have access to Richard’s Rooftop sun deck and enjoy priority reservations for dining, onboard events and shore excursions.
Entertainment
Whether you’re a fan of music, shows or games, you’ll be well-occupied on a Virgin Voyages cruise. The schedule of events is posted in multiple places throughout the ship and in an app, so it’s easy to find what you want to do. It includes all the shows (there are multiple venues, not one theater for 450 people), pop-up experiences and activities like a game night, dance parties and live music performances. You can also book classes and entertainment ahead of time.
The line’s resident diva, drag queen Miss Titty Kaka, is an integral part of the onboard experience and performs on every cruise. Her dazzling costumes and witty sexual references are sure to entertain. You can even join in on a drag queen-hosted game of bingo.
There are several other shows that push the boundaries of typical cruise-ship productions. One that first debuted on Valiant Lady is Miss Behave, a show that asks audience members to participate through singalongs and shout-outs and by texting selfies or answers to a dedicated number via WhatsApp. Another new offering is Dual Reality, a modern take on Romeo and Juliet with rival “gangs” performing jaw-dropping acrobatics.
If you’re planning to do some serious pampering, the Spa has a Thermal Suite, where you can enjoy a sauna, steam room, salt room and mud room for three hours for $50 per person. The spa is also where you can reserve time to have a massage, manicure or pedicure. And there’s no need to worry about your water or alcohol budget because both non-alcoholic ‘basic bevvies’ and alcoholic drinks are included in the cruise price. Unlike other cruise lines, Virgin doesn’t offer all-you-can-drink packages, but you can pre-load your bar tab before your cruise to enjoy discounted drinks.
Activities
Whether you want to dine, dance, explore, or relax, Virgin Voyages has plenty of activities. The ship’s “Shore Things” include the usual adventure activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and sightseeing tours as well as more luxurious experiences like yacht and private cabana rentals.
You’ll also find a variety of social activities that aren’t typical of cruises, including art classes (like macrame and group projects), trivia, and more. And of course, there are the always-popular game shows and karaoke nights!
The ship’s pool deck is a big draw and can get very crowded during peak times, especially on sea days. You can reserve loungers in advance through the app, but it’s best to show up early to secure a spot. The main pool is at the center of the deck, and a smaller circular wellness pool is located near the fitness center. There’s also a thermal spa area that you can book for a three-hour pass for a sauna, steam room, salt room, and mud room.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll enjoy the sommelier-curated wine menu and the many delicious dining options onboard. You can even try a traditional Korean BBQ restaurant called Gunbae!
Aside from the amazing dining, one thing that stands out about Virgin’s cruises is the lack of stuffy, old-school cruising culture. You won’t find rotation through assigned restaurants, photo-ops by onboard photographers while at dinner, or frequent announcements that can annoy some people. You’ll also be able to bring your own alcohol aboard without paying a corkage fee, as all of the drinks onboard are free. It’s a great way to make the trip more personal and enjoyable!
Ports of Call
Virgin Voyages’ ships visit a variety of ports around the world. From its Caribbean beginnings, the company has expanded to itineraries in Europe and beyond with plans for Australia and New Zealand as well.
Onboard, the vibe is modern and contemporary with a nod to the line’s British roots. The line’s accommodations are spacious, comfortable and innovative. Guests can choose from cabins with balconies to rooms with a configurable Seabed. There are a variety of dining options with Michelin-star chef-curated menus and a mixologist-curated bar and lounge scene. The ship offers a spa with treatments like acupuncture and deep tissue massages. The gym is large and there are plenty of classes to keep travelers fit.
During port days, the ship provides an array of land excursions. These range from standard adventure activities to unique experiences like becoming a mermaid for the day complete with custom fitted tail and mermaid swim lessons. The ship also has a theater that plays host to Broadway-style entertainment.
The perks of sailing with Virgin Voyages include the fact that it is an adult-only cruise line. This is a great thing for travelers who want to avoid crowds or who do not want their experience ruined by the sight of a kid in a costume trying to shake hands with a Disney character.
Another perk of sailing with the company is its commitment to sustainability. The fleet is powered by clean, low-sulphur fuels which reduces its carbon footprint. Additionally, the line has banned single use plastics and uses recycled goods whenever possible. It has also partnered with non-profits that advance ocean awareness and protection. The company encourages travelers to bring their own reusable water bottle to avoid using disposable ones on board.
