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Virgin Voyages launched a cruise designed for Gen Z - here's one 25-year-old's verdict

Oct 18, 2021 • 6 min read

Virgin Voyages cruise from Miami to Nassau and Bimini Beach in the Bahamas ©Getty Images

Making waves with its very direct approach to onboarding the next generation of cruisers, Virgin Voyages has finally launched its first of four ships in the US earlier this month. 

As someone squarely in their target demo, a novice cruiser under the age of 25, I accepted Virgin Voyages' invitation to be among the first to check out the new Scarlet Lady. The cruise was one of their new standard routes, four nights from Miami to Nassau and Bimini Beach in the Bahamas ; markedly different from the standard 7-10 night Caribbean trips you'll find on other cruise lines. 

What I found onboard was surprising and gave me definitive answers to the questions many travelers are pondering: Can Virgin Voyages actually bridge the generation gap and be considered cool?

Who is sailing on Virgin Voyages? 

18+ and fully vaccinated? Welcome aboard! Virgin Voyages adults-only scene changes up the attitude and energy of everyone onboard, giving the whole experience an exclusive, club vibe. The ship doesn't lack for anything you'd find on your standard cruise, with plenty of uniquely themed bars (a dozen to be exact), two pools, plenty of hot tubs and a nightclub as cool as any I've seen on more solid ground. The guests on my sailing were from all walks of life and notably younger. 

Will I have to wear a mask on board? 

It's really up to you regarding masks on board as masks are recommended but not required. Walking around the ship, you'd see about one in every 50 people onboard wore masks and all the staff is masked at all times. Though with a sweeping vaccine mandate for all passengers and crew as well as thorough testing prior to boarding from every port, Virgin is hoping to significantly reduce the risk of onboard outbreaks. At this point, a full vaccine mandate is not possible on cruises that include children, which makes Virgin Voyages among the safest travel experiences you can have now.

The new, affordable spring break destination

As soon as the Scarlet Lady departs US waters the drinking age becomes 18 and the ship is ready to party. The pricing for this cruise line is done a bit differently, charging for cabins that have the capacity for up to 3 passengers (or 'sailors' as the line refers to its passengers). With rates that hover around $1,300 per cabin for 4-5 night trips, Virgin is poised to become the perfect upscale yet affordable vacation for a friends group looking to experience some new destinations. 

What are the cabins like? Will I feel comfortable? 

For my stay, I was booked in the Sea Terrace cabin, which is their standard balcony cabin.  Although the bathroom was a little small, I appreciated the extra space in the stylish room. The cabin is high-tech and low-touch with a tablet that centralizes all the controls in the room including the lights, AC, the TV and the window shades. The mood of the cabin changes with a quick swipe as lighting presets add a playful touch with one designed for social media photoshoots and another for hangovers, maybe the most useful feature I found on this party ship. 

My favorite cabin feature? The red hammock on the terrace, perfect for lounging, watching the sea roll by. 

Will I be able to post easily on Instagram while onboard? 

Given that the ship was basically built for social media, Virgin was smart to make WiFi available and free to all guests. Premium and higher-speed WiFi packages are also available for a fee. The highest speed available is $40 for the whole voyage if purchased on the first day. While your social media channels will load perfectly with the free package, and posting is a breeze, working may be a challenge. Most video call services are either blocked by the cruise line or use up too much bandwidth to work as they would on land. Hopefully, you’re not working on vacation, but if you need to make that one important client video call, you may be in trouble.

What's the food like? 

Virgin really excels at atmosphere and the dining experiences at the all-inclusive onboard restaurants are distinct, unique and sexy. Favorites included the fresh Mexican fare at Pink Agave, and Gunbae, a Korean BBQ experience where you’re able to cook some of your own food. Each restaurant also features “Treat Yourself” options for an additional charge, think lobster, steak and oysters. The included food options, however, never left me wanting more. 

Will I have to bring my wallet around the ship to tip? 

There’s no need to tip when you go out to dinner or drinks onboard or at their private beach club (more on that later). This means even when you purchase an alcoholic beverage, you won’t need to add an extra tip and it won’t be automatically added to your account, as it would be on other cruise lines. I wanted to see what would happen if I tried to give my bartender a cash tip one night and they declined to take it. Use your discretion here.

The Beach Club at Bimini: the line's private island oasis

Expect classy, Vegas pool party vibes at Virgin Voyages' exclusive The Beach Club at Bimini, a destination on most of its voyages. The emphasis here is on fun, not necessarily relaxing. The music is loud, drinks are prominent and the free WiFi around the pool ensures easy access to social media. The music is great and goes beyond standard Top 40 hits and Caribbean beats. Plan to stay later into the night for the sunset bonfire, the perfect way to toast a day in paradise. 

Yes, you really can get a tattoo on the ship

That's right, they have a tattoo parlor onboard, Squid Ink, and it's real. Be sure to book ahead as the first and only chance to get your ink at sea fills up fast. 

The shows are actually fun

Every live performance I saw was fun and fully immersive. With at least one live performance nightly in the ship’s theater, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to catch them all.

The highlight for me was the ship's “Untitled Dance Party Show Thing”. The one-of-a-kind variety show makes the audience the spectacle as the space transforms into a dance club. The young crowd went wild for it and so did I; it may be one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen.

What's the overall vibe on the ship? 

Entertainment and performance is the star of the show aboard the Scarlet Lady.  Live entertainment seemingly pops up around every corner of the ship. 

Because of this atmosphere, there is no cruise director, instead, there is a “Happenings” cast made up of several personalities including “the Artist," “the Dancer,” “the Gamer” and more. They pop up throughout your journey and lead to fun and highly interactive experiences.

The Bottom Line

Virgin Voyages is offering a lot to differentiate them from some of the players in the industry, but at the end of the day, it is still a cruise. A very cool cruise though, worth the trip.

You might also like: As Virgin Voyages prepares to set sail, how do its COVID measures line up? As cruising restarts in the Caribbean, the pandemic ensures it's not all smooth sailing Venice formally bans large cruise ships from its historic city center

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Virgin Voyages adds 19 new destinations and 27 new itineraries

Virgin voyages is introducing 19 new ports and 27 new itineraries available through april 2025. spanning all corners of the globe, the offerings feature a return to the uk, new ports of call in australia and new seaside gems in the caribbean..

MIAMI, FL - September 7, 2023 - Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson’s award-winning cruise line, is introducing 19 new ports and 27 epic new itineraries available through April 2025. Spanning all corners of the globe, the new offerings feature a return to the UK following strong Sailor and First Mate demand, incredible new ports of call in Australia and new seaside gems in the Caribbean.

Named the No. 1 mega-ship ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards, Virgin Voyages is loved for its incredible value, exclusively adult experiences, Michelin chef-curated menus, impeccable service and focus on relaxation and wellbeing. A brand celebrated for its fresh approach to sailing, Virgin Voyages is giving guests what they’ve been craving with its broadest selection of destinations along with new summer and winter itineraries debuting across the fleet.

“Our loyal sailors have been asking for more places to visit with us, so we’re delivering in a big way. New ports, new itineraries and more local and immersive experiences to create unforgettable getaways,” said Michelle Bentubo, SVP Service Excellence and Travel Operations. “From Morocco to Mooloolaba, Amsterdam to Bordeaux, Catania to Port Douglas, we now offer more than 120 incredible places you can explore aboard our award-winning ships you know and love. After all, it’s not just about where you go; it’s about who you go with and make a holiday one to remember.”

With this new announcement, Virgin Voyages’ fleet will offer a total of 63 itineraries to some of the world’s most inspiring locales. Among the new options are what the brand is calling its “Seachange Series.” These reimagined repositioning voyages offer more opportunities for travelers to extend their holidays and explore the world at large.

Details on the current deployments and what to look forward to aboard each ship are included below:

Resilient Lady

After returning from her inaugural season in Australia, Virgin Voyages’ newest Lady will sail three itineraries from her homeport in Athens from May through July 2024.

On the agenda are the popular “Greek Island Glow” to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos; “Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems,” sailing along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast before stopping in Kotor and Corfu; and finally “Starry Nights in Greece & Croatia,” which offers a mix of the other two seven-night itineraries.

Back by popular demand, Virgin Voyages will also return to its British brand roots with a series of three- to six-night sailings aboard Resilient Lady. Kicking off in mid-August 2024 and running through September, highlights include “English Sights and European Delights,” which docks in Le Verdon (Bordeaux), La Coruña and Bilbao. The beautiful cities of Amsterdam and Bruges are also on the docket this fall.

Resilient Lady’s European schedule also includes two fantastic repositioning voyages from Portsmouth to Barcelona, adding Morocco to the brand’s roster of new destinations. On the heels of this voyage, Resilient closes her Med season with a Barcelona to Athens voyage, merging the best of the brand’s signature “Irresistible Med” and “Greek Island Glow” itineraries and introducing Catania, Sicily as well.

Finally, Resilient Lady will set off on a 44-night repositioning from Athens to Australia in October 2024, making stops in awe-inspiring, bucket-list destinations like Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore and Bali along the way. Once Down Under, Sailors have the option of 15 brand new itineraries and nine new ports including Broome, Albany, Adelaide, Newcastle, Mooloolaba, Port Douglas, Brisbane, Eden and Kangaroo Island.

Valiant Lady

To start her 2023 winter season, Valiant Lady will return from Barcelona on Oct. 29, 2023 and begin her signature itineraries from Miami such as the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” and “Western Caribbean Charm.” From January through March 2024, she will operate out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering two southern Caribbean voyages originally scheduled for Brilliant Lady including “The Southeastern Caribbean Isles” and “Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles.”

With Scarlet Lady heading into dry dock next year, sister ship Valiant Lady will trade places starting in April 2024. Departing from Miami, Valiant Lady will continue to offer Scarlet’s four- and five-night Caribbean rotations that Sailors love, along with a special six-night “Holidaze and Nights” voyage.

Scarlet Lady

Next summer between May and October 2024, Scarlet will soak up the Mediterranean sun, taking on Valiant Lady’s two seven-night itineraries: “Irresistible Med” and “French Daze and Ibiza Nights.” On Nov. 3, Scarlet will embark on an 11-night repositioning voyage from Barcelona to Civitavecchia, stopping in Mallorca, Corsica and Sardinia. After a short period in dry dock for general maintenance, enhancements, and recalibrations, Scarlet Lady will spring back into action with a 16-night Transatlantic voyage from Rome to Miami. This new itinerary boasts calls in Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) as well as Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain).

After arriving in Miami on Dec. 14, 2024, Scarlet Lady will offer Valiant’s signature six- and eight-night winter voyages through the spring of 2025 including “Western Caribbean Charm” and the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles.” Originally debuting in the fall of 2022, these longer routes from Miami feature late-night stays in San Juan, authentic experiences against the beautiful and rugged landscape of Roatan, and a taste of the USVIs with a day-trip to St. Croix.

Brilliant Lady

While having introduced three mid-sized vessels in less than two years is an industry first, even Cruise Critic’s No. 1 cruise line (voted by readers) is susceptible to global issues. Despite careful planning, Virgin Voyages is facing unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges that have delayed the introduction into service of its new ship, Brilliant Lady. The award-winning brand has established industry leading service and experiences, and given the challenges outlined, has made the tough decision to postpone Brilliant Lady’s highly anticipated launch. Virgin Voyages is evaluating new possible launch dates when it is able to deliver the standards the brand’s Sailors have come to expect.

Guests with bookings that have been canceled will receive generous offers along with exclusive rebooking perks and on-board credit once the new date is announced.

“We’ve built a brand that has taken the industry by storm, but even the strongest businesses face unforeseen challenges every now and then,” Bentubo added. “We are sorry that our Sailors and First Mates who were excited about Brilliant Lady will have to wait a little bit longer for her launch. We know they will love the new itineraries as much as we do, and we look forward to welcoming them on-board.”

Always wanting to do right by its Sailors and travel advisors, Virgin Voyages will offer anyone impacted by the new itineraries price- and promotion-protected options to rebook and receive $300 - $600 USD in Sailor Loot or a full refund.

Travelers wanting to experience one of the exciting new ports can take advantage of 30% off Med 2024 voyages and up to a $600 Bar Tab when they book by Sept. 28. A handful of select Caribbean sailings and repositioning voyages are also eligible for $500 off.

Starting Monday, the new itineraries will be available to view and book. Please visit  www.VirginVoyages.com  or  contact your First Mate  (travel advisor). More information on Brilliant Lady can also be found on our website .

About Virgin Voyages

Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, and Athens - and soon to include Melbourne - the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 100 incredible ports of call.

On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar, and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. In 2023, Virgin Voyages won Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Award for the best mega-ship ocean cruise line and swept the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards - the first time a brand has won in all five categories.

Virgin Voyages Media Contact

Public relations team, michelle estevam.

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Virgin Voyages (formerly "Virgin Cruises", VirginVoyages.com) is a new cruise line company headquartered in Plantation (Florida USA). Virgin Voyages was created as a joint venture between Virgin Group Ltd (British multinational holding company) and Bain Capital LP (multi-asset investment company), with the latter having a majority (51%) shareholding. The establishment of Virgin Cruises was announced by Virgin Group on December 4, 2014. The new cruise line is scheduled to start operations in 2020.

Company History

Bain Capital (1984-founded) is based in Boston (Massachusetts USA) and specializes in private equity, venture capital, credit, public equity, life sciences and real estate, with assets (under management in FY2018) ~USD 105 billion. Virgin Group Ltd (1970-founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell) is based in London (England UK) and specializes in global investments and branding through numerous fully- or partially-owned subsidiary companies in businesses like travel (cruises, hotels, tours, airlines, trains), hospitality, health, banking, retail, communications, entertainment, publishing, charity.

Virgin Group's best-known brands are Virgin Holidays, Virgin Voyages, Virgin Megastores, Virgin Hotels, Virgin Care, Virgin Trains USA (Brightline), and Virgin Airlines (Australia, Atlantic, Connect, and Galactic/spaceflights).

Virgin Voyages operates a fleet of four fully-owned cruise vessels constructed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri SpA (at Sestri Ponente shipyard/ Genoa ).

In FY2018, Fincantieri reported revenue of EUR 5,4 billion. Currently ranked Europe's largest shipbuilding company, Fincantieri has 8 shipyards (all in Italy), in 2013 acquired VARD (Norway-based company with 9 shipyards) and in 2018 purchased 50% of STX France (Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard in St Nazaire ). Fincantieri builds both commercial and naval ships.

In 2020, Virgin Cruises officially started operations (from Miami Florida USA ) with the 2800-passenger Scarlet Lady . Three more sisterships were inaugurated in the following years - Valiant Lady (2021), Resilient Lady (2022) and Brilliant Lady (2025).

The announcement (initially for 3 ships) was made on June 23, 2015, in Miami, during a press conference (media event "making waves") for Virgin Group's new cruise travel brand. For the event, Richard Branson arrived on a helicopter, landing near Miami's Museum Park. He announced that the total building cost for the 3 ships is USD 2,13 billion (US$710M per unit). The announcement for the 4th ship was made on October 31, 2018, with order value ~EUR 700 million.

The company's current President and CEO is Nirmal Saverimuttu (1979-born in Zambian, raised in Australia), who in September 2023 succeeded Thomas Michael McAlpin (1959-born American). McAlpin joined DCL-Disney Cruise Line in 1995 (as VP of Finance, Business Development & Shore Travel Operations) overseeing the construction of the first Disney ships ( Magic /1998 and Wonder /1999) and the development of Walt Disney's private Bahamian island Castaway Cay . In 2004, he became DCL's President. Prior to heading Virgin Cruises, McAlpin served as CEO of The World Residences at Sea (in the period 2009-2014). Following his retirement from CEO and President, Tom McAlpin continued to serve Virgin Voyages as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Earlier in 2016, Virgin settled US$300M lawsuits filed by Colin Veitch (former NCL-Norwegian CEO), who claimed Virgin had stolen his ideas and moved on with the cruise line concept without him.

Tom McAlpin commented that the company is not to be considered a big player in the cruising industry, but rather "a small boutique line that will offer different experiences". McAlpin and Branson hinted that those experiences might take some cues from other successful Virgin ventures, like Virgin Hotels. The hotel chain is popular for offering free WiFi, minibar drinks at street prices, privacy doors allowing guests to go on about their business while room service brings requests, pet-friendly amenities with no weight or size restrictions.

In October 2016, "Virgin Cruises" was rebranded as "Virgin Voyages". At the time it was first announced, the company's founder Branson said his goal was to create a brand cruising experience that is more likely to appeal to millennials and other people who don't normally take cruise ship vacations.

In regard to onboard gratuities, the company has "No Tipping" policy, which means all gratuities are included in the base cruise fares. Also included in basic fares are beverages, all eateries, group fitness classes. The company also doesn't charge penalties or change fees. Customers are able to hold staterooms for 24 hours with no money down once they've placed a 20% non-refundable deposit. They also have a 7-day grace period allowing them to change bookings for any reason. Cruise departure date and names on bookings can be changed without fees or penalties. Shortly before opening the bookings on Scarlet Lady (Feb 14, 2019), Virgin announced all-inclusive deal policy by which cruises are sold "by cabin price". Fares are also inclusive of dining (shipwide / 20 options, some 24-hour), unlimited WiFi, all fitness classes. Cabin pricing only varies by the number of occupants. For 5-day itineraries, fares start from ~USD 250 pp per day (excluding taxes-fees).

Virgin Cruises' "non-commissionable policy" allows travel agents to earn across customer's entire transaction, including on add-ons (hotels, flights, travel insurance, spa treatments, tours/excursions, premium packages, onboard credits, taxes, fees). Travel agents receive 16% base commission on the transaction (increased from 10% by the expanded "Brilliant To Do Business With" program). "Red Hot Bonus" program additionally offers annually paid revenue up to 6% (in case certain production thresholds are met) in addition to 10% commission on everything sold prior the cruise (excepting taxes and fees).

Company changes 2019 (pre-inauguration)

In early-April 2019, Virgin Voyages signed an exclusive 7-year partnership deal with OSW (OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd) - a provider of health-and-wellness services and products on cruise vessels and in destination resorts worldwide. OSW provides all the wellness staff, services and products onboard Virgin ships, including yoga and gym trainers, massages, medispa treatments, salon (manicure-pedicure-hairdresser) services. Each ship has a 29-person OSW-employed professional staff. The served facilities include Crow's Nest (outdoor yoga studio), Redemption Spa, Dry-Dock (blowout bar), B-Complex (Fitness Center).

In April 2019, Virgin and Intelligentsia Coffee signed a deal to provide Intelligentsia coffee (Virgin Voyages Blend) and made-to-order beverages at all venues, including the specialty coffee bars ("Ministry of Ground" and "Ministry of Ground Too") served by expert baristas.

In June 2019, Virgin expanded the list of RockStar Suite-only perks with RockStar Agents (dedicated butlers per stateroom), specially dedicated hair and makeup crew (upon request), complimentary laundry service, complimentary Thermal Suite access (Redemption Spa), all-inclusive premium drinks (in all shipboard eateries and bars), personalized bottomless in-room bar (free of charge), option to curate in-port activities.

In late-October 2019 was approved the agreement for Brightline Miami to be rebranded "Virgin Trains" and Virgin Group to build a train station (Virgin Trains PortMiami) at the cruise port. The new station serves high-speed trains and connects PortMiami directly with the USA's intercity railway system and Orlando International Airport.

On November 12, 2019, Richard Branson announced that the second Virgin ship ( Valiant Lady ) will be seasonally homeported in Sydney (NSW Australia) . Branson was in Sydney to launch a partnership between Virgin Australia Airlines and Virgin Voyages and promote affordable Australian and Caribbean fly-cruise deals on Scarlet Lady.

On December 13, 2019, was officially released the "Ship No. 1" perfume (aka "the fragrance of Scarlet Lady"). The sea lavender-based perfume was created by Air Aroma - a company specializing in scent marketing and fragrance systems (diffusers, Aropromo sale scenting devices). Virgin's Ship No. 1 is infused throughout Scarlet Lady. The perfume can be also purchased (only online - via ItSmellsLikeShip.com) for USD 50 per bottle. All net proceeds from these sales go to Ocean Unite (non-profit foundation of 30+ political leaders and business tycoons).

On December 19, 2019, was announced the "Sailor Loot" (OBC/onboard credit) program. These promotions offer OBC (per cabin) for shipboard spending during the current voyage. The OBC is based on the stateroom category and ranges from US$ 100 (interior and oceanview) to US$200 (balcony) and up to US$ 400 (suites).

Now each Virgin cruise ship offers 50+ activities and events. The onboard programming features live performances (by the company's Hapenings Cast) and is managed by Richard Kilman (Virgin's VP of Entertainment).

Company changes 2024

In February Steven Worling (Senior Director of Infrastructure & Security) announced that Virgin Voyages would roll out fleetwide an improved connectivity (Internet/Wi-Fi package) with SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO (satellite service), with onboard connectivity 1,5 Gbps (max per ship). The Internet is provided via MEO and LEO satellites (Medium Earth Orbit and Low Earth Orbit). Shipboard Wi-Fi access is unlimited and for multiple devices per guest.

Company changes 2023

In February, Virgin replaced Harding UK (Bristol-based global travel retail business) with Starboard Cruise Services (Doral Florida-based company). As of 2023, Starboard was contracted by 11 cruise lines and operated on 90+ ships worldwide.

In March was announced an expansion of onboard entertainment fleetwide. The announcement mentioned new cabaret and game shows, new parties (80s Party, We Fancy), and more live music (by the hosted in The Red Room and The Manor program Festival Stage Acts/comedy shows rotating every 2 to 4 weeks). The list of new productions includes three fleetwide game shows (Duel Reality, Untitled DanceShowPartyThing, Miss Behave), the cabaret show Lola’s Library (fleetwide), as well as 3 new productions debuting on Resilient Lady (Persephone, Mind Mangler, Another Rose/Supper Club Series).

In April Virgin signed a partnership deal with WPT/World Poker Tour (2002-founded, internationally televised gaming and entertainment brand). The premium poker experience is offered on Scarlet Lady during all 4-5-night Caribbean itineraries. The ship's new WPT at Sea Poker Room is fitted with 8 poker tables and served by professional dealers. The new gaming venue hosts beginner training sessions, as well as cash games and WPT Prize Package poker tournaments with buy-ins between US$80-320. The US$320 buy-in WPT Prize tournament is held once per cruise. The prize (US$5000) can be used on any future voyage or WPT tournament.

In September, Nirmal Saverimuttu succeeded Michael McAlpin as the company's President and CEO. Along with the new appointment was announced a capital raise of USD 550 million (~EUR 512M/~GBP 440M) with funds managed by Ares Management's Private Equity Group. As of 2023, Ares had ~US$49,2 billion of AUM/assets under management.

In October 2023, Michelle Bentubo was appointed COO/Chief Operating Officer. In 2016-2023 she served the company as VP of Technology & Operations. Previously, she has held executive positions at Walt Disney World (Director of Experience Development), DCL-Disney Cruise Line (Director of Disney's Magical Express) and Bank of America (SVP Technology/2013-16).

In November 2023, Peter Hunt was appointed CFO/Chief Financial Officer. He previously served as CFO for Service King Collision Repair (1976-founded automotive company) and before that was in the leadership team of Virgin America Inc (2004-founded/2018-merged with Alaska Airlines).

Company changes 2022

In March 2022 was announced a partnership with Jennifer Lynn Lopez (1969-born American actress and singer) via her brand company "JLo Beauty and Lifestyle LLC". Jennifer Lopez joined Virgin Voyages as an investor and chief of entertainment/advisor/lifestyle officer. As part of the partnership, fleetwide was introduced "JLo Beauty" (onboard shop) selling the superstar's products at sea for the first time. In June 2023, she was appointed as Virgin's Chief Celebrations Officer.

In September 2022 debuted Virgin's loyalty program "The Sailing Club" by which repeat customers are provided with two main complimentary perks - "Deep Blue Extras" (premium WiFi, invitations to onboard cocktail parties, laundry services) and "Red Hot Booking Bonus Months" (discounted booking with additional OBC/onboard credit).

In September 2022 Virgin partnered with RSB/Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (an independent global membership organization). Virgin also signed long-term agreements with three providers of waste-based sustainable fuels (Argent Energy, GoodFuels, Twelve) to supply the fleet's bunker fuels.

Company changes 2021

In mid-November 2021 was announced an investment in Virgin Voyages by Patricof & Co (1969-founded by Alan Patricof, specializing in venture capital investments). The company is part of Apax Partners LLP (London UK-based equity firm) that also includes Multinational Management Group (1972-founded) and Saunders Karp & Megrue (1988-founded).

In December 2021 was announced the partnership with the House Spirits Distillery () for the fleetwide presence of the brand "Aviation American Gin" (aka Aviation Gin/alcohol volume 42%, produced in Portland Oregon since 2006). Signature cocktails (based on the Aviation Gin) available for ordering at each Virgin ship include "The Double Agent at SIP", "Razzle Dazzle's Electric Fizz", "Stella's Groove at The Manor", "Gunbae's French 75".

Company changes 2020

On April 1, 2020, the company launched its "Jet Transfers Direct to Ship" service. The exclusive "fly-cruise" deal is for RockStar Suite passengers only, allowing them to arrive and depart the boat via chartered or private aircraft. The planes land at The Runway - a top-deck open space (Deck 17 aft) surrounded by a raised Jogging Track.

Virgin cruise ships

On June 23, 2015, Virgin announced it had signed a Letter of Intent with Fincantieri (shipbuilder based in Trieste Italy ) for the construction of 3 ships scheduled for deliveries in 2020-2021-2022 (entering service in 15-month increments).

The shipbuilding order was officially finalized on December 21, 2016. The boats are of the so-called "Lady-class", mid-sized (volume 110000 GT-tons), max passenger capacity 2860 (1410 cabins/90% with balconies), 1150 crew-staff.

The shipbuilding contract was valued at ~EUR 2 billion. The first unit's construction (Scarlet Lady) started with the steel-cutting on March 22, 2017. For the vessel design and construction, Virgin contracted the marine architecture and naval design companies "Roman and Williams" (NYC), Concrete Amsterdam, Tom Dixon's Design Research Studio (London UK), Gem Srl (Italy), Softroom (London UK), WORKac (NYC), Knibb Design, HL Studio (UK), HKS Architects (Dallas USA), PearsonLloyd (London UK).

The first ship's ( Scarlet Lady ) keel-laying ceremony was held on October 31, 2017, and attended by Sir Richard Branson, Tom McAlpin, and Boy George (UK singer, songwriter, fashion designer) who performed as superstar DJ. During the ceremony were also revealed the ship design and hull art of the future Virgin "Lady Ships".

The next image shows the ship's stern (aft) and the signature funnel shape - designed to be a major part of its exterior design. The aft of the superstructure also shows the Promenade Deck and 7 decks of cabin balconies towering above.

Each boat has 86% balcony staterooms and 93% oceanview (outside) cabins. These newbuilds greatly differ from other passenger liners (as design) and target younger and more adventurous travellers (called "sailors").

Virgin's ships are adults-only (passengers under 18 yo/teenagers and kids are not allowed) and Bahamas- flagged (registered in Nassau ).

Dining on Virgin Voyages ships is ticket price-inclusive - no extra charges are applied to any of the 20-plus onboard dining options. The cruise company doesn't believe in "paying more for great food", so it ditched traditional surcharges levied in specialty restaurants. All eateries offer "exceptional made-to-order eats" - complimentary.

As part of the company's sustainable travel policy, Virgin banned single-use plastics and there is no buffet food on the ships. All shipboard food is made-to-order - to reduce waste and lower energy consumption and emissions. Savings are reinvested into fresh (locally sourced) top-quality products, exotic ingredients, highly trained staff, and clean technologies. In April 2019 was signed a partnership with Emerald Brand to supply the fleet with "Tree-Free" (disposable) paper products, including facial-bath tissues, paper towels, napkins, hot cups. Those are made from 60-100% Tree-Free materials via technologies that use by-products of agricultural crops usually wasted or burned.

The company doesn't follow any traditional cruise dining concepts. Virgin ships don't have a main dining room, buffet restaurant, dress code (formal wear policy), assigned dining times or seating. All these concepts were replaced with intimate (boutique hotel-type) eateries offering 20+ dining options - all of which are included in cruise fares.

Virgin ships' signature facilities and venues include:

• Athletic Club (training center) is an outdoor gym area with a boxing ring and gym club equipment) located top-deck aft. Part of the Sports Deck is also the raised jogging track (Runway track, red-white colored), sundeck with open-air lounge (furnished with double daybeds and semi-circular loungers), triple netting area (overlooking below decks), 10 private cabanas (cushioned bed, low table, 2 lounge chairs), beverage service (from the outdoor Sports Bar), foosball tables, swimming pool, showers.
• MyBeast is an outdoor playground / poolside gym area.
• The Crow's Nest (aft sundeck) offers 360-degree views and is furnished with loungers and mats colored in Virgin's signature red. Here are also hosted sunrise and sunset outdoor yoga classes.
• The B Complex in an indoor fitness center with Technogym ARTIS equipment, floor-ceiling windows and separate rooms (studios) for cycling, yoga, cardio and spinning classes.
• Gym and Tonic Bar serves cold-pressed fresh juices.
• Pink Agave is a Mexican restaurant with porthole windows, metallic lighting fixtures, large tables, an elongated curved area (intimate seating with 2-seat tables), separate bar (in the Lobby), private dining room (can be booked for parties and other private events).
• The Manor is ship's 2-deck high Disco Nightclub with a large dance floor.
• The Dock is an outdoor lounge (aft on Deck 7) with cushioned wooden furniture (loungers, deckchairs, daybeds).
• Test Kitchen restaurant features lab-like design (metallic furniture, beakers, test tubes),
• Richard's Rooftop is a top-deck VIP area (Suite passengers-only sundeck) furnished with daybeds, deckchairs, circular loungers, large umbrellas, colored crystals.
• Redemption is the ship's Spa complex (on Deck 5) consisting of a Reception, Mud Room, Salt Room, Hydrotherapy Pool, cold plunge pool, Jacuzzi, Thermal Suite (indoor spa with porthole windows, plunge pool and Jacuzzi), treatment rooms (for massages and treatments) with quartz-mattress beds, Dry Dock Salon (hairdressing services), Stubble and Groom (barbershop), Blow Dry Bar, Male pedicure Spa, Mani-pedi Spa. At night, the wellness complex transforms into a dancing lounge with live DJ music.
• Razzle Dazzle is the vegan-vegetarian restaurant. Part of Razzle Dazzle is Red Bar - juice bar for fresh-squeezed juices and tonics, as well as crafted cocktails from a menu that varies every night. In two days per voyage, at Razzle Dazzle are hosted Drag Brunches featuring live entertainment by "sassy drag queens".

Via the Sailor App (when your phone is shaken), a secret Champagne button allows you to order Moet-Chandon Champagne (Brut Imperial, 750 ml bottle) delivered in an ice bucket and with two glasses. The service is called "Shake for Champagne" and provided anywhere on the ship. The premium wine can be also enjoyed at The Sip - the ship's wine lounge (Virgin's champagne house).- where also is available traditional British Afternoon Tea service.

Virgin cruise passengers are offered complimentary water (filtered and sparkling) at all onboard bars and restaurants. Throughout the ship, there are also complimentary water stations.

Virgin ships' hull art designs are Mermaid-themed (by different artists) and Inspired by traditional figureheads mounted on the bows of historic wooden ships. The designs symbolize the vessels' feminine spirit.

Ship technology

One of the cruise ships' features is the advanced clean energy system provided by the Swedish company Climeon Ocean. The new technology allows reducing CO2 emissions by converting the generated by diesel engines' heat into electricity for shipboard use. Each of the newbuilds has 6 such Climeon units, saving ~5400 tons of carbon dioxide annually. The ship's waste processing system is provided by Scanship.

On April 30, 2018, Virgin Voyages signed with Wartsila (marine technologies Finnish corporation / former shipbuilder) a 10-year "Optimised Maintenance Agreement" giving the corporation extensive and exclusive responsibility of the fleet's technical maintenance. Wartsila's "Dynamic Maintenance Planning" system allows maintenance works to be scheduled based on remotely (real-time) monitored and analyzed vessel performance data. This allows extending service intervals (when onboard equipment doesn't require maintenance).

The Virgin-Wartsila deal includes Remote Operational Support Services, Specific Fuel Oil Consumption, spare parts, engines technical advisory services, comprehensive technical support, personnel training. Wartsila-made ship equipment includes 46F diesel engines, Hybrid Scrubber System, SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction/exhaust gas cleaning) and NACOS Platinum series (navigation and automation control systems).

• Each Virgin ship is powered by two 8-cylinder plus two 12-cylinder "Wartsila 46F" marine diesel engines. Wartsila's Hybrid Scrubber System operates in both open and closed-loop and uses seawater to remove SOx from the ship's exhaust. It also significantly reduces NOx emissions.
• Propulsion is based on ABB Azipod XO system (electric drive motors with off-hull submerged azimuth thrusters / 360--degree rotating propellers). These units provide best maneuverability (allowing in-port navigation without tug assistance) and minimal vibrations/noise. By placing the propulsion units outside the hull, the Azipod system frees up space for more lower-deck staterooms.
• ABB Ability technology is based on a network using real-time data transferred to remote centres monitoring and analyzing the propulsion system data and also offering remote technical support.
• In July 2017, was announced that Wartsila (marine technologies Finnish corporation / former shipbuilder) is the provider of vessels' power plants. Among Wartsila's core products are large diesel engines for cruise ships and ferries .

In April 2019 was contracted V-Ships Leisure USA (ship management company) which is part of V-Group Ltd (vessel management and support services provider, industry's first with a dedicated cruise ship division). V-Ships Leisure is responsible for Virgin ships' technical support/management and crew sourcing.

Virgin cruise line's staff and crew uniforms were designed by Gareth Pugh and manufactured by Cintas Corporation (via the "Design Collective by Cintas" division).

• Cintas Corporation (1929-founded, based in Cincinnati, Ohio USA) specializes in businesses products (both for rental and direct purchase) and services, including uniforms, mats, water coolers, cleaning/restroom supplies (chemicals, mops, microfiber towels, disinfectant sprays, hand sanitizers), first aid/safety products, fire extinguishers (also testing and repairs), employee courses (safety, training, compliance). In 2020, Cintas had 40,000+ employees and total revenue USD 7,09 billion (~EUR 6,12B / ~GBP 5,21B).
• Virgin Voyages Crew apparel collection is based on sustainable fabrics and garments specifically designed according to job functions, body types and climates. Unlike the traditional cruise ship uniforms, Virgin's lack the officers' epaulettes (ornamental shoulder pieces that designate his/her rank), as well as ties and waistcoats.

The project was led by Gareth Pugh (British fashion designer) and supervised by Dee Cooper (Virgin Voyages' SVP Design and Customer Experience).

Next image shows one of the initial (train-like) Virgin ship designs.

Virgin cruise bookings on Scarlet Lady were opened on February 5, 2019 (for customers with pre-sale deposits) and on February 14 (for the general public). Beginning February 5, 2019, at FirstMates.com (dedicated website), the cruise company offers all booking tools and information for travel agents (called "First Mates"), including downloadable and digital materials, interactive learning and more. For February 6th was planned the learning campaign "Cabin Fever" on Scarlet Lady staterooms as they went on sale. The website allows travel agents to make bookings on inaugural cruise season 2020 deals (from February 14) and to contact company's Sailor Services (from February 5) in case they have customers with pre-sale deposits.

Bookings for Valiant Lady cruises (Mediterranean 2021) opened on December 19, 2019.

In February 2020 was announced "The Band" - smart wearable technology to be introduced on Scarlet Lady (April 1). The device is made from recycled marine plastic (sustainability initiative) and developed via partnership with The Bionic Company. The lightweight device (RFID wristband) is mailed to all passengers and is complimentary (keepsake). The Band is activated upon boarding the ship and used for onboard purchases and payments (beverages, Casino gaming), booking tours, cabin access (room key), room service ordering (points guest's current location), VIP pass (for Richard's Rooftop).

Virgin's private island resort "Bimini Beach Club" (Bahamas)

The liner Scarlet Lady is the first cruise ship to stop at "Bimini Beach Club" (Virgin Group's private island resort in Bimini Bahamas ). The exclusive destination allows Virgin's Sailors to enjoy world-class entertainment from a rotating cast of DJs led by Mark Ronson. Virgin's Bimini Beach Club offers premium food with locally sourced ingredients and traditional Bahamian favourites like banana leaf-wrapped queen snapper, conch and mango salad, Bahamian rum cake. The complex has 6 bars, outdoor lounge areas with hammock groves, beach loungers, watersport activities, (optional/at extra cost) private poolside and beach-side cabanas for rent.

RockStar Suite passengers benefit from complimentary food service, exclusive bar and outdoor terrace lounge, VIP beach cabanas. The 7-mile (11-km) long island offers extraordinary activities like boating, snorkeling, wreck diving. The partially sunk wreck of SS Sapona (concrete-hulled steamship that ran aground in 1926) is located just a few miles off the island's southern coast.

Virgin's private resort is located on North Bimini Island and at a short bus transfer from the docking pier. It was built via partnership with Resorts World Bimini. This is a 750-acres (3 km2 / 1,2 mi2) beachfront resort-casino-marina-hotel complex operated by Genting Group (Malaysia-based multinational corporation). North Bimini is approx 68 km (42 mi) east of Miami .

Resort's building cost is USD 220 million. Virgin's Bimini Beach Club overlooks the sea and features a large lagoon-style swimming pool. The "resort experience" also features morning open-air exercises (yoga and meditation), afternoon DJ poolside parties, night beach bonfires and live musical performances.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, Virgin Voyages postponed the cruise brand's in March 2020 inauguration (Scarlet Lady ship's Showcase Tour / media event in PortMiami) for July 15th (4-day "Richard's Birthday Bash"), with the maiden voyage departing on August 7th from Miami. The ship's originally planned inauguration was for March 29th, 2020 (3-day "Sneak-A-Peek Cruise").

All the scheduled between March 26-August 7th (a total of 29) departures were canceled. In mid-May 2020 were canceled 15 additional departures (through October 15). The 4-night "Richard Branson's 70th Birthday Cruise" (originally planned for July 15, 2020) was rescheduled for July 14, 2021. In late-September 2020 were canceled all Scarlet Lady's November itineraries, and in late-October - the remaining (December 2020) departures. The brand's inauguration was rescheduled for 2021 (January 3, then for May 9). In mid-December were cancelled more itineraries.

The brand's inauguration was rescheduled for August 6, 2021 (Scarlet Lady's Maiden Voyage from Portsmouth England). Valiant Lady's inaugural cruise program was also postponed (Maiden Voyage rescheduled from Nov 14, 2021, to March 18, 2022) and revised.

All affected bookings were provided with the option to cancel with a 125% refund (100% monetary refund) plus 25% in FCC (future cruise credit) or rebook with 200% refund in FCC. As a promo offer, all bookings made by June 30, 2020, received up to USD 500 per person in OBC (onboard credit). A full (100%) monetary refund was optional for cancellations made between May 21-December 31, 2020.

All rebookings made with the 200% FCC were fully refunded (200%) and additionally received 25% in FCC (to be used on another booking). Virgin Voyages also introduced the "Smooth Sailing Program" which allows for itineraries in 2020 (through December 16) the final payment dates to be moved to 60 days (previously 120 days) prior departure. Smooth Sailing also allows cancellations up to 48 hours (prior departure) with receiving a full (100%) refund in FCC.

Itinerary of Virgin Voyages

In 2016, Virgin cruise line's itinerary program was not detailed yet, but Branson mentioned one destination that was on the list - the Caribbean. When asked about Cuba being a potential port destination, he immediately replied "Yes!". This also meant roundtrip departures from a Florida port.

In 2017 was announced that the first Virgin cruise ship ( Scarlet Lady ) will be initially homeported in PortMiami for 7-day Caribbean itineraries departing on Sundays. During the inaugural season 2020-2021, the liner was scheduled to visit Cuba. The company's decision was influenced by conducted customer and travel agency research in the UK and North America. All Virgin cruises to Cuba had to offer an overnight stay in Havana , allowing passengers ("sailors") to explore the country's capital and its unique nightlife.

• 5-day "Mayan Sol" itinerary visits Havana (overnight) and Costa Maya (Mexico) . In Mexico, shore excursions include scuba diving (coral reefs) and Mayan ruins.
• 5-day "Dominican Daze" itinerary visits Havana (overnight) and Puerto Plata (Dominicana) where shore tours include trekking, surfing, shopping.

The second Virgin ship ( Valiant Lady ) is homeported in Miami during 2022-2023 winter season.

On November 28, 2018, Richard Branson and Tom McAlpin announced in Miami the company's plans to build a new (Virgin-exclusive) cruise terminal in PortMiami. "Virgin Voyages Terminal" is sized 100,000 ft2 (9300 m2) and is on the seaport's northwest side.

Virgin Voyages passengers benefit from an impressive variety of cruises to choose from in the inaugural 2020 season of the line's new build . The 4- or 5-night "Havana After Dark" itineraries allow Sailors to explore the Cuban culture and include an overnight stay in Cuba's capital city.

• The 5-night "Mayan Sol" itinerary visits Costa Maya Mexico . The Mayan ruins are just a short distance from the port and colorful coral reefs lie just off-shore. Virgin Voyages partnered with ITM Group for the land tours.
• The 5-night "Dominican Daze" itinerary visits Puerto Plata . On the island are offered trekking, surfing and handicraft shopping tours.

All Virgin Caribbean cruises depart from homeport Miami Florida . Virgin ships are also seasonally deployed in Europe (via Transatlantic crossings), with planned visits to several major Mediterranean and UK ports (including Dover and Liverpool ).

However, following the 2019s (June 5 issued) US Government restrictions on USA to Cuba travel, Virgin Voyages revised all scheduled itineraries to exclude Havana . The new itineraries offer late-night call port departures (including a midnight departure) on all revised Caribbean voyages.

• 5-night "Riviera Maya" itinerary visits Playa Del Carmen (across Cozumel Island), with opportunities to explore archaeological and ecological sites or touring the neighbouring Tulum (walled Mayan city).
• 4-night "Fire and Sunset Soirees" (short-breaks) visit Key West Florida (sunset departure) and Bimini Bahamas (with a late-night beach bonfire party and midnight departure). The line's sailors can experience the cultural paradise of Key West, paired with an exclusive late-night beach bonfire soiree. The artistic fire installation draws inspiration from the fireball sculptures on Branson's Necker Island.
• 7-night itineraries (for 2020 Xmas holidays) include the themed cruises "Holidaze and Nights" and "New Year's Ahoy" visiting Puerto Plata Dominicana with Bimini Bahamas and San Juan Puerto Rico.

All Virgin Caribbean cruises visit Bimini Bahamas as a private island destination.

In April 2022 was announced that in winter 2023-2024, Resilient Lady will be deployed in Australia and New Zealand (Virgin brand's debut in the region). With homeporting in Melbourne , the roundtrip itineraries ranged between 2-14 nights. Some voyages also visited ports in Tasmania (Hobart, Burnie).

Brilliant Lady's inaugural cruises (2025-2026)

Virgin's Brilliant Lady inaugural cruise season (October 2025 through April 2026) is largely based on homeporting in San Juan Puerto Rico . Initially, from Puerto Rico were scheduled 7-night roundtrip itineraries themed as "Sunsets In The Lesser Antilles" (Oranjestad Aruba, Willemstad Curacao, Fort de France Martinique, Basseterre St. Kitts) and "Southeastern Caribbean Isles" (Tortola BVI, Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe, Bridgetown Barbados, Castries St Lucia, St Johns Antigua).

Brilliant Lady's Maiden Voyages commence from NYC New York , and visit destinations in Bermuda/King's Wharf and Canada/Quebec City . Follows a deployment in the Caribbean, then West Coast USA (California, Alaska), with a relocation itinerary traversing the Panama Canal.

The rescheduled 2025-2026 (October-April) Caribbean program of Brilliant Lady lists islands like Grand Turk/Cockburn Town , Antigua/St John's , Grand Cayman , and Jamaica/Ocho Rios (first-time port for Virgin Voyages). In March 2026 there is a 16-night Panama Canal repositioning itinerary (Miami to Los Angeles) visiting Costa Rica, Antigua, Guatemala, and Mexico (Los Cabos). For April-May 2026 are scheduled California Coastal voyages out of LA, followed by Alaskan cruises out of Seattle WA (May-September 2026).

Valiant Lady's inaugural cruises (2022)

Virgin's second ship ( Valiant Lady ) starts its inaugural season (2022/Maiden Voyage departs March 18th) with roundtrips leaving from Portsmouth England .

• 3-night "Long Weekender" to Zeebrugge Belgium
• 11-night "Coast the Canary Islands, Spain and Portugal"/UK to Iberia
• 12-night "Late Nights in Portugal and Spain"/UK to Iberia

Follows a Western Mediterranean deployment (May thru October 2022) based on homeporting in Barcelona and 7-day roundtrips (Sunday departures) visiting large port cities in France, Italy and Spain. Valiant Lady's Caribbean program is based on homeporting in Miami Florida USA and includes 2-week Transatlantic crossings on repositioning between Europe and USA (RepositionCruises.com).

• 8-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries (Miami roundtrips) are priced from USD 188 per night and visit Puerto Plata (Dominicana) , San Juan (Puerto Rico) , St Croix Island (USVI) and Bimini (Bahamas) .
• 6-night Western Caribbean itineraries (roundtrips from Miami) visit Roatan Island (Honduras) , Costa Maya (Mexico) and Bimini. Fares start at USD 192 per night.
• Special ( Christmas and New Year's ) itineraries and Atlantic Ocean crossings/relocation voyages are priced from USD 102 per night.

In the Caribbean, Virgin boats are homeported in Miami and all itineraries visit Bimini Bahamas as a private island destination.

Resilient Lady's inaugural cruises (2022)

Virgin's third ship ( Resilient Lady ) started its inaugural season (2022/Maiden Voyage departed on August 14th) with roundtrips leaving from Piraeus-Athens (Greece) .

• The 7-day roundtrip "Greek Island Glow" itinerary visits the Greek islands Santorini, Rhodes, Crete (Chania) and Mykonos.
• The 7-day roundtrip "Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems" itinerary visits Croatia (Dubrovnik), Montenegro (Kotor), and Greece (Kerkyra/Corfu Island, and Argostoli/Kefalonia Island).
• The "Greek Isles" program (scheduled between August 14 - October 23) ended with the 11-day Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the Caribbean (from Lisbon to San Juan/departure November 1st).

The inaugural Caribbean season 2022-2023 (Nov 12 - April 15) was based on homeporting in San Juan Puerto Rico and 7-day roundtrips.

• The "Southeastern Caribbean Isles" itinerary visits Tortola Island BVI (Road Town), Guadeloupe (Pointe-a-Pitre), Barbados (Bridgetown), St Lucia (Castries) and Antigua (St Johns).
• The "Sunsets In The Lesser Antilles" itinerary visits St Kitts (Basseterre), Martinique (Fort-de-France), Curacao (Willemstad) and Aruba (Oranjestad).

In 2023-2024 (December-March), Resilient Lady was deployed in Australia. The program included three relocation itineraries from Europe to Asia and Australia (RepositionCruises.com) - 14-day from Athens to Dubai (Oct 22), 15-day from Dubai to Singapore (Nov 5) and 15-day from Singapore to Sydney NSW (Nov 20).

Itineraries 2024-2025

Virgin's 2024-2025 (April) schedule lists 19 maiden/new ports and 27 different itineraries in the UK, Australia/NZ, and the Caribbean. Among these are the "Seachange Series" (ship relocation voyages) providing extended sea travel opportunities.

Resilient Lady is homeported in Piraeus-Athens Greece (May through July 2024) for Aegean and Adriatic itineraries. In the summer (August through September 2024) Resilient Lady visits Bordeaux ,  La Coruna , and  Bilbao on the relocation voyage to England.

On February 26, 2024, Virgin Voyages canceled Resilient Lady's 2024-2025 Australian program, citing security concerns (due to the Red Sea war crisis) impacting the ship's scheduled repositioning voyages through the Suez Canal (between Europe and Australia/RepositionCruises.com). Virgin also announced that Resilient Lady (after completing the Mediterranean season on October 20th/2024) will be deployed in the Caribbean and homeported in San Juan (Puerto Rico) offering 7-8-10-11-night roundtrips to St Maarten, St Vincent, Colombia, and Dominica.

Valiant Lady (from  PortMiami  and  San Juan Puerto Rico ) offers Caribbean roundtrips (winter 2023-2024) and in April 2024.

Scarlet Lady in summer 2024 is deployed in the Mediterranean and has scheduled two repositioning voyages - from Barcelona to Civitavecchia-Rome, and a Transatlantic crossing to Miami for a new Caribbean deployement.

Virgin Voyages related cruise news

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The land lover’s guide to cruising with virgin voyages.

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Richard Branson’s cruise line is creating new on-land excursions — just epic enough to make you want to set sail.

The Scarlet Lady is one of four Virgin branded cruise ships.

On a recent Tuesday in May, three neither rich nor famous ladies are running full-tilt through the streets of Cannes, France, past the star-studded red carpet during the opening of its 77th annual film festival. In just a few hours, Meryl Streep will arrive to receive her Honorary Palme d'Or prize. And the latest films from legends like Francis Ford Coppola, George Miller and Kevin Costner will have their world premieres.

Meanwhile, we three amigos are dodging the French police, skirting a wall of metal barricades, and elbowing through a crush of paparazzi snapping photos — of everyone but us.

“If you fall, I’m not carrying you back to the boat!” shouts my ship-mate Jo, as her flip-flops smack the pavement. “I’m not going to fall!” I shout back, gaining speed despite being in a somewhat sozzled state courtesy of the iconic Carlton Cannes hotel — a truly wonderful spot to witness Hollywood royalty roll by sur La Croisette. But that’s beside the point. We’ve got to get back to the floating resort called Scarlet Lady before we’re left stranded on the French Riviera without her 20 restaurants, two outdoor pools, full-service spa, fitness center and our own Mega Rock Star cabin with an ocean-facing balcony, fully stocked bar and dedicated butler.

The Rock Star robe confers cabin status.

In my defense, being deposited on shore during the Cannes film festival is really THE time to wear impossibly high heels if there ever was one. Because being dressed for the unexpected, spontaneous bursts of joy that just happen-to-happen before, during, or after an on-land excursion is, in my humble opinion, the entire point of cruising in the first place.

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For better or worse, cruising is back. Carnival , Norwegian and Royal Caribbean all reported entering the year with record highs for individual bookings and cruise pricing. Though Virgin Voyages is a relatively small player in the mega-ship space with only three ships in operation (its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, will set sail September 2025 from New York City), the company is leaning heavily into its “ Shore Things ” excursions. Exclusive or novel on-land tours are a clear way to differentiate their product offerings and increase bookings. Having recently raised $550 million from investors , the pressure to do so is high.

On average, only 30% of Virgin sailors book tours according to Shore Things manager Ali Samms, which means there’s room to grow. Of course, others are doing the same ; evermore elaborate excursions are becoming table-stakes for the industry.

“We usually offer 15 to 20 tours per port, at varying price points,” Natasha Salzedo, Virgin Voyages Director of Itineraries and Destinations, explains. “Everyone has different expectations, so I’m hoping we can find something everyone can connect with and really delve into the destination. ‘Off the beaten path’ means something a little different for everybody, but really being able to uncover hidden gems that a sailor would have never known about or weren’t able to experience before — that’s the idea.”

This summer and into the fall, Scarlet Lady is sailing seven-night Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona dubbed “ Irresistible Med ” and “ French Daze & Ibiza Nights .” Choosing the latter, I convinced Jo, my friend of 28 years, who, like me, gave birth in the dire circumstances of 2020, to celebrate this Mother’s Day by going all-in and signing up for excursions in every possible port of call, including Marseilles, Cannes, Mallorca and Ibiza. To us, the prospect of a whole week without wiping noses or soothing toddler tantrums is like telling us we’re about to be beamed to the moon. We don’t believe it until…

A massive 912-foot honker, emblazoned with the scantily-clad Scarlet mermaid, presents herself in the middle of Barcelona’s busy port. The high seas await!

Sip Lounge Champagne Bar

We’re welcomed onboard with champagne flutes and ushered into a swanky lounge bar, where we’re checked-in to our Tom Dixon-designed RockStar suite, complete with vinyl record player and adjustable mood lighting. There are 1,330 cabins and 78 RockStar quarters aboard the Scarlet Lady, where we expect to receive “RockStar” treatment.

Which is fitting, as this is a very Branson boat. Meaning, it’s an adults-only party staffed by omnipresent DJs. There are solo traveler itineraries, with plenty of opportunities for singles to coagulate. And, on Scarlet Night, the week’s biggest party, people end up dancing in the pool with hired dancers and drag queens. Here are the highlights:

Cassis, France

MARSEILLE | DAY 2

The Calanques Coast by Boat and Foot

At first glance, Marseille is massive, gritty and chaotic. But as our tour bus heads east down the highway, the busy port soon gives way to the vineyards of Cassis, a cheerfully-colored seaside town, famous for its dramatic cliffs and crisp rosé wine. We admire the hand-painted boats along the docks until it's time to get in one, a small sightseeing charter, which takes us out for a close-up look at Les Calanques — a dramatic coastline of powder-white limestone cliffs, covered in tall, thin pine trees that grow straight up from the rocks, and seem to peer over the azure bays below.

Our Franglish-speaking tour guide, Audrey, grew up outside Marseille, and provides us with a basic overview of each place-of-interest. She points out Port-Miou, a natural cove with its own small, sandy beach, though evidently it would be too cold (in May), or too time-consuming for our group to stop and swim. So, we head back to Cassis, and are left with under two hours “at leisure.” At this point, we’re starving, so four of us take the boat captain’s advice and head to La Vieille Auberge , one of many French bistros along the harbor. “Go there, not there” he grunts through leathery-tan skin. “Next door, people get sick.” Like they say, locals know best. It’s touristy, but we don’t care, because the tuna tartare is fresh, the Sancerre is flowing and the daube provençale (beef bourguignon) is served in its own copper pot. We’re in France mes amis , let the gourmet games begin!

Welcome to the Carlton Cannes hotel, the icon of the French Riviera

CANNES | DAY 3

Red, White, & Rosé Days

Bright and early (around 9am cruise time) we’re speeding towards the shore in a small tender boat, chatting away with a serial-cruising couple from Dallas, when suddenly the Cannes coastline unfurls before our eyes. The buildings look pink, nestled into hillside cliffs, gently waking up with the morning sun. La Côte D’Azur.

Firmly on land, our guide Sandrine from Nice shepherds us into a bus, which drives (painfully) away from Cannes, just as it prepares for its film festival close-up. Alas, we have no choice. This is a group tour, which require a go-with-the-flow mentality, so we hurtle along the coast past Pierre Cardin’s bizarre bubble house, the stunning red rocks of Cap Roux and through the Provençal countryside towards Taradeau, grounds of Château Saint-Martin , which dates back to 1740. The cellar tour and wine tasting is an opportunity to socialize with other sailors. After the third pour of light and fruity Eternelle Favorite rosé, everyone is sharing their experiences and feeling appreciative of the thirsty 18th-century monks who originally made this place a wine-making priory. Their stone cellar is still in use.

By 2:30pm, we’re deposited back in Cannes, with the caveat that we must return to the boat by 7:30pm. That’s five glorious hours to be here on this night of nights, when the whole city comes alive with excitement. Women are decked out to the nines with the GDPs of small nations hanging on their necks. We scurry along the Croisette to the Carlton Cannes hotel because we cliché Americans are still in love with the 1995 movie French Kiss . Remember when Meg Ryan pratfalls over the dessert tray? This is that hotel. There’s zero chance we’re getting a table. But we have to try. I give the doorman my warmest smile, and the next thing you know, we’re escorted past a lobby press conference and a bright-eyed bartender is asking how we like our martinis. Clean with ice cold Tanqueray in a coupe glass, merci .

A stop at Son Marroig, outside Deià, a magical village in Mallorca.

PALMA DE MALLORCA | DAY 5

Culture in Valldemossa and Lunch in Deià

After Cannes, it’s a blessing that we have a day in-between excursions at sea. These are days to rest, exercise, play, work (the free-wifi actually works thanks to Starlink), and then try not to overeat — all food is included in your ticket price — on this floating party resort. The reprieve gives us the energy we’ll need for what happens today: our first-ever visit to Mallorca, which rises from the Balearic sea like a Moorish dream. The word that comes to mind is: exquisite.

Our official Mallorcan guide, Dominik Gelada Rabiger deserves a mention, because he gives the best tour yet. On group jaunts like these, the quality of your experience depends almost entirely on the guide. Rabiger was born and raised here, speaks English, German and Spanish, and knows everything there is to know about this island. On the bus ride through the Tramuntana mountains to Valldemossa, he regales us with the island’s history (Mallorca switched between Roman, Byzantine, and Moor rule before becoming the autonomous region of Spain it is today). Next, we tour the grand old monastery La Cartuja, once home to kings, monks, and the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and his French mistress, novelist Amantine Dupin (1804-1876), who used the pseudonym George Sand. Frankly, the town is really milking the couple’s three months here, when Chopin was quarantined with tuberculosis, for all the tourist dollars it can — but we don’t mind. We’re treated to a 15-minute piano recital in the concert hall, which occurs eight times daily in summer, and then emerge to a sunny afternoon, free to buy cutesy souvenirs like these Spanish espadrilles .

Our next stop solidifies my stance: great excursions can justify a cruise. An al fresco lunch overlooking the sea has been organized in Deià, at La Residencia, a Belmond hotel . If you follow luxury hotels, you know Belmond is one of the world’s best brands, and this particular property — formerly owned in the 1980s by Richard Branson himself (word is he’s been trying to buy it back ever since) — is everything a hotel lover could ask for, starting with the stone entrance. To get to lunch, we hike the pavers up to Restaurante Miro’s terrace, past lush landscaping overflowing with lavender, lemon trees, olive trees and the seductive scent of white jasmine.

The tables are beautifully set with local wines (read: unavailable back home), homemade breads, and plenty of Mallorcan olives and olive oil. Salads are a mix of tomato and mozzarella full of Jabugo ham from pure-bred Ibérico pigs dressed in balsamic cream, followed by beef tenderloin with potato gnocchi in a red wine sauce. We wash it all down with a Raimat cabernet , and finish the elegant meal with perfect rectangles of homemade almond cake, served with a side of deeply comforting almond gelato.

Let’s just say, I’m already counting the days until I return to stay here for as long as humanly possible. Fun fact: United Airlines flies direct from Newark to Palma.

The 'Pharmacy Bar' at Six Senses Ibiza, a wellness resort.

IBIZA | DAY 6-7

Ibiza Beach Club Experience

To culminate the week, an overnight stay in Ibiza is the night many on this party-happy cruise ship have been waiting for. For us mamas, the idea of clubbing until 4am sounds more like a nightmare. Judging from our short stint at the Scarlet Lady’s nightclub, the Manor, we wouldn’t last more than 30 minutes inside Ibiza’s Pacha, the famed oontz-oontz nightclub where everyone else is headed. Instead, we merry sailors (now a tight-knit group of four) head to the Six Senses resort on the north side of the island, just a 30-minute Uber ride away. Ibiza’s sunset, seen from the Beach Caves restaurant at Six Senses, is spectacular. The strum of the guitar from the long-haired, barefoot smiling Spanish buddha, Juan Calero Navalon, is the kind of transporting experience that encapsulates why people travel in the first place.

By the next morning, we’re ripe for rest and relaxation. Thankfully, the ‘beach club experience’ involves lying down on a full sized foam mattress (with pillows!) right out on the sand at the Nassau Beach Club . This venue is the most touristy yet, but once again, that doesn’t bother us because we’re shaded by a large umbrella, drinking a complimentary pitcher of Sangria, enjoying the views. These people bring hooch beachwear to another level. Diamond mesh doesn’t cover anything, honey!

Very soon, our adventure will come to a close and we’ll be flying coach from Barcelona back to real life. But daytime in Ibiza is a bit like daytime in Las Vegas — it’s just what we need to emotionally move on. It also helps that Gaya, our exceptionally helpful “Mega Rockstar Agent,” essentially a cabin butler, has already organized our car transfer back to the airport without us having to lift a finger. A hospitality graduate from Mumbai, she has looked after our every need throughout the week.

There are some experiences you only dream about and there are those you didn't know you needed — until they're right in front of you. Gleefully chasing the ship from the Cannes promenade during the film festival is one I’ll never forget, nor is watching the sun dip into the sea off the coast of Ibiza. What will last, long after we return home, is the positive effect on our friendship. For us, it means that every time we wear our espadrilles or make espresso in our duty-free Barcelona cups, we will think wistfully of Mother’s Day-Week — which, after this most epic working-mom cruise — should definitely become a thing.

7 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING

• Bookings: Virgin heavily promotes Shore Excursions weeks before boarding via email marketing blasts. Don’t ignore them. Book your excursions early, or they will be sold out, because there are not enough seats to go around.
• Passport: You do not need to carry your passport. Store it in your safe on the boat; just make sure you’re back on board on time! Your tour guide will remind you of your curfew time at least thrice.
• Paperwork: You’ll be asked to sign a ticket contract before embarkation and liability waivers on tour buses. It’s par for the course.
• Tips: No tips are needed for tour guides. Tipping is included in your voyage fare.
• Refunds: Shore Things are fully refundable, if you cancel 48 hours before the start of the excursion taking place. You can use the Virgin Voyages App to do this, which the company makes you download before boarding. It’s where you’ll find your itinerary, communicate with staff, or order food and drinks to your cabin.
• Pricing: Virgin Voyages uses dynamic pricing to dictate tour pricing (the higher demand for a specific tour, the higher the price). Per their website, “Please be aware that price will vary by voyage and can be found in your app or by calling Sailor Services.” When you see ‘Starting from,’ take it with a grain of salt. Our Shore Things ranged from $320 to $530.
• Tour Operators : “This Shore Thing operator has received third-party certification based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria” is listed on each of the above tours. If it’s not listed, choose one that is.

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New horizons - and waking up to them - fresh vistas every time you pull back those curtains, and relaxing on some of the most exciting ships ever to sail the seven seas. We know what makes a cruise, and know every ship from top to bottom, stem to stern. We know the best ports to call at, and the best ways to combine a cruise trip with the perfect destination whether it's one, two or three! With two-thirds of this big, beautiful world covered in ocean, luxury, adventure, and even water slides aren’t limited to just dry land anymore.

Cruise Types

Whether this is your first cruise trip or your 21st, there’s a lot of open water out there to explore, and a lot of choice when it comes to destinations, resorts and the cruises themselves. We wouldn’t want you to feel overwhelmed when it comes to planning your time sailing the ocean blue, so we’re here to break down our cruise types for you.

Cruise and stay

Cruise & Stay holidays merge everything that rocks about cruise holidays with a fun-filled stay in an extraordinary place. Whether you want a blissful beach break or to stick around to explore a city, you can easily pair it with an epic cruise experience to keep your journey constantly fresh and vibrant. Party, relax and treat yourself onboard before getting up close and personal with a fantastic destination, all in one holiday.

Fly and cruise

Booking a fly and cruise option gets you to your holiday destination quicker than setting sail from a UK port, so you can reach those gorgeous Caribbean islands in a shorter space of time. Or maybe combine a cheeky stay on land (Florida, perhaps?) before hopping on board one of our favourite cruise lines. There's so many options we can help with to make your cruise holiday perfectly tailored to you.

Since we're part of the Virgin family, it's a no brainer we'll fly you with Virgin Atlantic to start your cruise.

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Don’t feel like flying? Want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the airport? We’ve got you covered with plenty of departures from ports in the UK, and you’ll still have the world at your fingertips. Sail around Europe for a taster (perfect for those who are new to cruising), or take the scenic route over the ocean as far as the Caribbean for cruise holidays that start as soon as you’re onboard.

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What if we could design a cruise ship like a superyacht? This is the story of Virgin Voyages

“Superyacht”

“Champagne at the shake of your phone”

“No buffets”

“Korean BBQ”

“Tom Dixon”

“A suspended running track”

“Yoga at sea”

“St Tropez”

“Private beach club”

“Free WiFi”

“No single-use plastics”

“No unexplained charges”

“Tips are covered”

“Night clubs”

“Rockstar suites”

“The best (and happiest) crew in the world”

These are some of the words that we wrote down on a huge piece of paper when we decided it was time to launch a cruise line. I got a group of brilliant people around me and penned the question: what puts you off going on a cruise, and what can we do differently?

I’ve wanted to launch a cruise line since I was 27-years-old. At first, I wanted to create a cruise line for under 30-year-olds, but I didn’t have the money. Then it became a cruise-line for under 50-year-olds, but I still didn’t have the money. When we finally had the money to bring Virgin Voyages to life, we ditched the age limits and just said, ‘no kids.’

The reason I had been so adamant about a launching cruise line was because the industry was just so ripe for disruption. Cruising should be great. You get to sail the seas, wake up in a new destination every day, party hard, and relax even harder. So why had cruising fallen so fast out of fashion? There was so much we could do differently, which became even more obvious after we put pen to paper!

And so, we designed a ship in the style of a superyacht with the help of Tom Dixon and a Creative Collective of other designers. We built in secret karaoke rooms and six-course experimental dining concepts (liquid nitrogen included). We put a running track on the top deck and a pizza spot that stays open until 2 am so you can get the best of both worlds. We built itineraries where you can hop straight from the ship to the port without queuing for taxi-boats. We partnered with clean energy start-up Climeon, an industry-first, to create ocean-friendly ships. And we said ‘sorry, no kids’ so we had more space for restaurants, bars, cycling studios and spas. Glamour. Adventure. The golden days of cruising were back!

Now we have three ships sailing all around the world with a fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, set to join them next year!

We have the best Crew in the world, representing almost half the countries on Earth, and a long list of accolades from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Cruise Critic – the list goes on.

Whenever these awards roll in, or I speak to someone on-board who has come back for the 3rd, 4th, or 5th time – it makes me so happy that we stuck to our guns and did things differently. It took a long time, and it was a big risk, but it was all worth it in the end.

Join me (and Boy George!) on board this summer for the Virgin Celebration Voyages to see what all the fuss is about!

Introducing Brilliant Lady to Virgin Voyages’ award-winning fleet

Curiosity and frustration build the best businesses

Started from a houseboat now we're here

18 notable features on the new Virgin Voyages ship — and how they’ll impact your cruise

Virgin Voyages has embarked on a mission to take travelers who would normally shudder at the thought of a cruise, and transform them into enthusiastic cruisers — at least when sailing with Virgin Voyages, that is.

There's free Wi-Fi for everyone, most food is complimentary at more than 20 signature restaurants, tips are included and there's expected to be a fun — if boozy — atmosphere.

And with its first ship, Scarlet Lady , Virgin Voyages is finally bringing that vision to life.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Virgin Voyages won't be for everyone. Some of its features and design elements are enough to turn people off from sailing with Virgin at the first look. But the line has done quite a lot right.

The ship will set sail for the first time on March 26, though a few media outlets, including TPG, got an early look at the vessel in Dover, U.K. last week. We shared a sneak peek at the vessel , but here are some additional observations about what's happening onboard, and how it ties to Virgin's cruising philosophy.

Related: Sneak peek at Scarlet Lady, the first-ever ship from Virgin Voyages

There's an attention on partying

Across Scarlet Lady, there's a huge emphasis on the party: one that stretches from the afternoon into the late evening and even early morning hours. Between the various watering holes — bars across the ship, including three by the outdoor pool; a dedicated craft beer draught house; and the nightclub, The Manor — there's somewhere to get your drink on no matter where you are or what you're in the mood for.

Prior to the launch of Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages said guests would be able to get a bottle of Champagne delivered anywhere on the ship just by shaking their phone. Let's just say there are plenty of places on board to enjoy that bubbly, though you wouldn't have to walk too far to pick up a bottle yourself.

The Wi-Fi works... so far

Since the earliest blueprints for Virgin Voyages were revealed, the cruise line has always promised to offer free Wi-Fi to all passengers (a growing trend among higher-end lines). During my one-night preview stay, the guest Wi-Fi was strong, allowing me to quickly download and upload pictures. Granted, the ship was rumored to only have 800 people on board at the time, which meant less competing traffic; and cruise lines also sometimes pay for extra bandwidth during inaugural events with media on board. Still, it was a promising experience.

And you'll be able to keep your devices charged during your trip. One complaint I often have with hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins is that there simply aren't enough outlets. But there were more than enough places to power up in the ship's common areas, plus outlets on either side of the bed in the cabin.

The Seabed is a good idea, but difficult to use

With the introduction of Scarlet Lady, Virgin announced it would debut a patented new design, called a Seabed , that can be reconfigured from a bed into a sofa. During the day, the sofa is meant to encourage in-cabin socializing between passengers. With the bed folded away into the sofa position, it does make the area feel more spacious, and if you have friends or fellow travelers over for a drink before heading out for the night, it's great to have the flexibility.

In practice, however, it's no easy feat to convert the Seabed from a sofa to a bed. You have to call your cabin attendant to physically roll the one side of the bed across the carpeted room, pull out the bedding, arrange the mattress pad and make up the bed. When TPG U.K. director of content Nicky Kelvin saw his attendant switch his sofa into a bed, he noticed there was some struggle involved and the entire process took about five minutes. Granted, this was likely one of the first few times the attendants had ever done this — especially with an audience.

Sometimes, you just want to walk into your cabin after a day out in the sun (and probably partying — see observation No. 1) or exploring a port city, and flop down onto your bed. So, some cruisers might see having to call someone any time you want to convert your sofa into a bed, or vice versa, quite a nuisance.

If you'd rather not deal with the switch at all, you can ask your stateroom attendant to leave the Seabed in bed mode for the duration of your cruise.

The beds are extremely comfortable

Once you're able to successfully make your sofa into a bed, however, you'll be comfortable. The linens that Virgin Voyages used on Scarlet Lady are enough to make any passenger feel cozy. They're soft and heavy without being too hot, an important feature given that this ship will be sailing to the Caribbean .

Tattoo at sea? Squid Ink doesn't seem like a gimmick

Upon first hearing about Squid Ink , which is touted as the first dedicated tattoo studio at sea, I couldn't believe it would be much more than a publicity stunt. Serious cruisers and tattoo artists aren't two types of people I'd generally lump together. During my one-night stay on board Scarlet Lady, however, Squid Ink seemed like a regular tattoo shop, rather than a tourist attraction.

In fact, during a 15-minute visit, two passengers got tattoos. I talked briefly with one of the tattoo artists on board, who said that, since departing from Genoa, Italy just days before, Squid Ink has tattooed about 15 people. That's a lot for just a couple nights in operation! With the crowd Virgin Voyages is trying to attract, I think Squid Ink will get lots of eager customers. And with a selection of customized tattoos available for Scarlet Lady passengers — each of which cost $150 — such as an anchor and other nautical-themed selections, passengers could get a memorable (and permanent) souvenir.

Related: The 8 most exciting new cruise ships of 2020

No buffets? Not true

Part of the marketing of Virgin Voyages and Scarlet Lady stressed how the line was going against the grain by doing away with fixed dining times and experiences, as well as eschewing buffets. But that's not entirely true.

Upstairs, on Deck 15, you'll find The Galley. This venue is a Virgin take on a cruise classic — a set buffet selection that's available throughout the day. I don't necessarily think having a buffet-style eatery is a bad thing, but it's strange Virgin would claim to be so anti-buffet when The Galley is exactly that. You'll find American diner options next to a sweet shop, and a panini station next to a noodle bar, which is next to a taco shop. That sounds, well, precisely like a buffet to me.

If you're a big gambler, expect a smaller space

While Virgin emphasizes the party aspect of the sailing experience, the line didn't go overboard with its casino. While you can expect the usual suspects — a few cards tables, a craps table and several rows of slot machines — the casino doesn't take up a significant amount of space. Located just next to The Manor, Scarlet Lady's two-story nightclub, it is an easy stop for those late-night bets.

Scarlet Lady can be reflective of style over substance

There's no doubt the look and feel of Scarlet Lady is a gold mine for your Instagram feed. The common spaces are meticulously designed and the aesthetic is fresh. That said, in some areas, it feels like Virgin went more for style than function.

In the weight and yoga section of the gym , for example, the flooring is not ideal. Specifically, the area in front of the weights is a hard surface. Kelvin discovered it was not only loud when the weights dropped, but also that the weights rolled around on the ground. Given that the ship was docked when we were on board, guests might expect this issue to get worse at sea.

And while Scarlet Lady is equipped with games and activities to keep passengers entertained while they're on board, some of them just don't make sense for a moving vessel. For example, on Deck 7, The Dock features two shuffleboard tables. While shuffleboard is a personal favorite game of mine, it's not especially easy when you're moving. A game that typically requires complete stillness and concentration isn't logical for a cruise ship — especially if waters are rough. That is, if you care at all about getting a high score.

Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles

It's like a W Hotel on water

In talking with other members of the media who were on board for Scarlet Lady's first look, one of the most common impressions was that the vessel's interior looked like what you might expect to see at a W Hotel . And that's probably what Virgin hoped. Instead of hiring designers who had previously worked on cruise ships, the Virgin team set out to have Scarlet Lady dreamed up by a team who had only previously worked in other sectors. Renowned designers Tom Dixon, Roman and Williams and Concrete Amsterdam to give it its first-at-sea look.

If you like W Hotels , you'll love Scarlet Lady. If you find yourself deterred by their high-design vibes, Scarlet Lady probably isn't the ship for you.

Your Instagram will thank you

If your Instagram is important to you, you'll want to book a trip on Scarlet Lady. Around her many different spaces, you'll find Instagram-worthy backdrops. There are several light tunnels, for example, that are great for social snaps:one in the nightclub, and one as you walk into Pink Agave, the Mexican eatery.

In addition to dedicated spaces intended for a quality photoshoot, you'll also find loads of photo-worthy spots around the ship. Who could say no to a canopy picture? Just imagine this, but with sun rather than the cold, windy weather in the U.K.

Don't get nickel-and-dimed

Part of the package with Virgin Voyages is that all food on board is included in the cost of your ticket. Not only that, but all tips are included in your fare as well. There are more than 20 dining venues on board to choose from, so you shouldn't run out of options.

As expected, though, there are some areas where you might get end up paying more. Most of the dining establishments on board have a "treat yourself" option. That means adding something extra to your meal for a fee. For example, in Pink Agave, the Mexican restaurant, you can order the Pescado Sarandeado, a dish with achiote halibut, lobster, grilled giant prawns and bay scallops for $30. Or, in the Italian eatery called Virgin Extra, you can elect to add truffle to your meal.

Drink prices that I was able to see on board (some of the menus weren't yet printed) seemed about on par with those I've purchased on other ships. If you plan on having a boozy cruise — and that seems to be encouraged on Scarlet Lady with her array of bar options — consider a prepaid beverage package that'll allow you to save.

Cabins on cabins on cabins

There's a variety of cabin types available to book on Scarlet Lady, including a roster of suites. First, there are the Mega RockStar Suites , which include the Massive Suite, Fab Suite, Posh Suite and Gorgeous Suite. Then there are the RockStar Suites, which include the Brilliant Suite, Cheeky Corner Suite, Seriously Suite and Sweet Aft Suite. There's also the Sea Terrace, Sea View and Insider cabins, the latter of which in and of itself has several varieties.

While the variety is nice to have, the selection can be confusing for passengers. The individual insider cabin, for example, is a 105-square-foot space meant for a solo traveler. It's nice, but you wouldn't want two people sharing a space for one. So pay extra close attention to what you're booking. The same can be said for the wide range of Mega RockStar Suites and RockStar Suites available. If you're going to splurge on a suite, make sure you're getting exactly what you want.

A feature made for queens: Make-up towels

I often say that whatever the experience is — a La Première flight with Air France or an economy jaunt with Qatar Airways — it's the little things that make all the difference. Attention to detail is key, so when I saw dedicated towels in the bathroom for make-up, I found myself grinning. While it might not seem like a big deal, especially for travelers who don't wear make-up, it's a small touch that I greatly appreciated.

Bathrooms the size of airplane lavatories

When I first visited Scarlet Lady in February of 2019 , it was still very much a work zone, with wires exposed and the final product still a ways off. Still, Virgin executives suggested the ensuite bathrooms in Sea Terrace cabins would be larger than cruisers might expect on other ships. But that wasn't the case for me.

In fact, I found the bathroom space in my Sea Terrace cabin to be small and hard to maneuver — smaller than bathrooms I've experienced on other vessels. That said, the rainfall shower was a very upscale feature, though the controls were situated in such a way so you couldn't turn on the water and adjust the temperature before getting in.

That said, if you opt for an upgraded stateroom, such as one of the Mega RockStar Suites, expect a fully luxe bathroom with marble counters. Now that's a larger-than-expected bathroom.

Some spaces got more love than others

There's no doubt that Scarlet Lady looks glamorous. Some of the most dazzling areas can be seen in Razzle Dazzle, a restaurant that also hosts a drag brunch. But some areas felt a bit overlooked, such as the run-of-the-mill hallways and staircases, which lacked the flair found elsewhere on the vessel.

Storage is severely lacking

In the standard cabins, such as the Sea Terraces, don't expect to find much storage space for your luggage. There are no drawers, and only a few shelves in the wardrobe (which, by the way, doesn't have doors — only a sheer fabric). The lack of storage is very concerning, especially considering that two people will presumably occupy one of these staterooms. Plus, since the bed is convertible, luggage will take up space in the wardrobe rather than under the bed.

Don't expect to swim laps

One of the biggest complaints about Scarlet Lady is that there wasn't much attention given to the pool. While there are technically two pools on the upper deck, one is wedged between two of the gym areas. The other main pool is very small. It's more of plunge pool where you'll cool off on a hot day. Especially on a full cruise, this space could get unpleasantly crowded.

Stunning service

Virgin Voyages had a hard task in terms of staffing a cruise ship for its first time ever. Yet during my one-night stay, Virgin did a great job of instilling its famous care-free, upbeat attitude in employees. Every staff member I encountered was smiling and willing to offer help when needed. Not only was the service good, but it was fun and lighthearted, too. A stuck-up crew wouldn't fit with the vibe of Scarlet Lady, and thankfully, everyone was very on-brand.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

Bottom line

Scarlet Lady is a beautiful ship, and there will certainly be people drawn to the aesthetic and vibe.

But if you've read this and found yourself questioning whether or not it's right for you, it probably isn't. That said, if you read these observations and find yourself thinking a cruise with Virgin could be a fun time, you'll love it. Surely, there are some kinks for Virgin Voyages to work out — and we might see those reflected on the cruise line's second ship, Valiant Lady . And if Scarlet Lady is any indication of how fun a cruise can be, you'll find me on board one of Virgin's actual sailings in no time.

All photos by Nicky Kelvin/The Points Guy.

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Virgin is facing a brand nightmare after its cruise giveaway went horribly wrong

• Virgin Voyages faces backlash after a free cruise winner said she has to pay $8,000 in flight costs.
• The cruise line's Australia voyages were canceled due to tensions in the Red Sea.
• Brand experts say Virgin should cover flight costs or offer different prizes to maintain trust.

Virgin Voyages is dealing with a PR nightmare after a woman who won a free cruise said she'd have to pay $8,000 in flights to claim her prize.

The adults-only cruise line , owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is known for giving away free prizes to promote its various international sailings across Australia, Europe, and the Caribbean.

An Australian woman, who used the pseudonym Morgan, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that she and other passengers were gifted free twin-share cruise vouchers while on a Virgin flight from Melbourne to her home in Tasmania in November.

Morgan said she used the voucher to book a cruise out of Brisbane for herself and her partner. However, in February, the company announced that all of its Australia voyages were canceled due to tensions in the Red Sea.

A spokesperson for Virgin previously told Business Insider that it had offered all prize winners new complimentary vouchers for cruises on its other international sailings.

But Morgan said traveling to Europe or the Caribbean is unfeasible, as it could cost her and her partner up to $8,000 — more than the $7,000 value of the voucher.

Experts say Virgin should cover the cost of the flights or offer a different prize

Tenile Clarke , a managing director and principal publicist at Chambers Media Solutions, told BI that Virgin should "definitely offer" to pay the cost of the flights.

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"Ultimately, this decision boils down to sound reputation management, and the negative publicity that can come from this for Virgin is a significant lesson in the brand's understanding that every customer is a potential ambassador for the product and experience that you offer to any community," Clarke said.

She said this incident is the "antithesis" of Virgin's brand values, which comprise "generosity and lasting social impact."

"While I don't think it will hurt on a macro scale, I do believe that they have to look at their reputation as one of the largest airlines operating in Australia — it's one of their largest source markets," Tenille said.

Balkrushna Potdar, a marketing lecturer at the University of Tasmania, told ABC that this incident may cause customers to lose trust in Virgin's brand.

"The winner's negative experience may become a cautionary tale dissuading potential customers from engaging with the brand," he said, adding that the company should cover the cost of the flights.

Speaking to ABC, Morgan said Virgin's PR team "stopped responding" to her messages after she pointed out how expensive the flights would be.

"We were genuinely shocked, we thought Virgin would provide us with an alternative prize like a flight credit… or they would allow us to rebook on a later season," Morgan said.

"They sort of gave up on us … like 'you're a bit of a problem now,'" she said.

Emma Cruises , a British travel blogger and cruise expert with around 330,000 YouTube subscribers, told BI that it could be unreasonable to expect Virgin to pay for the flights for every person affected by the Australia cancelations.

"The winners shouldn't be expected to pay for flights to claim their cruise, but I also wouldn't expect Virgin to pay for flights for every guest as it wasn't part of the original prize," Emma said.

"I'm sure that the winners would be happy with an alternative like Virgin gift cards to the value of the cruise, which could be used for Virgin Holidays, flights or experience days," she added.

Virgin Voyages declined to comment when contacted by BI for this story.

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Everyone you know is going on a cruise

­­­ Lots of people will be getting their sea legs this summer.

Ports have been packed with cruise ships over the last few years, as vacationers flock to ever larger vessels and operators race to accommodate a surge in post-pandemic bookings — many of them from first-time passengers. The industry expects even more this year.

Benjamin Xiang, a San Francisco-based flight attendant, went on his first cruise last August, setting aside his reservations about “cruise people” and a type of trip he’d imagined would be “not my travel style.”

Taking advantage of a Virgin Voyages promotion that let him use credit card points to cover the $2,500 bill, Xiang booked a weeklong, all-inclusive, adults-only cruise from Barcelona, with stops at Mallorca, Ibiza and along the French Riviera.“I invited my best friend, we prepaid a $600 bar tab, and we were like, ‘We’ll just hang by the pool, read a book or something,’” said Xiang, 35. “Turned out we partied every single night and had a blast.”

He’s among the many cruise newbies who’ve helped power the industry’s recent growth. Some 27% of cruise passengers over the past two years have been first-timers, up 12% from the prior two-year period, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a trade group.

Turned out we partied every single night and had a blast.

Benjamin Xiang, 35, San Francisco

“Will I go back? I think yes,” Xiang said. “Will I pay this time? Yes.”That’s exactly what cruise operators are hoping for, and so far they’re getting it: 82% of all cruisers say they’ll book again, CLIA’s latest report found.

After welcoming 31.7 million passengers last year, 7% more than in 2019, the industry expects volumes to swell to 34.7 million by the end of 2024. Experts say a combination of newcomers, repeat bookers and younger travelers are powering the uptick.

Like Xiang, many first-time cruisers are groups of friends traveling together, said Jennifer Klaussen, who owns Sundari Travel in Malibu, California.

“Once they get on a cruise and realize it’s not what they thought it would be, they’re usually interested in future cruises and diverse destinations,” she said, adding that newer operators have managed to “reduce the stigma associated with cruising — that it’s only for the elderly.”

Passengers under age 40, including kids, made up around 42% of cruisegoers last year, up from 35% in 2019, according to CLIA. While the average age of a cruise customer is 46 industrywide, millennials now make up nearly the same share — 22% — as baby boomers and Gen Xers, who each comprise 24%.“The cruise industry has been hard at work to launch new ships and experiences that are attractive to a younger, newer demographic,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, “whether that’s a big, new ship with eye-catching attractions for families, or more bucket-list-worthy experiences like sailings in the Galapagos or Antarctica.”

The cruise industry has been hard at work to launch new ships and experiences that are attractive to a younger, newer demographic.

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic

Amenities don’t hurt either, said Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand officer at Virgin Voyages, which began sailing only in 2021, as the cruise industry rebounded from the pandemic. “Millennials and Gen Z love the fact that everything is included. Think meals foodies would love, tips covered, Wi-Fi to stay connected and a ton of fitness classes,” he said.Vessels are getting bigger to handle the growing demand.

In January, Royal Caribbean Group launched Icon of the Seas — currently the world’s largest cruise ship, with 20 decks, 40 restaurants and room for more than 7,000 passengers and 3,000 crew members.

The company, meanwhile, reported a 16% increase in new cruisegoers between this year and last across its various cruise lines. Nearly half of all Royal Caribbean guests are millennials or younger, CEO Jason Liberty said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

Similarly, Norwegian Cruise Lines CEO Harry Sommer told CNBC earlier this month, “We appeal obviously to older customers, but millennial and Gen Z is the fastest-growing segment of our cruising right now.”

Cruises generally aren’t cheap, though, and Sommer noted that the company’s target customer is middle- or upper-income. As consumer spending cools down across much of the economy, Americans are adjusting their summer vacation plans to fit their budgets.The share of travelers put off by steep prices hit 32% in Deloitte’s annual summer travel survey , up sharply from 24% last year. But more affluent vacationers still seem eager to shell out on everything from first-class airfare to luxury train trips , as the industry continues to push premium offerings .

“More higher-income travelers are headed to cruises,” whereas “lower-income travelers are going camping,” the Deloitte report, released Tuesday, said. (“RV trips are up across the board,” it added.)

That doesn’t mean cruise passengers aren’t paying attention to price.

Jaclyn Groh will be going on her first cruise in March 2025, sailing around the Caribbean. The 34-year-old therapist and social work professor at Ohio State University in Columbus typically takes her family on boat trips on a lake, beach visits, “and of course the occasional Disney adventure for the kiddos,” said Groh.

While some of her friends have done family cruises, she’s never been interested in the largest cruise ships because they seem “overwhelming.” But in shopping around for a vacation next year for just her and her husband, Groh said her travel agent’s description of the packages available won her over.The smaller Explora II vessel she opted for has a “boutique feel that we love,” she said. And it’s priced about the same as the resort in Curaçao where the couple will be celebrating their 10th anniversary this fall. That week on land will run about $6,500, while the cruise comes to about $6,700.

“The price seems very reasonable for all of the inclusions, and yet with the cruise we will get to experience so many new locations and excursions,” said Groh, who’s looking forward to “a perfect combination of resting in luxury and adventuring.”

Harriet Baskas is an NBC News contributor who writes about travel and the arts.

More than 60 Virgin Voyages passengers get sick with salmonella, E. coli

More than 70 people on a Virgin Voyages cruise got sick during a recent sailing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 66 of the 2,198 guests on the line’s Scarlet Lady ship reported being ill during the cruise that ended Friday, along with seven crew members. Their predominant symptoms were abdominal cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.

The health agency listed salmonella and E. coli as the cause. The ship was on a round-trip Riviera Maya cruise that departed from Miami on Oct. 8, according to CruiseMapper .

“Our medical team isolated these travelers, and we immediately enacted enhanced sanitization procedures including additional cleaning of cabins and high-contact areas around the ship,” Virgin Voyages' COO Michelle Bentubo said in an email. “We are working closely with the CDC and their medical professionals. There is currently no impact to the upcoming voyage’s departure time or ports of call.”

Gastrointestinal illness cases on cruises plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic, but cases have ticked upward as operations bounced back.

The CDC has logged 14 outbreaks on cruise ships that met its threshold for public notification this year, more than any year between 2017 and 2019. Norovirus was listed as the causative agent in all other 2023 outbreaks.

Norovirus cases are up: Should travelers worry?

While norovirus is frequently associated with cruises, Ben Lopman, a professor of epidemiology at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, told USA TODAY in February that cruises make up a "tiny minority of norovirus outbreaks.” He said the majority occur in health care settings like nursing homes.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].