Making Waves … Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady – Updated Review 2022

In the year 2020, when Scarlet Lady was presented to the public for the first time, her method of cruising caused quite a stir. In February of 2020, I stayed the night on board, and you can see the review that I wrote at the time here. Because I had the good fortune to spend some additional time on board Scarlet in August 2021, I was able to obtain a much better understanding of what it is like to participate in a Virgin Voyages vacation.

The old models of cruising are being challenged by Virgin, which, if you ask me, is both invigorating and fascinating to observe. In addition, the vast majority of the reviews, both written and video, shared very similar sentiments. So, what exactly has altered? In point of fact, not much has changed; the product is essentially the same as when it was first introduced in 2020, with a few minor adjustments and improvements here and there. The key difference is that the longer you stay on board, the more you can appreciate the product as a whole and what it’s all about. This is what makes it so special. Simply put, it fulfils its purpose.

The appearance

The fact that Scarlet Lady is not distinguished from other cruise ships, particularly those of a similar size, by the presence of enormous, grandiose spaces is one of her defining characteristics. Large lounges or atriums are not something you’ll find in this establishment. Instead, the ship was designed with a focus on creating cosy nooks, spaces, and moments that are versatile enough to accommodate a wide variety of activities. On the other hand, it is evident that each venue has been painstakingly built to operate with all of the others around it, creating an ecosystem of venues that support one another.

When I was on board for the first time, I mentioned how much I enjoyed the design of many of the venues on board. However, when I returned to the ship, I was really reminded of how much I enjoyed the design of all of the venues, whether it be the high-class SIP Champagne Bar, the chic On The Rocks bar, or the more casual Dock, with its Mediterranean indoor-outdoor spaces.

I believe that Scarlet and her sisters will come into their own when they are exposed to warmer climates, thus I would be quite interesting to sail on board during such times. We were quite fortunate with the weather on our trip over the English Channel, and you could tell that all of the outdoor areas were maximising their potential since there was such a positive energy in every single location you visited. It is going to be quite thrilling when Scarlet Lady travels to the Caribbean at the end of this year, when Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady begin their circumnavigation of the Western Mediterranean and Greek Islands in 2022 –

Accommodation

When Scarlet Lady first went on sale, the design of the Sea Terrace cabin—specifically, the sofa bed that could be converted into a bed and the forward-thinking layout—was the one topic that caused strong disagreements among customers.

What did I conclude after I’d spent a few nights sleeping in the ship’s accommodations? I found the space in the cabin to be wonderful, and none of the other passengers with whom I spoke had any complaints about it. The one thing that has changed is that the sofa bed now opens up into a bed by default and remains in that configuration unless you specifically request that it be converted into a sofa. After having this conversation with Virgin, they came to the conclusion that this is the best way to enable passengers to get used to the layout of the cabins — and it works!

Aside from that, I didn’t really have any problems with the room, and like I said before, the vast majority of people appear to appreciate the area. When I went there for the first time in the year 2020, I didn’t fully understand all of the fascinating aspects. The primary reason for the room’s slightly triangular shape is that it was necessary to make room for all of the amenities while still maintaining a sense of openness. Even though there is technically just one drawer under the bed, there is enough of shelf space for you to keep everything, plus there are plenty of power outlets and USB ports for all of your electronic devices and requirements. I don’t care how long the trip is as long as I get to spend time in this cabin, and I think hanging a hammock out the balcony is a fantastic idea.

In my initial assessment, I mentioned a few things about the cruise, and one of them was that the toilets were rather cramped. I want to emphasise that I did not have a significant problem with this in a practical sense, and that there are actually some ingenious reasons for this, such as the creation of a wider shower space for the incredible rainfall shower.

You can, of course, choose to live like a rock star while you’re on board by staying in one of the Rockstar or Mega Rockstar suites. I had the good fortune to spend quite a bit of time with some friends in the flagship Massive Suite over the weekend, and I have to say that it is the ideal space to let out your inner star – from the expansive outdoor spaces to the interiors designed by Tom Dixon to the bottomless in-room bar. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

A variety of amusements and activities… Virgin style

When I got on board for the first time, one thing that stood out to me was how powerful and high-quality the entertainment was. After spending more time with Scarlet, I can’t agree with this statement more. The Red Room hosted just one of the ship’s big theatre productions while we were at sea (which was plenty as it was a three-night cruise). Acrobatics and circus talents are utilised in the performance known as Dual Reality, which is based on the Romeo and Juliet story. It is without a doubt one of the best presentations I’ve ever seen, regardless of whether it was performed on land or at sea, and the talent that is involved is simply fantastic.

This high standard is reflected in all of the entertainment options available on board. Whether that be the different parties that take place each day or a whole lot of other fun events such as talks, cocktail hours, vintage gaming sessions, and other enjoyable things such as stargazing, there are plenty of opportunities to have a good time. Abi The Hostess, who is in charge of organising and directing all of these events and ceremonies, is at the heart of all of this.

The fact is that some seemingly insignificant elements, which could have been construed as gimmicks, merely work on board. For instance, the record store and DJ booth for the Roundabout can be found on the upper deck of the atrium space there. When the resident DJ starts playing music in this place at specific times of the day, the entire area begins to spontaneously come to life with people dancing, and the atmosphere is really fantastic.

Food & Drink

After completing my first actual trip with Virgin, I can declare without a doubt that the culinary component of the trip was the shining star of the experience. It is beyond our comprehension. This is the case at each and every location, regardless matter whether you are eating in one of the more upscale and intimate restaurants or simply getting a bite to eat in the more casual atmosphere of The Galley space (which is similar to a buffet but is styled more like a food court). The dining experience on board has been given a lot of careful consideration, and as a result, it has uniquely designed, private settings as well as mouthwatering accompaniments.

Even the smallest details, which I wasn’t anticipating but which turn out to be brilliant ideas, are included. Things like the casual tapas and mezze that are offered when you spend time in the dock, or the freshly made takeaway salads and other snacks that are available in key locations throughout the ship (all in sustainable packaging) for when you’re on the go or don’t want to go to a formal venue. Both of these options are available on the ship.

Some of the things that stood out to me and that I would recommend include the Pink Agave Mexican, the Razzle Dazzle treats, and the first Korean BBQ that was served at sea. My only regret is that I have not yet had the opportunity to sample everything that is available on board the Virgin, as everything that I have had has been of the highest calibre and ranks among the very best meals that I have ever consumed while at sea.

The emphasis placed on brunch, which is something that is very near and dear to my heart, is one of the things that really stands out to me about Virgin. Brunch is not something that I’ve ever really noticed being a thing on any cruise line, but on Virgin, it seems to be an integral part of the daily routine. On board, we started off with brunch at Razzle Dazzle and then moved on to The Wake for our second meal of the day. Both were amazing, but if someone were to ask me where to eat anyplace on board, I would suggest brunch in The Wake. If they were to ask me where to eat on land, I would pick The Terrace. The location is breathtaking, the views over the ship’s wake are breathtaking, and the food is, quite simply, out of this world. If I may make a recommendation, you absolutely have to try the crepe cake.

Unhurried assistance with a friendly grin

When you step on board, one of the first things that hits you is the overwhelming amount of service and readiness to assist displayed by all members of the crew. It is difficult to put a number on it, but the manner in which service was provided struck me as being distinctive in comparison to that of other ships. It is really impressive that the level of service is comparable to that of a ship with a far lower passenger capacity. In addition to this, the atmosphere is relatively laid back, with a straightforward approach to the wearing of uniforms and a policy that encourages visible body modifications such as tattoos and piercings. This is true even for the captain and the deck officers, as Virgin has a policy that prohibits the wearing of stripes, thus the officers will be found wearing polo shirts and trousers instead. At one point, I didn’t even realise the captain was standing next to me while we were shopping together; we were both focused on our own tasks.

A cornerstone of healthy living

You won’t truly understand this until you’ve spent some time on board the ship, despite the fact that Virgin has always emphasised that wellness is an essential component of the Virgin Voyage brand’s DNA. The Redemption Spa, the B-Complex (Burn, Build, Balance, and Bike), The Athletic Club, with its outdoor gym space, The Perch, an outdoor space dedicated to yoga and other classes, and The Runway, the dedicated jogging track on board are some of the spaces on board that are dedicated to this endeavour. On top of this, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a primary focus of the activities that are offered on board, and there are numerous seminars and presentations held throughout the day on a wide range of topics.

Traveling the route of the Virgins

After my very first trip with Virgin, I can say without a doubt that the experience more than lived up to my expectations. There is nothing about what they are doing or the way they are approaching cruising that I can criticise. It’s not what you’d expect, it’s not finicky, and it can be very out there, but when you take everything into account, it actually works in a revitalising way. To such an extent that I decided to continue my journey the following year, too! Keep an eye on this spot!

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So, tell me, what are your thoughts? Would you be willing to try something new and go on a trip with Virgin Voyages? Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.