my cruises virgin voyages

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 Tips | 10 Things to Know Before Your First Cruise

By: Author Emily

Posted on Last updated: January 2, 2024

If you’re sailing with Virgin Voyages, you should be prepared for sun-soaked days, fun-filled nights and flavor-packed meals. But you should also be prepared to do a bit of prep in advance if you want to take your cruise to the next level. In this post, we’ll share our 10 best Virgin Voyages tips to help you get the most out of your cruise.

I recently returned from a 5-day Virgin Voyages Dominican Daze Cruise on the Scarlet Lady . Before this trip, I had only cruised with Disney Cruise Line, and the Virgin Voyages experience was very different. (If you’re interested in how those two cruise lines compare, be sure to check out our post on Disney Cruise Line vs Virgin Voyages .) I learned so many things from my first Virgin Voyages cruise, and I’m sharing it all here.

Follow these tips and you can be sure that you won’t miss out on any of the fun (or food) onboard. The best part about these tips is that most of them can be done before your trip, so by the time you board you can sit back and relax.

Disclaimer: My Virgin Voyages cruise was graciously gifted by our trusted travel advisor, Lauren Quirk, from  Travel With Character . This post is not sponsored by Virgin Voyages or Travel With Character, and I do not receive any compensation in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

1. Complete the “Before You Sail” tasks ASAP.

As soon as you book your Virgin Voyages cruise (or as early as 120 days out), download the Virgin Voyages mobile app and complete the “Before you Sail” tasks. You’ll need the app for a few different things before and during your cruise, so you might as well get it now.

The “Before You Sail” task list has seven steps and takes about ten minutes. It includes things like confirming your passport information, taking a security photo and linking a credit card to use onboard. Most importantly though, this is where you can schedule your embarkation time. (Aka the time you can board the ship.)

It’s important to book your embarkation as soon as possible, because the best boarding times can book up quickly. What are the best embarkation times for Virgin Voyages? The earliest ones, which leads us to …

2. Schedule the earliest embarkation time.

I’d strongly recommend booking the earliest possible embarkation time for your Virgin Voyages cruise. On my cruise, this is 2 PM.

Early boarding has many benefits. Most obviously, you will have more time on the ship, plus shorter queues in the terminal. Most importantly though, early boarding means earlier access to registration for onboard activities. (We’ll talk more about that in tip #6.)

The embarkation experience will vary based on the port you’re sailing from. If you’re sailing from Miami, Virgin Voyages’ Terminal V is very well organized and boarding is quick and orderly. We were scheduled for earliest boarding group, and we were on the ship 20 minutes after we arrived at the terminal.

Boarding times are pretty strictly enforced. There are queues outside the terminal for each boarding time. If you arrive early, you’ll have to wait with your group for your time. You will not be able to board early if you arrive early.

3. Book dining reservations as soon as they open.

Meals are included on all Virgin Voyages cruises. That includes food from all quick service and table service restaurants onboard, as well room service. While all of the food onboard is pretty good, the very best, chef-curated meals can be found at the table service restaurants.

These high-end dining establishments are one of the selling points on Virgin Voyages, but actually getting a table at them takes a little bit of effort.

Virgin Voyages does not automatically schedule any meals for you. That means you’re not guaranteed a chance to dine at every (or any) table service restaurant onboard. You need to proactively make a reservation if you want eat at these table service restaurants.

Dining reservations open up 45 days before your sailing date. The exact time reservations open up reportedly varies, but it is typically around midnight in the departing port’s timezone. For example, if you are scheduled to sail on December 16, 2023 from Miami, your dining would open just after midnight ET the morning of November 1. You could potentially start checking the website in the late evening hours of October 31, around 11:30 PM, because sometimes they open early.

That said, the reservations don’t book up instantly. Unless you have a large party and are really set on a specific restaurant on a specific date and time, you probably don’t need to stay up till midnight to book your reservation. You should definitely plan to book in the morning of the day reservations open, though, for the best selection.

If you happen to miss the reservation window, don’t give up hope. All of the restaurants do have limited space for walk-ups and same-day reservations. This will just take more time and effort. There is also quick service dining available at all times.

4. See if you qualify for Deep Blue Extras.

Virgin Voyages is a relatively new cruise line, so they don’t have an established frequent sailor program just yet. While they build that up, they’re offering a collection of perks to seasoned sailors called Deep Blue Extras through the end of 2024.

Deep Blue Extras are pretty good, too. The perks include a $100 onboard drink credit, $10 per day specialty coffee credit, some complimentary laundry services and a free upgrade to premium wifi. You’ll also have access to a dedicated Sailor Services rep onboard, expedited boarding and a special happy hour.

Anyone who sailed with Virgin Voyages in 2021 (Sea-Blazers) or has sailed twice in 2022 and 2023 (Sea-Rovers) will receive Deep Blue Extras. If you qualify, these rewards will automatically be applied to your next sailing through 2024.

4.5 (Bonus tip!). Don’t tighten your Deep Blue Extras bracelet.

If you do qualify for Deep Blue Extras, you’ll get a special bracelet when you check in at the terminal. This one is a ribbon style bracelet with a one-way clasp — meaning you can tighten it but not loosen it.

If you put this bracelet on, make sure that you keep it loose enough to slide on and off. You don’t actually need this bracelet for anything, and all the perks are connected to your other NFC band. I think this is literally just to demonstrate your status on board.

I slipped mine off right away and just kept it in my purse, but I didn’t actually need it.

5. Use a hair tie for The Band.

When you check in at the terminal, they will give you a bracelet to use during your cruise. The Band is a contactless device that you need to use for pretty much everything on board. It serves as your room key, ID and credit card onboard, and you are required to tap it every time you get on and off the ship.

The NFC device itself is plastic with two attached loops. It is on a rope bracelet that wraps around your wrist twice and attaches with a small metal anchor. As you would expect from that description, the bracelet broke immediately.

Since the tap device is so important for your cruise, I’d recommend bringing a backup bracelet for it. A hair tie is the perfect solution. Slip the hair tie through one of the loops on The Band, and then pull one side of the hair tie through the other side of the hair tie to create a loop knot. Then you can wear the hair tie around your wrist and The Band won’t go anywhere.

Also, any small bracelet that can fit through these loops will do the trick.

6. Sign up for activities in the app as soon as you board.

As soon as you board, connect to the ship’s wifi and open the Virgin Voyages app. At this point, you will be able to see the full itinerary for your cruise and begin signing up for activities. To sign up for an activity, click “Add to Agenda.” (Hearting an activity doesn’t officially sign you up for it.)

Some events are “ticketed,” meaning that there is a cap on how many people can participate. Some ticketed activities have an additional fee (like cocktail classes or coffee tastings), while others are free (like yoga, spin classes and select stage shows). For ticketed events, you’ll need to tap your bracelet in order to enter.

You should sign up for all of your ticketed events as soon as you board, because some ticketed events fill up quickly. If any of these activities are important to you, be sure to check the itinerary and sign up quickly or you may miss out.

Other activities on board (like fitness classes, bingo and parties) are not ticketed. There is no formal cap on who can attend and they don’t check to see if you’ve registered before they let you participate. For these activities, adding them to your agenda is just to keep you organized.

Unfortunately, the Virgin App isn’t great and it’s even worse when everyone is using it at the same time. We experienced the app crashing, spinning and logging us out numerous times on both the basic and premium wifi. So I’d recommend heading to a bar and grabbing a drink for this process so it feels less annoying.

6.5 (Bonus Tip!). Link your party in advance.

Passengers staying in the same room should automatically be connected with each other in the app. That means that anyone in your cabin can register anyone else in your cabin for activities.

However, if you are traveling with friends or family in other cabins, you will need to manually connect them. You can complete this step at anytime, but ideally you should do it before you board. That way, anyone in your party can start booking for the entire party right away.

7. Plan for any in-person registrations.

While most things onboard can be booked in the app, there are a handful of sign-ups that have to be done in person on the ship. These are things with individual time slots, like tattoo and spa appointments and private karaoke registration, and they will be noted as such in the app. If you are set on any of these services/activities, do some research in advance and plan your first day accordingly.

For example, the tattoo parlor opens after the ship has left port and reaches international waters, often around 6 PM. The line for tattoo appointments forms early and gets long very quickly. Appointments on the last cruise day usually book up first, but they’re usually fully booked within a couple hours. If a tattoo is a priority, plan to be there about an hour before it’s scheduled to open for bookings.

Spa appointments book up less quickly, and karaoke spots usually open up daily. There might be other in-person registrations, but these are the three I know about. This is just something else you’ll want to take care of early for the best choice in times.

8. Skip luggage service when you board.

Most Virgin Voyages cruises have a luggage service available at embarkation and debarkation. The exact details vary based on your port, but here’s how it works at Terminal V in Miami.

There is a luggage check location outside the terminal. You can leave your bags here and then they will be delivered to your cabin that evening. The timing can vary, but on my cruise they were scheduled to be delivered by 6 PM.

This service can make it easier to navigate the terminal and board the ship without having to deal with your bags. This can also make security a bit easier. If you do use this service, just make sure you keep everything with you that you’ll need before 6 PM (including swimsuits, make up, meds, etc.)

It’s a good service, but I would actually recommend you skip luggage check when you board.

The main reason for that is because rooms are typically ready as soon as you board. On other cruise lines, that’s not the case, so you want to check your bags so you can enjoy the ship without lugging them around. But on Virgin Voyages, you can usually drop your bags in your room right away. This is easier than having to pack a day bag and then waiting for your bags to be delivered.

The Miami terminal is also easy to pull your bags through. The entire route is accessible by elevator, escalator, and/or ramp, so you won’t have issues with stairs. You do have to go through security, but you don’t have to remove anything from your bags like at the airport. If you have an early boarding time, this process can take less than 20 minutes.

8.5 (Bonus Tip!). Do use luggage service if you have a late debarkation time.

Similarly, Virgin Voyages also offers luggage check service on your debarkation day. You can leave your bags outside your door the night before you disembark, and then pick them up just before you exit the terminal. There is a cutoff time, but it’s usually around midnight.

This service does actually make sense if you have a late debarkation time. Most itineraries allow you to stay on the ship as late as 10:30 AM. However, access to the rooms is usually cut off before that. That means you have to keep your luggage with you.

If you plan to leave the ship late and want to have a relaxing morning, you don’t want to be lugging your bags. In this case, it’s a good idea to take advantage of the baggage service.

9. Pack the essentials.

This is not a complete packing list, but there are a few things you should be sure to pack for your Virgin Voyages cruise.

• Passport. There are some ways around this, depending on your itinerary, but it’s best to have it on you when cruising.
• Scarlet outfit. There are a few cruise parties and events, some of which vary by season, but the highlight of every Virgin Voyages cruise is Scarlet Night. Everyone wears red and there are a few events around the ship. It’s really fun and everyone gets into it, so this is the one onboard event you should definitely plan for.
• Sunblock and aloe. I’m usually pretty firmly in the buy-it-there camp, but that’s not always possible on a cruise ship. The stores onboard are only open when the ship is at sea and they are closed when the ship is at port. You might not always be able to buy these important items onboard when you need them.
• Portable charger . Virgin Voyages offers free wifi for everyone, so you might be on your phone more than you think. Plus, you’ll probably be using the app a lot to check the day’s schedules. A portable charger is nice to have in your bag. There are also many outlets around the ship, so you can also just bring an extra cord to keep with you.

10. Plan your flights properly.

If you are flying on either side of your cruise, selecting the right flight times is a delicate art.

Regardless of what port your sailing from, I would recommend flying in at least one day before you sail. Even if you don’t board until late in the afternoon or evening, I still wouldn’t recommend flying in the same day as your cruise departure. There’s always a chance that your flight gets delayed, you get rerouted, your bags get delayed, etc. You don’t want one bad travel day to cost you your entire cruise if you don’t make it there in time.

That same rule of thumb does not necessarily apply to your departure flight. It’s rare (but not impossible) that your cruise disembarkation will be drastically delayed. You can usually plan to fly out the same day that your cruise is scheduled to arrive. This of course varies based on your specific itinerary and port.

If you’re sailing from Miami, Virgin Voyages officially recommends booking a flight no earlier than noon on your arrival day.

Based on my recent personal experience, though, I would say that you could make a domestic flight as early as 10 AM. My disembarkation was scheduled for 8 AM, but I went down at 7:30 AM and walked right off the ship. There were no lines in the terminal, and I was at the Uber pick-up area by 7:42 AM. I arrived at the Miami airport at 8:02 AM and was through PreCheck security by 8:17 AM.

Everything might not always go that smoothly. However, I just wanted to share an actual timeline to help give you an idea.

Final Bonus Tip: Work with a travel advisor.

As I mentioned before, this trip was graciously gifted by our travel advisor at Travel With Character . We always work with them to book our Disney vacations , but this was my first time working with them on a cruise. I got to experience first hand what it was like to have a dedicated travel advisor help with my cruise vacation, and it was a dream.

They stayed on top of all of the timelines I mention throughout this post, and sent out reminders for each task to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks. Not only did they make the cruise planning a breeze, but they also helped plan my hotel and activities in Miami before the cruise, and they quickly found a third-party tour provider when our cruise itinerary changed last minute.

If you want your travel planning to be as stress-free as the cruise itself, I’d highly recommend reaching out to Travel With Character. (And no, they’re not paying me to say that.)

My first Virgin Voyages cruise impressed me so much, I decided on day one to stay onboard for back-to-back sailings. Here are 14 things I loved.

• I went on a 5-night Virgin Voyages cruise and loved it so much, I booked an immediate second trip.
• I paid $2,711 for my first cruise, and $880 to stay on for the second through an onboard promotion.
• For the back-to-back trips, I didn't have to change rooms and experienced two different itineraries.

I'm a seasoned cruiser who recently sailed on the adults-only Virgin Voyages for the first time. I enjoyed my trip on the Scarlet Lady ship so much, I booked a back-to-back second sailing and stayed onboard.

I'm a seasoned cruiser and estimate I've spent more than 100 weeks at sea . During that time, I've sailed on lines like Carnival , Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian .

But this past summer, I tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages for the first time and boarded the Scarlet Lady for a five-night sailing to the Dominican Republic and Bahamas from Miami.

I paid $2,711, inclusive of taxes and port fees, for the cruise. I wasn't sure what to expect going into the trip on a line that was unfamiliar to me, but midway through, I knew I was a fan.

So much so, that I took advantage of an onboard promotion to stay on Scarlet Lady and make my trip nine nights with a second, back-to-back sailing to additional destinations in the Caribbean.

I didn't have to change rooms, got to experience three different places, and left feeling very impressed.

I didn't intend to book two back-to-back sailings, but I'm glad I did. I got to experience different ports of call, and go back to my favorite.

My first five-night "Dominican Daze" itinerary left from Miami and included full day visits to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Bimini, Bahamas, where the cruise line operated their own private beach club.

The swanky vibe of the latter was a big draw for me, and part of what initially attracted me to book with Virgin Voyages. My sailing also included two sea days, which were ideal for exploring the ship and enjoying sunny days by the pool. 

My second itinerary, which the cruise line called "Fire & Sunset Soirées," would stop in Key West, Florida, and return to Bimini and its beach club, which was a major reason I wanted to stay onboard.

During my sailings, I swam in the pools, sampled nine specialty eateries, and never felt overcrowded even though Scarlet Lady is only slightly above what Cruise Critic considers a mid-size ship . It can accommodate up to 2,770 passengers who are ages 18 and over, and 86% of guest cabins have a balcony .

Here's a closer look at each sailing, what my experience was like, and what convinced me to stay onboard Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady longer. 

I set sail from Miami in a balcony cabin on deck eight of Scarlet Lady that impressed me right away.

On Scarlet Lady, I booked an XL Sea Terrace balcony cabin , and the price included gratuities, Wi-Fi, beverages like soda, and specialty dining.

I thought this was a good value given all the inclusions, most of which were things I typically pay extra for on other cruise lines.

My 265-square-foot cabin came with a large balcony to enjoy ocean views, and as a solo traveler, I felt like my stateroom had a generous layout with dedicated spaces for sleeping, lounging, working, and storing my belongings comfortably.

All specialty dining on Virgin Voyages is included in the base cruise fare and I loved the different approach to each venue, from menu selections to overall ambiance.

Based on my past cruising experiences, I have come to anticipate a few things when it comes to dining on cruises. 

Typically, that includes a buffet, a main dining room, and handful of other eateries where very few à la carte   venues are included in the base cruise fare, and often come with an extra upcharge.

Virgin Voyages tossed that tradition out in favor of all-you-can-eat anywhere and everywhere. Scarlet Lady has 20 different restaurants, none of which came with a surcharge.

Dining options ranged from steak and seafood at The Wake to Korean barbeque at Gunbae,  tasty Mexican dishes at Pink Agave, and more.

As I sampled each restaurant, I kept double checking that I didn't really have to pay extra. I thought it was incredible that everything was included.

I also appreciated that snacks and treats were included, too, like the ice cream shop.

I was genuinely surprised by some of the handcrafted treats I found onboard Scarlet Lady.

One was homemade ice cream at the Lick Me Till Ice Cream treat shop which has no charge, just like the other Scarlet Lady food options. 

I thought their selections were impressive with traditional flavors supplemented by gluten free, dairy free, and vegan options.

My favorite flavor was Brown Butter Financier, that tasted like an elevated vanilla.

The shop was open daily and flavor options changed throughout my sailing so I could try something different each visit. 

Virgin Voyages offers a choice of purchasing an alcohol package at the start of the sailing, or à la carte.

Like meals, basic drinks like sodas and drip coffee, were included in the cruise rate.

But alcohol did come with an extra charge, like every other cruise I've taken.

Unlike traditional cruise drink packages, though, Virgin Voyages instead offers the option of either purchasing a pre-paid bar tab, which can be shared among friends, or going à la carte – and paying for each beverage as it's purchased, which is what I did. 

Since I'm not much of a drinker, I knew the second option was a better value for me, as I would likely only have one or two on my entire sailing. During my cruise, I noticed beer starts at just $5, while cocktails averaged between $10-15.

On the first day of the trip, I was thrilled to see no reservations were required for the extra-large pool loungers or poolside daybeds, and I never saw these used to capacity.

My favorite way to spend sea days on Scarlet Lady was lounging by the pool.

Too often, I find that pool decks on cruise ships are overcrowded , yet this was not my experience during either of my sailings. I noticed loungers and seating for well over 100 people, yet I never saw poolside seating used to capacity. There were also two pools on Scarlet Lady. The main pool, pictured here, and a wellness pool, both on Deck 15.

But my favorite pool perk were the large daybeds, also provided free of charge. I thought they large enough to be suitable for couples or groups of friends, and indulgent for one person at a time, like me.

I never had to wait to find a seat and loved that all of the lounger options by the pool were free with no reservation required. 

I found the wellness pool to be particularly appealing at night because the water was so warm.

While the main pool was my choice by day, the wellness pool was my go-to at night.

On past cruises, I've found that cruise ship pools often close by midnight. Yet one of the things that surprised me about Virgin Voyages is that they keep their pools open even later. 

Once a crew member told me the pools stay open until around 3 a.m., I knew every night I would end my day by taking a post-midnight dip. And I chose the wellness pool for it, as it was heated to what felt like body temperature.

There was rarely anyone else using the pool after midnight, and I loved feeling like I had this amenity all to myself.

I was such a fan of these late-night swims, it became a major reason why I started thinking about extending my vacation with a second sailing.

My first night onboard hadn't even concluded when I knew I wanted to book another voyage immediately. Thankfully, I found an enticing promotion.

During my first evening onboard Scarlet Lady, I came upon the future cruise bookings desk.

Their promotional signage caught my eye, and I started seriously considering booking a second sailing.

There were several deals available, but the sales rep told me about a "solo sailor deal" offering steep discounts, devoid of single supplement fees often charged by other cruise lines. That's when a cruise line charges a solo traveler the same price for their cabin as for two people, as it helps the cruise line make up for the revenue that would have come from having a second person onboard, according to the LA Times .  

The deal meant I only would pay $880 to stay on for an immediate second cruise, adding a four-night trip to Key West, Florida, and back to Bimini. I could even stay in the same cabin.

Based on my first day on Scarlet Lady, I knew I wanted to do it. I had already sampled delicious food, enjoyed the pool day and night, and appreciated that everything was included in the cruise fare. 

I booked and paid in full right on the spot.

With my vacation transformed into a nine-night sailing, I felt even more relaxed and ready to explore the ship. 

On sea days, I used cute cabanas by the pool that have no extra cost.

Waking up the next day, I felt extra relaxed on my first day at sea, knowing I now had more than a week to enjoy Scarlet Lady.

It was a perfectly sunny day, so I spent quality time at both the main pool and the wellness pool, and was surprised to find free-to-use cabanas overlooking the pool deck.

Like the daybeds, these were available first-come, first-serve but with so many available, it seemed to me like anyone who wanted to lounge in the playful, red-striped cabanas could easily do so. 

There were also many quiet zones to chill out with an ocean view.

Everywhere I turned on the ship, I found quiet, serene spaces for lounging or reading with an ocean view as the backdrop.

One of my favorite spaces was on deck seven, pictured here, where The Dock Outdoor Restaurant & Bar Lounge had seating, loungers, and daybeds that could be used freely throughout the day.

The entire promenade deck also had quiet seating and lounging options, ensuring a leisurely sea day before the first port visit.

My first port of call was Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. I found it easy to navigate thanks to helpful maps I saw around the port plaza.

I've been to Puerto Plata before, but I appreciated the reminder of all there was to do immediately at the port, including access to a bar's resort pool.

At the port, I saw plenty of shops, eateries, Duty Free, and excursion desks for those who want to join a formal tour. 

Since the ship was in port all day, and I was familiar with Puerto Plata, I opted for a 15-minute walk to downtown so I could visit my favorite cafes in town that I've visited before.

My next port of call was Bimini, Bahamas. Here, Virgin Voyages operates to a sophisticated beach club for cruise guests with enormous pools.

Before even booking my first Scarlet Lady sailing, I knew I wanted to cruise with Virgin Voyages because of their massive beach resort on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas.

In the cruise line's promotions, I was enticed by images of inviting pools and a large sandy beach, all included in the Virgin Voyages cruise fare. 

Once I arrived at the beach club, I was even more impressed. I noticed sleek poolside seating, an abundance of palm trees for shade, and soft sand just steps from the resort pools.

There were loungers around each pool, and the beach also provided chairs and loungers. Anyone who wanted a seat could find one, and at no extra charge. 

I also thought the beach at the club was picturesque, and great for taking a dip in the cool blue water.

I thought the overall vibe at the beach club was chill, with people simply relaxing in the sun.

I loved the soft sand on the beach and how calm the water was. I thought it was ideal for enjoying a cool dip on a hot sunny day.

I noticed other guests swimming, playing catch in the waves, and sunning on loungers. It was an amazing day simply relaxing at the beach, and I felt extra lucky to have booked a second voyage so I would have another chance to visit to this beachside escape.

Later, when most other passengers disembarked, a handful of guests including myself instead went to a quick check-in for the back-to-back sailing.

On the last day of my first cruise, just about every passenger disembarked as usual.

Only a handful of guests were booked on a back-to-back sailing like me, and the small group of us waited in a common space to be checked out of the first cruise, then quickly checked back in for the second sailing.

We met crew in a central lounge area, and once we completed the brief check-in process, we were able to enjoy the rest of the day as we pleased.

I could have explored off-ship in Miami for the afternoon if desired, but I preferred to continue lazing about by the pool.  

In between sailings, I thought the ship was extra quiet until afternoon on the second sailing's embarkation day.

Since I was able to stay in my same cabin, I didn't need to pack and unpack again, and had lots of time for sunning at the pool, taking a nap, and exploring the ship even more.

I thought it was neat to see the ship empty out and feel like I had most of it to myself. I explored a variety of lounge spaces where no guests were to be found as the crew prepared the ship for the next sailing. 

The extra time onboard also gave me an opportunity to sample more eateries and enjoy my favorites a second time.

Now that my cruise vacation was nine days long, I had even more time to explore additional restaurants during the second itinerary.

I made a repeat visit to Pink Agave for elevated Mexican street food like chicken enchiladas, grilled corn, and house made guacamole. 

My second sailing also added variety to my port visits. In Key West, we docked right downtown at Mallory Square, so it was easy to walk to attractions on my own.

Waking up in downtown Key West was a dream. When I disembarked the ship, I found I was already in the center of things and it was just a short walk to local cafes and attractions.

I've visited Key West many times, but I always welcome another visit, and having a port visit was ideal for exploring on foot and not having to pay expensive hotel prices, had I flown in for a vacation.

The ship docked in Key West for about 10 hours, so I had more than enough time to wander around and explore. I strolled through the historic district, visited the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, and even found funky art of the writer throughout town.

On my second voyage, I was so happy to return to the beach club in Bimini.

On my second visit to the beach club, I went straight to my favorite spots at the pools and enjoyed another blissful day in the sun.

As relaxing as my first visit was, the second time back was even better as I knew my way around. I felt like I could just kick back and enjoy my last port day knowing I made the most of my cruising experience. 

After two back-to-back sailings, I can't wait to cruise on Virgin Voyages again. Next time I'll be hitching a ride on their other ship, Valiant Lady.

When I first booked with Virgin Voyages, I wasn't sure what to expect on an adults-only cruise.

But my first impression was so strong, as I loved the relaxed vibe onboard and all the great food that was included in the cruise fare. I thought it was amazing to be able to book an immediate second sailing at such a reduced rate, and I'm so glad I spent the extra time on Scarlet Lady. 

That extra time gave me more days to dine around the ship and spend time poolside.

Plus, with everything I needed included in the cruise fare, I feel like I had excellent value on both cruises.

I cannot wait to sail with Virgin Voyages again, and while Scarlet Lady will remain a favorite of mine, next time, I plan to try out their other ship, Valiant Lady. Until then.

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Scarlet Lady cruise ship review: What to expect on board Virgin Voyages’ 1st ship

Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages ' original cruise ship, takes all your preconceived notions of a cruise ship and turns them on their head.

The ship does not have a buffet or a cavernous banquet-style dining room. Kids are not welcome, but the adults-only ship gives grownups plenty of opportunities to play in both childlike and mature ways. Cruise fares include all meals, soda, basic Wi-Fi and crew gratuities, but it's not a luxury product filled with opulent decor, sedate travelers and a stuffy vibe. Onboard entertainment will include sexual innuendos, F-bombs and queer themes.

Scarlet Lady is not for everyone. But if you, like me, are tired of (or turned off by) the same-old cruise ship formula, this ship might just offer the cruise vacation you didn't know you were looking for.

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Overview of Scarlet Lady

The 110,000-ton ship features 1,330 cabins and 78 suites and can carry 2,770 passengers at maximum capacity. That's a lot smaller than the newest ships from lines like Royal Caribbean , Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line . The balance works well; the ship does not feel oppressively crowded, but there are plenty of restaurants, bars and attractions on board to keep you entertained at sea.

Scarlet Lady defies categorization when it comes to pricing, as well. Its cruise fares are more inclusive than your typical mass-market ship, and therefore more expensive than other mainstream lines. But it doesn't have the same vibe as luxury cruise ships that tend to cater to a retired, wealthy clientele, who are less active and not into dance parties or cutting-edge entertainment.

The minimum age to sail Virgin is 18 years old, and the ship embraces its adults-only status . You won't find kids on board, yet you will find board games, an arcade, swings and unlimited pizza and ice cream.

A common concern I've heard is that Scarlet Lady is only for the young and the hip. As a completely non-hip, mid-40-something, I can assure you that isn't true. The target demographic for this ship is more about mindset than age.

If you're someone who likes to go out – to dinner, a show, a bar or a party – this social ship will be for you. Many restaurants have communal tables designed to bring people together, such as Gunbae, where tables exclusively seat six and you're encouraged to join in a drinking game with your newly-met tablemates. The entertainment is top notch, but it's more experimental and modern than the traditional song-and-dance cruise ship shows. Scarlet Lady is not a "read in your cabin" type of cruise ship.

It's also a ship for travelers with open minds, who embrace differences and aren't easily shocked or insulted. Onboard comedians will push boundaries with their jokes. You'll find crew, from entertainers to waiters, who may be gender-fluid, tattooed, pierced or openly gay. While the sex-themed cabaret is gone, the shows do not shy away from sexual or R-rated themes.

I loved this about the ship. Others may not.

What I loved about Scarlet Lady

Hammock on the balcony.

It might seem minor, but the hammock on my cabin's balcony made my cruise.

I often feel that balconies are wasted space. They're great for checking the weather, drying swimsuits and eating room service breakfast – but I rarely spend much time hanging out on them. Usually that's because the chairs are upright and made of metal (or metal and plastic mesh) and the veranda is small, and you can't get comfortable.

Not so with a hammock. I'm 6 feet tall and can fully recline in one of Scarlet Lady's bright red, ethically sourced hammocks. The rocking of the hammock combined with the rocking of the ship at sea, especially early in the morning when the sun was low and the temperature perfect, was incredibly soothing. I found myself plotting how to get more hammock time – rather than simply forgetting I had a balcony as I busied myself around the ship.

Scarlet Lady succeeds in creating intimate spaces onboard a big ship, and I loved all the inviting nooks I found on board. Sometimes, those nooks were tucked-away bars, like the Dock House Bar, just slightly off the main thoroughfare. Or, perhaps they were cute seating areas, like the curtained-off tables at the Sip bar or day beds on the open-air decks.

The public spaces on the ship invite you to grab a friend, a drink and chill for a while. I wished I had time to sample them all.

Entertainment

I'm a Broadway buff, and I always go to the cruise ship shows. Unless they're a real Broadway show (found on the likes of NCL or Royal Caribbean), I'm usually walking out or picking them apart before they end.

Scarlet Lady's entertainment impressed me with its innovation and its quality. The dancers were incredible; they moved about the stage like they were performing on "So You Think You Can Dance" (or other TV dance competition), not in your kid's high school dance recital. "Dual Reality," the Romeo-and-Juliet-themed show, was the first cruise-ship acrobatic performance I've seen that had a compelling plot; so many cruise lines throw dancers on hoops or silks in the air simply because they can. The way the staging and performer interaction engaged the audience was original and brilliant.

The drag show was a hoot, and the DanceShowPartyThing was different than any cruise ship show I've ever seen and a lighthearted fun time. The late-night jazz band at the On the Rocks bar kept the crowds engaged, and the crew knew how to keep the party going on the dance floor at The Manor – whether that was dancing on the stage wings or covering the crowd with a large parachute.

Related: Here's why Virgin Voyages' entertainment is now the best on any cruise

Restaurant concept

I'm not a cruiser who adores the main dining room. I prefer specialty restaurants with their individual menus, decor and vibe. But I also hate paying extra for meals when food is already included. In this way, Virgin's restaurant concept speaks perfectly to me.

Scarlet Lady has no main dining room and no buffet. Instead, you can make dinner reservations at one of its six restaurants, or make a more casual meal from the pizza parlor, food hall, snack bar (featuring wings and hot dogs) or the Dock and Dock House lounge with their mezze menu. I loved that every night I ate someplace different – one night filet mignon at the classy, upscale The Wake, the next experimental dishes at Test Kitchen or communal Korean BBQ at Gunbae.

Food ranged from edible to excellent, but meals were always fun. I felt like I was eating out in a city, rather than at a hotel conference center, and that night-out vibe set the mood for the entire evening.

What I didn't love about Scarlet Lady

Lack of direction.

Scarlet Lady is a ship for independent travelers who don't need their hands held or want to be told what to do by a cruise director (there isn't one). While I loved the lack of announcements over the intercom system or at the end of shows, I did feel like it was easy to miss out on things on board.

No one tells you how the ship works, even though it's nontraditional for the cruise industry. If you don't know to get on board and immediately make reservations for all the restaurants, shows and fitness classes you want, you will find yourself locked out of meals and events you were looking forward to.

The ship has a decided lack of signage; no deck maps or wayfinder screens by the elevator banks, not even the name of bars by their entrances. The layout of the ship is such that certain bars or venues are tucked away off the high-traffic corridors and can be difficult to find. If you do find them, they're usually in a dead end, leaving you to retrace your steps to figure out a way across a deck.

Perhaps if the app were more intuitive, some of these issues could be mitigated. But I, who have successfully employed numerous cruise ship apps, had to ask a crew member to show me where to find deck plans in the Sailor App. In-app room service ordering was glitchy, but my cabin attendant hadn't left me a printout of the menu, so I never tried in-room dining.

I can see first-time and older cruisers being especially confounded by the lack of guidance on board. While more announcements aren't the answer, I'm sure Virgin Voyages could figure out unobtrusive ways to give sailors a helping hand.

I am generally not a fan of cruise ship buffets, but a five-night cruise on Scarlet Lady gave me new appreciation for them .

Virgin Voyages is decidedly anti-self-serve. Neither its ships nor its private beach club on Bimini in the Bahamas offers a buffet. The buffet replacement on Scarlet Lady is The Galley, a food hall with several themed stations. Instead of ordering at the counter, you find a seat, flag down a waiter and put in your order, which will be brought to you when ready.

This concept works well when you have time to kill or the venue is empty. But when The Galley is packed, such as in the morning on a port day, it can take forever to catch the attention of a server and longer than you'd expect to receive your meal. You can find grab-and-go boxes in several locations on board, but the food selection is limited.

I had the same experience at The Dock after a late excursion; several of us waited far too long for a waiter to appear and take our order – even though a server had escorted me outside five minutes prior. As much as I'm not a fan of buffets, sometimes I just want to eat quickly and get on with my day.

Related: 11 things I loved on Virgin Voyages — and 6 I kind of hated

Scarlet Lady cabins and suites

Scarlet Lady offers the usual cruise ship mix of windowless inside cabins, ocean-view rooms with large windows that don't open, cabins with private balconies and large suites. Cruise rooms sleep one to four guests, with twin beds that can be combined into queens and upper bunks. That's basically where the similarity ends.

My room was a Sea Terrace, a.k.a. a standard balcony room. The IKEA-inspired furnishings and mod décor made the room resemble a trendy micro hotel. For example, the bed is modular. On the cabin's long wall, there was a cloth headboard and a narrow white platform with one thick armrest.

Twin beds can be arrayed in various configurations along the platform. I had two pushed together into a queen with one-third of the platform as a bedside table, but a triple could have a third bed jutting out perpendicular from the other two. Or, if you plan on hosting an event in your cabin, or don't like reading on a bed, you can ask your room attendant to strip the sheets and arrange two daybed mattresses into an L-shaped sectional couch.

While practically no one uses the daybed layout, the arrangement means you're sleeping on a couch cushion rather than a plush mattress. My bed on Scarlet Lady was not the comfiest I've had on a cruise, but the sheets and duvet were fine and I slept well.

My room didn't have a sofa as other cruise ships might have. It had one upright chair in the corner and a vegan leather stool under the table that doubled as desk and vanity. The table is next to a unit housing the mini-fridge and two small shelves, but there is no additional storage. Here, you'll also find a touch-screen pad where you can adjust the lighting and temperature of your room.

The only storage is in the closet area, and as in a micro hotel, your clothes won't exactly be hanging behind closed doors. One tall cabinet with a door houses four not-that-deep drawers and shelves, many of which house the safe, life jackets and extra towels. But your clothes will hang from a rack behind a curtain that you likely won't bother to close. In one corner is a luggage stand with two shelves, each with a wicker basket.

The bathroom is tiny and also lacking in storage. You can use the one long shelf beneath the sink or place your items in the small space next to the sink – there are no other drawers or shelves. I kept placing my toilet bag under the elevated soap dish and realizing the soap would drip on it.

The shower has a rain head and a wand and one meager shelf. If you're happy with Red Flower toiletries, you can use the provided dispensers of shampoo, conditioner and body wash, and not have to worry about cramming all your travel-sized bottles onto the tiny surface area.

I didn't find my cabin on Scarlet Lady to be overly inviting or cozy, and I was glad I didn't have to fight for storage space with a travel partner. What saved the cabin was its balcony, or terrace as Virgin calls it.

The 45-square-foot terrace is furnished with two uninviting metal upright chairs and a round drinks table. I wouldn't even bother to sit out there – except for the striking red hammock hung from hooks bolted into the bottom of the balcony above. That hammock was everything. At 6 feet tall, I could stretch out completely and rock with the waves as the ship made its way through the Caribbean. Its presence made a forgettable, utilitarian room desirable and memorable.

If you really want to live it up, you can book RockStar Quarters or Mega RockStar Quarters, Virgin's two categories of suites. These extra-large rooms come with attractions like music rooms, turntables, peekaboo showers with windows to the sea, fully-stocked bars and large balconies. Perks include exclusive access to the Richard's Rooftop sun deck, access to a RockStar Agent (i.e. concierge), priority reservations for dining, onboard events and shore excursions and complimentary access to the spa's thermal suite.

Scarlet Lady restaurants and bars

Scarlet Lady is peppered with restaurants and bars, and it's possible you won't be able to try them all in one sailing. Do your research in advance because some venues are easy to miss if you're not looking for them. Dining and drinking are highlights of your time on board, so you'll want to visit as many bars and restaurants as you can.

Restaurants

The ship takes an unconventional approach to cruise ship dining, with no main dining room, no buffet and no extra-fee restaurants. In this way, your onboard dining experience will feel like a land-based trip, but with fewer Yelp reviews to read. You'll likely eat in a new venue every night, most with an attached bar for pre-dinner drinks, and need to make reservations in advance or take your chance as a walk-in, either early or late. I loved both the food and the variety of options.

You'll want to make your dinner reservations as soon as you get on board. One thing that surprised me was the ship requests you also make reservations for breakfast, brunch or lunch at sit-down restaurants, such as The Wake and Razzle Dazzle. Walk-ins are welcome at less busy times (such as right when the venue opens for breakfast), but I was lightly scolded for not booking in advance. Plan accordingly.

The most highly sought after reservation on the ship is Gunbae, Scarlet Lady's Korean BBQ restaurant. Be prepared to make friends – all tables seat six, and your smaller party will be seated with strangers. That's OK because the communal dining and drinking games (you don't get the full experience if you don't play) aren't as much fun without a group.

Your server will bring the most popular of the appetizer, seafood, meat and dessert courses, though your table can turn down any option, ask for more of a favorite or request the alternatives (mostly vegetarian dishes). All the seafood (shrimp, octopus, etc.) is cooked together in the table's central grilling station, followed by the meat – without a thorough cleaning of the grill. If this bothers you due to allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure you inform the server.

Favorites at our table were the dakgangjeong (crispy chicken), octopus, kalbi marinated beef short ribs and macha tea - black sesame twist ice cream with mini marshmallows and black sesame granola.

Razzle Dazzle is a vegetarian-forward restaurant (with several, no-longer-secret meat entrees ) open for brunch and dinner. At brunch, the spicy avocado toast gets high marks, and the cucumber-melon salad was a refreshing starter. Oddly, the restaurant had no jam for my British-style chocolate-chip scone and I had to make do with butter.

Indulge your inner child and order the coconut milk fairy toast with sprinkles and the loaded cookies mudslide, or take her to the adjacent Red Bar for a popcorn old-fashioned, served in a cup designed to look like the traditional red-and-white striped popcorn bags.

The only negative is that service here can be slow and inattentive.

On the opposite side of Sailor Services from Razzle Dazzle, Pink Agave is the fancier alternative to the Let's Taco Bout It outlet in The Galley. The so-called "elevated Mexican" dishes come in small, medium and large plates, and you can mix and match them and share with your tablemates. If you're feeling adventurous, order the mezcal cocktail topped with crunchy crickets.

I did not have the normal dinner experience at Extra Virgin, the ship's Italian restaurant, due to the themed sailing I was on, but I still got to try some of the venue's popular dishes. Previous cruisers tell me Extra Virgin is a surprise favorite because Italian restaurants are so ubiquitous, but Virgin's version delivers with fabulous dishes. Everyone raves about the meatballs, the pappardelle pasta and the ricotta bomboloni (like Italian donut holes).

The most fun dinner I had was at Test Kitchen. If you like surprises, and you're willing to turn control over your dinner to a chef, you will like this experimental restaurant as much as I did. The menu reads like this:

• Shrimp/Lamb

That's it. You can make adjustments for dietary restrictions, but your waiter will bring out dishes with each of those items starring in it in an unusual way and will announce what you're eating after the plate is set in front of you. The drink pairings are worth the extra fee; you can choose from cocktail, wine, beer or alcohol-free pairings, and they're all superb.

The Wake is the most traditional of Scarlet Lady's restaurants. It's your "get dolled up and eat steak" venue, with a glam vibe and large windows overlooking what else but the ship's wake. Toast yourself with a glass of bubbly while you dine like a king on clam chowder, roasted bone marrow, filet mignon and lamp chops. Seafood lovers should splurge on the extra-fee towers of lobster, oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels and crab. The Wake chocolate mousse dessert was the winner at our table.

The Wake also serves brunch and lunch, but I wouldn't recommend it for breakfast. The menu is tiny and fancy, mostly variants of eggs Benedict, a decadent brioche French toast, steak and eggs and a vegan dish. No fruit, no bacon, no oats. The waiter came around with a tray of off-menu pastries halfway through our meal, rather than when he served our coffee and tea. In addition, the restaurant's position low on the ship and above the engines means you feel and hear the vibration of the ship a lot and all the cups and saucers were rattling.

Scarlet Lady also has a supper club experience called It's a Ship Show, which takes place in The Manor. Virgin describes the experience as a mashup of an old-school variety show and a late-night talk show, with dinner, comedy and music.

The Dock and The Dock House are twin restaurants rocking the Mediterranean resort vibe. The Dock House is an indoor lounge where you and your sweetie can sip cocktails flavored with figs and anise while nibbling on mezze, like beet hummus and watermelon and feta salad, and pretending you're in Ibiza.

The Dock is the outdoor extension, with the same menu; recline on day beds or enjoy a tete-a-tete at low wooden seating areas while you enjoy grilled shrimp and falafel accompanied by cold-pressed juices or energy shots loaded with turmeric and ginger. The food was enjoyable, but it took forever to get served mid-afternoon after a tour.

The ultimate in casual dining, The Galley is Scarlet Lady's answer to the cruise ship buffet . It's more of a food hall with multiple themed stations (noodles, tacos, soup and salad, burgers, etc.) where you order by flagging down a waiter. It can get confusing because you do have to order in person from the dessert and breakfast bakery/yogurt counter and from the popsicle cart, and there are grab-and-go bento boxes, salads, wraps and snacks, which you can eat in conjunction with your sit-down meal or take with you.

The Galley's concept could use some refining, so be prepared. It works well when the venue is relatively quiet; you don't have to queue for food or worry about food sitting around or contaminated tongs. On the other hand, when it's busy and you just want a quick meal before your tour, it can be hard to flag down a server and your food can take 20 minutes to arrive. Plus, there's no option for hot food that you plate yourself and take back to your room if there are no seats because you have to have a table to order food at The Galley. Sometimes you just need those steam-tray eggs, grabbable bagels and premade pancakes, and you don't want a waiter-served meal.

If you're catching some rays and don't want to give up your spot in the sun for lunch, The Sun Club Café is an easy pool deck grab-and-go option for anyone who likes poke bowls.

But the real casual-dining winner is The Pizza Place, churning out oven-fresh pizzas day and night in a light and airy space. I was a fan of the white truffle and egg pizza; the amusingly named "pretty fly for a white pie" also had staunch supporters. Grab a premade salad and take your pie out to the adjacent open-air patio to enjoy it in the Caribbean sunshine.

The pizzeria is located on Deck 7, where all the fun food is. Right next door is the Lick Me Till Ice Cream outpost where you can choose from a changing roster of hand-scooped ice cream and cone flavors. My favorite was the key lime pie ice cream. Down the hall is The Social Club Diner satisfying all your bar food cravings with hot dogs (including vegan ones), chicken wings and soft pretzels. You can also order sweets like cake pops and steal candy out of a jar (except it's not stealing if it's free and meant for you to take).

One of my favorite traditions on land or sea is afternoon tea, and Scarlet Lady offers a surprisingly impressive one at its Sip Lounge. I shouldn't be surprised, given Virgin's British origins, but I figured tea was not hip enough for the line. Tea service does cost extra – more if you want Champagne with your goodies – and I suggest you make it your lunch because it's way too much food for a snack. You get a full three-tiered tray with scones, finger sandwiches and too many sweets for one person to consume in one sitting.

The menu of JoJo loose leaf teas offers a nice selection of caffeinated and herbal teas. (I've been on fancier cruise lines that offered tea bags rather than loose leaf tea.) However, my tea oversteeped as the waiter forgot to leave the chain of the tea ball outside the pot and I couldn't get it out until I drank enough to reach in without burning my fingers.

Scarlet Lady does offer room service for a fee. You can order via the Sailor App. Unfortunately for me, I could not get the room service option to function properly on my phone, so I could neither see the menu nor order in-cabin dining.

Virgin Voyages does not sell drink packages as typical cruise lines do. Instead, you can purchase a Bar Tab in advance, which is onboard credit you can only spend on drinks on the ship and at Virgin's Bimini Beach Club in the Bahamas. Look for booking promotions that include a free Bar Tab of a certain amount or give you bonus money on top of what you prepay.

You will certainly have many opportunities to spend your Bar Tab on board, whether that's wine with dinner, a morning latte or a cocktail at On the Rocks while you listen to live music. Drinking is a key component of Scarlet Lady's nightlife, but as far as I saw, most people embraced the fun but drank responsibly.

Scarlet Lady's Happenings Cast (ie, the entertainment team) lead Grog Walks around the ship that are a mix of pub crawl and icebreaker games so you can meet your shipmates. They do incur an extra fee to cover drinks, but they're insanely popular and sell out quickly. Try to book the one early in the cruise to meet people and get the lay of the lounge landscape.

The two most popular bars on board each night are Sip, the Champagne bar (which also serves wine and cocktails), and On The Rocks, which is central to everything and usually has live music. If you want to get a buzz at a venue that's buzzing, choose one of these for your nightcap.

I loved the tucked-away Dock House Bar for a pre-dinner drink and its outside extension, The Dock, for day drinking while lounging on a sun bed. The Grounds Club is Virgin's nod to Starbucks, with all the caffeine and baked-good carbs you crave.

Restaurant bars of note are Pink Agave, with an enormous tequila and mezcal menu and some excellent margaritas, and the Red Bar at Razzle Dazzle with its crazy concoctions, such as the Popcorn Old-Fashioned (topped with actual popcorn). The Social Club Bar lets you embrace your inner child – if said child could drink alcohol – with alcoholic milkshakes and floats topped with candy and cookies.

Scarlet Lady has all the requisite poolside and sun deck bars, including ones offering smoothies and juices after your indoor or outdoor workout.

Related: We tried every bar on Virgin Voyages and ranked them from best to worst

Scarlet Lady activities

Scarlet Lady doesn't overwhelm you with scheduled activities when the vessel is at sea. Instead, the ship becomes your playground for you to enjoy however you like.

The top decks (15 – 17) are the places to head for fitness, fun in the sun or a combination of both. The Deck 15 Aquatic Club is where you'll find a standard pool and a well-being pool (essentially a large whirlpool), surrounded by day beds and lounge chairs. Additional sun-worshipping space can be found one deck up, including at the Athletic Club Bar at the back of the ship where you can perch on circular sunbeds or a suspended catamaran net with views to the wake below.

If you want to feel like a rockstar, you can rent one of the private cabanas on Deck 16. Each costs $250 for a full day and can be reserved at Sailor Services on Deck 5. Inside, you'll find daybeds for lounging and a drinks cooler prepped with fresh-pressed welcome juices. Your dedicated cabana attendant can bring you towels and food.

On the other hand, if working out is core to your vacation ideals, Scarlet Lady offers plenty of options, but the fitness areas aren't connected the way you think they might be, so look at a deck plan before you throw on your sneakers.

The Deck 15 B-Complex fitness center is divided into two halves: Burn + Bike portside, with a cycling studio and cardio machines, and Build + Balance starboard, with resistance machines and a studio for yoga, meditation and bungee classes. Take the stairs up to the Training Camp group fitness space, where you'll find HIIT classes.

Those are just the indoor options. Outside Training camp is a boxing ring, props for alfresco body weight exercises, a sports court for basketball and an adult playground with swings and a seesaw. Above on Deck 17 is a jogging track and a space for outdoor yoga. Back on Deck 15 by the wellness pool is another open-air workout space – especially good for show-offs since everyone lounging in that area can watch you sweat.

Virgin Voyages is known for its creative fitness classes, such as an '80s-themed workout where crew and guests don legwarmers and neon leotards to set the mood. As with the Grog Walk and prime dining times, group workouts also book up quickly, so reserve them as soon as you can. Also unlike the classes you may have tried on other cruise lines, Virgin's are aimed at active, younger adults, not seniors. You will work hard, and you will be sore the next day.

Scarlet Lady's Redemption Spa is also broken up and scattered around the ship. The main venue is tucked away on Deck 5 on the other side of the elevator bank from Sailor Services, Pink Agave and Razzle Dazzle. You'll find treatment rooms for massages here, as well as the thermal suite.

I highly recommend booking a three-hour pass to the suite and enjoying the sauna, steam room, salt room, mud room and more. There's nothing like taking a cup of mud (which looks like a chocolate milkshake) and rubbing it all over your body (or your partner's – this is Virgin after all) in the company of strangers. You won't need three hours, so consider showing up a bit late to avoid the rush at the beginning of each session.

On Deck 6, men can get a shave at Stubble and Groom, while women can get blowouts for Scarlet Night at Dry Dock. Also here is Virgin Voyages' groundbreaking tattoo parlor, Squid Ink , where you can pay inflated rates for the bragging rights of having gotten a tattoo at sea. For your other bodily needs, The Tune Up offers medispa treatments, manicures and pedicures by the pool on Deck 15.

The Deck 6 casino is a hopping place at night, partly because it's located between The Red Room performance space and On the Rocks Bar, with the entrance to the Manor nightclub just opposite. Beginners and high rollers alike can sign up for gaming lessons or poker tournaments at the WPT at Sea Poker Room in partnership with the World Poker Tour. However, hands down the most fun you'll have gambling on the ship is at Bingo With The Diva, Scarlet Lady's resident drag queen.

Other activities on board include trivia and solo traveler meetups. You can also hit the High Street shops for sundries, logo wear, hammocks, MAC cosmetics, designer clothes and purses, hair and skincare products and alcohol.

Scarlet Lady shows and parties

Scarlet Lady hits it out of the park when it comes to entertainment, both performances and parties. On many cruise ships, I'll go to a show, sit in the back and leave after 10 minutes. On Virgin, I was fully captivated for the length of the performance and often came out raving about the experience. I appreciate how the line has hired diverse performers in terms of race, size and gender expression, and how its shows do not shy away from mature language and sexual themes (both gay and straight).

I was also impressed how the cruise line creates parties and events that everyone shows up for and gets into. On other cruise lines, a deck party might attract a couple hundred guests, but on Virgin's Scarlet Night, pretty much everyone turns out.

Most main performances take place in the multipurpose, rearrangeable Red Room, but more intimate shows take over The Manor nightclub.

Here are some of the entertainment highlights of my five-night Caribbean cruise.

Ships in the Night: The first show I saw on Virgin was my least favorite. To be fair, I only was able to catch a portion of the show. The dancers were killing it, but the one singer couldn't carry the show.

Duel Reality: This engaging acrobatic performance is possibly the best show I've seen at sea, and if it's not, it's in the top three. You will be rooting not only for your team, but for love to conquer all in this original take on "Romeo and Juliet."

DanceShowPartyThing: The show's name says it all. You'll interact with the performers and join them in the Macarena, the stage will move around the room and you might not know what's going on, but it will be fun. If you despise Celine Dion's Titanic "My Heart Will Go On," you'll have a new appreciation after this performance.

Around the World in 90 Minutes: I thought The Diva's drag show in The Manor was under-promoted, but perhaps that's on purpose because the small space was packed with the lucky folks who flagged it on their schedule. I reluctantly left after intermission, but if you want to laugh yourself silly and aren't afraid of being called out by The Diva, you don't want to miss this one.

Scarlet Lady also brings guest comedians and performers on board, and the ones I saw were top notch, including a young Latina pop group called Bella Dose.

Pretty much every night there's a themed party in The Manor or out on deck, but the ones you need to pack for are the PJ Party and Scarlet Night. Scarlet Lady's first-night pajama party is optional, but if you do want to get your Virgin vibe going on day one, pack a pair of party PJs and head to the Athletic Club bar on the first night.

But the event to end all events is Scarlet night. If nothing else, you will want to wear red – whether that's a red cocktail dress or jumper, shirt, accessories or bathing suit. Some folks go all out formal, while others keep it casual. As long as you've got the right color, it's all good. The Roundabout is the place to be after dinner; look out for flash performances and crew members with invitations to secret parties. The entire ship will be out in force.

The actual Scarlet Night party takes place on the pool deck, and many revelers end up in the pool, so plan your wardrobe accordingly. It rained on our Scarlet Night so the entire event was moved into the Red Room, where it basically became a large nightclub with thudding base and not that interesting. The after party moves to The Manor, but I actually preferred hanging out at On The Rocks, listening to the killer band and watching all the outfits go by.

Scarlet Lady itineraries and pricing

Scarlet Lady is currently based out of Miami, where the ship sails four itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Each of the four- and five-night cruises spends a day at Virgin's private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas. Other ports of call may include Key West; Cozumel/Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya, Mexico; or Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

In April 2024, the ship will sail an epic 14-night transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, which will be Scarlet Lady's homebase at least through October 2024. From Spain, it will sail seven-night itineraries to ports in Italy, Spain and the French Riviera, all with overnights on the party island of Ibiza.

Fares start at $1,426 per cabin for a windowless Insider cabin on a four-night Fire & Sunset Soirees cruise to Key West and Bimini. Sea Terraces with private balconies start at $1,996 per cabin. The price is valid whether you have one or two travelers sharing the room, and does not include taxes and fees. You'll pay extra for the third or fourth person sharing your cabin.

What to know before you go

Required documents

If you're a U.S. citizen on one of Scarlet Lady's round-trip Miami sailings, you'll need a current passport or an official copy of your birth certificate and a driver's license or other government-issued photo ID to sail.

For the ship's transatlantic crossing and all subsequent cruises from Barcelona, you'll need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date you return back to the U.S.

Green-card holders and non-U.S. citizens will need to check requirements based on destinations visited.

In addition, you will need to check in for your cruise online, fill out the appropriate information and select an arrival time for embarkation day.

Virgin Voyages include crew gratuities in its fares. You are welcome to tip your bartender or cabin attendant extra if you feel they've gone above or beyond, but it's not necessary.

You may want to bring some cash to tip the porters who take your suitcases from the pier to the ship and any tour guides who lead your ship-sponsored or private excursion in port.

Internet access is also included on your Scarlet Lady cruise. Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, and your complimentary access covers two devices logged in at a time per passenger. If you wish to stream music and video, you can pay to upgrade to a Premium Wi-Fi plan, subject to availability.

Carry-on drinks policy

Virgin Voyages takes a reasonable approach to passengers bringing drinks on board. Each guest may bring on board a maximum of 12 sealed 12-ounce or smaller cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages (water, sports drinks, soda, non-alcoholic beer, etc.) and two 750mL bottles of wine. You may not bring liquor or beer.

You must transport these in your carry-on bags. Any beverages found in your checked luggage will be confiscated and returned at the end of your cruise.

If you choose to purchase "specialty liquors" in the ports you visit, you may bring these on board but they will also be held for you until the last night of the cruise. Make sure you adhere to customs regulations about how much alcohol you can bring back into the country from abroad.

Smoking policy

Passengers may only smoke (this includes vaping) in the Deck 6 smoking room outside the Red Room and in a designated outdoor area on the starboard side of Deck 16 by the entrance to Richard's Rooftop.

Guests may not smoke in their cabins or on cabin terraces. Anyone who breaks the rules will be fined $500 and may be disembarked at the next destination, with no refund for missed days on the ship and no compensation for lodging and/or airfare back home.

Virgin Voyages' ships do not have self-service laundry rooms. However, passengers can send individual clothing items out for pressing, washing and folding, or washing and pressing. You also have the option to get an entire bag of laundry washed and folded for a flat rate.

Eco-cleaning (wet washing but with less water and eco-friendly detergent that's easier on fabrics) is also available. Express turnaround (returned by 5:30 p.m. the same day when picked up before 11 a.m.) is available for an extra fee for both regular washing and for dry-cleaning. Non-express items will be returned the following day by 5:30 p.m.

Dry-cleaning is not available on board.

Electrical outlets

All cabins are outfitted with North American, USB and universal (European, U.K. and many other countries) outlets.

A balcony cabin will have two USB ports near the bed, along with a North American outlet. The desk and vanity area have two more USB ports (though one is taken up by the charging cable for the cabin's tablet, which controls the TV, curtains and temperature), two additional North American outlets and one universal outlet.

The bathrooms have no outlets, so you'll have to use electric razors and style your hair at the vanity.

The currency on Scarlet Lady is the U.S. dollar. Before you board, you'll link a credit card to your account (which you can do via the app prior to embarkation day) or put up a cash amount from which you can debit for purchases made on board.

The Band — an adjustable cord bracelet with a scannable device attached — is your room key and charge "card" when you sail. It's also used to scan you on and off the ship when you go ashore. More importantly, perhaps, it allows crew members to locate you when you shake for Champagne delivery.

Passengers will not receive keycards unless they have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive sun deck reserved for cruisers booked in Rockstar Suites.

Drinking age

Although Virgin Voyages' ships allowed anyone 18 or older to sail, the drinking age on board is 21 years when ships are docked in the U.S. In international waters and in places like Europe, where the drinking age is 18, the onboard drinking age is 18.

Virgin Voyages has no official dress code. The line advises passengers to come as they are, whether it's a sparkly dress or jeans and a T-shirt. However, the average passenger enjoys looking chic and trendy, even when dressed down. Most people do change into something a little nicer for dinner, but you won't find any official formal nights on board.

Be sure to bring something red for Scarlet Night, whether that's a red dress, shirt or accessory. (Consider a red swimsuit if you intend to end the party in the pool.) Other themed nights include a pajama party and an '80s bash, so pack accordingly.

Bottom line

Scarlet Lady is the perfect ship for modern, young-at-heart travelers who love cutting-age entertainment, good food, a good party and lots of R&R. It's not the right choice for folks who are conservative minded or easily offended, or longtime cruisers looking for a traditional experience. If you've never cruised because you don't like kids, crowds, banquet-style dining or lackluster entertainment, this might be the ship that changes your mind.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Limited Time Offer

Rates from $99 per night.

Swap your spring cleaning for some vacation dreaming. With Med and UK sailings starting at $99 per Sailor per night and Sea Terrace upgrades from $158, it’s prime time to fish your bathing suit out of the closet. Hurry — this offer ends April 19th!

WHAT YOU GET

• From the UK to Spain and Morocco • Sept 29 - Oct, 11 2024 • 12 nights from Portsmouth to Barcelona
• The Modern Med to Ancient Aegean • Oct 13 - Oct, 24 2024 • 11 nights from Athens to Barcelona
• Spain and Morocco to Miami • Oct 27 - Nov, 10 2024 • 14 nights from Barcelona to Miami
• From Rome to Miami • Nov 28 - Dec, 14 2024 • 16 nights from Rome to Miami
• Barcelona to Malta & Greece • May 04 - May, 09 2024 • 5 nights from Barcelona to Athens
• Irresistible Med & Rome • Aug 11 - Aug, 18 2024 • 7 nights from Barcelona
• French Daze & Ibiza Nights • Aug 18 - Aug, 25 2024 • 7 nights from Barcelona
• From England to Amsterdam (& back) • Aug 23 - Aug, 27 2024 • 4 nights from Portsmouth
• Irresistible Med • Aug 25 - Sep, 01 2024 • 7 nights from Barcelona
• Portsmouth to Zeebrugge (& back) • Aug 27 - Aug, 30 2024 • 3 nights from Portsmouth
• The UK to Zeebrugge & Amsterdam • Sep 14 - Sep, 19 2024 • 5 nights from Portsmouth
• From England to Amsterdam (& back) • Sep 19 - Sep, 23 2024 • 4 nights from Portsmouth

NEED TO KNOW

• Twelve (12) select Mediterranean, repositioning, and UK voyages are eligible for this offer between April 17-19, 2024 (11:59 PM EST). Rates start at $99 per Sailor per night with Lock It In Insider rates, $158 for Sea Terrace cabins, and don’t include taxes/fees.
• Transatlantic and More
• Scarlet Lady
• Resilient Lady
• Lock-It-In Insider Cabin rates for all eligible voyages included in this offer, starting at $99 per Sailor per night (excluding taxes and fees). 

Princess, Royal Caribbean Are Following Virgin Voyages’ Lead

• American Airlines was the first major US airline to charge for checking a bag. Fast forward a few years and now they (except Southwest) all do ( here’s the sneaky reason why they started charging for that – it might not be what you think)
• When one hotel says it is going to do THIS or not do THAT for reasons (usually “it’s what guests told us they would prefer” is a good excuse), all the rest soon follow.
• We live in Orlando, and it’s fun to watch the “one-upmanship” between Disney and Universal. Case in point, Universal’s in the middle of building a whole new park now, so suddenly Disney is upping its game (but not building a new park. Not yet, anyway. Although they really need to.)

And then you have Virgin Voyages.

The differences

• They don’t allow anyone younger than 18 to sail on their ships
• LOTS of what are typically costly additions (tips, Wi-Fi, soft drinks, drip coffee) are already included
• They don’t have a main dining room; they have 6 sit-down restaurants
• There’s a tattoo parlor on the ship
• They don’t have drink packages. Instead, they offer what they call a “bar tab,” which is an account of money that you can use for ANY alcoholic beverage/cocktail/bottle, specialty coffee or pressed juice.
• Nearly all cabins with a terrace have a hammock

All those differences made for a lot of people to give Virgin Voyages a try. So…winning!

But now something interesting is happening – some cruise lines are taking what Virgin Voyages does, putting their own spin on it, and offering it on their own ships. Take a look…

Princess Cruises: changing how they do dining

Starting this September, Princess guests will have 3 table service options: Traditional, Reservable, or Walk-in Anytime – coupled with the brand’s industry-exclusive OceanNow location-based “anywhere” service.

Each Princess ship will designate different dining rooms for different options:

• one dedicated to traditional dining offering an early and a late seating every evening (read: same as always)
• one offering reservable dining times (just like Virgin Voyages!)
• one with open seating to support walk-ins anytime (again, just like Virgin Voyages! Although it’s admittedly not always an immediate walk-in if you try a walk-in)

Royal Caribbean: onboard improvements

“We spent a lot of time researching with guests what their day-one experience is, said Royal Caribbean Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider . “And what we’ve learned in that journey is that there is a lot of heavy lifting that the Royal Promenade today takes that we wish it didn’t,” he continued.

With that, visitors to the brand-spanking-new ship will be able to enjoy:

• Passengers who scanned their passports, took an identification photo, added a credit card, and completed the health questionnaire in advance were given access to an Express Boarding lane (well heck, Virgin Voyages allows you to do this the day you make your reservation).
• Passengers will be able to talk to guest services on RC’s app, instead of having to go down to the desk (just like Virgin Voyages!)
• Passengers can use the app to let RC know when and how they plan to disembark (Virgin Voyages has been doing this since Say One. Just sayin’…)

You know what they say…

What’s the old saying? “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

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I’m on Icon now. Amazing and fun ship. Their app is no bueno and if you have a guest services issue they take 10 minutes to transfer complex questions from their robot to a person. Then they say hi, what’s your problem. Then they take 3 1/2 minutes to give a comment or ask you a question- even if you write quickly, you have to wait yet another 3 1/2 min for their next answer/question. Faster to walk down to guest services…

Well, TBH, Virgin Voyages’ app is pretty sucky too. Maybe that’s why RC’s is, too? To emulate it? LOLOL!

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I'm a millennial who avoided cruises because I thought they were full of germs and kids. My first experience proved me wrong.

• Millennial Eliza Green avoided cruises because she felt they were germ-riddled and full of kids.
• A friend suggested a surprise cruise on Virgin's child-free ship and Green apprehensively agreed. 
• She loved the ship experience with sizeable rooms and fun activities, but the pace of travel was too quick. 

This is an as-told-to essay based on a transcribed conversation with millennial Eliza Green, who took her first cruise vacation on Virgin Voyages. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I always thought cruise ships were a place to pick up germs from people, especially children. I'd heard nightmare stories of people getting sick, overcrowding, and bad food. But when friends approached my husband and me to go for a 40th birthday, I was willing to try.

My frequent cruise traveler friend gave us a couple of options. Virgin Voyages sounded particularly appealing. The rooms were affordable, with balconies and no children. Plus, the five-night length felt manageable as a first-time cruiser.

In October 2023, my husband, two other couples, and I embarked on Virgin Voyage's Scarlet Lady Dominican Daze. We set off from the port in Miami for two stops in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Bimini, Bahamas. For lodging and food for two, it cost $3,234.

Still skeptical, I went in with little expectations and just the hope of having a good time with friends.

Cruise food was better than an all-inclusive resort

The food was a pleasant surprise, far better than the buffet options I'd imagined on other cruises. This was our first cruise, but it was our second all-inclusive-style vacation. Compared to the all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, the cruise had a wider variety of cuisines.

For a ship that had to serve thousands, the level of food and choices exceeded my expectations. I never ate the same meal twice. The ease of dining was seamless. Food was included in our prepaid rate, so we didn't have to take out our wallets during mealtime or show our cruise wristband.

There were sit-down restaurants, grab-and-go stations, and dining hall-style venues. We made reservations before our trip since we had a large group and the tables booked up quickly. However, you could walk into restaurants or book upon embarking on the ship through the app.

There were premium items for an extra cost, such as lobster or wagyu, but they were unneeded because there was already so much food provided. Although alcohol was an extra cost, the prepaid option gave us extra dollars toward drinks, which was a good value.

The cabin was a needed respite

Before traveling on a cruise, I'd heard of windowless cabins and cramped rooms. Throughout the journey, I enjoyed spending time in my room, which I hadn't expected.

I was also concerned about seasickness in a confined space on the water. I came prepared with motion sickness remedies, but it never hit me.

The room was sizable and nicer than many hotel rooms I have stayed in on land. The cabin felt huge compared to the hotel I'd stayed at in Miami before embarking on the ship.

We had a bed, seating, and ample closet space, as well as a decent bathroom. I never felt cramped or like I was stumbling around my husband.

As somewhat of an introvert, the room was a nice respite. When I wanted time to recharge, the hammock on the balcony was a great place to read and gave me an escape, making the trip more relaxing.

The entertainment wasn't cheesy like I expected

I hadn't planned to partake in much of the entertainment because I assumed it would be cheesy.

The quality of the shows and activities defied my expectations. We enjoyed a puzzle contest one night, and another night, when we stumbled upon an entertainment show; the performance was impressive and well-produced with polished performers.

Virgin did a nice job of giving every traveler their own experience despite being on the same ship.

The boat's layout made it so we didn't hear noise from the louder late-night parties, and they didn't detract from our vacation. I liked being able to spend time with our friends on the cruise and also seek out our own experiences.

High-tech amenities meant the service was great

All the offerings were shared in an app, which we could easily access onboard from our phones. The well-thought-out amenities, such as using a wristband for drinks and not having to show a room card for dinner, made it so we didn't have to think about anything. We truly felt like we were on vacation.

The bartending staff was friendly, and the service was impressive. Plus, the layout of the boat was easy to navigate. We took advantage of the laundry service for a small fee, as it was reasonable and made our trip more convenient.

In addition, the boat offered other amenities, such as a gym, gaming areas, spa, and shopping boutiques. They even had a tattoo parlor onboard and a medical-grade spa offering botox. Even though we didn't end up using these additional services, it was still nice to know they were available.

We could have spent longer at the destinations

Ironically, the destinations were the most disappointing part of our experience. The cruise made a stop in Puerto Plata and Bimini. Since they were around six hours each, including disembarking and embarking, we didn't get to experience as much of the culture as we would have liked.

That said, we enjoyed a pre-booked waterfall excursion in the Dominican Republic, which we paid for separately. Bimini felt like an extension of the cruise because we stopped at a Virgin-owned beach club for the day. It was fun, but we wish we could have seen more of the island culture.

Even despite that, we felt the cruise was a good value. The quality of the food and the room alone made it worth the investment. Plus, the boat was a great way to travel with friends. In the future, we would cruise again, especially if we could have more time at each stop to improve the experience.

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What it’s like to sail on Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady cruise ship

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The Resilient Lady's maiden voyage faced a rocky start with a technical malfunction during embarkation. Photo / Supplied

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady is the cruise ship for people who don’t do cruise ships. Proudly adults-only, with no buffets and a medley of price inclusions that most cruise lines tag on. But does it live up to the hype? Lorna Riley jumps on board to find out.

It’s embarkation day for the first Australian sailing of Resilient Lady, the latest addition to Virgin Voyages cruise line, and the check-in process is not going smoothly. In fact — it’s not going at all. A technical malfunction has left a long line of eager Sailors (as Virgin dubs its passengers) snaking from the covered terminal out into the damp Melbourne day. Just as tempers start to fray, in rides a knight in shining armour. Well, a knight in freshly-pressed chinos to be precise: Sir Richard Branson, founder of the cruise line that’s part of his Virgin empire and a public relations maestro. He makes his way down the line of disgruntled sailors-in-waiting, personally apologising and posing for selfies, ensuring that these passengers will long be talking about the start, but now for all the right reasons; the ice-buckets of Möet that await in every cabin as way of recompense a welcome sweetener.

As we set sail, just slightly behind schedule, the initial teething problems are forgiven and forgotten as we get acquainted with the superyacht-inspired Resilient Lady and all her charms. She’s a full ship for this inaugural Australasian sailing, with about 2700 passengers on board. Virgin Voyages is renowned as an adults-only award-winning cruise line with the most 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor , so our expectations are high and we’re not disappointed.

READ MORE: What it’s like aboard the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas

For starters, technology is at the forefront here. Instead of the traditional key card, we’re each issued a wristband with an anchor fastening (a popular souvenir, prized by sailors post-voyage) — this is not only used to track any purchases aboard and for identification when alighting at a port, but also gains us access to our home away from home. In our instance, this is a Sea Terrace cabin on deck 10 — there’s a glam area to spruce ourselves up, a roomy rainshower in the cleverly designed bathroom, and a hand-woven terrace hammock overlooking sweeping views of the horizon. There’s ample storage too, although we do find that our suitcases are too big to fit under our bed as suggested. A push, press or swipe of the tablet, and we can control the mood lighting (which also intuitively matches the light from the oncoming sunset), the curtains and the TV which has myriad new release (and classic) movie options, and order ShipEats to be delivered (in a snazzy duffel bag). Pair this with the Virgin Voyages app, and all entertainment options, deck plans and shore excursions are literally at our fingertips. The most fun feature on the app is Shake for Champagne, where you can summon a bottle of the good stuff wherever on the ship you may be and toast your good fortune.

Many cruise lines have seemingly affordable fares but then sting you onboard with hefty charges for basic services; not so Virgin Voyages, with many luxuries included in the reasonable tariff. We have access to all the premium dining at Resilient Lady’s 20+ eateries with menus curated by Michelin star chefs and not a single buffet in sight: our favourite dining spots on board include Mexican-flavoured Pink Agave (with the biggest range of tequila at sea), The Test Kitchen (inspired by Escoffier’s Ma Cuisine, it’s a laboratory-like exploration for our taste buds), and the boldly designed Razzle Dazzle (a heady mix of healthy and decadent with a creative twist on some American classics), as well as The Galley for quick bites from a mix of shops and food-truck-style carts. It’s here we discover our standout dish of the entire five-night voyage from Melbourne to Melbourne by way of Tasmania : a ramen bowl from Korean BBQ restaurant Gunbae that’s the best we’ve tried anywhere.

Also included in our fare is a basic drinks package, covering still and sparkling water, sodas, milkshakes, tea and drip-coffee. Any alcohol required can be charged to your cabin with the flick of the wrist(band) — for many sailings in this initial season, a bar tab is also included in the fare to get you started. Wi-Fi at sea can be expensive, but that’s another inclusive, as are gratuities for the hard-working, always effervescent crew. Fancy getting physical? Group fitness classes at B-Complex are also included, from yoga and meditation through to horizontal bungee workouts and HIIT training. And if you’re lucky enough to be a RockStar Sailor (those booked into a suite), you have access to Richard’s Rooftop, a lavish, elaborate and members-only outdoor space for stargazing parties and pre-dinner cocktail hours. The happy hours here (where complimentary Möet flows freely) are understandably popular, and a good chance to mingle with fellow VIPs.

Last, but by no means least, oodles of award-winning entertainment is dished up as part of the fare. One evening we find ourselves tied up, quite literally, with fellow sailors as performers dance down our table and trapeze over our heads at Another Rose: Supper Club — it’s a unique experience that is equal parts cabaret, world-class dining and theatre spectacle. The Mind Mangler is hilariously bad as a failed mental telepathist until he stuns us with his final act that has the entire audience asking “How did he do that?!”. Miss Behave is a game show like no other, a wild night of fun and laughter with buckets of audience participation. And Scarlet Night, a highly-anticipated feature of every voyage, is a ship-wide event featuring an enormous inflatable octopus that takes over the top deck for a dance party, with red-clad sailors cavorting by the pool — and by the end of the evening, in the pool. The standout show for me is Persephone, a cutting-edge late-night production loosely based on the famous Greek myth and featuring a rock ‘n’ roll underworld outfitted with lavish costumes and dramatic action. A friend calls it the best show she’s ever seen at sea, and it’s hard to disagree.

Our five-night voyage has two Tasmanian ports of call: an overnighter in Hobart, and a day stay at Burnie, but there’s no doubt that the real destination is the Resilient Lady herself. There are no under-18s on board but a Virgin Voyages cruise is like a free-spirited, adults-only playground that appeals to the child in all of us. The adult seesaw is in constant use, as are a life-size game of Twister and seaside swings. We relive our misspent youth in the arcade with free retro games like Space Invaders and Donkey Kong, party like it’s 1985 at Club Rubiks, and drop into the Social Club to check out the air hockey and foosball tables. Classic fairground fare like hot dogs and popcorn plus boozy floats and milkshakes are also served, and we find ourselves at the naughtily-named Lick Me Til Ice Cream more than once. The main pool is a popular hangout with its Ibiza beach club vibe, while Gym and Tonic serves up not only the latest fitness equipment, but also the largest jacuzzi at sea, the Wellbeing Pool. There are more than 10 bars throughout the ship, each with their unique entertainment: returning to our cabin after dinner one evening, we hear a Violent Femmes banger emanating from a nearby lounge and end up dancing to one of the best covers bands I’ve ever heard. There’s a record shop, private karaoke booths, designer boutiques, and a sizeable casino (with James Bond-inspired decor) which operates when the ship is sailing and even offers gaming lessons for the uninitiated.

Boredom is not an option, with activities to suit all tastes: trivia games to an onboard pub crawl, meetups for solo travellers, scavenger hunts and dance classes. Perhaps the most fun activity is the VHS Workout (Videos, Headbands and Simmons). Held in nightclub The Manor, the class is a return to ‘80s aerobics, led by fitness personality Richard Simmons on the big screen. Replete in fluoro leg warmers and lycra, this is a camp workout and nostalgia trip all in one. The B-Complex outdoor Training Camp offers workout equipment with a mini boxing ring; the Runway is a jogging track with the best views; and there’s even a basketball court. I have my own “nothing but net” moment at the Athletic Club, where brave sailors can walk out onto a suspended catamaran net and hang out (quite literally) 16 decks above the ocean.

The Virgin Voyages philosophy is “retox then detox”, and there’s no better place to do the latter than at Redemption Spa, which promises a healthy dose of Vitamin Sea through a salt stone massage or a rejuvenating facial. The Thermal Suite offers a hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, and quartz beds. Pampering continues at Dry Dock, the on-board blowout bar, and Stubble and Groom barbershop, where you can get a shave with a side of whiskey or beer. I treat myself to a shellac manicure at Tune Up with some of the best views on the ship, and have to strongly resist the urge to take home a permanent souvenir of the trip from Squid Ink, the onboard tattoo parlour.

All too soon, our five-night flirtation with Resilient Lady is over, and despite a jam-packed itinerary, there was so much left undone. We’ve had a little taste of the good, a seamless blend of luxury and leisure, and we’re left wanting more: another cruise with Virgin Voyages is definitely an idea I could get on board with.

For more information about Virgin Voyages cruise itineraries, see virginvoyages.com

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