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Additionally, the cruise line celebrates themed nights such as “Scarlet Night” and “We Fancy Night,” where sailors are invited to dress in red and gold, adding to the festive atmosphere. We had a fantastic five-night stay on the Scarlet Lady cruise ship. While we booked the Dominican Daze itinerary, visiting Puerto Plata, DR, and Bimini, Bahamas, in the Caribbean, the cruise was the standout destination on this trip. It wasn’t by any means perfect, but it was enjoyable throughout and the best value for a cruise of this class. The yacht-inspired, top-deck Athletic Club Lounge boasts an enormous red-and-white striped semicircular lounger meant for sharing with shipmates for sunbathing or stargazing.
Best dining. Best nightlife. And counting.
The IKEA-inspired furnishings and mod décor made the room resemble a trendy micro hotel. On the cabin's long wall, there was a cloth headboard and a narrow white platform with one thick armrest. 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. 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. The public spaces on the ship invite you to grab a friend, a drink and chill for a while.
ALL CRUISE LINES (1543 SHIPS)
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.
THE VIEW FROM THE TOP
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. Virgin's Bimini Beach Club overlooks the sea and features a large lagoon-style swimming pool.
Everyone we encountered was nice and ready to assist, from the cabin attendants to the shore things staff. We loved that The Galley was not a buffet but more like a food court with the option of having servers take your orders. You could make lines, but with a flag raised for service at a table, they came quickly to take your order. Not only was the food made fresh, but I think it also helped reduce food waste and kept people from touching everything. While we waited in the terminal, music played, and MC worked on getting us excited to board and start our cruise vacation.
The Test Kitchen is a laboratory-themed venue serving tasting menus of innovative cuisine and doubling as a cooking school. While waters, sodas, juices, teas and coffee are included in the price of a cruise on Scarlet Lady, experiencing the first-class beverage program on board will cost you. Be sure to bring something red for Scarlet Night, whether that's a red dress, shirt or accessory.
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Inside, you'll find daybeds for lounging and a drinks cooler prepped with fresh-pressed welcome juices. Scarlet Lady has all the requisite poolside and sun deck bars, including ones offering smoothies and juices after your indoor or outdoor workout. The menu of JoJo loose leaf teas offers a nice selection of caffeinated and herbal teas.
Scarlet Lady cruise ship review: What to expect on board Virgin Voyages’ 1st ship - The Points Guy
Scarlet Lady cruise ship review: What to expect on board Virgin Voyages’ 1st ship.
Posted: Mon, 19 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Virgin Voyages changes Scarlet Lady's itinerary for engine maintenance
Everyone raves about the meatballs, the pappardelle pasta and the ricotta bomboloni (like Italian donut holes). RockStar Suite passengers benefit from complimentary food service, exclusive bar and outdoor terrace lounge, VIP beach cabanas. The 7-mile (11-km) long island offers extraordinary activities like boating, snorkeling, wreck diving. The partially sunk wreck of SS Sapona (concrete-hulled steamship that ran aground in 1926) is located just a few miles off the island's southern coast.
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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. It had one upright chair in the corner and a vegan leather stool under the table that doubled as desk and vanity.
The variety of non-alcoholic options, including an alcohol-free drink pairing at the Test Kitchen (see the menu), was appreciated. The Test Kitchen experience itself was exceptional, and it didn’t incur an extra cost was a definite plus. I’m used to paying extra for nicer dining on nearly every cruise line now. The ship was thoughtfully designed with an abundance of charging ports, ensuring convenience at every turn, be it at the buffet, in the room, or elsewhere. A unique feature was the hammock on the balcony, adding a charming touch to the accommodations. While not a necessity, it certainly added to the overall enjoyment.
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). 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. Perhaps if the app were more intuitive, some of these issues could be mitigated.
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. 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.
With 20+ years of coordinating logistics and travel planning, I've taken that expertise to plan our cruise, food, and travel experiences. From deck to deck, you find everything lit up and decorated for the night. Music, entertainment, and live bands playing from one venue to another. We were unsure what to expect, but we dressed in red and went out to experience what made this night so epic.
All Virgin Scarlet Lady cruises visit Bimini Bahamas as a private island destination. Via the Sailor App (when your phone is shaken) a secret "Champagne button" allows Sailors to order Moet-Chandon Champagne (Brut Imperial, 750 ml bottle) delivered in an ice bucket and with two glasses. The service is called "Shake for Champagne" and provided anywhere on board. No one understands what voyaging with us is like better than our Sailors. So instead of going on about everything that makes sailing with us an epic experience, we’ll let them do the talking. View all Scarlet Lady cruises here on the cruises tab, or alternatively click here for all Virgin Voyage cruises.
Try out the pool on the Scarlet Lady and enjoy a refreshing swim. The tablet in the room, while functional, had occasional issues with charging and screen functionality. The prompt availability of rooms upon boarding, even for Deep Blue Extras guests, was a smooth and appreciated process. The Red Room’s versatility and adaptability made it a standout venue, evolving its ambiance and offerings for different shows.
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