My first Virgin Voyages cruise aboard the Scarlet Lady in October 2021 did not disappoint. Virgin offers some industry firsts and aims for a vibe that is different from other cruise ships.
Razzle Dazzle is a “veggie-forward” restaurant with a bold interior featuring a “naughty or nice” menu. You can choose from plant-based dishes or indulge in meat if you wish. Our meal was delicious, even though I am not vegetarian.
For those who love a steakhouse, The Wake is a fantastic option. We had excellent steak, potatoes and vegetables with a view to the aft from the large panoramic windows at the back of the ship.
The Test Kitchen is an experiential restaurant that is part cooking school and part eatery. The food presentation was excellent and very creative with great wine pairings. Bring your adventurous palate to this restaurant!
Pink Agave offers elevated Mexican cuisine inspired by the street food scene of Mexico City. The food was amazing and we tried almost everything on the menu. Definitely recommend.
Dining & Food Rating out of 10: 9
Our veranda stateroom was of average size, but the bathroom was very small. It was difficult maneuvering when getting in and out of the shower and it offered no storage space. There was a large closet with a lot of storage, but no drawers. The desk area is a good size with a large mirror but there was no extra lighting for the mirror area, and again no drawers in the desk.
Our beds were configured in an L-shape (I cruised with my sister), which made for lots of room moving around the stateroom. There was no sofa, only a chair, and two chairs and a small table on the veranda. One feature that we loved was the hammock on the veranda. The lighting, TV and curtains are all controlled through a tablet provided in the stateroom.
Stateroom Rating out of 10: 6
There are more entertainment crew members on the Scarlet Lady than on any other ship I’ve been on with friendly, happy and professional staff at every turn. Entertainment is clearly a priority for Virgin. The shows were fantastic – upbeat, amped and a bit edgy – quite different from traditional cruise lines.
Entertainment Rating out of 10: 8
We never waited in line at Guest Services or anywhere else for that matter. Service staff are very attentive, crew can be found everywhere on the ship and are always extremely helpful for anything that you need.
Service Rating out of 10: 9
There are countless lounges, bars, and spaces to retreat to some with chairs, some with tables and chairs and some with day beds. These spaces can be found both indoors and outdoors. There is no shortage of places to relax.
Ship Spaces Rating out of 10: 9
There are many fitness classes available in mornings and during the day including sunrise yoga, outdoor boxing, meditation, HIIT workouts, and spin classes. The ship also has an outdoor track for walking or jogging. Spa services at Redemption including a mudroom, hot stone massage or seaweed wrap, are high-end with highly trained staff.
Fitness and Spa Services Rating out of 10: 9
The shops on board feature high-end products and are very pricey.
Shops Rating out of 10: 8
The pool was not very large, but it provided adequate space for our sailing which was at reduced capacity. The Aquatic Club, as the pool area is called, has a sophisticated design and vibe.
Pool and Hot Tub Rating out of 10: 7
I expected a very professional and high-end tattoo with prices starting at $250USD. Unfortunately, the tattoo artist I had was clearly not as skilled as they may have thought he was when hired and my experience was very disappointing. Virgin did compensate me for the botched tattoo and I was very pleased with how they handled the situation.
Tattoo Parlour Rating out of 10: 3
The Galley looked similar to a buffet-style restaurant, but you are actually served at your table.
The Grounds Coffee Club offered excellent coffee and treats while the Social Club had fantastic snacks like pretzels, hot dogs, popcorn, alcoholic milkshakes and candy for your sweet tooth.
Other Eateries Rating out of 10: 8
I would definitely recommend sailing on the Virgin Lady to the young and young at heart, those who have a zest for life and their well-being and for the finer things in life. Interested in sailing on a Virgin Voyages cruise? Contact us today and we can help you find the perfect vacation.
Vacations for Canadians
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