- What makes Virgin Voyages stand out in the cruise industry? Virgin Voyages differentiates itself with an adult-centric approach, offering modern luxury, dynamic social spaces, and an all-inclusive experience with over 20 dining options without extra fees. The fleet, including Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady, is designed with a British heritage flair, emphasizing chic interiors and a superyacht feel.
- What are the unique features of Virgin Voyages’ ships? The ships boast a wide range of amenities and a departure from traditional cruise dining and entertainment. Highlights include a variety of eateries from upscale restaurants to food hall-style dining, unique social spaces, and wellness-focused activities, including a state-of-the-art gym and spa facilities. Accommodations range from Sea Terrace Cabins to luxurious RockStar Suites.
- How does Virgin Voyages’ approach sustainability and innovation? Committed to environmental stewardship, Virgin Voyages aims for Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050 and incorporates sustainable practices like eliminating single-use plastics and using fuel-efficient designs. Technological innovations include “The Band,” a wearable device made from recycled ocean plastic, enhancing the guest experience while emphasizing ecological responsibility.
- What does the booking process and packages include? Virgin Voyages offers a straightforward booking process with a 20% deposit for reservations made more than 120 days before departure, and full payment required within 120 days of sailing. Packages typically include accommodations, onboard meals, and entertainment, with adult-only experiences ensuring a mature atmosphere. Sunset Chasers Travel Agency provides additional benefits like extra onboard credit for bookings in Sea Terrace cabins or higher.
Virgin Voyages is one of the newest players in the cruise industry. With its ladyships, Virgin Voyages aims to offer a unique experience at sea tailored to the adult-only market. As part of the revered Virgin brand, Virgin Voyages emphasizes a more adult-centric approach to cruising.
This means their Virgin ships cater exclusively to adults and focus on providing a mix of relaxation and high-energy activities, all within a chic design aesthetic that carries the signature Virgin style.
In my experiences with their service, I’ve noticed that they pride themselves on including many amenities in the cruise price, differentiating them from traditional cruise lines where additional dining and service charges can add up. They offer over 20 dining options onboard without extra fees, promoting an all-inclusive atmosphere.
Their cruise ships, referred to as the ‘Lady Ship,’ are a tongue-in-cheek homage to Virgin’s British roots and currently consist of several ships. The first ship, Scarlet Lady, set sail in 2020, while additional ships have rolled out each subsequent year, extending the fleet to four. The design of these ships appeals to those who favor modern luxury and dynamic social spaces without the formality often associated with traditional cruises.
Virgin Voyage Fleet Overview
Virgin Voyages fleet is designed with a nod to the company’s British heritage. It is geared towards providing adult-only cruise experiences that combine style and comfort. Their fleet consists of several ships, with more planned for delivery.
Current Ships:
- Scarlet Lady: Delivered on February 14, 2020, she is Virgin Voyages’ inaugural ship and features a variety of amenities that ensure a fun and vibrant cruising experience.
- Valiant Lady: Following her sister’s Wake, she embarked on her maiden voyage in 2021, continuing the brand’s vision of luxury and adventure.
- Resilient Lady: The third ship in the line of Lady ships.
Upcoming Ships:
- Brilliant Lady: With a maiden voyage planned for 2024, this ship will be the latest addition to the Virgin Voyages fleet.
Each ship in the fleet sports chic interiors, with a wide range of bars, eateries, accommodations, and luxurious “rock star” suites. The design echoes a superyacht, emphasizing sleek lines and sophisticated spaces. The brand focuses on the sailors having a great time in their public areas, including the dining hall. Unlike traditional cruise ships, there isn’t a buffet but made-to-order food in a food hall.
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Virgin Voyages Lady Ships Features
As an experienced cruiser, I love Virgin Voyages cruise line ship design. Unlike a traditional cruise ship, Scarlet Lady by Virgin Voyages boasts unique amenities designed for adult passengers, integrating a modern and luxurious experience. This ship redefines sea travel with its contemporary approach to traditional cruising.
Dining Options
Dining aboard the Scarlet Lady is an adventure in itself. The ship does away with the traditional main dining room and buffet, offering an array of eateries to suit any palate. Here’s a bite-sized look at the gastronomic landscape:
- The Wake is an upscale steak and seafood eatery, one of my favorite places to grab brunch or dinner.
- Razzle Dazzle: A vibrant space with a vegetarian-forward menu and delicious cocktails.
- Gunbae: Korean BBQ with tabletop grills for a communal feast and fun drinking games.
- The Galley: You won’t find a buffet here, but a food court-style area for many of their casual fast-food offerings.
Entertainment Venues
Entertainment on the Scarlet Lady is both varied and engaging. A few of the highlights include:
- The Manor is a two-story nightclub inspired by Richard Branson’s history in the music industry. Make sure you take photos at its Instagramable entrance.
- Red Room: A transformative venue offering theatrical productions and late-night dance parties.
Onboard Experiences
Abundant onboard activities ensure my guests are energized and entertained throughout their voyage. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect:
- Social Spaces: Lounges and bars designed for meeting fellow travelers and making new friends.
- Board Games: Classics including Chutes and Ladders, Mall Madness, Boggle, and Clue.
- Entertainment: Dynamic shows and performances tailored for adults seeking a blend of nostalgia and festivity.
Wellness and Spa
Prioritizing wellness, Scarlet Lady features spaces dedicated to health and relaxation, including:
- Redemption Spa: Thermal suites, hydrotherapy pools, mud rooms, and more.
- B-Complex Gym: Functional training and balance-focused workouts, complete with sea views.
Fitness and Leisure
For fitness enthusiasts, the Resilient Lady does not disappoint. The onboard gym has advanced equipment, catering to a wide-ranging exercise regimen with group fitness classes. Leisure-wise, pools, and spa services offer relaxing retreats to unwind. Yoga and meditation classes complete the wellness portfolio, allowing me to balance mind and body even at sea.
Accommodations
My time on the Scarlet Lady showed me that comfort is critical. The accommodations are modern sanctuaries:
- Sea Terrace Cabins: Balcony cabins with handcrafted hammocks.
- RockStar Suites: Luxe Rockstart Quarters quarters boasting floor-to-ceiling sea views and private terraces.
Itineraries
Virgin Voyages’ lady ships offer compelling itineraries sailing out of Barcelona, San Juan, Miami, and more. The Caribbean itineraries give you late stays in many ports of call and access to their private beach club when sailing out of Miami.
The variety of destinations the lady ships visit is perfect for first-time cruisers. Each voyage has at least two themed parties: a pajama party and Scarlet Night.
Brilliant Lady’s Launch
Brilliant Lady’s official launch has experienced delays. Initially, the maiden voyage was planned for December 23, 2023. However, as things stand, this date has been postponed until mid-2025.
Like her predecessors, the Brilliant Lady is outfitted with eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices, which are part of Virgin Voyages’ commitment to environmental stewardship. The details on her specific amenities and onboard experiences are still forthcoming. Still, Virgin Voyages has a reputation for vibrant, adult-focused cruise experiences, suggesting that Brilliant Lady will follow suit.
Sustainability Efforts
Virgin Voyages is dedicated to carving a sustainable pathway within the cruise industry. Their actions reveal a relentless commitment to ecological responsibility.
Virgin Voyages has articulated a bold goal: achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050. This ambitious target is a testament to their long-term vision for sustainability. To work towards this, I’ve discovered that the fleet has been designed to incorporate new technologies to minimize environmental impact.
You will notice that almost all single-use plastics have been removed from the cruise line. There isn’t any overindulging with buffets or frivolous drink packages; however, they do have a bar tab so sailors can responsibly consume whatever alcoholic beverages they want.
Their vessels showcase fuel-efficient and intelligent design, constituting an overarching continuous improvement strategy focused on operational efficiency and technological advancements.
On each Virgin Voyages Cruise ship, sailors will get their own upcycled Ban. Introducing The Band, a wearable device constructed from recycled ocean plastic stands out. This intelligent technology serves as a key for unlocking various onboard adventures and amenities, streamlining the vacation experience for sailors.
These measures are not sporadic but part of Virgin Voyages’ coherent strategy to ensure that their promise of a greener cruise experience is not just words but actions reflecting an authentic commitment to our planet’s well-being.
Technological Innovations
On each Virgin Voyages Cruise ship, sailors will get their own upcycled Ban. Introducing The Band, a wearable device constructed from recycled ocean plastic stands out. This intelligent technology serves as a key for unlocking various onboard adventures and amenities, streamlining the vacation experience for sailors.
Customer Service and Amenities
Virgin Voyages provides Sailor Services—their term for customer service—to assist passengers with various inquiries and service requests. Their approach leans more toward modernity, with options to contact them via email, phone, or chat, catering to various communication preferences.
They differ from traditional cruise lines regarding the amenities on Virgin Voyages ships. Passengers won’t find waterslides or mini-golf courses. Instead, they are met with a variety of unique amenities that reflect a more contemporary lifestyle:
- Tattoo parlors for those wanting a permanent souvenir from their voyage.
- A range of fitness equipment and yoga classes to maintain wellness routines.
- Luxurious, spacious cabins are designed with attention to detail for maximum comfort.
This dedication to an adult-only and wellness-centric voyage defines the Virgin Voyages experience, setting it apart in the cruise industry.
Booking Process and Packages
If this is your first time booking a cruise with Virgin Voyage, contact Sunset Chasers Travel Agency. When booking a Sea Terrace or above, you can get an extra $100 in Sailor Loot (Onboard Credit) for booking with these travel agents.
For bookings more than 120 days before departure, guests must pay a 20% deposit to secure their reservation. This deposit approach is standard, allowing passengers to manage payments over a period.
If you are within 45 days of the voyage, you can hold a booking for 24 hours without any payment, which gives me a brief window to finalize my travel plans.
Once the 120-day mark before sailing is crossed, the full fare for the voyage must be paid at the time of booking. Virgin Voyages’Voyages’ payment structure is straightforward, and flexibility is offered in the initial booking stages.
Virgin Voyages offers various packages to cater to different needs and preferences. The packages typically include accommodations, onboard meals, and entertainment. However, it’s essential to note that Virgin Voyages promotes an 18-and-older cruising experience, ensuring a more adult-oriented atmosphere.
I suggest reaching out to Sunset Chasers Travel Agency for assistance with more specific package details. They’re equipped to steer anyone in the right direction for a smooth booking experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let me address some common inquiries about Virgin Voyages to enhance your understanding of this cruise line.
How many ships does Virgin Voyages have in their fleet?
Virgin Voyages has announced four ships on order, with deliveries starting in 2020 and the last one expected in 2025.
What is the flagship vessel of Virgin Voyages?
The flagship vessel for Virgin Voyages is the Scarlet Lady, which was delivered to the fleet on February 14, 2020.
Are all cruises by Virgin Voyages exclusively for adults?
Yes, all Virgin Voyages cruises are adult-only experiences, catering specifically to guests 18 years old and over.
Can you list the names of the ships operated by Virgin Voyages?
The fleet includes Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady. Brilliant Lady is setting sail in 2025.
How do Virgin Voyages’ cruise experiences differ from traditional cruise lines?
Virgin Voyages sets itself apart by focusing on a youthful, adult-only experience with innovative amenities, vibrant nightlife, and a focus on wellness.
