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I just got back from sailing on the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady, and I have so much to share.
I was invited aboard as part of the Content Creator Voyage, which, if you haven’t heard of it, was basically 1,000 content creators (plus their guests) sailing together to Bimini, Bahamas. It sounds a little chaotic, and it kind of was, but in the best possible way. I’ll share more about that experience in a future post 🙂
Before I get into everything, I want to be really clear about one thing. This is my honest experience. I wasn’t asked to write this blog post, and this isn’t part of any deliverable. I just genuinely had such an incredible time that I wanted to share it with you, as I do with all of our family travel adventures.
I brought my boyfriend Joe with me, and this trip was extra special because it was our first cruise together and his first time out of the country. We found out about the experience about 2–3 weeks before setting sail, so he had to rush to get his passport. Shoutout to the passport processing center that got it to him incredibly fast!
We arrived at the terminal about 30 minutes before our scheduled boarding time. There’s a parking garage for each terminal, and the cost is $25 per night. We felt confident leaving our car there, and it was super convenient, just a short walk to the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady terminal.
First Impressions of Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
Walking into the Virgin Voyages terminal, we could immediately feel the excitement. Once it’s your turn, you provide your passport, take a photo, and they give you a bracelet. That bracelet becomes your cabin key and basically how you’re identified on the ship. When you leave or return, you scan it and your face pops up automatically. If you want to pay for anything that isn’t included, you’ll use that bracelet too since it’s linked to the credit card you have on file.
From the second you walk onto the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady during embarkation, the crew is hyping you up, welcoming you, and getting you ready for what’s about to be an unforgettable experience. I’m pretty shy, so I just smiled and walked past the dancers who greet you, but a lot of people in line were dancing right along with them. The energy onboard the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady is something you notice immediately, and honestly, it never really goes away.
The ship itself is stunning. You can tell that so much thought went into every single space. It doesn’t feel like a typical cruise ship. Everything feels modern, intentional, and really well done. There are so many Instagram-worthy spots and photo moments. One of my favorite areas was just behind The Grounds coffee shop. It has a Mediterranean feel and is the perfect place to sit, read a book, relax, or chat with friends.
I honestly wish I had taken more photos of the ship itself, if nothing else, for design inspiration for my home.
The Crew Made the Experience
I have to take a minute to talk about the crew, because they truly made this experience what it was.
From that very first moment onboard, they were welcoming, energetic, and genuinely happy to have you there. It didn’t feel forced. It felt real.
What stood out even more was how consistent they were. Everywhere we went, someone was there to help, answer questions, or just check in to make sure we had everything we needed. At restaurants, they took the time to walk us through every dish, make recommendations, and never once made us feel rushed, even when we were clearly ordering way more than necessary just to try everything.
Even just passing crew members in the hallways, they would smile, say hello, and make you feel welcome. It made the entire ship feel warm and easy to enjoy. The crew we spoke with also spoke so highly of the ship, and you could tell how much they genuinely love what they do.
You can have a beautiful ship and amazing food, but the people are what bring it all together, and they absolutely did that.
The Cabin Experience on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
The cabins on the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady are spacious, comfortable, and honestly just really well thought out. There’s plenty of storage, which makes such a difference, and everything you need is already there. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap… they even have little makeup towels, which I appreciated more than I expected. There’s also a mini fridge, a space to sit and work or do your makeup, and just an overall really comfortable setup.
The bed was so comfortable. It may have been a combination of being completely exhausted after our full, fun days, but we were falling asleep almost as soon as our heads hit the pillow. I also loved that there was a space outside of the bathroom for me to do my hair and makeup. It’s so convenient when you’re traveling with someone who might need the bathroom and doesn’t want to wait on you.
One of my favorite little details was coming back to the room after housekeeping had been in. As soon as you opened the cabin door, the curtains on the balcony would open automatically, almost like the ocean was welcoming you back. It was such a small thing, but it made it feel special every single time.
The red hammock on the balcony quickly became one of our favorite spots. We spent so much time out there just relaxing and taking everything in. I’ve seen that detail in so many videos and photos online, and I can officially confirm the hype.
Let’s Talk About the Food (Because WOW!)
One of the things that really sets the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady apart is the food because, well, you know how much I love good food. It’s probably the part of the cruise I miss the most. As soon as we got home, I was already complaining about having to buy and prepare my own meals. I was spoiled in the best way on this ship.
This is not your typical cruise food. Virgin Voyages has over 20 dining options, all included in your cruise fare, and there are no buffets. Everything feels like a real restaurant experience.
A couple of tips: Make sure you make reservations in the app as soon as you’re able to, because they do fill up quickly. They occasionally allow walk-ins, but having a reservation guarantees your spot at the restaurants you’re most excited to try. Also, don’t eat a huge lunch. Save room for these dishes and desserts. You’ll be glad you did.
Night 1: Test Kitchen
We went to Test Kitchen on the first night, and I’ll be honest, I was expecting one of those fancy restaurants where you get tiny portions and leave hungry.
Not the case.
It was a five-course meal, and every single course was better than the last. The presentation was beautiful, everything was explained to you, and we walked out completely full and so impressed.
My absolute favorites were the scallop with ham and the mushroom dish. The dessert was also amazing. I would give it a solid 9/10.
Night 2: Pink Agave
Night two, we went to Pink Agave, which is elevated Mexican food, and this meal lives rent-free in my head.
They let you order as many dishes as you want, so obviously we took full advantage of that. We started with the guacamole and esquites (grilled corn with spicy aioli and lime), and both were incredible.
Next, we had the Camarón Amarillo (seared shrimp, mole amarillo, and new potatoes). The shrimp was perfectly cooked, and the flavors were just so good.
For our main dishes, we ordered the Cochinita Pibil (achiote-marinated smoked pork with sour orange habanero pico de gallo) and the ribeye with oaxaca cheese and chile ancho. Both were phenomenal.
And dessert… we tried the chocolate tacos and the tamal de chocolate. Think rich chocolate cake or brownie topped with fresh fruit. So, so good. Honestly, probably the best Mexican food I’ve ever had.
Night 3: Extra Virgin
By night three, we thought there was no way the food could get better, and somehow it did. We made reservations at Extra Virgin, which is elevated Italian food.
They started us off with fresh bread that was so good I actually asked if I could take some home. I’ve never had bread that fresh and delicious in my life.
We had crispy artichoke and braised mini meatballs to start, followed by a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, and spreads.
I ordered the braised pork cheek, which was so tender and flavorful I would have ordered seconds if I had room. Joe had the grilled Mediterranean sea bass, and he is still talking about it.
We also ordered sides of pasta. I got the spaghetti alle vongole, and Joe got the pappardelle al ragù. You could absolutely tell the pasta was handmade.
For dessert, we had the chocolate olive oil cake and gianduiotto gelati, and we left completely stuffed, wishing this restaurant existed at home.
The Galley and Coffee
For breakfast and lunch, The Galley has a ton of options. It’s basically a more elevated version of a food court. You walk around, choose what you want, and then sit and enjoy it.
They also have drink stations with infused water, soda, juices, and more in the “Tap It Hot” and “Tap It Cold” areas.
The only thing we didn’t love was the coffee there, so we ended up at The Grounds coffee shop almost every day for caramel macchiatos. Those aren’t included, but they are absolutely worth the extra money.
And a fun little moment… we actually saw Richard Branson casually playing a game of chess at one of the tables on our first morning, which was pretty surreal.
Things To Do Onboard Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
There is so much to do on this ship.
There are shops, a full spa with pretty much every service you can think of (I got a manicure and it was so relaxing), places to get your hair done, and even a spot for the guys to get a shave. There’s also a MAC where you can get a makeover, which is such a fun touch if you’re getting ready for a night out. And of course, there’s a casino… where I somehow managed to win $120 on the first night. Woo hoo!
While we didn’t take advantage of them on this cruise, they also offer a ton of included fitness classes. I’m talking yoga, Pilates, spin, strength training, and more. There’s a full gym with ocean views, a running track on the top deck, and even a boxing bag, which Joe had a little fun with.
There are also multiple pools, hot tubs, and plenty of lounge areas depending on the vibe you’re going for. Some areas feel more like a party, while others are quieter and perfect for relaxing with a book or just taking in the views. It never felt overcrowded, which I really appreciated.
And then there’s Squid Ink… the tattoo shop onboard.
On the last night, I decided to get a tattoo, and I absolutely love it. It was done by Paul Todd, who is based out of the Tampa area, and I would highly recommend him. He was professional, informative, and immediately put me at ease. It’s such a unique experience and now it’s a permanent souvenir from a trip I don’t think Joe and I will ever forget.
Entertainment
The entertainment offers a little bit of everything.
Persephone was something I will never forget. It’s a mix of a musical, dance show, and circus-style performance all rolled into one. The stage is in the middle of the room, and there are smaller stages around it, so you feel like you’re part of the show the entire time.
There are also clubs, parties, karaoke, and Scarlet Night, where everyone dresses in red and just has fun.
For those of us who aren’t in our 20s anymore and don’t want to party nonstop, there are also game shows, trivia (we won, by the way), and other fun events. We definitely spent more time in those kinds of settings because, to be totally honest, despite being a content creator, I hate being the center of attention. I’m convinced everyone is watching and judging my very questionable 40-something mom dance moves.
So, we stayed away from the dance party and club atmosphere. But after seeing videos on social media, it looked like such a vibe and everyone seemed to be having the best time. So if that’s your thing, the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady absolutely delivers.
And if you’re more like us, a middle-aged couple who are usually in bed by 10pm, there are plenty of options for you too.
Adults Only And Why It Matters
Let’s talk about the adults-only aspect for a minute.
No kids.
And as a mom of three, that alone felt like a vacation. I love my kids. I love taking them on adventures and traveling with them, but let’s be honest… any vacation with kids isn’t really a vacation for Mom. I’m responsible for packing, planning, driving, organizing, feeding… all the things. Even when I lay my head on the pillow at night, I’m thinking about everything I need to do to make the next day successful.
Add being a content creator into family vacations, and I’m pretty much working the entire time. Taking photos, filming videos, editing, posting… it never really stops.
An adults-only cruise felt like the greatest invention ever, and honestly, it was the reset I needed. There were always places on the ship where we could relax, unwind, and just enjoy time together without interruptions. So many comfortable spots, beautiful views, and quiet moments.
It really felt like a reset and a chance for us to connect as two adults in a relationship, not just parents managing all the responsibilities of everyday life. If you have child care available, I highly recommend it.
The Creator Voyage Experience
I also want to touch on the Content Creator Voyage itself, because it was really well done. I’ll be doing a deeper dive into the Virgin Voyages x TikTok Content Creator Voyage in a separate post, because there’s honestly so much more to share.
From what I understand, this was the first cruise of its kind, with 1,000 creators onboard. They brought together such a diverse group of people from all different backgrounds, ages, niches, and experience levels.
There were creators with millions of followers and creators who were just getting started. Fashion, beauty, travel, family… a little bit of everything.
It felt thoughtful, inclusive, and really well put together. Bravo to the teams of people that worked overtime to make this a successful voyage.
Would I Sail Again on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady
I’ve been asked so many times since we got back if I would sail on the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady again.
The answer is a hell yes.
Between the food, the atmosphere, the incredible crew, and just how easy it was to truly relax and enjoy ourselves, this is one of those experiences that’s really hard to explain until you’ve lived it.
It’s not just a cruise. It’s something we will never forget. I’d absolutely book one!
And while I would absolutely pay to be back on this ship in a heartbeat… I also wouldn’t be mad about an invite to the next Creator Voyage. Just saying. 😉
Have Questions
If you have any questions at all, feel free to leave them in the comments. I’m always happy to share more about our experience.
Hi! I’m Heather, Mom of 3, professional snack opener, the only person who knows where everything is in my house and part-time magician (I can turn a bunch of candy into a gift basket and everyone thinks it’s amazing). I share a mix of parenting moments, easy recipes, crafts, and DIY home decor projects.
Around here, we love turning ordinary stuff into extraordinary gifts, from candy box baskets and birthday punch boards to homemade advent calendars and other crafty chaos that somehow always works out.
Welcome to The Super Mom Life — where the projects are fun, the coffee is strong, and the laughter is pretty much required for survival. Don't forget to follow us on social media!
