Caribbean Itinerary Matchups
Carnival Celebration - Eastern Caribbean vs Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady - Caribbean
Both sail Eastern Caribbean out of Miami, but they're aimed at opposite travelers. Carnival Celebration - Eastern Caribbean is a 6-night, family-packed megaship voyage around $549pp; Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady - Caribbean is a 5-night, adults-only sailing near $1,100pp with dining and extras folded in.
At a Glance
Carnival Celebration - Eastern Caribbean
Carnival Cruise Line
Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady - Caribbean
Virgin Voyages
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
Amenity Differences
Only on Carnival Celebration - Eastern Caribbean
- + BOLT Roller Coaster
- + Comedy Club
- + Guy's Burger Joint
- + Kids Club
- + Mini Golf
- + Red Frog Rum Bar
- + Roller Coaster (BOLT)
- + Ropes Course
- + Water Park & Slides
On both
- ✓ Adults-Only Area
- ✓ Casino
- ✓ Fitness Center
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
- ✓ Sports Court
- ✓ Theater & Shows
Only on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady - Caribbean
- + Athletic Club
- + Balcony Cabins
- + Beach Club (Bimini)
- + Nightclub
- + Rooftop Bar
- + Tattoo Parlor
- + Test Kitchen
What Real Travelers Say
Pros and cons from real traveler discussions about each ship.
Carnival Celebration
- BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, is a genuinely unique thrill (around $15) and an award-winning signature feature
- Themed zones organize the ship into distinct areas - Celebration Central, Summer Landing, Havana and more
- Food quality surprised many repeat Carnival cruisers, with strong fast-casual options like Guy's Burgers and BlueIguana
- Specialty venues such as Emeril's Bistro and Chibang add variety beyond the included dining
- WaterWorks slides and splash zones keep kids busy for hours, making it strong for families
- With up to 5,374 guests (over 6,600 at full berths), the ship feels consistently busy, often overwhelmingly so
- Public venues strain under the pressure of a full ship, with lines and congestion at peak times
- Elevator and embarkation/debarkation waits are common complaints on the large Excel-class hull
- BOLT costs extra (around $15) and the ride itself is short for the price
- The adults-only Serenity area on Deck 18 feels far from the main pools two decks below
Scarlet Lady
- Specialty restaurants (The Wake, Gunbae, Razzle Dazzle, Extra Virgin, Pink Agave) are included in the fare with no cover charge — rated among the best food at sea
- Truly inclusive pricing bundles Wi-Fi, gratuities, all restaurants, group fitness, and basic soda — minimal nickel-and-diming
- Adults-only (18+), boutique-hotel atmosphere with no kids and a sophisticated-but-playful vibe
- 86% of cabins have balconies that are wider and deeper than industry norm, each with a signature hammock and tablet room controls
- Empowered, genuinely warm crew who give a relaxed 'invited guest' feeling rather than a scripted one
- Only two small pools that fill up fast — the most common complaint, with daybeds claimed early
- Buggy, low-rated app and a clunky reservation model make booking dining a hassle
- Long, disorganized embarkation with multi-hour waits reported
- No buffet and little onboard guidance, which confuses first-timers and traditional cruisers
- Cabin storage falls short — minimal drawers and cramped bathrooms where shower water escapes onto towels
The Verdict
The price gap is real but so is what you get for it. Carnival Celebration is the value play — a longer 6 nights, the BOLT roller coaster at sea, six themed zones, Guy Fieri eats, and a lively family crowd, all at roughly half the per-person fare. Scarlet Lady costs about double but bundles in 20+ restaurants, WiFi, and gratuities, bans kids entirely, and trades waterslides for a design-forward, adults-only vibe plus the Beach Club at Bimini. Factor in that Virgin's fare includes things you'd pay extra for on Carnival, and the true gap narrows — but Carnival still wins on raw value and family appeal, while Virgin wins on grown-up atmosphere and inclusions. Both leave from Miami, so it's really about who you're traveling with.
Choose Carnival Celebration - Eastern Caribbean if…
Choose the Carnival Celebration cruise if you're bringing kids or want maximum bang for your buck — a longer sailing, roller coasters, and non-stop family energy at a budget-friendly fare.
See Carnival Celebration - Eastern CaribbeanChoose Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady - Caribbean if…
Choose the Scarlet Lady cruise if you want a kid-free, stylish adults-only getaway where dining, tips, and WiFi are included and the Bimini Beach Club is the centerpiece — and the higher price buys you the vibe.
See Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady - Caribbean