Luxury & Premium Small Ships
Scarlet Lady vs Celebrity Apex
Scarlet Lady (Virgin Voyages) and Celebrity Apex (Edge class) are both design-forward ships in the 2,800–2,900 guest range that skew toward adults, but they attract completely different crowds. Virgin is 18-and-up by rule with a bold, boutique-hotel attitude; Apex is family-capable but leans premium and refined.
At a Glance
Scarlet Lady
Virgin Voyages
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Cruises
Highlighted rows show where the two differ.
Amenity Differences
Only on Scarlet Lady
- + Adults-Only Area
- + Athletic Club
- + Balcony Cabins
- + Beach Club (Bimini)
- + Nightclub
- + Rooftop Bar
- + Sports Court
- + Tattoo Parlor
- + Test Kitchen
On both
- ✓ Casino
- ✓ Fitness Center
- ✓ Pool
- ✓ Spa
- ✓ Specialty Dining
- ✓ Theater & Shows
Only on Celebrity Apex
- + Buffet
- + Celebrity iLounge
- + Eden
- + Grand Plaza & Martini Bar
- + Infinite Veranda staterooms
- + Infinite Verandas
- + Luminae
- + Magic Carpet
- + Main Dining Room
- + Martini Bar
- + Raw on 5
- + Rooftop Garden
- + Rooftop Garden Grill
- + The Retreat (suite enclave)
What Real Travelers Say
Pros and cons from real traveler discussions.
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
Celebrity Apex
- Consistently excellent dining across the board, with Fine Cut Steakhouse, Le Petit Chef, and Eden cited as standouts
- The Magic Carpet, a one-of-a-kind 13-story cantilevered platform that moves up the side of the ship for sunset cocktails and special dinners
- Stunning, chic modern design by marquee names like Kelly Hoppen and Nate Berkus that gives the ship a refined, adult feel
- Eden, an innovative multi-level lounge, entertainment, and dining space beloved for its atmosphere
- Infinite Veranda cabins that open the room to the air at the press of a button, with large bathrooms in suites
- Premium and rising prices, with reports of drink costs up roughly 60% versus 2023 and add-ons that stack quickly
- Infinite Veranda cabins cut the air conditioning when the window is open, leaving rooms hot and humid in tropical climates
- Not family-friendly, with a design and amenity set that skews strongly toward adults
- Congested flow and overcrowding in some public spaces at peak times
- The Retreat can underwhelm for the price on Apex, since it's smaller than on the newer sisters
The Verdict
This one comes down to how much edge you want. Scarlet Lady is strictly adults-only with no buffet, no formal nights, and a rebellious, festival-meets-supper-club energy — WiFi, tips, and all the restaurants are included, but alcohol isn't, and reviewers rave about the five distinct chef-driven main restaurants. Celebrity Apex is the more classically premium ship: the Magic Carpet, Eden, an elegant spa, and polished service, with traditional drink and dining packages and the option to sail with kids aboard. Virgin feels younger, cheekier, and easier to navigate; Celebrity feels more grown-up and inclusive of families and multi-gen groups. Neither is 'better' — they're different personalities entirely.
Choose Scarlet Lady if…
Pick Scarlet Lady if you want a kid-free, tattoo-parlor-cool adults-only escape with included tips, WiFi, and standout dining, and you love a bold, unstuffy vibe.
See Scarlet LadyChoose Celebrity Apex if…
Pick Celebrity Apex if you want refined premium service, the signature Edge-class spaces, the flexibility of traditional beverage packages, and the option to bring kids or travel multi-generationally.
See Celebrity Apex