Virgin Voyages·Lady Class

Scarlet Lady

4.4(233 reviews)
via U.S. News & Cruise Critic · Jun 2026
|Built 2021|2,770 Passengers|17 Decks|110,000 GT

Ship Specifications

Cruise Line

Virgin Voyages

Ship Class

Lady

Year Built

2021

Gross Tonnage

110,000 GT

Passengers

2,770

Cabins

1,385

Decks

17

Crew

1,160

What Travelers Say

Based on 1,400 online discussions

Scarlet Lady is Virgin Voyages' debut ship and the flagship of its adults-only (18+), no-kids concept, carrying up to about 2,762 'Sailors' at roughly 110,000 GT. It deliberately throws out cruise conventions: no buffet (replaced by The Galley food hall), no formal nights, and no children aboard. The result is a sophisticated, boutique-hotel feel that bundles Wi-Fi, gratuities, all restaurants, soda, and fitness classes into the fare.

Dining is the standout — the included specialty restaurants like The Wake, Gunbae, Extra Virgin, Pink Agave, and Razzle Dazzle each have dedicated chefs and rate among the best at sea. The crew is famously warm and empowered, and cabins impress with balconies, hammocks, and tablet controls, though storage and bathrooms are tight. Entertainment leans edgy and experimental (Cirque-style and drag shows) but is light on traditional nightlife, and the two small pools are the clear weak spot. A Redemption Spa, casino, full gym, and even a tattoo parlor round out the offering.

Scarlet Lady is best for younger, modern, foodie, design-conscious adults who want an inclusive, party-leaning experience and are happy to skip kids, buffets, and classic cruise rituals. It's a poor fit for families (impossible — no kids), first-timers wanting hand-holding, or traditionalists. Sister ships Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady deliver a near-identical onboard experience on different itineraries, so route is the main differentiator. Versus NCL and Celebrity, Virgin's all-in pricing is more genuinely inclusive with no surprise dining, Wi-Fi, or gratuity charges, though its pools and traditional entertainment lag. The standout activity is the included Beach Club at Bimini, regularly the trip highlight.

What People Love

  • 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

Common Complaints

  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How Scarlet Lady Compares

Cruises on Scarlet Lady