Virgin Voyages is known for:
- Scarlet Night
- A great place to party… but not party too much (that’s more for Carnival Cruise Line)
- Huge Casinos with big prizes
- Some stylish shows
Virgin Voyages (VV) is all about partying... in style. While a company like Carnival may cater to young adults drinking all day and night, Virgin Voyages focuses on fun in moderation within a classy atmosphere. They offer not only lively parties nearly every night but also entertaining musicals and shows featuring singing and dancing. I'd say it's the perfect place for passengers in their 30s and 40s looking to have a good time.
You won't only find parties here, oh nooo! Virgin Voyages is also about promoting a healthy lifestyle, with complimentary fitness classes often held on the top deck and in the main fitness center. Whether you love yoga or want to learn new dance moves, you'll find these classes a great addition to your cruise experience.
The casino also receives excellent reviews across the entire fleet. As a classy, adults-only cruise line, the casino lives up to expectations. They offer several gaming rooms, and even have professionals available to teach you about the games and provide extra tips! Yes, they even offer complimentary gaming lessons on the casino floor on embarkation day.
Here are some of the things you can find aboard Virgin Voyages:
- Scarlet Night & PJ Party
- The Red Room & multiple shows
- Nightclubs
- Awesome Casinos
- Fitness Center
- Arcade Room (foosball, air hockey & classic arcade games)
- Tattoo Parlor
- Athletic Club (with a basketball court, boxing ring and more)
- Spa
Shows & Parties aboard Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Night
Have you ever heard of the… Scarlet Night? Yeah, this sounds like something straight out of Game of Thrones, but I swear that the Scarlet Night is a very safe party. Well, it is most of the time, if George R. R. Martin isn’t involved.
The Scarlet Night is a classic aboard Virgin Voyages. In this night party, guests are invited to dress in their favorite red outfits and join everyone else on the top deck. You know what that means, right? Expect a lot of music, DJs, drinks and food as you meet new people, dance with your significant other OR meet your significant other right there. Scarlet Night is a celebration of life that takes place all over the ship and ends in the pool deck, usually with everyone jumping in the swimming pool.
Make sure to experience it at least once in your lifetime. Also make sure to bring anything red with you to your trip! This can be a red bandana, a red shirt, a devil costume or the Manchester United jersey. It’s all up to you.
PJ Party
The PJ Party is the second iconic event aboard Virgin Voyages. If the first party is all about wearing red, this one invites you to party in your favorite pajamas! It's the perfect time to don that Mickey shirt and cuddle your pillow.
You might be wondering if people actually wear their pajamas to this party. The answer is... yes. Kinda. You'll definitely see guests in pajamas, but let's just say they tend to be stylish pajamas that were probably bought specifically for this occasion. I have to admit, I'm guilty of this too. While I usually wear pretty old pajamas to bed, for this party, I like to dress up a bit. So, I opt for S-tier pajamas that look sick on the dance floor.
Virgin Voyages: The Red Room & Shows
The Red Room
The Red Room is the main theater on Virgin Voyages. This large, stunning space can transform from a standard stage setup into something more like a nightclub. The shows here range from acrobatic spectaculars to interactive concerts, musicals and dance parties. There's always something happening in the Red Room, so be sure to keep an eye on the schedule. If the weather doesn't cooperate for events like the Scarlet Night or the PJ Party, they'll be held inside the Red Room.
Shows
Let's clear something up: it's a good idea to reserve a spot for a show in advance, as some of them can get really crowded.
Virgin Voyages offers a variety of shows depending on the ship. Most are musicals and acrobatic performances not tied to any specific intellectual property. Don't expect the mega-Broadway productions you might see on Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line, but these shows are still quite enjoyable. They are also short, usually lasting around 45 minutes. To put things in perspective, the Wizard of Oz show aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas can take up to three hours!
Here are some of the shows you can find aboard the Scarlet Lady:
- Untitled Danceshow Partything: Yes, that's actually the name of the show. This show features many professional dancers creating an unforgettable and colorful performance for you.
- Duel Reality: the story of Romeo and Juliet… only with a circus twist and a lot of acrobats performing right in front of you! I didn’t know that Romeo and Juliet had moves like that, phew!
- Ships in the Night: According to Virgin Voyages, “this production explores the significance (or insignificance) of incidental connection during our own personal journeys”. Do I understand what any of that means? No. Would I watch it? Yes.
- Festival Stage Acts: oh, one of my favorites! You can find comedy acts, magicians and anything else here in this interactive show. Seriously, who doesn’t love magic shows?
Tattoo Parlor
Want to create the ultimate memory from your first trip aboard Virgin Voyages? You can get a tattoo right in the middle of the Atlantic! Virgin Voyages has its very own tattoo parlor on board, called Squid Ink.
There are some amazing and highly professional tattoo artists onboard. Virgin Voyages has partnered with World Famous Tattoo Ink, Soho Ink, and Freshly Inked Magazine to ensure guests receive top-notch service. Tattoo prices vary based on design, color, and other factors. Prices range from $300 to $1000, and you can bring pictures of designs you’d like to have inked. The tattooing process can take anywhere from one to three hours.
The Casino Onboard Virgin Voyages
The casino is a significant feature of Virgin Voyages, which makes sense given that it’s an adults-only cruise line. Their ships often have hundreds of slot machines and a wide variety of games for you to enjoy. Some of the options include blackjack (with Perfect Pair side bets), single-deck blackjack, craps (with 3-4-5 odds), three-card poker (with Six Card Bonus side bets), Ultimate Texas Hold’em, baccarat, and both double zero and single zero roulette.
I have a confession to make, friends: I don't know much about these games. The last time I played poker was in a minigame in GTA V. But here’s something cool - Virgin Voyages has professional players who can teach you everything you need to know about the games, from the rules to extra tips. On embarkation day, they even offer complimentary gaming lessons on the casino floor.
If you’re aiming to win big on board, Virgin Voyages has partnered with the World Poker Tour. This means passengers on Scarlet Lady get exclusive access to cash games and tournaments. Get your poker face ready, wear your lucky charm, and try to win thousands of dollars in prizes.
Nightlife Onboard Virgin Voyages
The Manor
Virgin knows a thing or two about partying, which is why they love to highlight The Manor. Virgin Voyages' nightclub, The Manor, is the main music venue and features cabaret-style performances, DJs, and various parties throughout your cruise. Here are some of the parties you can expect to find there:
- Studio 72: Time to dance your heart out to the big hits of the '70s and '80s. Yes, they play I Will Survive.
- Heartbeat: A huge dance party mixing house, groove, funk, pop, and disco.
Let's not forget about Scarlet Night and the PJ Party we mentioned earlier. If you enjoy partying and having a good time, you're likely to love Virgin Voyages. It's not just a place to visit with your partner and enjoy a classy yet energetic atmosphere - it's also a fantastic destination for singles looking to meet someone special right in the middle of the Atlantic.
Pools aboard Virgin Voyages
One area where Virgin Voyages falls short is the pool situation. Most ships have only one or two main pools, and even the main pool isn’t very large.
Take the Scarlet Lady, for example. It has two pools, with the main one being circular and featuring a central area where people can relax and sit down. It can get quite crowded on sea days, but Virgin Voyages does offer plenty of nearby spaces where you can sit, relax, and sunbathe. They have some cabanas and daybeds right by the pool that are super comfy and require no reservation (and don’t cost extra!) but you need to arrive early to secure a spot.
One advantage is that the pools stay open until late, typically closing around 3am. It’s a great way to cool off after dancing all night.
Since Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line, their ships do not feature any waterslides or water parks.
Virgin Voyages Shore Excursions
Like every cruise line, Virgin Voyages offers a variety of shore excursions tailored to your destination. You can save money by booking an excursion in advance through the official website or the Sailor App. Excursions can be booked up to 120 days before your cruise, but those staying in RockStar Quarters will have early access to book up to 135 days in advance.
As expected, there are hundreds (probably thousands) of different excursions across all destinations. They range from a Cuban Cigar Master Class in Cozumel to a Fiesta with Swimming Pigs in Nassau.
If you book a shore excursion, you generally meet onboard at the red excursion desk or in the Red Room if there are several excursions leaving at the same time. It’s a good idea to arrive 30 minutes before the listed time. Sometimes, you will also meet your guide at the end of the pier, depending on the port. Your specific excursion will provide more details about this in the app.
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