Scarlet Lady

Daytime Things to Do on Scarlet Lady

You won't find a paper program left on your bed every evening telling you the next day's events -- you'll find it all on your app, which you are heartily encouraged to use. By cruise ship standards, it's a great app and does not rely on Wi-Fi. It shows you all the day-to-day activities for which you need to make bookings for such as Yoga or Pilates classes, shows, performances, restaurants and events -- and suggestions for other things you might want to try out.

There is always something going on in The Roundabout, with a DJ mixing tunes and plenty of seats to sit and people watch.

Daytime events include workout classes on deck and in the Manor -- some themed, such as an 80s workout (no charge).

Social Club has a selection of free games available such as air hockey, foosball and shuffleboard. Adjacent to here is The Arcade, which has a selection of classic video games like Space Invaders and Pacman.

You can book a mixology class (for a fee) and a coffee crafting class -- or you could always get a tattoo at Squid Ink.

Tip: Fitness classes fill up fast; book early.

Nightlife on Scarlet Lady

The ship really comes into its own at night, with live music, a DJ, dancing and impromptu performances taking place in almost all the public spaces.

In terms of regular performances, drop into The Dock and you may find someone next to you starts playing a musical instrument before all the band rise up around you and start performing a wonderful piece called Phantom Tales, which is a folky-type series of micro-plays and mournful songs. The band also sometimes perform outside on deck.

You'll want to book ahead for Never Sleep Alone, in which resident sexologist, Dr. A, dispenses her unique brand of fearless and playful advice in this interactive, late-night cabaret that puts you at the helm of your sexual destiny. It's not for the faint of heart -- and if you're in the front row, expect to be dragged onto stage to perform, ahem, simulated sex acts or learn top tips.

You'll also find a DJ spinning tunes in the Roundabout.

You'll find the Casino on Deck 6, right outside the Manor and on your way from the Red Room to Sip, the ship's Champagne bar. There is small bar here as well as Smoking Room at the back. There are 115 slots as well as craps, roulette, electronic Texas Hold 'em and Baccarat.

Tip: Promotions take place every day; check your app for details.

And once a cruise there is Scarlet Night, where you are encouraged to wear red and join the party on the pool deck after the top-deck show, Odysea.

Theater and Shows on Scarlet Lady

The Red Room would be called the main theater on other ships, and would show Broadway-style productions and/or musically-led revue type shows. On Scarlet Lady it's a little different: Seats are not fixed and can be configured so audiences are in the round, facing each other or in a more traditional theater layout. The seats can also be pushed back completely so the stage becomes a dance floor.

We watched one of the best shows we've seen at sea -- Duel Reality -- in which West Side Story and Romeo Juliet are given a contemporary twist with street dancing, gravity defying acrobatics and if you are in the front row, an immersive twist.

Editor's note: Many of the shows are planned for future sailings so we were unable to review them at time of writing. They include:

Another Rose: "Doomed love, acrobatics, and a dinner party you’ll never forget -- it’s an immersive theatrical spectacle that tells the tale of a life lived without inhibitions." (Coming 2022).

Ships in the night: "Through the use of ethereal technology and electrifying choreography, this edgy and beautiful production explores the significance (or insignificance) of incidental connection while on our own personal journeys." (Coming Winter 2021).

Untitleddancepartyshowthing: " This hype music-video-meets-club-scene is an absurdist dance party…  with a dash of old-fashioned showbiz flair. Grab a drink and stay in the (un)moment of it all." (Coming Fall 2021). 

"The best &*(&^% nightclub at sea," as CEO Tom McAlpin calls The Manor certainly a step up from what you find on many ships. Accessed by a mirrored, glittering corridor opening out into a double-height space with a dance floor, retractable stage and lots of seating both on the dance floor and hidden around the club, it's a stand-out venue. On any given night you might get a live band followed by a DJ set. You can choose to be a part of the action or look down from the gallery which surrounds the dance floor above. It is named after the original Virgin recording studio.

Tip: Take a selfie in the glittering corridor.

Bars & Nightlife

Scarlet Lady has a multitude of places to drink both inside and outside. Unlike most cruise lines, the ship does not offer a drink package. Instead, you can set up a "bar tab" that gives you incentives for pre-paying before you arrive.

Our Picks

For a Rock Star: You'll have to be resident in Rock Star Quarters (or know someone who is) to get in to Richard's Rooftop on Deck 16, but it's worth it (think Nikki Beach), with craft cocktails, a DJ set and plenty of space to chill.

For a Pint: Draught Haus, nestled below the sweeping circular stairway and offering eight beers on tap, a wide range of bottled artisanal beers, shots, shot-cocktails and boilermakers. The bar also offer a growler service, so you can enjoy beers anywhere on the ship.

For Something Elegant: A bright pink Jeroboam of Moet greets you in the doorway of Sip Lounge and sets the tone for this beautifully designed bar which curves along the side of the ship. The bar itself is stunning, reminiscent of a 1920s Art Deco New York bar, all glass and brass, serving a wide range of Champagnes and cocktails; as well as High Tea in the afternoon. You can also use the Virgin app to "shake for Champagne" service anywhere on the ship.

For a Quiet Drink: There's nowhere "quiet" exactly onboard, but you might find a teeny bit in The Dock House (Deck 7), towards the aft of the ship during the day (at night you may get some impromptu music pop up).

For a Sing Song: The Groupie is the ship's karaoke area. Bag one of four private karaoke booths with your friends and sing your hearts out.

For a Fine Cup of Joe: Grounds Club. The coffee here is outstanding, hand crafted to perfection, with a selection of fresh pastries. The perfect morning pick-me-up.

Outside Recreation on Scarlet Lady

Pools and Hot Tubs on Scarlet Lady

There are just two pools onboard, which we feel is a bit of a design flaw. Both are part of The Aquatic Club on Deck 15. The main pool is tiny in terms of swimming area, but bigger when you include the dipping space.

There is a second pool towards the aft which is supposedly the biggest Jacuzzi at sea. There is a hot tub beside it.

Sun decks on Scarlet Lady

There is plenty of space dedicated to sunbathing -- most of Deck 15 around the two pools and all the way to the aft of the ship where you'll find large circular loungers for sprawling. In addition, there are numbered Dutch-influenced hooded beach chairs called Strandkorb.

On Deck 16, there is even more sunbathing space, including private cabanas with drink service to rent; Richard's Rooftop bar for suite guests and an area called The Perch where there's a large net, inspired by sailing ships, where you can lounge.

Free Restaurants on Scarlet Lady

All dining is included in the Scarlet Lady cruise fare and there is no main dining room. If you want to splurge on something fancy like fruits de mer or a fine cut steak or Champagne, however, that will cost you extra.

There are a total of nine restaurants to choose from covering everything from Italian to Korean, Mexican and a first-at-sea, vegetarian. Virgin has done away with shared galleys, so each venue has its own kitchen, staff, chef and servers, meaning the quality and service is high across the board. Test Kitchen, for example, is as good as any fine dining venue we've eaten at in London or New York -- and is free.

The line has also brought in some big names to help oversee the food -- Brad Farmerie of PUBLIC in NYC and Sohui Kim of the Good Fork and Insa in NYC are just two.

Each venue also has its own bar with specific drinks, so if you want to go to one restaurant for a drink or snack, then another for dinner, the ship is set up to do so.

**Extra Virgin: **Scarlet Lady's trattoria-inspired Italian venue serves regional dishes and handmade pasta made daily. Also on the menu are a variety of Amari, digestive and other traditional Italian aperitifs. The wine menu will feature an infographic to help diners better understand Italian wine and pick out the right option for them. Extra Virgin also has an Aperitivo hour each day with drink specials and small plates.

**Gunbae: **Meaning cheers or bottoms up in Korean, Gunbae is a Korean BBQ restaurant featuring specially designed flameless grills built into the tables so that diners can cook their own meals if they so wish (or get your server to). The entire experience begins with a complimentary round of soju (like sake)for the table plus a drinking game. The food is fine, not exceptional; it's the setting and the participating that makes this a memorable night. There's also a fatal flaw if you are mixed eaters: vegetarians have to have their food cooked first and so eat out of time with the carnivores.

Pink Agave (Deck 5): Pink Agave is an upscale Mexican restaurant featuring electric blue metallic lighting fixtures, oversized banquet tables and porthole windows.

On the menu don't expect typical Tex-Mex fare like quesadillas, tortillas and nachos, instead you'll find real Mexican items such as tlayudas, memelas, sopas, tortas, esquites, and tamales like you'd find in Mexico City.  All meant to be sharing plates, so they come in around mid-sized. Be warned, though, portions err on the large side so when it comes to ordering your appetizer you may want to plan ahead. The restaurant features a bar area in the foyer with what the line is claiming to be the largest collection of mezcals at sea. There is also a private dining room for larger groups.

Test Kitchen (Deck 6): This restaurant is designed to encourage diners to think about their food from a new perspective. The entryway features lighting fixtures that mimic the periodic table to get people into the mood of the laboratory-like environment with design elements that include metallic furniture, beakers and test tubes. The chef-driven set menus are presented in the form of an ingredient list and diners follow along as the chef combines the list of flavors throughout the course of the meal

Test Kitchen offers a six-course tasting menu based on different ingredients that day, with the food based around that. You can pair it with wine or cocktails or beer for a $35 additional fee. The food is exquisitely prepared and presented and carefully explained, and the whole meal lasts around two and a half hours. On land, this would cost you at least $150, perhaps more, and would carry a significant upcharge on other ships. If you're lucky, you can meet the British chef afterwards who will explain how he wanted to create a restaurant experience as good as any on land, and he has succeeded.

This venue also hosts a number of different experiences throughout the voyage from cooking classes, to mixology school and even coffee labs. 

The Dock House (Deck 7): Set at the back of the ship on Deck 7, this alfresco eatery is a beach club-inspired space serving Mediterranean small plates, salads, dips and mezzes. Flame-grilled skewers are also be available for those who want a hot meal. In the evening, there's live music, which can start unexpectedly all around you (look out who you are sitting next to). There is also an inside area called The Dock for pre-dinner cocktails.

The Galley: This space acts as the buffet, but is modeled after the popular food halls or market places (think Whole Foods or a deli) you'll find in many cities, The Galley is where you can grab a quick, casual meal throughout the day. Rather than the traditional islands or rows with different foods, this is a mixture of counters and food areas. Menus are via QR code, but orders are taken in person (you can help yourself to drinks though, and brand sodas are included).

Among the options on offer are a dedicated bakery and pastry shop, a panini shop, a burger grill, a taco shack, a sushi bar with bento boxes, a noodle bar, a soup and salad stand, and a 24-hour American-style diner where breakfast is served all day.

**The Pizza Place (Deck 6): **Pizza lovers can choose off the classic menu at this spot, where pies are always made fresh, or design their own based on a variety of ingredients. The casual spot has a beach club-inspired design with white and pastel colored furniture, as well as hammocks for lounging. 

Razzle Dazzle: Razzle Dazzle is the first vegetarian restaurant at sea, and we applaud Virgin for that. The cuisine here is astonishingly varied and made even this meat eater sit up and take notice (it also helps that if you do drag your meat-eating friend here, there are a few non-veg options hidden away). It gets its name and design from the practice of camouflaging ships during World Wars I and II using patterns of black and white paint.

On the menu is a selection of vegetarian and vegan fare, as well as a juice bar. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast might include: "Avo toast: siracha, watermelon radish, finger lime, toasted seeds." and "Coconut milk fairy toast: brioche, condensed milk, rainbow sprinkles," and that's just for breakfast. It's all very Insta-friendly, but is it edible? Well annoyingly it is. We opted for a turmeric egg scramble: sofrito, salted yoghurt, mint and ztb sourdough. It's always fun to try food items you've never heard of.

Dinner options might include mushroom tartare, gazpacho or melon salad; mains might include "fish" (crispy banana blossom) and chips; or an impossible burger. Under the naughty section you can choose pasta with fennel braised pork, salmon and chicken options.

But food's not the only thing on the menu at Razzle Dazzle; diners will be treated to a performance by Scarlet Lady's resident drag performer and friends. For an extra fee, you can also can opt to enjoy bottomless drag-inspired cocktails.

The Wake: The largest restaurant onboard, this 5,866-square-foot dining venue is located at the back of the ship, offering beautiful views of the ship's wake. It's also the nearest the ship comes to a MDR in terms of layout, location and fanciness -- if you're going to dress up one night, it would be to come here.

The Wake serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At night, it is very much a steak and seafood space with offerings that include salads and ceviche to start, a raw bar (with an upcharge) and a selection of steaks (some with a surcharge), lamb chops, chicken and fish. The New York strip was a contender for the best we have had at sea. Note, there are limited vegetarian options. There is an excellent wine selection, with grape varietals from around the world (though note it's not cheap).

Our Picks:

Veggie: If you are vegetarian or a vegan, there's only one choice -- Razzle Dazzle.

Experimental: Test Kitchen gets our vote for best experience -- if you are foodie and enjoy your wines, then definitely opt for this.

With friends: Gunbae is a lot of fun if you are in a group and you like Korean cuisine.

Surf & Turf: The Wake: serves an outstanding selection of steaks and seafood options.