Scarlet Lady

She even has her own tattoo parlour so that the memories will never fade

Virgin Voyages has pulled out all the stops with its first ship, the Scarlet Lady, that launches in April 2020. She even has her own tattoo studio.

You won’t find passengers either. They are all called Sailors – “young at heart people that want a good time”, according to man behind it all, Richard Branson.

Working with London interior designer Tom Dixon, New York’s finest Roman and Williams, Concrete Amsterdam, and Softroom London, the ship is full of theatrical spaces and nautical touches, spiced up with a sense of drama and fun.

And if you want a permanent memory of your adventures onboard a Scarlet Lady Cruise, then Squid Ink, the ship’s onboard tattoo studio, will make sure the memories never fade.

Scarlet Lady will arrive at PortMiami in April 2020 for her inaugural sailing season in the Caribbean carrying 2,770 sailors and 1,150 crew from around the world.

She is the first of four “Lady Ships”, with three sisters scheduled to join her in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Scarlet Lady’s dynamic design mimics that of a yacht with a sleek silvery-grey hull with smoked glass, and of course, distinctive touches of red. The mermaid design that will adorn the bow was designed by artist Toby Tinsley.

With more than 20 food choices, Virgin Voyages will bring citylike eating to sea and throw out the traditional cruise dining rule book, with no buffet, no main dining room, no forced formal wear, no assigned seating, no assigned dining times and enhanced the choice for sailors to grab a bite by keeping restaurant doors open until well into the night and in some cases the early hours of the morning.

86 per cent of cabins will feature a balcony and 93 per cent will feature an ocean view. Various levels of 78 RockStar Suites have been designed by Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio, and all their occupants will have access to Richard’s Rooftop, their very own private members club where they can bask under the sun or have a drink under the stars.

A dose of what Virgin calls Vitamin Sea will be at the forefront of the onboard experience, activated through a mix of high-energy moments coupled with relaxation and rejuvenation. Ample outdoor and outward looking spaces mean sailors can enjoy any or all activities, including a wide variety of complimentary group fitness classes.

The Crow’s Nest with its 360-degree view is a secluded sundeck for sunrise and sunset yoga. Adjacent to this area of Zen is the signature Virgin red running track called The Runway that forms a halo-like vision over the ship and where sailors will sweat, strut or skate.

Offering moments of detox and retox, the Athletic Club features an outdoor training zone, including a boxing ring, strength and gymnastics equipment like you would d find in the New York sports clubs of the 1920’s, oversized gaming for outdoor adult play, cabanas for relaxation, and a sporty bar for socializing post-workout.

For on-demand fitness, the Burn and Build gyms will each be equipped with Technogym ARTIS, a line of sustainably crafted cutting-edge fitness technology.

On deck 5, well-being will take center stage at Redemption, the ship’s spa. Inspired by an underwater cave, Redemption will serve as a mermaid and merman hideaway complete with hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, quartz beds, and rejuvenating spa treatments.

By night, sailors can complete their well-being journey by attending one of the voyage’s evening spa parties where a DJ will transform the spa’s thermal suite into a mermaid hideaway extravaganza.

Vitamin Sea is also about being pampered and well-groomed. The Scarlet Lady will offer an array of personal treatments in different spaces across the ship to transform sailors. This includes a standalone blow dry bar called the Dry Dock salon, the Stubble & Groom barbershop with a male pedicure spa overlooking a porthole ocean view and to polish it off the gorgeous mani- pedi spa.

During her inaugural 2020 season, the adult-only ship will sail a mix of Caribbean voyages featuring four and five-night Havana After Dark itineraries with an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba; five-night Mayan Sol voyages to Costa Maya, Mexico, and five-night Dominican Daze voyages to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

Vital statistics

Operated by Virgin Voyages

Built by Fincantieri

Entering service: April 2020

Gross tonnage: 110,000 tons

Passengers: 2,770

Decks: 17

Lifts: 14

Crew: 1,160

Officers: Italian

Cabins: 1,430 including

>> 78 RockStar suites