Virgin Voyages will hit the seas with a splash today as its first ship, Scarlet Lady, is launched by Sir Richard Branson in Dover, England.
Scarlet Lady is the first ‘Lady ship’ of four in Virgin Voyages’ new adult by design, luxury fleet, which aims to redefine the cruise industry by bringing the luxe of a boutique hotel to the seas. Scarlet Lady boasts dazzling contemporary design and experiences to reinvigorate the cruise industry in the same way Virgin Atlantic Upper Class did for aviation.
Inside the Ship
Virgin Voyages created a ship that allows Sailors to travel in style with curated experiences and design-led spaces. With interiors created by designers such as Tom Dixon and Roman and Williams, the adult-by-design ship gives its Sailors a lot to fall in love with, including an industry-first focus on Well-Being with a host of ‘Vitamin Sea’ offerings such as B-Complex gym programs to balance, build, burn and bike, as well as The Perch, designed for outdoor yoga.
With a focus on experiential dining, Scarlet Lady gives Sailors the option to choose from 20+ eateries, including vegetarian-forward cuisine (Razzle Dazzle), experiential creations (Test Kitchen) and concepts by world-class chefs like the Michelin Starred Brad Farmerie (of PUBLIC in NYC) and Sohui Kim (of Insa in Brooklyn.)
Sailors on every Scarlet Lady voyage will learn what it means to Set Sail The Virgin Way, with all dining experiences, group workout classes, basic beverages (soft drinks, coffee and water), gratuities and Wi-Fi included in the base cruise fare, regardless of room category. Entertainment and shows on board feature gigs, DJ sets, drag artists and more – all of which are unlike anything you will find at sea.
It will also host special On Deck voyages with globally renowned DJ talent such as Mark Ronson, Diplo, MK and Sofi Tukker, providing up-close and personal appearances at its own private spot on the island, The Bimini Beach Club. The retreat offers Sailors a beautiful Bahamian oasis, relaxation and wellness offerings like beachside yoga, or DJ-fueled poolside fun in the sun.
Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder, commented: “I have dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20s and I’m thrilled that moment has arrived. The Scarlet Lady is truly special and we’ve worked with some of the world’s most sought-after designers, artists and architects to craft an extraordinary experience. The benefit of our five decades in business in so many industries is that we can offer a voyage like no other.”
Protecting the ocean
Virgin Voyages is one of first cruise lines to use Climeon, a technology that utilizes heat generated from the ship’s engines to generate electricity, thereby decreasing the demand for fuel. While the industry continues to improve on the journey for readily available and commercially-viable solutions, purchasing high-quality carbon offsets allows us to take immediate action, while also supporting a long-term strategy that secures a net-zero future for the cruise industry.
Scarlet Lady’s Showcase tour
Scarlet Lady set sail from Genoa, Italy, where she was built at the Fincantieri shipyard. Routes on offer include Costa Maya in Mexico, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Key West and The Bahamas. The ship will later be joined by sister liner Valiant Lady which features seven-night Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain when she debuts in May 2021.
Scarlet Lady travels from Dover to Liverpool before sailing to the US for her Maiden Voyage around the Caribbean in April.
All images were provided by Virgin Voyages.
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