Why Choose Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady for Your First Cruise

In September 2023, I went on my first-ever cruise aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, sailing out of Miami. Since it was my first time cruising, my friend and I intentionally chose a 4-day sailing to see if cruising was even for us.

Quick newsflash: I did not want to get off the ship. I loved it.

Virgin Voyages is adults-only (18+) and LGBTQ-friendly. The experience felt modern, inclusive, and social without being overwhelming.

The Basics

This sailing was called Fire & Sunset Soirées. It departed from the Port of Miami and included stops in Key West and Bimini. We stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin, which ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip because of the hammock.

Why We Chose a Short Cruise

At the time, we were first-time cruisers. A shorter sailing felt like the best way to test whether cruising was for us without committing to a long itinerary. In hindsight, it was the perfect introduction and we wished it was longer.

Embarkation and Disembarkation

Virgin Voyages boards later than many traditional cruise lines, which makes the process feel more relaxed. Luggage drop-off typically begins around 9:00 AM, while embarkation usually starts between 1:30 PM and 2:15 PM. Rooms are usually available as soon as you board, which was a nice bonus.

It is also worth noting that hotel checkout times are typically earlier than cruise embarkation. If you are staying in Miami the night before, you can drop your bags with the porters at the terminal once luggage drop-off opens (and please remember to tip them.) From there, it is easy to take the free bus or an Uber to Bayside Marketplace to grab food, walk around, or kill time before boarding.

On disembarkation day, sailors can leave the ship between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM, with everyone required to be off the ship by approximately 10:30 to 10:45 AM. The timing never felt rushed.

The Stops

Key West

Key West ended up being a really enjoyable stop. The weather was great, although some earlier rain caused minor flooding in parts of town. We initially rented bikes, but quickly pivoted and rented a golf cart, which turned out to be the better option for getting around comfortably. We stopped and tried some key lime pie, ate some food, and just checked out the area.

After exploring, we headed back to the ship and spent the rest of the day enjoying the spa. The place we rented the golf carts from had a shuttle that took us back to the port. I will be sharing more about Key West, including what worked best for a short stop, in a separate post.

The Beach Club at Bimini

Another stop was The Beach Club at Bimini, operated by Resorts World. When Virgin Voyages is in port, the space is used exclusively for Virgin sailors. The Bar Tab and Wi-fi extend here.

The atmosphere felt relaxed and well-organized. You could spend the day at the pool during hosted parties by the Happenings Cast, relax on the beach, grab food and drinks, lounge in hammocks, or simply walk around and enjoy the space. I will say we were disappointed in the drinks, they were pretty bland. We thought it might have been because they were making so many at the same time.

If you plan to explore beyond the beach club, it is helpful to bring cash. Golf cart rentals and excursions are available for those who want to see more of the island, but most places only accept cash.

The Spa and Wellness

The onboard Redemption Spa was a highlight of the trip. My friend booked a massage, and I had a facial, which I really enjoyed. Beyond treatments, the spa facilities included cold plunges, dry saunas, and relaxation areas, making it easy to unwind.

For those interested in fitness and wellness, Virgin Voyages also offers yoga, spin classes, bungee fitness, a full gym, and juice presses. They even had some themed classes. Wellness felt optional and accessible, not forced.

Dining Without a Buffet

One of the things that separates Virgin Voyages from other cruise lines was, they don’t have a traditional buffet or main dining room. Dining is centered around sit-down restaurants, casual eateries, and room service. Reservations are pretty much necessary for the restaurants.

We ate at The Wake for both dinner and brunch, and it was consistently good. Razzle Dazzle, which we visited for brunch, was a favorite. Pink Agave for Mexican food, which was cool, but my least favorite, and Extra Virgin for Italian. We didn’t try out the Test Kitchen.

Gunbae, the Korean BBQ-style restaurant, stood out as one of the most memorable meals. Unless your reservation includes a large enough party, you will be seated with people you do not know. This is part of the experience, and I recommend booking it on the first or second night. It is a great way to meet people early on. There is also a game involved, and I almost won, coming in second.

For more casual dining, The Gallery serves as the main food hall with everything from ramen, sushi, panini’s, burgers, and tacos to a salads, and more. The Pizza Place was very popular and worth the wait as everyone seemed to be in there late night. Lick Me Till I Scream, the onboard ice cream spot, was a fun stop with different cone and flavor options. I think we ordered almost everything off The Dock’s Mediterranean style menu. We also used ShipEats for room service once for breakfast and another time for a night in watching movies.

The Cabin Experience

Our Sea Terrace cabin was thoughtfully designed and comfortable. The balcony includes a hammock, which I loved, and the mood lighting gave the room a modern, fun feel. When we arrived, the bed was set as one, but our room attendant easily split it so we each had our own. There was always water in the room that was provided gratis. As a big water drinker, I appreciated this.

Virgin Voyages does not use traditional room key cards. Instead, sailors are given wearable bracelets that you tap to access your cabin and use around the ship, which felt convenient and very on-brand. No key cards here!

Virgin Voyages is also very solo-traveler friendly, which stood out compared to many other cruise lines. Not only do they have rooms that you can book as a solo traveler, they also host a meet up for those traveling alone to meet other sailors also on a solo cruise.

Entertainment and Ship Life

There was always something happening onboard. We attended multiple shows and really enjoyed the entertainment overall. Our favorite was Duel Reality, which was like Romeo and Juliet meets acrobatics. One show we planned to see ended early due to an injury, so it is worth noting that shows are subject to change.

We participated in Scarlet Night where everyone dresses in red and there are parties all over the ship. They also have a PJ Party, where milk and cookies were served. People showed up in everything from lingerie to matching cartoon pajamas, and the energy was great. I almost lost my voice from having such a good time. Because of rain, some parties were held indoors, but it did not take away from the experience.

The ship also had a free arcade, including air hockey, along with board games, puzzles, afternoon tea, and a casino. We tried to book private karaoke at The Groupie, but it was fully booked, so reserving early is key. We were also invited to a secret gathering during the trip. I cannot share details, and you are not supposed to ask about it, but those moments do happen.

Drinks, Wi-Fi, and Practical Details

Wi-Fi is included with the fare, with upgrade options available. Virgin Voyages does not offer drink packages. Instead, they use a Bar Tab system, which is optional and can be prepaid with bonus credits. Bar Tab covers cocktails, wine, beer, mocktails, juices, smoothies, and specialty coffees. We received Bar Tab as part of a special when we booked. We were even able to use the Bar Tab for afternoon tea.

We also used the laundry service, and everything came back in great shape. It was nice to pack clean clothes up to go home.

Would I Do It Again?

Yes, I would love to go on a longer sailing. It was so much fun and I highly recommend Virgin Voyages.

Final Thoughts

If you have ever been curious about cruising but hesitant to commit to a longer itinerary, a short Virgin Voyages sailing is a great place to start. It set the bar high and made cruising feel anything but traditional.