Sail the High Seas Virgin Style

I am thrilled beyond words to have launched my first website/blog, at the same time that global lifestyle brand, Virgin Voyages are making their own big splash into the industry with their first ship, the delectable Scarlet Lady. The brand epitomises everything I hope this blog is going to be - design-led, contemporary, exciting and fun. Here is the first in a series covering Virgin Voyages.

What Can we expect?

Rather than unveiling the whole shebang at once, Virgin Voyages have decided to tantalise us by choosing only to reveal details gradually - a sort of Scarlet Lady burlesque! However, I’ve joined the party late, so she’s nearly down to her undies! Here’s what she has on offer...

What makes Virgin Voyages Different?

From the outset, Virgin Voyages have set out to change the face of sea vacations. They are committed to creating “the world’s most irresistible holiday”. Their brand concept is “Modern Romance of Sailing” and they have pulled out all the stops to bring about “Epic Sea Change For All “. They have partnered with some of the world’s leading interior design firms, none of whom have ever designed for the cruise industry before. So you can be sure of re-imagined, fresh interiors and public spaces.

Virgin Voyages have gone to great lengths to distance themselves from traditional cruising - you will not see the word “cruise” on their website or within their marketing literature. In fact, you are unlikely to come across any nautical jargon at all. Although guests are referred to as Sailors whilst the vacations themselves are referred to, refreshingly, as voyages. (Check out my related post here).

Providing their cheeky and cheerful approach to service as they have to other areas of the Virgin brand, you can expect lots of surprises and innovation. Not for them, the supplements and other add-ons so annoyingly familiar on other lines; Sailors will enjoy free food at the 20+ eateries onboard, free group fitness classes, no gratuities or service charges, free Wifi and free basic beverages like soda, teas, and drip coffee, as well as still and sparkling water.

Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady, is Adult-by-Design, a sanctuary at sea for the 18+ traveller, where you won’t hear the patter of tiny feet (unless it’s those of a small-footed waiter fast-tracking your pina colada)!

Mixing unadulterated, unashamed luxurious relaxation, with a good dose of high-octane fitness and well-being activities, you will certainly feel rejuvenated at the end of your voyage. And when night falls a fabulous choice of restaurants and contemporary entertainment ensures the fun never ends.

Get Your Vitamin Sea - Virgin Style

Fitness and Wellbeing

Forget the stereotypical cruise ship image of rows upon rows of plastic sun loungers crammed together like sardines. That isn’t Virgin’s style at all. Think cool Ibiza Beach Club vibe and you’re nearer the mark.

Pools and Relaxation

The Aquatic Club is the place to head to if you want to lounge pool side and soak up the sun with your favourite cocktail in hand.

Another must, but not for the feint-hearted, is to hang out (literally) on the Athletic Club’s “Catamaran”, a 220 square foot area of triple netting where guests can lay out and soak up the rays. This giant hammock hangs right above the ocean and the decks below, to replicate the feeling of sailing on a catamaran.

Athletic Club Catamaran. Image: Virgin Voyages

Workout Zones

Most of Scarlet Lady’s fitness areas have been designed by Concrete Amsterdam, and their fabulous ultra-contemporary style and innovation is apparent throughout.

If you are serious about keeping fit then the Training Center at Athletic Club is for you (I’ll be watching from my sun lounger). The space features an outdoor training zone, including a boxing ring, strength and gymnastics equipment – back flip anyone?.

Athletic Club Fitness Center. Image: Virgin Voyages

The Crow’s Nest, is a far more tranquil area offering 360-degree ocean views as a secluded sundeck for sunrise and sunset yoga (orca snooze in the corner - no one will notice, promise)!

The Runway, a standalone running track - (such a great idea - no more athletes jogging my sunbed) - circles proudly above the decks and is where super-fit sailors can canter, cavort and cartwheel (see - I know my running jargon) without making the rest of us feel bad.

B-Complex- is the name of the gym/fitness room on Scarlet Lady. A stranger as I am to a fitness regime, I am assured it is the ultimate well-being and fitness experience with strength, spin, yoga and cardio in its Build, Burn, Bike and Balance rooms, all with dramatic ocean views.

The Well-being Pool features a large whirlpool, two plunge pools, together with an “artistic adult playground” and fitness area with apparatus designed by Equilibria, as well as a Gym and Tonic bar, which serves up fresh cold-pressed juices and handcrafted cocktails.

Primp and Preen

After a day in the sun I am definititely in need of some grooming and pampering, to get ready for the night ahead.

Scarlet Lady has the coolest ‘spoil me’ areas at sea including the fabulous Redemption Spa on Deck 5. Designed by Knibb Design, this aquatic paradise and hideaway is complete with hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, quartz beds, and rejuvenating spa treatments.

By night, you can complete your well-being journey by attending one of the exciting evening spa parties where a killer DJ will transform the spa’s thermal suite into a mermaid hideaway extravaganza.Presumably as its a spa, any excesses must still be healthy, right?

For male pampering head to Stubble and Groom. Designed by Softroom, this intimate upscale barber shop will be an oasis for men who enjoy being pampered and well-groomed. Stubble & Groom will offer a one-of-akind experience at sea with hot-lather shaves, haircuts, beard trimmings and the only male pedicure spa at sea overlooking a porthole ocean view.

Softroom are also the designers behind The Dry Dock, a blow dry and hairstyling beauty bar complete with hair nourishing and scalp treatments, and for a pedicure with a view, head to Mani Pedi Spa nail salon for the best ocean views on the ship.

Finally, always yearned for some body art? Welcome to Squid Ink, the first ever tattoo studio on board a cruise ship. Squid Ink will offer tattooing, permanent makeup and body piercing services. The studio will have two resident tattoo artists as well as an occasional guest artist from the World Famous Tattoo Ink Pro Team. What tattoo would you choose? Let me know in the comments below.

Join me next time, to find out about eats, treats and beats available on Scarlet Lady.

Source: Virgin Voyages

Cruising, but not as you know it - Virgin Voyages