Which Virgin Voyages’ Ship is Best?
Virgin Voyages currently has three nearly identical ships sailing, with a fourth ship launching from New York in September 2025.
Scarlet Lady underwent dry dock at the end of 2024 and now features an exclusive new Chinese dining venue, Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle. Brilliant Lady will also feature a new Spanish-inspired dining concept, Rojo by Razzle Dazzle.
Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady currently feature the same restaurants, bars, and ship spaces, but each cruise ship has unique design elements, including art and sculptures, decor and furniture, and the signature mermaid on the ship’s hull. Valiant Lady is expected to receive a new dining concept in the Razzle Dazzle space during her dry dock at the end of 2025.
The onboard entertainment and shows vary across each ship, but all feature signature-themed activities, including the pajama party and Scarlet Night.
Virgin Voyages ship design is sleek and modern with an iconic namesake mermaid on the hull.
Virgin Voyages has redefined the cruise experience with its trio of lady ships, offering a blend of luxury, adventure, and exclusively adult serenity. Each ship—Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady — boasts its unique charm, tailored itineraries, and distinct offerings. This guide delves into the differences between these magnificent vessels, helping you choose your perfect high-seas adventure.
Introduction to Virgin Voyages' Fleet
Virgin Voyages, the brainchild of Sir Richard Branson, embarked on its nautical journey with a clear vision: to disrupt the cruise industry by offering a yacht-inspired experience, focusing on wellness, dining, and entertainment, exclusively for adults. The cruise ship fleet, designed to reflect a modern luxury lifestyle, promises an escape from the ordinary, ensuring that every Sailor (as passengers are affectionately called) experiences the voyage of a lifetime.
What are the Common Elements of Virgin Voyages Ships?
Design and Ambiance: All four ships feature an eclectic mix of futuristic and retro design elements, with spaces created by some of the world's leading interior designers. Their aesthetic is bold and daring, with an emphasis on creating vibrant, social spaces accented with vibey mood lighting and plush areas to relax. The layout across the four ships is basically identical, with small shifts in furniture arrangement and other aesthetic elements. One exception to this is that Brilliant Lady is narrower than Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady. Virgin designed Brilliant Lady this way so that she can pass through the Panama Canal to offer sailings from the West Coast, including ports in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver.
Dining: Virgin Voyages’ ships revolutionize the dining experience at sea by swapping out traditional buffets and main dining rooms for over 20 unique eateries including a dining hall called The Galley and six signature restaurants including: a Korean BBQ, Gunbae; a vegetarian-forward bistro, Razzle Dazzle; Mexican concept, Pink Agave; upscale steak and seafood restaurant, The Wake; Italian eatery, Extra Virgin; and the experimental gastronomy concept, Test Kitchen. These signature restaurants would typically be called “specialty restaurants” on other cruise lines, but they’re included on all Virgin Voyages’ ships. Dining reservations can be pre-booked for brunch and dinner through the Virgin app 60-days before departure for Rockstar Sailors and 45-days for Sailors. Here’s a Virgin Voyages restaurant guide with further information, including menus, for each dining concept onboard.
Included Amenities: Virgin includes valuable perks in the costs of the cruise fare: essential beverages like soda, water, drip coffee, and non-pressed juices; group fitness classes, basic WiFi, and all tips.
Cabins: The entire Virgin Voyages’ cruise ship fleet offers the same types of cabins ranging from Solo Insider, a tiny 105 sq ft interior cabin, to the Sea Terrace, an ocean view balcony cabin with the iconic red hammock or an “egg chair” on some of the cabins at the far forward of the ship, all the way to the Rockstar and Mega Rockstar Suites, which offer additional perks. Read all about the Virgin Voyages Rockstar experience here. Brilliant Lady also offers a new type of cabin called the Slightly Smaller Sea Terrace, which features two red hammocks on the balcony instead of just one.
What Makes Scarlet Lady the Trailblazer?
Launched in 2020 and first setting sail with passengers in late 2021, Scarlet Lady set the standard for what Virgin Voyages would offer. With a gross tonnage of 110,000 and a capacity of 2,770 passengers, she's a floating sanctuary of high-energy spaces and intimate retreats. Scarlet Lady features entertainment including Duel Reality, Untitled Dance Show Party Thing, The Ship Show, as well as a club activation called Heartbeat. The signature red octopus, Inky, is available for purchase onboard.
Itineraries: Scarlet Lady has most recently sailed to the Caribbean, offering itineraries that include stops at Virgin's exclusive Beach Club at Bimini, where sailors can enjoy a day of sun, sea, and sand, alongside DJ-led pool parties or serene yoga sessions. Scarlet Lady will soon be heading back to Europe for the Spring and Summer 2025 seasons before a unique voyage to Iceland and then on to the Caribbean.
Awards: Virgin was awarded the Cruise Critic - Editors' Picks Best New Cruise Ship for Scarlet Lady in 2021 as well as Best New Cruises in the World by Condé Nast Traveler - Cruising 2022 Hot List along with her sister ship, Valiant Lady.
Unique Features: Scarlet Lady now has the most Rockstar Suites of any Virgin ship since the addition of 24 new Seriously Suite cabins during her dry dock at the end of 2024. The cabins are located on deck 12 in the space that was previously Central Sea Terrace cabins. Scarlet Lady also features an exclusive dining venue, Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle. This new Chinese restaurant is open for dinner and the menu features items like dumplings, bao buns, noodles, and whole fish. In addition to the new restaurant, Scarlet Lady also has a redesigned Grounds Club Too, coffee and bar venue. This new space features lounge-style seating and a more elevated look and feed. Rounding out the unique features, Scarlet Lady has six new VIP cabanas on the deck overlooking the pool area. These cabanas are available for rent and range from ~$350 to $500 and up.
Why is Valiant Lady Known as the Adventurous Spirit?
Following in Scarlet Lady's wake, Valiant Lady was introduced into Virgin Voyages’ fleet in 2022. She mirrored her sister's size and capacity but with her own unique personality and itineraries. A purple Inky is available for purchase in Valiant’s gift shop.
Design and Ambiance: You’ll notice subtle differences onboard Valiant Lady like the pattern of the carpet in the hallways, styles of some furniture and seating options, plus other design elements, including the signature octopus tentacles by the main staircase known as the roundabout. Valiant Lady also offers some different shops in the High Street shopping area.
Entertainment: She features a popular party in the ship’s club, The Manor, called We Fancy with gold and black theming. Valiant Lady offers several of the same shows as Scarlet, including Duel Reality and The Ship Show.
Itineraries: Distinguishing herself through her routes, Valiant Lady ventured into the Mediterranean, offering sailors the chance to explore the coasts of Spain, France, Italy, and beyond. These itineraries are perfect for those looking to imbibe the rich history, culture, and cuisine of Europe's most famed coastlines and they’ll be taken over by Scarlet Lady this Spring. Valiant Lady is sailing in the Caribbean and will remain there until October 2025.
Awards: Valiant Lady was awarded Best New Cruises in the World by Condé Nast Traveler - Cruising Hot List for 2022 and 2023.
What Makes Resilient Lady the Elegant Explorer?
The third addition to the Virgin Voyages' fleet of ships, Resilient Lady, launched in 2023, built on the foundations laid by her predecessors while charting her path with arguably some of the best itineraries. Resilient Lady has sailed to some of the hottest destinations, including the Greek islands, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Southern Caribbean islands. For all the Inky collectors, Resilient Lady offers a light blue octopus for purchase.
Entertainment: Resilient Lady introduced new and elevated onboard entertainment, including a dinner theatre show and an immersive stage production, along with the signature events available on all ships, including the pajama party and Scarlet Night.
Itineraries: Resilient Lady has been homeported in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to sail longer Caribbean itineraries with unique ports of call, including Columbia, Aruba, St. Lucia, Barbados, and more. In spring and summer 2025, she will return to the Mediterranean to sail Greek Island itineraries before returning to the Caribbean for shorter sailings.
Awards: Virgin took home the coveted Cruise Critic - Editors' Picks for Best New Ship for Resilient Lady in 2023.
What New Elements Does Brilliant Lady Have?
Brilliant Lady is Virgin’s fourth and most anticipated ship is launching from New York in September 2025. In addition to her slightly narrower ship body, she will also feature a new type of cabin, an exclusive restaurant concept, and an almost entirely fresh entertainment line-up. Stay tuned for further details!
Which Ship is Best for You?
This decision comes down to when and where you want to take your cruise vacation. Whether you’re looking for a Caribbean cruise, a European adventure, or something else unique and interesting, Virgin offers many itineraries to choose from. We’ll help you select the perfect cruise ship based on your itinerary preference and the activities on your wish list for your cruise vacation.
Reach out here to book your Virgin Voyages cruise with the best pricing and perks available for your next kid-free vacation!
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Virgin Voyages schedule through April 2027 for Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady.
