From Land to Sea: Aboard the Scarlet Lady

Sagrada Familia

Using the Sailor App, I was able to pre-upload all my travel information, which streamlined my embarkation process. Once onboard, the first place I visited was Lick Me Till…Ice Cream located on Deck 7, where you get on board. This became my favorite place onboard, and I got to try all the flavors offered, with pistachio being my favorite. I highly recommend it. Later on, I attended the welcome party on Deck 15, which was fun as we watched the ship leave port. Later that night, there was a PJ party that was so much fun; everyone wore PJs and danced as a DJ played late into the night. There were several categories of PJ contests, and cheering for the best outfit to win was fun.

I stayed in a Sea Terrace Cabin that was absolutely beautiful, spacious and functional. There was a hammock on the balcony where I spent a lot of time relaxing and looking into the ocean on a sea day. The room was well appointed and beautifully decorated and designed.

The ship has a variety of food choices, and they are all exquisite. Being on a seven-night cruise, I could dine twice at a restaurant. I was able to secure reservations in advance for all except the Test Kitchen. You cannot go wrong with any selection, including Razzle Dazzle — which serves vegetarian options, the Wake — where I had a special dinner celebration and absolutely loved the ambiance and food offerings, Dock House and the Gallery. The fun atmosphere at Gunbae, Korean Barbecue, is so exhilarating, especially with a group. You first start the meal with a Korean drinking game and a complimentary soju shot, but you can keep your tab running for more. The meal is so good you want to return night after night until you remember there are other places to try out. Extra Virgin is the place to go for lovers of great food, pasta and wine. I recommend getting the spaghetti alle vongole for your first course and the grilled Mediterranean sea bass for your second course. This was my absolute favorite restaurant.

On the last night of the cruise, I was finally able to book a table at the Test Kitchen, which was my most memorable meal onboard. I spoke to the concierge desk, and they were able to make a reservation for me. From the moment you walk into the restaurant, your senses are heightened. Each meal features cooking techniques and presentations that arouse your appetite. I don't remember the exact meal, but each course was paired perfectly with wine. The waitstaff was very helpful, and I met other people at my table. I had a memorable dinner that crowned a perfect trip.

Test Kitchen offering

Dinner with shipmates at Test Kitchen

Virgin onboard entertainment is one of a kind. I loved each show I made it to. There are no "cruise directors" — instead, they have Happening Casts that are part of the shows and events. One difference is there were no announcements of what's going on, so you have to use the Sailor App to know when shows, times and events are happening. It took me two days to realize this; you are pretty much free to do your own thing. The shows I made it to are hard to explain because you must experience them in person. "Untitled Dance Party Show Thing" is so exhilarating; it is a sensory experience that's part cabaret, part dance show and part party and you have to be there to enjoy the acts. Another show I absolutely loved was "Around the World with The Diva, a Drag Show at the Manor." This show is a must-see; one person is entertaining a full room, which is simply amazing. Another show I was able to see in the Red Room was "Ships in the Night," an inspiring, thought-provoking show about those connections we make in life, be they fleeting or lifelong. I highly recommend seeing this; there were moments that brought tears to my eyes.

During port day in Cannes, I booked a shore excursion through Viator for a French Riviera full-day tour. Our guide was on time and very knowledgeable, and he showed us various sites as we drove along Cote d'Azur's coastal roads to visit Antibes, Eze, St Paul de Vence and Monaco. The tour was absolutely breathtaking, especially the walk up the cobbled streets of Eze and stumbling on a gem, Jardin Exotique d’Èze, located on the site of a medieval fortress, perched 429 meters above the Mediterranean Sea; the views from the garden offer spectacular views of the French Rivera. After touring the garden, we stopped at Le Nid d'Aiga for lunch. The food was mouth-watering, and the wine pairing was also great; I wish I had more time to spend at this gem of a place.

St Paul de Vence

Street in the village of Eze

The stop in Monaco was also very nice. We visited the castle, and our amazing guide timed the visit so we were able to watch a guard change. I also visited the famed Monte Carlo casino and drove along the Formula One race track. Another highlight of the tour was visiting St. Paul de Vence, walking around, visiting boutique stores and stopping for a glass of wine at Le Tillleul, where I purchased a bottle of Chablis. I could take the bottle onboard, but it was held until disembarkation day. I highly recommend this tour.

For a more unique experience, I booked an excursion through the Shore Things section of my Sailor App. One of the main reasons for booking this cruise was to see Dave Guetta perform, and it happened that his last show for the season was during our overnight stay at Hï Ibiza. The cruise provided transportation and VIP treatment, where we got to skip the line, a complimentary drink and VIP access to the stage. I had an absolute blast and danced the night away so much that I missed the pickup time to return to the ship. Luckily, the ship was docked overnight; I went back inside, continued enjoying the club and caught an Uber with other shipmates to the port later. I highly recommend booking Shore Things through Virgin as there are many once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Handmade palm hats at Las Dalias bohemian market (Sant Carles, Ibiza, Spain). Credit: Alejandro Tapia

After disembarking, I stayed overnight in the city before my return flight and was able to do a half-day tour of the Montserrat monastery through Viator. The Montserrat monastery and the basilica are impressive, and I got to listen to the boys' choir sing during a service. I highly recommend taking the short hike, approximately 40 minutes round-trip to St Michael's Cross, for its spectacular 360-degree views of the Montserrat monastery and the surrounding countryside. I highly recommend this trip for its history, winery and brilliant views.

Basilica at the Montserrat Monastery. Credit: Patrick Poendl

Montserrat Monastery

If you are traveling on a girls' trip, want a sophisticated and luxury cruise experience and want a child-free cruise, this is definitely one for you.

If you love shopping, three port stops on the cruise will be to your liking: Cannes, Palma Mallorca and Ibiza. You can find amazing one-of-a-kind gifts at the Las Dalias market. There is a shore excursion offered that provides transportation to the market. Do this if you do not intend to go to the beach as you will spend a long time browsing around the market shopping for yourself or loved ones.

You can use the tablet in the room to change the mood lights. There's not a lot of customization, but there are light modes that are really nice. The tablet can also be used to order Ship Eats, Virgin's room service for just a $10 service fee, which can be waived if you order an alcoholic drink at the same time.

I brought my travel adapter but did not need it as the outlets in the rooms are equipped with European and American sockets to charge all your gadgets.

A tip for dining on board is to keep your eyes on the Sailor App for last-minute cancellations as slots become available with cancellations due to other guests' change of plans. You can also visit Razzle Dazzle and speak to a concierge to secure last-minute dinner bookings on embarkation day.

The Galley is a go-to place for quick eats with a mixture of ready-made grab-and-go and made-to-order options. Eateries that I frequented were Let's Taco About It, with its mouth-watering breakfast burrito, and Noodle Around, with its different ramen options.

There are two themed parties on the Scarlet Lady: PJ Party — so pack comfortable and fun sleepwear; there’s a contest for best PJs and other categories — and Scarlet Night, which you need to pack something red to wear for and you definitely need to go with the flow of the night, as it's not your normal cruise party.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.