Scarlett Lady Cruise Ship Visit
Lucky Nick Markham (another fabulous TC) got to experience the amazing new Virgin Cruise ship this week. Here is what he had to say about his visit.
This is an adult only ship. On arrival on board deck 6, we were immediately met by young vibrant crew. ‘Ahoy Sailor’ was the greeting throughout the day by the plentiful crew, and their enthusiasm was infectious. You found yourself easily returning this greeting with the same abundance of enthusiasm.
The Roundabout, Deck 7 — This is the equivalent of other cruise ship’s atrium. But if you are looking for an open span area covering the usual average of 3 floors then you won’t find it on this ship. It has a sweeping staircase that takes you up to the next level but it is enclosed so there is no view up to the next floor, and the staircase is plain. Coming off the roundabout are several closed areas; such as ‘Sip’ where you can get a glass of champagne or maybe ‘Lick Me ‘Till Ice Cream’ is more your thing; an ice cream serving area. On the other side of the Roundabout is a nice coffee shop ‘The Grounds Club’ serving pastries etc.
The Stairwell/Lift Areas - These areas were in my opinion plain. No artwork on the stairwell walls that is usually found on ships and the majority of the ship public areas are tiled floors. The lifts themselves are creative with a visual effect of being underwater with bubbles in glass walls and when you come out of the lift there is on the far end of the ship’s lifts contemporary moulded structures of seaside art telling you what floor you are on.
Eating on board - Sir Richard Branson was keen to not have the ‘main dining hall’ experience. Instead there are several eating areas where you are encouraged to sit in big groups with your fellow passengers; after all this is a ‘party ship’ where mixing and getting along with your fellow ‘sailors’ will add to this party vibe. An intimate meal for 2 is not really what this ship is about; but if you enjoy the social, interacting side to cruising then this way of eating, albeit relaxed in nature, (no formal dining) may be for you. On our tour we were taken into ‘Razzle Dazzle’ a vegetarian eatery with a ‘Virgin’ twist! For two days on every voyage Drag Brunch can be enjoyed, a spectacular drag queen will take over this space to provide some entertainment.
Gunbae was our next stop; a Korean BBQ dining experience. This is a diner style area with big sweeping booths where sailors will be encouraged to start their voyage. It was said to be a great way to meet your fellow sailors and indulge in the ‘drinking games!’ There are menus on the table giving examples of drinking games in case you are struggling for your own. The BBQ chicken we were served in a Tapas format was delicious; I would recommend this dining experience; I can’t comment on the drinking games, although we were served a shot off Soju, there was not enough time on our tour to throw ourselves into a round of drinking games!
Cabins - We were shown to the ‘Rock Star’ cabins. (The black and white stripped carpets that are throughout the corridors leading to the cabins won’t be for everybody. One of our tour did have to step out of the corridor due to feeling dizzy! - see image). The Rock Star suite category are cabins that will give you access to private areas on the ship. There are 2 types of this category with a ‘mega’ experience which is a large suite, separate room areas and a balcony with your own hot tub etc. Music can be played in these rooms with the multiple guitars available with an amplifier. All cabins are where the party starts and probably ends! The Rock Star rooms have record players with a selection of vinyls, ingredients and paraphernalia to create you own cocktails and a swinging hammock on your deck (hammocks are on all balcony grade cabins). Your cabin bed is packed away in the daytime so that your room becomes lounging space for you to bring back your friends for socialising. The beds in all rooms are created so that they can be folded back into seating for the daytime so no longer do your fellow sailors have to sit on your bed. Smart technology operates your mood lighting, curtains, air conditioning etc and the bathrooms are modern. Although I like to escape to my bed at times in the day (it takes the cabin steward approximately 15 minutes to make up your bed), the cabins were fantastic in design and general comfort.
Accessible cabin - We were shown the accessible Rock Star cabin. It was a huge space with easy access on to the balcony and a large bathroom. It would easily meet Nick’s needs as wheelchair dependant. Pleasantly decorated with all the gadgets. We were told by the steward that there are 29 accessible cabins. Nick found it easy to mobilise the ship in his wheelchair.
The Manor - This was not open for our tour but the entrance area was - see the image I have posted of the bright dangling lights that meet you as you walk in. It really stops you in your tracks!
Squid Ink - This area was closed. A tattoo shop; the first one at sea. As you can see from the image this is a seriously technical area. With world famous artists reported to be working this area this looks like it is for the modern inking of full leg and arm sleeve additions that are currently popular.
The Open Decks - Unfortunately the weather was not in our favour to showcase this area. It is difficult to give an opinion as the seating was packed away and all the pool and jacuzzi’s covered over. There was not obvious accessible hoists for the pools to be seen. The decks were open plan and again the seating was large areas encouraging the socialising with your fellow sailors.
The Athletic Club - This is a small ‘dark’ area. It is set up for sailors to have personal HIIT sessions with TRX, painted floor areas for HIIT and rowing machines. There is a boxing ring outside and gloves are provided; there is a punchbag dangling down into the middle of the ring so I imagine this is to be punched rather than a fellow sailor sparring match! The ‘Wellness Team’ member that we met was again young and vibrant. It was made clear that ‘wellness’ was felt to be an important part of the ‘sailor’ experience. There is also an on board gym with all the traditional equipment you would expect; we did not get shown this.
All in all a fantastic ship and will an amazing Virgin experience when it sets sail.