www.ellenfrazerjameson.com   elnfrazerjameson@gmail.com
Cruising Returns -
To the Bahamas on. Scarlet Lady 
 
 
Scarlet
Lady– shipboard star 
 
 
          Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady is the new star ship in town.  Step onboard and immerse yourself in her glamour and style.  She’s a Lady and real class act. 
        Cruising will never be the same again.  The bar has been raised.  This is definitely NOT your parents’ or grandparents’ traditional cruising experience.    
         Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson famously stated over the years that he was not a fan of cruising.  However,  entrepreneurs and visionaries are allowed to change their minds, and when he signed up to build a brand-new cruise line, and three state of the art ships from the hull up, his instructions to designers, engineers, crew and employees was  unequivocal,  “Forget everything you ever knew about cruising.  We are rewriting the play book. ”  
       The result is the first of the fleet, a sleek scarlet and white vessel with signature six funnels and the iconic Virgin brand, familiar from the original Virgin Atlantic airline,  portrayed as a mesmerising Scarlet Lady mermaid.  
       After weathering the agonising pauses and delays experienced by cruise lines all over the world since 2020, Scarlet Lady eventually launched in Britain sailing out of Portsmouth and in October this year sail out of her designated home port of Miami with 4/5/and 6-day Bahamas cruises.   Navigating port restrictions which are still in place can mean that itineraries are liable to change but the  Caribbean voyage typically includes shore days at Nassau, Bimini and Costa Maya and Cozumel.  
        Port calls are often extended to take in late night sailings and on shore beach party activities of music, bonfires and barbecues.
         The ship has a capacity of 2770 passengers but current socially distanced sailings are less than 50% of that number, with over a thousand crew. 
          Interior design is contemporary, minimalist, with glossy, ice white surfaces, and red and grey contrasts.  Bright splashes of colour in pink, blue, yellow and aquamarine provide a youthful, sunny environment and public areas are open, airy and spacious with informal seating arrangements in lounges and comfortable relaxing nooks and crannies all over the ship.  Outdoor spaces are maximised with floor to ceiling glass doors, windows and balconies and mirrors reflecting and adding to the space, air and freedom. 
         Around the pool deck, king size cushioned sun loungers and cabanas provide areas for sun bathing or discreet people watching.  The atmosphere is welcoming and inclusive as passengers meet and greet in the pool.  There is no real room for swimming.  This is a social hub.  
       The ship is hi tech and there is an app for everything – as with all technology there are glitches and customer services are kept busy fixing the software – or assisting those of us not so tech savvy. 
     Bookings for restaurants, shows, classes and spa treatments are all done on apps.  And for delivery anywhere on the ship, there is an app to  order champagne or pizzas – shake the app and indulge in a bottle of chilled bubbly delivered direct without your leaving the poolside,   
         The ship is totally state of the art, from the in-cabin sensors that open and close the curtains and change the ambient light as it selects day or night, to  
the go-everywhere band that allows you to unlock the cabin, order drinks and services, pay bills on board and embark and disembark the ship automatically in ports.   It also facilitates speedy check in on first joining the ship.
      It’s easy to fall in love with Scarlet Lady and experience the thrill of being part of a space age company like Virgin.   A cult of the personality of Sir Richard Branson is noticeable on board as everyone who has met him on his frequent visits to the ship declares he is approachable,  friendly and down to earth,  He truly is an inspiration and his beliefs dominate on board philosophy, 
       “Saying “Yes” instead of “No”” offers opportunities., “ he declares.  “Whatever your goal, to succeed you must let go of fears and fly!”  (or sail) 
         He is a rule breaker, a maverick, a visionary and an indominatable adventurer.  Sir Richard’s companies are constantly set on fast forward and he never settles for less than the next best enterprise.  The people who work for him are  can-do people who say yes rather than accept limitations. 
     The atmosphere on Scarlet Lady is one of youthful enthusiasm with most of the front of house employees under 30.  And it would be fair to say that is the demographic of a large number of the passengers, millennials, young professionals, many who were working at home for more than a year, now working at sea, laptops and phones in hand.  
        Below decks, the more mature staff members who have served on other lines also display an admirable determination to always go the extra mile to make the passenger experience first class.  Employees shine with pride at compliments about the ship. 
      Sir Richard’s concept is that of a luxury floating boutique hotel with the emphasis on quality, choice and innovation.  
 Sustainability plays a huge part and for the generation who are committed to conservation and tackling the issues of climate change, all best practices on  Virgin Lady ships including no single use plastic and a clean ocean policy,  speak to core beliefs and address their concerns about carbon foot printing.   
          When building a new client base of travellers, many of whom have never cruised before,  benefits such as free wi-fi and gratuities included in fares are sure fire winners. Along with a focus on ensuring that the needs of local populations are treated with respect and have a positive shore excursion experience even when the ships are not in port. 
         Socially conscious sustainability and concerns for the environment come with the territory of the younger generation.  
        Specialist programs that have been implemented to ensure ongoing economic opportunities even after ships and their passengers leave, are applauded by the new cruisers.  Local products are used, sourced and sold on the ships and local traders are encouraged to engage in activities which support ongoing business building opportunities .  This is cruising with a conscience. 
      There are 20 plus eateries on board – not a buffet in sight and all food is cooked fresh and served by wait staff when ordered.   Another popular innovation, all food is included in the cruise price and the diversity of taste and style are reminiscent of the chicest food and drink  festivals.   There are no speciality restaurants to be paid for at a premium.  Restaurants include Italian, French bistro, steakhouse and a Korean bar-b-que.  The restaurants get booked up early so work that app and make reservations.  
      Passengers move around the ship with purpose, assurance and a sense of entitlement to be at home in such luxurious environments in a visual, audible and tactile sensory bubble    These travellers are not here to slow down, they are here to get away.    
      Individuals who are used to having needs, wants and supplies delivered by Amazon on-demand, do not move into the slow lane because they are at sea.  
    Scarlet Lady is racy and classy and daring and cutting edge.  Designed from the hull up to be future orientated - Virgin nails it.  Red and grey banding delivers the flash along with a no-nonsense minimalist, razzle dazzle décor.    
                 Scarlet Lady exceeds all expectations. In future, cruise lines, in the business of attracting a smart, young crowd will need to implement the highest standards Virgin Voyages have established. 
     The target clientele is a young, hip, urban crowd painting the town red and demanding contemporary, high tech food, accommodation and entertainment.  
      Mega Rockstar suites are on top of the range and come with a personal invitation to Richard’s Hideaway; sea terraces come with a hammock for balcony lounging in the privacy of your own room and even inside cabins are super cool complete with all the high-tech bells and whistles.  
         Virgin ships are adult only and a certain section of  passengers embrace the chance to leave the kids at home while they reward themselves with vacation time. 
       Virgin Voyages are premium priced on a level with hotel brans such as Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton : appealing to clientele who know quality when they see it and are prepared to pay the price.  
           Entertainment venues, The Red Room, The Manor and outdoor deck areas, provide original productions, unique to Virgin.   Brand new shows feature cirque solei-like performances from a team of a dozen gymnasts, Duel Recycling, with the circus theme played out accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet between competing teams, encouraging audience to take sides and “Let the Games Begin.”  
       Random strolling musicians appear, sometimes in the elevators, playing music, singing songs and storytelling.  This pop-up street theatre can be confusing and  the reaction from the audience can be less than enthusiastic as passengers work out what is happening – and why.   However, much of what happens on board is experimental and some aspects will change and evolve over time.  
        Sporty, athletics types, dressed in their trademark Athleta outfits  are constantly engaged in exercising in the state-of-the-art gymnasium and around the ship.  Pop up exercise classes fill up fast with indoor bungee jumping being a hot favourite.  
         Health and safety protocols state that all passengers must be double vaccinated and crew wear masks but these are not required for passengers.
        Party nights and deck dancing are high powered affairs with multiple DJ’s blasting out dance music.   One special event on board is designate as a Scarlet Night – Wear Red - at which in various venues the pop-up entertainers engage in performing and telling the story of the Mermaid and the Octopus.     Yes, the mermaid and the octopus fall in love  and live happily ever after at the bottom of the  ocean.  
         Scarlet Lady is a unique, exhilarating experience and many voyagers are already falling in love with this new way of crusing. 
   As Sir Richard says, “Why be ordinary when you can be extraordinary?”                                                           
 
ends