Cruise ship evaluate: On board Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Girl

The provide is common Sir Richard Branson. ‘Virgin cruises are for people today who despise cruises’ is 1 of the traces trotted out on board Scarlet Woman.

It could be another way of declaring that the aim is to deliver down the regular age of those people on board by a superior two or 3 decades, although the organization states it’s about attracting ‘the youthful at heart’.

Frankly, as the very first journalist to board Scarlet Girl this week at Portsmouth, for a four-night time cruise around the Channel, I was sceptical. Can a 17-deck leviathan costing £500 million — which will ordinarily host close to 2,700 travellers — definitely offer an edgy, grownups-only encounter?

Of course and no. Uninteresting buffets have been nudged aside by extra than 20 places to eat and bars, quite a few curated by Michelin-starred chefs (at no extra price — all foods, barring unique extras these kinds of as a dollop of caviar, is aspect of the offer). 

A ‘festival-like line-up’ of entertainment means it is farewell tired previous cabaret and good day aerial-beat circus and saucy sexology shows.

Wellness is huge, with a boxing ring, basketball court, spin courses, ‘bungee yoga’ and a wrap-all around running keep track of. There is even a tattoo parlour and document store.

The entire knowledge is managed via the Virgin Voyages application, which has to be put in in progress. It stored crashing and, when I arrived to guide eating places and demonstrates, all the superior stuff seemed to be marketed out. I was not even on board and I was already grumpy.

Reasonable ample banging on about the boutique experience, but Scarlet Woman, the 1st of 4 Virgin liners, is a behemoth. Dwarfing the properties at Portsmouth, and even the Navy’s greatest plane carrier, it seems like a giant concrete car park with a vivid pink boil on prime.

But inside of it’s a distinctive tale. There’s a grand twist of a Hollywood staircase and glamour and glitz in the champagne and caviar bar. Turn a corner and it is Miami pop art round another and you’re strolling by means of a tunnel of lights to a Studio 54-esque nightclub. It’s playful and creative and I began to warm to the ship.

‘We’ve been on more than 60 cruises and this is definitely different,’ reported Julie, in her 60s, from North London. ‘It’s quirky.’

All the crew ended up donning masks, but most likely only all-around 20 per cent of travellers. Not all people felt the crowded nightclub and health classes ended up wise, and some individuals expressed disquiet at the enclosed incredibly hot areas of the spa.

I was anticipating fireworks in my cabin but, though comfortable, it did not make waves — the decor was a blend of Ikea and 1970s Habitat. The hammock on the balcony was a pleasant contact, but the rest room was small. 

Poking my nose into the ‘rock star’ suites, I felt a bit brief-improved. Where by was my turntable and bevy of guitars on the wall? I wished a rider of only-crimson jelly bears, and by heck, I definitely required a shower I could get into without having owning to suck in my tummy.

Or possibly I just desired to shed a couple lbs. The conditioning amenities are remarkable and you can get into most of them without as well considerably hassle. 

The crew all don uniforms, from brilliant purple tailored attire to calm Virgin T-shirts and slacks, or steel grey boilersuits.

Early morning yoga was nicely paced and suited for all concentrations of bendiness, but the star convert was the VHS workout. 

Held in the nightclub, we donned neon leg heaters, headbands and scrunchies for an 1980s-impressed danceathon. Loved it.

It is a excellent position there is exercising obtainable for the reason that it’s nigh-on impossible not to more than-indulge — there is so a great deal option, typically served in American-design and style parts. Each restaurant has its own decor, lighting, songs and temper.

The to start with evening I tried using Exam Kitchen. Its six-class tasting menu seemed very and arrived with theatrical thrusts (the trusty dome of steam), but the flavours did not really sing. On the other hand, Further Virgin, the Italian cafe, was a revelation — some of the finest Italian food I have eaten outside the house Sicily.

Amusement is predominantly absolutely free. My jaw hung open for much of the Romeo & Juliet-influenced acrobatic drama Duel Truth, in a blend of awe and terror that anyone may die. 

I missed the interactive sexologist present, but a 70-a little something couple claimed it was ‘quite something’, just before wandering off hand in hand.

The ‘young at heart’ line appears like a superior thought, not minimum since the wide majority of visitors have been couples amongst 40 and 70.

‘The reveals are very good,’ mentioned one seasoned cruiser. ‘But some of it is a bit wacky for me. I experienced to disguise the sex package in our cabin from my spouse!’ 

He’s referring to the discreet black box in every cabin, termed Time To Participate in. It is a far cry from chocolates and towel art.

Branson likes to shoot for the stars and his first ship undoubtedly is a novelty — but is it as well distinct for seasoned cruisers, and not unique plenty of to attract a new technology?