Virgin Voyages Best & Worst Ships

Virgin Voyages: A Fleet Full of Scarlet Dreams and a Few Rusty Nightmares

Ahoy, cruise enthusiasts! Virgin Voyages has burst onto the scene with a splash that’s as red as its signature Scarlet Lady. But as with any fleet, not all ships are created equal. Let’s dive into the best and worst of Virgin Voyages, so you’ll know which ships deserve your dollars and which ones might just make you want to walk the plank.

The Gems of the Virgin Voyages Fleet

When it comes to the crown jewels of Virgin Voyages, the star of the show is undeniably the Scarlet Lady. Launched in 2020, it’s the oldest ship in the fleet but definitely not the one that feels like a relic. With its cheeky, adults-only vibe and a focus on sustainable travel, Scarlet Lady sets the standard for what a modern cruise ship should be. This ship has consistently scored high in the cleanliness rankings, earning a gold star from the CDC for its sanitation practices.

Then there’s the Valiant Lady, the second ship to join the fleet, making waves with its Mediterranean itineraries. While it’s newer, it matches Scarlet Lady stride for stride in terms of amenities and style. Both ships shine with their impressive dining options and wellness-focused activities—because who doesn’t want a tattoo parlor on a cruise ship?

Rusty Nightmares: The Less Impressive Members of the Fleet

Despite the glossy marketing, some of Virgin Voyages’ ships have a little less luster. The Resilient Lady was introduced in 2022 and despite its promising name, it seems to have hit some rocky waters. While still a young ship, early reviews suggest the service can sometimes fall short, with guests complaining about understaffing and lukewarm entertainment options. While she’s not quite sinking, it might be wise to check recent customer reviews and CDC inspection results in our ship database before booking.

Newest vs. Oldest: A Tale of Two Ladies

Comparing the oldest and the youngest ships in any fleet can be a bit like comparing apples to, well, slightly newer apples. Both the Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady are impressive in terms of their modern design and tech-savvy features. However, as the flagship, Scarlet Lady clearly benefits from being the firstborn with more seasoned crew and finely-tuned service.

The Brilliant Lady, set to debut soon, will be the latest addition to Virgin’s line-up, and expectations are high. Based on her predecessors, we hope she combines Scarlet’s polish with Valiant’s youthful flair. But let’s not pop the champagne bottle just yet; we’ll keep an eye on her performance through the Outbreak Tracker.

Refurbishment Status: Do We Need a Makeover?

With the fleet being fairly new, Virgin Voyages is still riding the wave of its initial launch, so refurbishments aren’t on the immediate horizon. However, given the rapid wear-and-tear these floating paradises endure, a proactive approach could keep these ships sparkling. It’s worth keeping an eye on the Virgin Voyages Dossier for updates on any upcoming refurbishments or enhancements.

CDC Scores: Sailing Through the Cleanliness Test

Virgin Voyages prides itself on maintaining high standards, and it shows in their CDC scores. The Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady have both passed CDC inspections with flying colors, scoring above 95—a testament to the brand’s commitment to cleanliness. Resilient Lady, however, scraped by with a slightly lower score, hinting at some teething problems that need addressing.

Again, if you’re a germophobe or just someone who likes a clean ship—honestly, who doesn’t?—you might want to keep an eye on those scores in our cleanliness rankings.

Which Ships to Seek or Avoid?

For a guaranteed good time, head straight to the Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady, where you’re virtually assured a cruise experience worth remembering. As for Resilient Lady, consider proceeding with caution and doing a bit more research. If you’re adventurous (or just a glutton for punishment), you’ll either have a tale to tell or an unexpected gem of an experience.