Arriving in Portsmouth, England, for embarkation, I expected the usual cruise terminal crowds, but checking into Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady as a Rockstar sailor meant an entirely different start. After dropping my luggage at the curb, the paperwork I’d already completed in the app left nothing more than a quick scan at the Rockstar check-in counter and the process was complete. Minutes later, I was on board early, among the first to explore the sparkling ship before setting sail on a 13-night voyage including the likes of Amsterdam, Dublin, Stornoway and beyond.

Scarlet Lady is not a common cruise ship. Designed exclusively for adults, the vessel trades the dated grandeur of traditional liners for sharp, modern styling. It’s still chic, but decidedly contemporary. Common areas pulse with energy, blending lounge, club and boutique hotel aesthetics in a way that mirrors Virgin’s cheeky overall branding. Yet while the atmosphere skews younger, the demographics on board remain more diverse than expected, giving the ship a balanced social rhythm.

© Virgin Voyages

Booking a Rockstar suite amplifies that energy with layers of privilege. Suites themselves are sleek retreats, with Tom Dixon design details, outdoor hammocks and record players stocked with vinyl. But the real advantage is the Rockstar experience that comes with it: a personal onboard agent to handle everything from reservations to spontaneous requests, access to Richard’s Rooftop (a private terrace with its own daily happy hour) and priority treatment at every turn.

© Virgin Voyages

While Scarlet Lady offers plenty to keep you busy on board, reaching new ports is always the biggest thrill for me. My primary reason for choosing this itinerary was finally standing at Giant’s Causeway, a sight I’d wanted to see since childhood. Hours after disembarking in Belfast, as I balanced on the basalt columns at the water’s edge, I thought about how seamlessly Scarlet Lady had delivered me there, especially as a Rockstar.

Rockstar perks made every other port a breeze, too, from skipping lines to boarding a dedicated Rockstar tender in Dublin.

Back on board, Scarlet Lady’s dining scene defies cruise stereotypes. There are no buffets or traditional main dining halls, but instead a collection of specialty restaurants, each included in the fare, plus The Galley, a food hall-style marketplace open throughout the day. The Galley replaces the old cruise buffet with a lineup of trendy cuisines ranging from tacos and sushi to noodles and all-day diner classics, all with counter service.

© Virgin Voyages

Guests can book specialty restaurants daily and the basic menus are all included, while each includes a few splurge options like premium cuts or wine pairings for a charge. Every venue, from the steakhouse to the pizza shop and ice cream counter, offers vegan options as naturally as they serve everything else. It’s thoughtful without being performative, and often makes dining feel closer to a night out ashore than a shipboard obligation.

Entertainment runs on the same principle: constant variety. The volume of acts is surprising, so much so that even on a 13-night sailing, I was able to see new shows daily. One night could mean an immersive dance battle production, the next a mind-bending mentalist, and the next a smaller cabaret or comedy set.

You may recognize many of the entertainers from television, too. You’ll certainly find the standards, like karaoke and bingo, but even these might be hosted by the ship’s resident drag queen, The Diva. In essence, entertainment is bold and lively, designed for travelers who want more than just a piano bar, but still broad enough to keep everyone entertained.

© Virgin Voyages

For quieter hours, Redemption Spa is a worthy escape. Guests can book treatments like massages or facials, but just as many choose to spend a day in the thermal suite, cycling through the salt room, hydrotherapy pool and sauna until the bustle of the ship fades entirely. Like much of Scarlet Lady, the spa reflects a shift away from traditional cruising: less ritual, more choice and always framed by design.

Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Lady