Curator’s statement
Living in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, we have never been fans of the large cruise ships. Not for lack of trying. Over the years, we have experienced every line sailing out of both South Florida ports, with the only difference being the better public areas on the newer ships. The massive crowds, mediocre food and screaming kids, always left us disappointed. This was until Virgin landed with their maiden ship, Scarlett Lady. After reading reviews, we did not hesitate to book a 4-night voyage to test the validity of the reviews. Upon arrival at their modern new terminal, we knew we were in for a different experience. Checking in was a breeze. We carry on, so in a span of less than 30 minutes, we had boarded, dropped our bags at our stateroom, watched the safety video and were sitting at the rear deck enjoying a cold drink and their Mediterranean small-bite menu found at some of the city's top restaurants. This was a preview of the kind of cuisine we were about to experience. And in five days, we were never disappointed.
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The Staterooms:
Staterooms are modern with all of the technology you want and expect in any modern accommodation, featuring USB ports and phone connectors. List of movies and shows are the best we have experienced on any cruise ship. Even room service can be had at the touch of your room's tablet. Comfortable bedding. Spacious bathrooms with plenty of storage and great water pressure in the showers. The Sea Terrace cabins offer a very comfortable hammock on the balcony.
Day trips from the ports:
If you love the beach, you will love their ports. From Key West to the Riviera Maya all ending at Virgin's private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas. No amusement rides or screaming kids. They do have music, several bars, BBQ grills, beach lounges and two fantastic pools. Our favorite is the crystal-clear beach only found in the Bahamas.
Cuisine onboard:
The cuisine at all of the restaurants was outstanding. Unlike the other large cruise lines, there is no additional charge for specialty dining. There is no Buffett, instead, a very diverse food hall with a wide variety of choices and table service. The cuisine at all of the restaurants was outstanding. Unlike the other large cruise lines, there is no additional charge for specialty dining. There is no Buffett, instead, a very diverse food hall with a wide variety of choices and table service. The key is making reservations early ahead of your voyage. You can do this on the app or we can help. Specialty restaurants include:
The Wake: A classic steakhouse.
Razzle Dazzle: American diner-style comfort food.
Pink Agave: Featuring high-end Mexican specialties.
Extra Virgin: This was our favorite, offering fresh pasta, grilled meats and amazing gelato.
Korean Barbecue
The Dock House: Featuring excellent bar bites.
Finally, for the adventurous is The Test Kitchen: A Michelin Star-inspired experience serving a different creative menu every other night. Wine pairings are a must and reservations are highly recommended.
Parties:
The nightlife is always on. Pajama Party on the first night, The Manor Nightclub, a take back to the days of Studio 54. Oh and yes, Scarlet Lady's Red party out in the main pool is not to be missed. There are two pools, several hot tubs, a fantastic spa featuring mud baths and couples massage and a full workout gym. Our favorite part of the cruise is that crew members are allowed in their off hours to interact with guests and make it a very human experience.
Need to know
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Travel Advisor
William Le Sante
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