Journey log, day one. Miami, Florida.
4-Night time Bahamian Fireplace and Sundown Soiree (Bahamian) from Miami, Florida
February 4, 2026
Your Day at a Look (The Each day Schedule)
Scarlet Woman Deck Plan
Welcome again to an all new journey report as we’re as soon as once more sampling a brand new providing from Miami as we set sail on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Woman for a 4-Night time Bahamian Fireplace and Sundown Soiree cruise to The Bahamas. Throughout this prolonged weekend voyage, we will likely be crusing to Key West, Florida and Virgin Voyages’ signature Seashore Membership in Bimini, Bahamas.
I hope you take pleasure in this non-Disney Cruise journey report, as we proceed to increase our cruise experiences seeing what different traces and ships provide to get a greater perspective on the cruise trade. This journey report will vary from what we did every day to direct comparisons to our Disney cruising experiences, clearly from an adults solely perspective, which isn’t unusual on DCL. Once more, no onerous emotions if this isn’t the content material you’re searching for by visiting a weblog primarily centered on Disney Cruise Line. For these of you remaining, thanks for following alongside! Now, let’s embark on this journey report.
Based on the cruise line, Virgin Voyages’ first fleet is named the “Woman Ships,” a play on the time period ‘your ladyship,’ giving a nod to Virgin’s British heritage. The fleet contains Scarlet Woman, Valiant Woman, Resilient Woman, and Good Woman. Scarlet Woman, the road’s first ship, was delivered on February 14, 2020, and entered service in August 2021. The Virgin Voyages fleet is completely adults solely (18 and up). Scarlet Woman is slightly smaller than the Dream-class ships coming in at 110,000 GT with 2,770 passengers primarily based on double occupancy with 1,100 crew members.
Virgin Voyages was based with seasoned management experience sourced from Disney Cruise Line in addition to The Walt Disney Firm. On the high is Tom McAlpin, a founding member of Disney Cruise Line’s authentic administration group who served as Vice President of Finance and Enterprise Improvement, Senior Vice President of Operations, and for his remaining 5 years with Disney Cruise Line, served as President. In 2015, McAlpin joined Virgin Group because the founding CEO of Virgin Voyages, main the model by means of ship design, building, and launch. He retried from the position of CEO in 2023 and now serves as Board Chairman for Virgin Voyages.
Up subsequent from Disney is Michelle Bentubo, Virgin Voyages’ Chief Working Officer (appointed in 2023) initially becoming a member of the road in 2016. Bentubo beforehand held government roles at Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. Upon her begin with Virgin Voyages, Bentubo established a know-how imaginative and prescient from startup by means of launch, making a digital-first expertise with a deal with customer-centric design by means of know-how.
Time to stage up on know-how with Andy Schwalb who serves as Chief Info Officer & Chief Expertise Officer. Schwalb was Senior Vice President and head of know-how initiatives at The Walt Disney Firm the place he labored on bringing the MagicBand expertise to life earlier than becoming a member of Virgin Voyages in 2015.
Batting cleanup, is Anders Karlsson the Vice President of Lodge Operations (since June 2021). He began at Disney Cruise Line in 1998 and progressed by means of key hospitality roles, together with Restaurant Supervisor, Eating Supervisor, and Senior Supervisor of Lodge Operations, earlier than becoming a member of Virgin Voyages in 2016 as Director of Lodge Providers.
Not a foul lineup, proper? These executives introduced their Disney honed experience in finance/operations, visitor expertise, know-how, and lodge/eating operations to assist form Virgin Voyages’ progressive, adults-only method. Based on their respective LinkedIn profiles, they carry over 60 years of mixed expertise from The Walt Disney Firm.
Our journey to Miami began with a fast experience over the Orlando Worldwide Airport the place we boarded a Brightline prepare for a calming journey to South Florida.
PortMiami is minutes from the Miami Brightline station and we merely requested a Lyft because it was cheaper than Uber. In our current journeys, plainly Lyft is cheaper in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Boarding for Virgin Voyages usually begins within the afternoon after 2 o’clock. We chosen a 2:30PM arrival time when checking in on-line and arrived on the terminal at 2:50PM. Right now, the wave of two:30PM arrivals subsided and the outside queue was holding company for the 3PM window. This allowed us to stroll proper within the entrance door and not using a wait!
Between the Lyft and the examine in space, the deal with on a effectively traveled carry-on bag broke. Thanks for the reminiscences, your Disney Fantasy impressed and straightforward to search out design will likely be missed.
The arrival and check-in course of was a breeze. Whereas there was a line contained in the terminal, there have been loads of workers out there to examine within the arriving events.
Every visitor, or in Virgin’s world, SAILOR is supplied with The Band – a easy wearable rope bracelet with an RFID tag to make use of throughout the ship. Consider this like a DisneyBand+ (MagicBands) or a Key to the World Card. Now, I very a lot dislike sporting MagicBands on ships or on the theme parks. I’m completely content material utilizing the plastic card which all the time works. Anyway, this rope bracelet was forgettable in a great way and I didn’t thoughts it in any respect. You’ll be able to even take away the RFID part and have a pleasant little anchor bracelet as a memento.
The safety line moved extraordinarily quick and so they didn’t even query our (2) allotted wine bottles in our damaged carry-on bag. We had been crusing in calm water between waves of arriving company, which meant there was a transparent path to the ship, however there’s a good little ready space with loads of retailers to cost your units within the terminal.
In about 25 minutes after strolling into the Terminal, we had been boarding the ship! The primary order of enterprise was to finish the muster drill. Nevertheless, I failed and didn’t pre-watch the required video assuming that it was required on the stateroom stage.
As soon as the video accomplished, we checked in at our assigned muster station and now we’re formally free to benefit from the ship.
From what I’ve learn, staterooms are usually prepared if you board the ship and this was certainly true in the present day. We dropped off our stuff and one suitcase was already ready outdoors the door. Let that sink in… Okay, possibly not one of the best phrase to make use of on ship, however we dropped our baggage with a ported outdoors roughly 40 minutes in the past and it beat us to the stateroom. Effectivity at it’s greatest!!!
We initially booked an inside stateroom, however we submitted a bid within the Stage Improve program on the lowest bid for a balcony stateroom and it was accepted! Contained in the room, we discovered a bunch of informational paperwork on the desk corresponding to a replica of the Your Day at a Look printed schedule and instances information!
There was additionally a letter welcoming us again as a part of the road’s loyalty program Virgin Voyages Crusing Membership. However isn’t this your first Virgin Voyages cruise? Sure, it’s our first Virgin Voyages cruise, however we took benefit of the Crusing Membership Standing Match out there for Platinum and Pearl stage Castaway Membership members after we booked again in December of 2024 in addition to different eligible loyalty applications giving us Blue Extras standing. Whereas that is superior, the Standing Match promotion window ended on the finish of February 2026. Nevertheless, it might be value holding an eye fixed out on that linked web page in the event that they open it again up once more (which they often do).
We weren’t alone on this cruise. We had mates crusing in different staterooms. One in all them, whom we’ve cruised with a number of instances, together with with our children (who’re again on campus throughout this time), was crusing solo and obtained an invite to a solo sailors meet-up. The letter additionally offered info on solo eating alternatives.
The room was additionally adorned with some enjoyable equipment corresponding to a sextant bottle opener and wine corkscrew, an octopus, and data on seaside towels when going ashore.
We unpacked our carry-on and suitcase, though we had been nonetheless looking out for my suitcase – which appears to be a typical prevalence no matter cruise line.
The staterooms are sensible with a pill out there to manage the lights, TV, curtains, search for ship info, order room service, and make stateroom requests corresponding to extra towels. There’s a devoted charging stand on a shelf above the desk.
I’m completely content material in an inside stateroom, however my favourite a part of this stateroom is just not even contained in the stateroom; it’s the chair hammock on the balcony which might be bought onboard pending availability, instantly from Yellow Leaf Hammocks or from our Amazon affiliate hyperlink.
As soon as our baggage was unpacked and we gave up on ready for my suitcase, we got down to discover the ship. Beginning with a day cease for caffeine at The Grounds, which had a stack of Your Day at a Look printouts out there. We found these had been out there in a number of locations across the ship to complement the knowledge out there from the Virgin Voyages app. In case you are a daily reader, you already know I favor a printed schedule and solely use the app when completely mandatory. Nicely, on the time of our check-in for the cruise, the app was required. I tried to check-in on my pc and the choice was not out there, nonetheless, I’m now seeing it may be completed on a pc… Will report again subsequent time (as a result of sure, we didi ebook one other crusing).
Common Disney Cruiser, Chris and his spouse had been crusing within the Mega Rock Star Suite, and invited us for a tour, dialog, and pre-sail away drinks.
The room is cool, however there may be just one bathe, which has a glass wall into the master suite. I assume that is the rockstar life, however in case you are sharing the room with others, or your grownup kids, this requires scheduling for privateness.
We made our strategy to the higher decks for the sail away from PortMiami which provides a tremendous view as you depart in comparison with Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.
I used to be a bit nervous once I noticed the seaside towels within the stateroom, as I can not stand the trying out/in of towels on cruise ships. Nevertheless, I used to be joyful to see Virgin similar to Disney provides seize and go towels close to The Aquatic Membership which can also be close to the gymnasium.
Complimentary sail away prosecco? Please and thanks!
Above the Aquatic Membership, you may spot the Fincantieri 6287 hull plaque noting the ship’s origin from the Genoa Sestri Ponente Shipyard in Italy. Meyer Werft will get all of the headlines these days with Disney Cruise Line, however Fincantieri was Disney’s first shipbuilder, setting up each the Disney Magic and Disney Surprise.
An fascinating function in regards to the Scarlet Woman, it doesn’t function a devoted primary eating room or rotational the place you’re assigned a spot every night time. There are a number of eating places and fast service places out there, however we did schedule instances every night time earlier than the crusing. For our first night time, we’re heading to Gunbae for a Korean BBQ impressed dinner.
A social, hands-on, interactive, enjoyable eating expertise, Gunbae options specifically engineered flameless grills constructed into every desk so Sailors can grill meats to their want paired with their favourite banchan. Arguably essentially the most energetic eatery on-board, every meal begins with a complimentary spherical of soju for the desk and all through the night, Sailors are inspired to participate in vigorous Korean consuming video games.
Under is a pattern of the menu from Virgin Voyage’s web site, it’s barely completely different from the menu we had at our desk, but it surely offers a superb overview of what you would possibly count on throughout a future cruise.
Our server was fairly energetic welcoming us to the restaurant, and offering an summary of the menu. We ordered cocktails and primarily went along with his suggestion to carry slightly of every part for the desk to share whereas nonetheless taking note of the allergy points on the desk.
He proceeded to show us the consuming sport printed within the menu. It was enjoyable as soon as you bought the dangle of it.
Dinner is included within the worth of the cruise, however cocktails are a separate payment.
The meals started to reach in a number of mini-course and general every part was effectively seasoned and pleasing.
After dinner, we walked round extra of the inside areas we didn’t get to earlier and for the early night we had been pleasantly shocked by the abundance of seating within the numerous venues and bars.
The Social Membership is a central venue for group occasions and actions and there’s a massive collection of video games, playing cards, and even puzzles out there!
The Social Membership additionally options some mild bites and candy treats, all included within the cruise fare.
Close by, tucked in a nook is The Free Cannon, a nautical bar with ample seating.
I observed a restricted version Powder Keg memento shot glass listed on the menu, and finally noticed one behind the bar in bubble wrap. I assume not all ships can print cash with memento vessels.
Whereas it isn’t unusual to discover a ship-exclusive beer, I do love when the beer is out there in cans, which, in case you are cautious, you may carry dwelling as a bonus memento so as to add to a rising assortment of cruise ship beer cans.
Tonight in The Social Membership was a Know-it-All session of Salty Trivia with random questions, consider it just like the Potpourri class on Jeopardy.
After doing so-so in trivia, we meandered round stopping by the pizza store which provides seize and go salads and a collection of pizzas. Plus, there’s a spot the place you may shortly seize a beverage and pay for it on the counter! The estimated anticipate a pizza was operating about 30-minutes as every is made to order, so grabbing a fast slice is just not actually an possibility.
Down a deck on 6 is the procuring district, Excessive Road, with a mixture of choices from clothes, cosmetics, jewellery, a tattoo parlor, and a devoted cruise line store the place we picked up a brand new carry-on bag to interchange the suitcase that broke on arrival. You know the way some designers have completely different sizes to make you’re feeling higher about your dimension… Nicely, I’m now the proud proprietor of medium Virgin Voyages hooded sweatshirt.
Down on deck 5 is Sailor Providers (visitor providers), the place we discovered a stack of printed schedules in addition to a deck plan brochure that ended up being extraordinarily useful to familiarize ourselves with the structure of the ship. The stairwells/elevator foyer additionally present a superb deck by deck venue abstract. One of many first suggestions I’ve for anybody heading out on a cruise is to look over and examine the deck plan. Nevertheless, in apply I by no means do that as I prefer to play the sport of how lengthy will it take me to determine it out alone as a check of kinds to see how the ship is about up. Shifting across the ship was simple, deck 7 grew to become essentially the most visited spot, particularly space round The Social Membership and The Grounds which grew to become my North Star for navigating the ship.
I used to be relieved to see my suitcase ready outdoors our stateroom as we turned in for the night time. I don’t know when it arrived at our room and was not likely nervous after seeing the AirTag inside exhibiting up on the ship once I regarded proper earlier than dinner.
All sailors get a fundamental Wi-Fi bundle included with the cruise fare, and for included (free) it was ok to do easy duties corresponding to e mail and social media apps. I didn’t put it to the check, but it surely felt like if I wanted to do some actual work on-line, I would wish to improve to a unique plan.
There was a pleasant collection of free on demand motion pictures within the stateroom all browsable from the pill. With the faucet of a button The Hangover was enjoying on the stateroom TV! We known as it an evening and plan for a calming day at sea tomorrow!
- Day 1 – Miami, Florida
- Day 2 – At Sea
- Day 3 – Key West, Florida
- Day 4 – Bimini, The Bahamas
