THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE?
THOMPSON ENTERS VIRGIN TERRITORY ON BRANSON’S SWANKY
SPACE is clearly close to Sir Richard Branson’s heart, since he’s invested a stellar amount of money on his Virgin Galactic suborbital flights project.
But I’m more interested in how the unusual use of space works in the Sea Terrace cabins on Scarlet Lady, his first cruise ship, since the bed converts to a day sofa.
And it works brilliantly, so you have a ‘bedroom’ at night and a ‘lounge’ by day.
Virgin Voyages promises a sea change for its Sailors (we are not called passengers) and we got one. Though it won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Branson wants to shake up cruises just as he did the record and airline industries – and he might be on course to do it with a dazzlingly different offering:
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
With a Covid test at the port suitably negative, we’re issued with a band and a touch ‘lozenge’ to use for embarkation security, payments and unlocking our cabin door.
Most of the pre-cruise check-in process was done via a smartphone app at home, a wearying process of freezes, crashes and reinstalling.
As we board, I admire the 108,192 gross tonnage ship’s distinctive vertical bow and the dashes of vivid Virgin red against on-trend grey.
Government virus restrictions mean a reduced capacity of 1,169 out of a potential 2,816 Sailors; we’ll have plenty of space.
THE CABIN
Besides the bed/sofa switch, we loved the balcony hammock.
It’s not the biggest cabin and we were concerned about storage, but once we’d put away our kit for the four-night trip we felt there was ample room for a week with clothes for a warm climate.
The bathroom has a good rainfall shower and the amenities are fine for the sludgy black soap).
The TV, lights, a/c, curtains and steward services are operated by the cabin tablet, which worked well, as did the slow-but-steady free wi-fi.
THE FOOD
You will be wowed. There’s no main restaurant but there are many choices and six no-fee signature dining venues.
The Wake: A smart steakhouse where we had a superb filet mignon.
Razzle Dazzle: Named and styled for First World War ship camouflage, it is ‘veggie forward’ but does have chicken and salmon dishes. The vegan ‘Impossible’ plant burger is phenomenal.
Pink Agave: Mexican cuisine with a modest menu but what’s there is done well.
Test Kitchen: ‘Experimental’ food with six courses – triple mushroom mousse/pate, confit egg and peas, scallops and jamon, beef with choc(except olate and beetroot jus (it looked like a Mafia hit), blue cheese ice cream, chocolate and coconut cake. Gunbae: A Korean barbecue sharing experience with a lively atmosphere. We feasted on seafood, sliced steak and pork belly, egg fried rice and various veg. Memorable.
We never made it to the Extra Virgin Italian, but heard great reports from fellow Sailors. Also a shout out to The Dock for its meze, the Galley food court for variety and
the Lick Me Till… Ice
Cream (ooh, er) gelato stall. We tested this extensively – that key lime and chocolate is not going to eat itself.
This is 21st century food for sure – I had more avocados in four nights than I’ve had in the last four years.
THE DRINKS
A fabulous choice, from the Draft Haus craft beer venue to Sip Lounge, a truly plush champagne spot, with every alternative in between covered.
We gravitated to On The Rocks martini and cocktail bar with its live music, while The Dock and the Athletic Club are nice stern alfresco areas.
Costs are US$ and at the lower end of the scale for usually pricey nonBritish ships, with the stipulation from cruise line boss Tom McAlpin there should be dollar single-figure drinks on every tariff. For example, a draught Heineken is about £3.70, with a glass of sparkling wine about £6.50.
More good news is that the included ‘basic bevvies’ are decent – that covers tea and filter coffee, non-pressed fruit juices, the likes of Coke and Fanta, plus filtered still and sparkling water. Barista brews are from about £3.70 and very good.
HIT THE DECKS
There’s a wraparound promenade on Deck 7 and we liked the elevated Runway jogging and walking track on Deck 17, keeping step-counters away from the pool and sunbathing areas.
Cabanas can be hired and there are plenty of Jacuzzis; the actual pool space is limited as it’s more aimed at sitting in the water with a cocktail than swimming.
The highlight has to be The Net, a red catamaran mesh suspended over the stern on Deck 16. It’s about 10,000ft above the sea (possibly a slight exaggeration) and a tad unnerving at first but, once you’re on, it’s a bouncy hoot.
WELLNESS & FITNESS
A key feature with the stylish Redemption spa and terrific gyms. If you want to get off the ship in better shape than you got on, there’s anything from cardio workouts to yoga and medi-spa treatments. If you want to look a bit different there’s Squid Ink, the first tattoo shop at sea. It was doing a brisk trade.
This is 21st century food for sure – I had more avocados in four nights than I’ve had in the last four years.
ENTERTAINMENT
A lot and it’s diverse – music, comedy, acrobatics, a vinyl record store with DJ, the fun of Scarlet Night, bingo, pub quizzes and more.
Standout for us was the Duel Reality show by Montreal’s The 7 Fingers troupe. It’s a fantastic theatrical circus take on Romeo and Juliet and one of the best shows we’ve seen on a cruise ship: 10/10.
THE FUTURE
Scarlet Lady will winter in Miami and Puerto Rico for the Caribbean, then head around the Med from Barcelona next summer.
The line’s second ship, Valiant Lady, will debut in Portsmouth in March and will be identical to Scarlet. Resilient Lady will follow in the Med in July, with an unnamed fourth ship expected in 2023.
Is Richard Branson on to something with his take on cruising? It’s going to be a fascinating journey as new ships and concepts arrive.
Virgin Voyages is not about your age, it’s about your attitude of mind. Watch this space.