A Few Quick Highlights
Adults-only ships; you must be 18 or older to sail
More than 20 places to grab a bite to eat with no extra-fee restaurants
The majority (86 percent) of cabins will have balconies, and 93 percent will offer ocean views
Will feature the first-ever Tattoo Studio at sea
The outdoor Athletic Club spans the entire aft of Deck 16, features an outdoor boxing ring, and has 10 cabanas
Founder Richard Branson publicly set the wheels in motion to start a cruise line in March 2014, when he announced he would build two new ships aimed at a younger market. In December of that year, Virgin named Tom McAlpin, a veteran of the cruise industry, company president.
In June 2015, Virgin Voyages announced it would build one additional ship (for a total of three identical vessels), with the first -- Scarlet Lady -- debuting in 2020.
The company actually started as Virgin Cruises, but it switched to Virgin Voyages after suggestions from potential cruisers. The name change reflects the "unexpected adventure" the company plans to deliver.
Onboard
Virgin Voyages is releasing information about its ships in drips and drabs. We know, for instance that the ship will be adults only (18 and older), will have a casino but will not offer Broadway or Broadway-type shows onboard.
The line has hired 10 land-based architects to help it created spaces that will be more reminiscent of hotel than other cruise ships, McAlpin said. None have ever designed for the cruise industry before, a critical factor for Virgin Voyages when it sought out people and companies to work with.
All of the designers are known for their modern aesthetic, but Virgin Voyages says the ship also will offer a nod to the historical glamour of grand ocean voyages; classical nautical elements including steel, brass and portholes (like those that will be found in the Pink Agave restaurant) will be "tastefully sprinkled" throughout the ship, McAlpin said.
Branson has also expressed a desire to have the "cleanest" ships at sea, and in October 2016, Virgin Voyages announced a partnership with Swedish clean-energy company Climeon. The ships will introduce a system designed to turn waste water into electricity, which will in turn reduce the company's carbon footprint.
Dining
Scarlet Lady will have no main dining room, no set dining times, no dress code and no buffet.
Extra Virgin: Scarlet Lady's trattoria-inspired Italian venue will serve regional dishes and handmade pasta made daily. Also on the menu will be a variety of Amari, digestive and other traditional Italian aperitifs designed to stimulate the appetite. The wine menu will feature an infographic to help diners better understand Italian wine and pick out the right option for them. Extra Virgin will also offer an Aperitivo hour each day with drink specials and small plates.
Geonbae: Meaning cheers or bottoms up in Korean, Geonbae is a Korean BBQ restaurant featuring specially-designed flameless grills built into the tables so that diners can cook their own meals. The entire experience will begin with a complimentary round of soju for the table and throughout the night diners will be encouraged to participate in Korean drinking games.
Pink Agave (Deck 5): Pink Agave will be an upscale Mexican restaurant featuring electric blue metallic lighting fixtures, oversized banquet tables and porthole windows to let in natural light. An elongated curved lounger centers the room with round tables for two offering an intimate dining experience. On the menu you'll find tlayudas, memelas, sopes, tortas, esquites, and tamales -- all meant to be shared with the table. The restaurant will feature a bar area in the foyer with an expansive collection of mezcals, or try one of the signature Agua Fresca cocktails. There will also be a private dining room for larger groups.
Test Kitchen (Deck 6): This restaurant is designed to encourage diners to think about their food from a new perspective. The entryway features lighting fixtures that mimic the periodic table to get people into the mood of the laboratory-like environment with design elements that include metallic furniture, beakers and test tubes. The chef-driven set menus are presented in the form of an ingredient list and diners follow along as the chef combines the list of flavors throughout the course of the meal. This eatery will host a number of different experiences throughout the voyage from cooking classes, to mixology school to coffee labs, and even a few late-night lock-ins, where participants will be invited to raid the chef’s fridge and dig into a midnight feast.
The Dock Restaurant (Deck 7): Set at the back of the ship on Deck 7, this alfresco eatery is a beach club-inspired space serving Mediterranean small plates, salads, dips and mezzes. Flame-grilled skewers will also be available for those who want a hot meal.
The Galley: Modeled after the popular food halls you'll find in many cities, The Galley will be the main place to grab a quick, casual meal throughout the day. The space will feature a mix of more than eight stations and food carts, each offering a unique selection of signature dishes that changes to suit the time of day. Among the options that will be on offer are a dedicated bakery and pastry shop, a panini shop, a burger grill, a taco shack, a sushi bar with bento boxes, a noodle bar, a soup and salad stand, and a 24-hour American-style diner.
The Pizza Place: Pizza lovers will be able to choose off the classic menu at this spot, where pies are always made fresh, or design their own based on a variety of ingredients. The casual spot will have a beach club-inspired design with white and pastel colored furniture, as well as hammocks for lounging.
Razzle Dazzle: Perhaps the most energetic dining spot onboard, Razzle Dazzle gets its name and design from the practice of camouflaging ships during World Wars I and II using patterns of black and white paint. On the menu is a selection of vegetarian and vegan fare, as well as a juice bar. To cater to different tastes, diners have the option to add-on a variety of meats or spike their smoothies with alcohol. But food's not the only thing on the menu at Razzle Dazzle; diners will be treated to a performance by Scarlet Lady's resident drag performer and friends. For an extra fee, diners can opt to enjoy bottomless drag-inspired cocktails.
Wake: The largest restaurant onboard, this 5,866-square-foot dining venue is located at the back of the ship, offering beautiful views of the ship's wake. Wake will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. At night the space will serve as the ship's steakhouse with offerings that include a raw bar (designed to look like the bow of a speedboat), and land and sea classics. A tableside cocktail cart will make its way around and the wines will be served by sommeliers using magnum bottles.
Bars and Lounges
Athletic Club Lounge (Deck 16): Located at the top of the ship, the Athletic Club will be a yacht-inspired lounge, featuring the largest daybed at sea (it's meant to be shared) -- a white and red-striped semi-circular lounger, perfect for sunbathing or star gazing. Next to the daybed will be a 220-square-foot area of triple netting where cruisers can lay out and overlook the open space and decks below, just like they would if sailing on a catamaran. The Athletic Club spans the entire aft of the ship and has 10 cabanas overlooking the ocean with beverage service from the adjacent bar.
The Dock (Deck 7): Another outdoor space is The Dock. Located at the back of the ship it will offer views of the ocean, and provide a space for relaxation and socialization. Inspired by the seaside lounges of the Hamptons and Ibiza, the space is designed for cruisers who want to relax peacefully during the day with a cold beverage and a book, while surrounded by natural beauty. It will feature wooden deck chairs, loungers and day beds.
Richard's Rooftop (Deck 16): Also located on the top deck, Richard's Rooftop will be a chic outdoor lounge (with full bar) reserved exclusively for the ship's suite passengers. Named for Virgin's founder Richard Branson, Richard's Rooftop will have a futuristic feel with circular loungers, giant umbrellas and accents of colored crystals that will cast rainbow reflections around the space.
The Manor (Deck 7): The Manor will be the ship's signature nightclub, where you'll find dance music late into the night. According to the line, the emerald, aubergine and gold space is outfitted with "details, platforms and corners that make it both somewhere to see and be seen."
Gym and Tonic Bar: The spot for fresh, cold-pressed juices.
Spa and Fitness
Virgin Voyages wil offer what it calls a "Vitamin Sea" ideology onboard its ships, putting healthy travel at the forefront of many of its onboard experiences. There will be plenty of spots for rest and relaxation, as well as several locations to help people stay fit, along with a wide variety of group fitness classes provided at no additional charge.
Crow's Nest: Located near the top of thie ship, this secluded sundeck, which has 360-degree views, will be the location for sunrise and sunset yoga.
Atheletic Club (Deck 16): Inspired by the sports clubs of New York City in the 1920s, the Athletic Club is an outdoor training zone with a boxing ring, plus strength and gymnastics equipment.
B-Complex: This indoor fitness center will be filled with strength, spin, yoga and cardio equipment in its Build, Burn, Bike and Balance rooms. For on-demand fitness, the Burn and Build gyms will be equipped with Technogym ARTIS machines.
Redemption (Deck 5): The ship's spa will boast an underwater cave theme and will feature a hydrotherapy pool, mud room, salt room, cold plunge pools, quartz beds and an array of spa treatments. At night the space transforms into an evening hot spot, with spa parties and a DJ spinning tunes.
Well-being Pool: The ship's main pool; the area surrounding the pool will feature an artistic adult playground and fitness apparatus called MyBeast.
Stubble & Groom: The men's barbership, compete with a male pedicure area overlooking a porthole ocean view.
Squid Ink: The first-ever tattoo studio at sea will offer a selection of exclusive tattoo designs created specifically for Virgin Voyages, as well as piercings and permanent makeup. The studio will have two resident tattoo artists, and will occassionally host well-known artists, as well.
Fellow Passengers
Virgin Voyages wants brand loyalists who have never cruised to make the leap and try out the new brand, so first-time cruisers are likely. Branson also has said his ships would target younger passengers, a coveted demographic in the cruise industry. The line's cool vibe and big personality could go a long way toward reaching millennials.
Virgin Voyages Fleet
The Virgin Voyages fleet will comprise three 110,000-ton, 2,750-passenger ships. The first one, which will debut in 2020, will sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries out of Miami. Deployment for the second and third, which will sail starting in 2021 and 2022, is not yet known.
