Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Review: A Full Western Caribbean Trip Report

Ever wondered what it's like to sail with Virgin Voyages? Come along on my 6-night Western Caribbean Charm sailing on the Scarlet Lady, out of Miami with stops in Costa Maya, Mexico and Roatán, Honduras. Here's the full trip, day by day, with the food, the ports, the parties, and the details that would help you plan your own.

Before the Cruise: A Night in Miami

Miami is one of two U.S. home ports for Virgin Voyages (the other is San Juan, Puerto Rico), and it's a perfect place to start a vacation, with stunning beaches, incredible nightlife, world-class dining, and a rich cultural scene.

I arrived a day before embarkation, which I highly recommend to avoid any travel delays. I stayed at the gorgeous AC Hotel Miami Brickell near City Centre, explored the luxe indoor/outdoor shopping, and had a delicious Cuban dinner at Marabú.

Embarkation Day: Check-In and Getting Aboard

Unlike other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages has a late-afternoon embarkation, giving you plenty of time to reach the terminal (Terminal V in Miami). I slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, popped into Publix to grab the two bottles of wine allowed per cabin, and then called an Uber.

Tip: The Miami cruise terminal is BUSY and traffic was slow. The Uber from Brickell to Terminal V took about an hour and cost over $100, even though the distance isn't far.

At the terminal, I queued for my embarkation time and was actually let in about 45 minutes early. Check-in was a breeze, and I was given my Band, a smart wearable that serves as room key, ID, and payment device on board (and at the Bimini Beach Club). Then it was time to board the Scarlet Lady, where a DJ and the Happenings Cast (the ship's energetic crew of performers and hosts) welcomed us aboard.

Once connected to the WiFi, I opened the VV app to book onboard-only experiences. Some fill up quickly, so I secured my favorites right away.

@traveling.with.celeste Virgin Voyages stateroom tour. This is a Sea Terrace cabin on the Scarlet Lady.#virginvoyages #virginvoyagescruise #scarletlady #westerncaribbeancharm #seaterracef ♬ So Much Happiness - Lux-Inspira

First Night Aboard

After a stateroom tour on Deck 10, we headed to The Dock, an outdoor bar with ocean views. All food aboard Virgin Voyages is included in your fare (with rare exceptions like a Tomahawk steak or seafood tower at some sit-down spots). At The Dock we shared tapas, my favorite being the goat cheese polenta and Spanish octopus, and I had my first cocktail on the ship, the Golden Horizon (Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, Shinola passion fruit liqueur, honey, and fresh basil).

Next was the Deck 15 sailaway party with complimentary champagne, then dinner at Gunbae, VV's high-energy Korean BBQ where you grill your own meats and play drinking games with your server. After dinner we joined the Grog Walk, a lively hosted bar crawl through the ship's best bars, the perfect first-night activity for exploring, meeting fellow sailors, and tasting Virgin's signature drinks. We ended the night dancing at the shipwide pajama party.

Day 2: A Day at Sea

I woke up to a stunning sunrise and enjoyed my morning coffee in the hammock, then had breakfast (nutella french toast and avocado toast) at The Galley. Unlike a traditional cruise buffet, The Galley is a sleek, food-hall-style space with made-to-order dishes from a variety of gourmet vendors, from fresh sushi and ramen to all-day breakfast and artisanal sandwiches, without the buffet lines.

During the day we played two fun onboard games: Bingo with the Diva (we lost) and Lotería Gigante, a lively, tequila-fueled twist on Mexican bingo with pop-culture cards, music, dancing, and unlimited margaritas. I won a pair of sunglasses and, less happily, a shot of tequila.

That night we had dinner at Pink Agave, VV's upscale Mexican restaurant. Everything was delicious, but my favorite was the Bistec Marinero en Escabeche, a ribeye with oaxaca cheese and chile ancho. I tried steak at every restaurant on this cruise, and this was my favorite.

Day 3: Costa Maya, Mexico

We started with room service coffee and a light breakfast. Virgin Voyages offers complimentary room service with a $10 delivery fee that's waived if you order a paid item like specialty coffee or alcohol; the 24/7 "Ship Eats" menu covers breakfast, all-day bites, and late-night snacks.

Since the ship didn't arrive until late morning, we also had brunch at Razzle Dazzle, a bold red-and-white spot with a plant-forward menu that still does indulgent bites like fried chicken (by night it becomes Lucky Lotus, serving dim sum and Asian-inspired cocktails). My favorite was the rainbow churros with ube ice cream, unexpectedly amazing.

Ashore, we walked to the central plaza near the ship, which has shopping, saltwater pools, and swim-up bars designed for cruise passengers. I got a rum drink in a coconut, tried a fish pedicure (weird!), saw flamingos, and did a little shopping. We skipped a formal excursion here so we could get back to the ship and enjoy lighter crowds at the pool. The weather all trip was perfect, around 77 degrees and sunny, and the poolside servers kept the piña coladas and frozen espresso martinis coming.

Dinner was at Extra Virgin, VV's sleek Italian trattoria: antipasto and charcuterie, handmade pasta with house-made sauces, beautiful steak and vegetables, and a tableside affogato to finish. After dinner, a little time in the casino before an early night ahead of our Roatán excursion.

Day 4: Roatán, Honduras

We sailed overnight to Roatán and arrived very early. I opened the curtains expecting ocean and instead saw lush jungle. We'd pre-booked an excursion combining a sloth sanctuary with drift snorkeling.

At the sanctuary we met white-faced capuchin monkeys and macaws, but the sloths stole the show with their gentle, unhurried charm. Then a shuttle took us to our snorkeling boat, and what an experience. There's nothing like the warm, crystal-clear aquamarine Caribbean water. Roatán's reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest reef in the world, and our guide pointed out rainbow parrotfish, blue tang, black triggerfish, and vibrant coral. (Fun aside: I later caught up on Love Is Blind and saw them snorkel in Roatán in Episode 7, having just done it myself.) Honduras is beautiful, and I'd love to spend more time there.

@traveling.with.celeste Roatan Honduras excursion on our Virgin Voyages Cruise. #roatanhonduras🌴🇭🇳 #roatan #roatanhonduras #roatanexcursions #slothsanctuary #honduras #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound - Gaming With Danny

Spa and Scarlet Night

Back aboard, we checked into the Redemption Spa for our booked thermal suite passes and massages. The thermal suite (hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and a mud room) was the perfect reset after a day in the sun.

Then dinner at The Wake, the ship's steakhouse and one of my favorite spots, not just for the food but the whole vibe. The best thing on board? The Parker House rolls. So good that we canceled our last-night Lucky Lotus reservation just to have them again. No regrets.

While we ate, the ship transformed into a glowing sea of red for Scarlet Night, Virgin's signature event. Guests in red became part of the spectacle, with pop-up performances, mysterious characters, and electric energy on every deck building to the can't-miss pool party under the stars.

@traveling.with.celeste @Virgin Voyages Scarlet Night is the best cruise ship party at sea. Prove me wrong! 💃🏻🐙 if you’ve been loving the party vibes on Carnival and are looking for something new after their recent loyalty program change, Virgin offers status matching. Maybe it’s time to try something new?#creatorsearchinsights #virginvoyages #virginvoyage #virginvoyagescruise #scarletnight #cruiseparty #cruisevibes #travelinspo ♬ Levels - Instrumental - Avicii

Final Thoughts: Would I Sail Virgin Voyages Again?

Absolutely. Between the included dining, the adults-only atmosphere, the genuinely great food (those Parker House rolls, that Pink Agave ribeye), and standout events like the Grog Walk and Scarlet Night, the Scarlet Lady delivered one of my favorite sailings. The Western Caribbean itinerary paired an easygoing sea day and relaxed Costa Maya beach time with a genuinely memorable Roatán excursion.

If you've been enjoying the party energy on Carnival and are curious after their loyalty changes, Virgin offers status matching, so it may be the perfect time to try something new. Read my guide to status matching from Carnival to Virgin Voyages here.

Ready to plan your own Virgin escape? Request a complimentary quote or browse and book a Virgin Voyages cruise. And before you sail, grab my Virgin Voyages packing tips.