Crimson – that’s the glowing hue sailors are greeted with in all the public spaces aboard Virgin Voyages cruises.
As guests walked through corridors decorated with giant inflatable octopus tentacles, they were serenaded by dancers, acrobats and everyone clad in red attire of all shapes and sizes.
It could only mean one thing: the famous Scarlet Night had descended on
Resilient Lady Virgin Voyage. And I was there to join in the fun.
Scarlet Night has become an emblem of Virgin cruise experiences, culminating
in an all-out-there party.
The night is no-holds-barred fun with extravagant parties in and out of the pool, boundary-breaking shows and risqué performances. I wasn’t sure who the people were next to me as I partied like I did when at university many moons ago. But on Virgin Cruises, anything goes.
The Scarlet Night aboard Resilient Lady – the third adults-only ship in the Virgin fleet, with 1,408 cabins – stopping in Amsterdam and Belgium, wasn’t any old party.
This was the brand’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The three back-to-back Celebration Voyages this year travelled from Miami to the Dominican Republic, Bimini, Amsterdam, (our ship) and on to Mallorca and Ibiza.
To mark the occasion, Virgin Group’s founder Richard Branson put in a personal appearance – and to top it off he brought 1980s hit sensation Boy George in tow.
In an informal talk, Sir Richard reminisced about how he first encountered Boy George and his band Culture Club after Simon Draper, who co-founded Virgin Records, saw them perform in 1981. Later, Boy George hit the decks by the pool, where crowds danced the night away.
The party continued at The Manor, a nightclub with an Insta-worthy glitzy corridor of mirrors. Sir Richard’s motto of ‘Screw it, let’s do it’ is evident throughout the various shows and performances.
Among the standouts was Persephone, a raunchy retelling of Ancient Greek mythology with a magnificent performance from acrobats, singers and dancers. Performed to a standing crowd – with seats available on the mezzanine level – the audience is treated to a unique experience with multiple action viewpoints.
Aerialists perform mid-air tricks while others clamber up walls and some weave amid the whooping crowds.
For a cheeky time, The Miss Behave Show – an interactive event – is not to be missed. Expect singing, screaming, shouting and endless innuendos.
Passengers who fancy the ultimate VIP experience can book a RockStar suite. The upgraded cabin allows exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop, an elegant bar where champagne is free-flowing at scheduled times.
Guests committed to their fitness regime can use dedicated keep-fit spaces. From fully equipped gyms and an open-air 255m running track and even bungee fitness classes (great fun!), there are plenty of ways to burn off those pesky calories.
Fitness not your thing? Head to the Redemption Spa to revitalise mind, body and soul.
After all, you party hard on an all-fun Virgin Voyages cruise, and we all need to take time out to recharge – before going back for more!
To book your own glamorous trip aboard the Resilient Lady visit Virgin Voyages.
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