Scarlet Lady Gets Her Funnel

Scarlet Lady Funnel

Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady is inching closer to her 2020 debut as Fincantieri installed the vessel’s funnel earlier this week.

Sailing year-round from Miami starting in early 2020, Virgin is expected to open sales for the Scarlet Lady in early February 2019. The 2,770-guest ship will feature an adults-only experience.

Scarlet Lady

Scarlet Lady Funnel

Scarlet Lady Funnel

Brunch with a drag queen: Virgin Voyages’ unique dining experiences

The bold stripes of the Razzle Dazzle restaurant.

NEW YORK — As the Scarlet Lady moves from concept to full-fledged cruise ship, the next frontier — and the next reveal — for Virgin Voyages is dining.

The cruise line presented the looks of several restaurants during a high-octane evening in New York that began with a press conference, moved on to a multicourse dinner with a troupe of drag queens as the emcees, and culminated in a set by rocker Joan Jett.

Virgin said it engaged its “creative collective” of designers to conceive buzzy, fun eateries and partnered with chefs such as Brad Farmerie of Public and Saxon + Parole.

The laboratory-inspired Test Kitchen will be home to chef-table dinners.

The laboratory-inspired Test Kitchen will be home to chef-table dinners.

The line took inspiration from the great restaurants of major foodie cities, said Nirmal Saverimuttu, head of sailor experience and chief commercial officer.

In turn, he added, “we hope to inspire the cities that inspire us.”

What you won’t find on the ship is the main dining room, a buffet, or upcharges for speciality dining.

The restaurants have different high-concept designs, but the connecting thread seems to be a commitment to chic, clean, modern lines that appeal to sophisticated grownup tastes (no kids are allowed onboard). One point the Virgin brass made: bars are located inside each of the restaurants.

The restaurant with the most outer design is Razzle Dazzle, where the walls have bold, geometric patterns of black-and-white paint inspired by ship camouflage from World War I and a bar done up entirely in slick Virgin red. The menu will include a “nice” side with veggie and vegan offerings; the “naughty” side includes meat add-ons and the ability to add alcohol to the healthy smoothies.

The Galley will have several food stations.

The Galley will have several food stations.

This is also the location for a Drag Brunch, featuring the ship’s drag queen — yes, there will be a drag queen in residence — and cocktails like the Yaas Queen.

The laboratory-inspired Test Kitchen will be home to chef-table dinners and cooking, mixology and coffee-brewing classes. Passengers enter through a hallway papered with a Periodic Table of foodie elements.

Pink Agave is the ship’s Mexican restaurant; think upscale Mexico City for this look. “Authentic dishes that put an elevated twist on Mexican food,” Saverimuttu said. Virgin said it’s “designed to be a lively, shared-plate restaurant experience, where the DJ amps up the energy of the room as the evening hours slip away.”

There will be a Korean barbecue restaurant, Geonbae, where guests can cook at their table and enjoy a complimentary round of soju. Extra Virgin is the cruise line’s take on a trattoria.

Pink Agave will be the Scarlet Lady's Mexican restaurant.

Pink Agave will be the Scarlet Lady’s Mexican restaurant.

The dock will be the Scarlet Lady’s al fresco lounge area. Galley will be more like a food hall than a buffet, featuring at least eight shops and food carts. Wake, situated in the ship’s aft section, will be the ship’s most upscale restaurant.

The Scarlet Lady is expected to make its debut in 2020.

Virgin Voyages to Launch Tattoo Studio at Sea

Squid Ink

Virgin Voyages announced today that the Scarlet Lady will have a tattoo studio aboard, Squid Ink. The venue will also offer body piercing.

Virgin Voyages teamed up with the ink industry gurus from World Famous Tattoo Ink, according to a statement.

“Tattooing is a time-honoured seafaring tradition, and we’re continuing that legacy with rock and roll style by bringing some of the best ink artists to sea,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages. “Our sailors are looking to make lifelong memories, and we think there’s no better way to commemorate their first voyage with us than with a souvenir they’ll never lose track of.”

When Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady sets sail in 2020 from Miami, she will have two full-time resident tattoo artists on board, handpicked by ink industry guru Lou Rubino Jr., the company said.

Squid Ink will also feature a line-up of guest artists including the “tattoo industry’s most sought-after trendsetters and celebrity artists,” Virgin said.

All tattoos will be created with original vegan ink, according to Virgin.

In addition to tattoos, Squid Ink will also offer body piercings as well as permanent makeup treatments using vegan-friendly Perma Blend pigments.

“The World Famous Tattoo Ink family has been working with sailors, pirates and rock stars for more than 50 years,” said  Lou Rubino Jr., owner of World Famous Tattoo Ink. “As global acceptance of tattoos and body art continues to grow, partnering with Virgin Voyages gives us the unique opportunity to bring colour to places people might have never thought possible before. We couldn’t be more excited to leave our mark on the sea travel industry.”