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USA Today
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Inside Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Night: The adults-only party at sea where everyone sees red
Inside Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Night: The adults-only party at sea where everyone sees red 'Only for Adults' is a six-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations tailored for adults seeking tranquility, adventure and indulgence. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form. Once a week, on any given Virgin Voyages sailing, there's a special night that has all passengers seeing red. From the moment you step out of your cabin you might be seeing fellow 'sailors' – as Virgin calls passengers – donning a splash of red while others go the extra crimson-clad mile. It ranges from scarlet T-shirts to floor-length ruby gowns. The point of the night is to feel comfortable and ready for surprises. 'Scarlet Night was meant to be the moment where we could bring everyone together – one massive celebration where people can feel free, let go, and have the time of their lives,' Virgin Voyages' Director of Experiences Richard Kilman told USA TODAY. 'It's not just a party; it's a shared experience where lifelong friendships are made.' Scarlet Night, the line's version of the traditional Captain's Night, is often the highlight of the trip for many sailors. With multiple activities throughout the ship, it is an all-hands-on-deck event that satisfies those looking to mingle and party, and those looking for a slower-paced evening. 'There's an intimacy to the spaces, a thoughtful design that makes every experience feel special,' Pip, The Flare, as she's known on the Virgin Voyages' Happenings Cast, told USA TODAY. 'That's what makes Virgin different – it's about connection.' What is Virgin Voyages Scarlet Night like? The ship transforms – its sleek, modern design pulses with an undercurrent of excitement. Staffers and sailors alike know it's the biggest night of that particular sailing. The pathways glimmer under dim, sultry lighting, and everywhere you turn, deep red accents – silk drapes, glowing lanterns, and the occasional inflatable tentacle – set the tone for the night ahead. The central theme of the night follows the old adage 'red sky at night, sailors delight.' The line, however, created its own 'Virgin Mythology,' telling a story throughout the night that focuses on love, longing and celebration. 'The story needed to be something fun, something that didn't take itself too seriously but still gave the night a narrative thread,' Kilman said. 'We landed on the myth of the ocean goddess who falls for a brave sailor, turns into an octopus to take him on an adventure, and then immortalizes him in the moon when he can't make it back to the surface. It's playful, it's got a touch of mythology, and it ties into the whole experience.' Story continues below. At The Roundabout, the ship's social hub, a crowd gathers as performers in red ensembles weave through the guests. Virgin's version of a cruise director, the Happenings Cast – the charismatic troupe that orchestrates most activities on the ship – move with an air of mystery and invitation. The atmosphere is playful yet deliberately unstructured. There is no itinerary, no rigid schedule – just an evolving spectacle of entertainment and discovery. 'What may seem like chaos to guests is actually a meticulously choreographed experience. There's a giant matrix of every activation happening by the minute,' Kilman added. 'Even the soundtrack has embedded cues for performers – it's immersive theater at sea.' Sailors can either explore the ship for those moments of connection or remain at The Roundabout and have the cast come to them. Participation isn't mandatory. Many passengers continue to their dinner reservations or playing at the casino, but most decide to embark on the adventure that eventually leads everyone to the pool. 'Scarlet Night isn't just an event – it's an experience,' Pip explained. 'The entire ship transforms into a theatrical playground where every corner holds a surprise. It's not about watching from the sidelines; it's about stepping into the magic yourself.' What happens during Scarlet Night? The night kicks off with The Myth, a storytelling session that sets the theme for the night. Passengers huddle to hear the fabled tale of a sailor who fell in love with the ocean, an allegory about bravery, exploration and transformation. The legend explains the significance of the night's red hues – a symbolic tribute to the sailor's love, lighting up the world in passionate crimson. From there, the night is a choose-your-own-adventure. For those who don't want to walk through the ship for the narrative, the Virgin Voyages app highlights the times and spots where the skits will take place. But the fun is in the exploration. 'If someone from the Happenings Cast says, 'Follow me,' say yes,' Pip advised. 'The best way to experience it is to embrace the unexpected." For those who want to take things slow, The Dock House offers a quiet retreat where guests sip handcrafted cocktails under warm, ambient lighting as acoustic musicians strum soft melodies. Meanwhile, the more adventurous can venture toward The Manor, the ship's signature nightclub. Yet, the true magic of Scarlet Night happens out in the open, in the unplanned interactions between guests and performers. One moment, you're watching a spontaneous dance break out by the pool; the next, a juggling duo is cutting through the bar. The boundaries between performer and audience blur — everyone is a part of the spectacle. 'Guests have truly made Scarlet Night their own. We provide the performances, the music, the ambiance — but they take it to another level,' Kilman said. 'It's judgment-free, electrifying, and unlike anything else at sea.' Even though the night is meticulously choreographed, Pip, The Flare, explained that every Scarlet Night is different because of the sailors. 'The final moment on the pool deck is unlike anything else at sea,' Pip said of her favorite moment of each one. 'The energy is pure joy – guests dancing in the water, the DJ at full blast, cast members going wild. It's a moment where everyone, crew and sailors alike, is completely in the moment.' Is there actually a pool party on Scarlet Night? Under a sky full of stars, the music swells, and the crowd sways in unison. It is, admittedly a Millennials' dream playlist with throwbacks to the Black Eyed Peas and Radiohead mixed in with Bad Bunny and Tyla. The story of Scarlet Night culminates with a choreographed dance on the edges of the pool where the staff eventually invites everyone to join in. Many choose to jump into the pool, but it's not expected for everyone to do that – nor would there be space. Story continues below. Others raise their glasses to the sky, toasting to the night, to the journey, to whatever comes next. 'You could sail ten times and never have the same experience twice,' Pip said. For many, Scarlet Night is more than just a party. It's a reminder of what it feels like to be fully present, to embrace spontaneity, and to connect – not just with fellow travelers but with the experience itself. 'Virgin Voyages isn't just for one type of traveler,' Pip said. 'Whether you want to party until sunrise or have a quiet cocktail by the sea, there's space for you here. It's not about being young – it's about being young at heart.' And for one night a week, with the ship bathed in red, that sentiment rings truer than ever. (Yes, there is an after-party at The Manor for those looking to continue past midnight.) 'Just say yes. Be up for the ride. There's nothing that will embarrass you or make you feel out of place – it's all about embracing the adventure,' Kilman said. 'Whether you're in sequins or sneakers, Scarlet Night is for everyone.' The reporter on this story received access to this event from Virgin Voyages. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content. Josh Rivera is USA TODAY's Travel Editor.
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- USA Today
I ate, drank what I wanted on this cruise without losing my routine or gaining weight
I ate, drank what I wanted on this cruise without losing my routine or gaining weight Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved Virgin Voyages offers a cruise experience that combines indulgence with wellness, allowing guests to enjoy food and drinks while maintaining a fitness routine. The cruise line provides a variety of fitness classes, a well-equipped gym, and active shore excursions. Virgin Voyages focuses on made-to-order meals and offers low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverage options. 'Only for Adults' is a six-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations tailored for adults seeking tranquility, adventure and indulgence. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form. Cruises can often be synonymous with indulgence. With endless buffets, poolside cocktails, and sun-drenched lounging with little movement beyond a slow shuffle to the next meal, it's easy to overdo it. However, on my recent Virgin Voyages' Western Caribbean Charm sailing, it wasn't difficult to indulge while maintaining a fitness routine. After a week, I disembarked the Scarlet Lady without feeling sluggish and overfed. This wasn't just about working off the excess. Virgin's programming and dining are geared toward wellbeing without being prescriptive. 'We know that people are here to enjoy themselves, but that doesn't mean they have to compromise on their well-being,' said Nicole Huang, SVP Fleet Experience at Virgin Voyages. '(At Virgin) it's a choose-your-own-adventure kind of thing ... some come to detox, retox or both.' Travelers are increasingly looking to integrate wellness and fitness options into their trips. According to a 2022 Hilton survey, 50% of the 1,000 travelers surveyed said they seek experiences that align with their holistic wellness goals. Similarly, 55% of consumers expressed a willingness to pay more for wellness activities during future vacations, as reported by American Express. What happens when you bring your son on an adults-only vacation Cruise lines, like AmaWaterways and Windstar Cruises, have recently announced wellness-focused sailings. Here's how Virgin Voyages' bet on wellness pays off for travelers who want to indulge and stay active. Do people really work out at sea? Yes. Very much so on a Virgin Voyages sailing. Most early morning HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and spinning classes were fully booked throughout the week. The wellness offerings ranged from relaxing to entertainment. There was sunrise yoga, bungee workouts, Zumba and dance classes, pickleball and even dodgeball. Playing dodgeball at sea was definitely a highlight. I play in a dodgeball league back home, but it's a different experience to do it in the middle of the ocean. It was competitive, ridiculous and fun. 'Before we even launched Virgin Voyages, we looked at what was missing in the cruise industry when it came to wellness. Traditionally, cruise fitness spaces have been small, tucked away, and often an afterthought. We wanted to change that,' Huang told USA TODAY. 'Our wellness spaces, from the B-Complex Gym to our Redemption Spa, are premium real estate onboard. We designed these areas to be inviting, with state-of-the-art equipment and inspiring classes that keep people engaged.' And they deliver on that promise. The B-Complex Gym had everything needed for full-body workouts as well as free weights and boxing bags. Huang said they even added heavier weights after guests requested them. Royal Caribbean International, Holland America Line and Celebrity Cruises also offer pickleball courts on their ships. Royal went a step further adding SeaPlex, an indoor, air-conditioned sports complex on its Quantum class ships. Does everyone gain weight during cruise sailing? It depends on what you want to focus on. Despite enjoying multi-course meals, desserts and the occasional cocktail, I didn't gain weight on this trip. "Everything is made to order, so portions are fulfilling,' Huang said. 'It's all-inclusive so no one will stop you from ordering more, of course!' Virgin doesn't do buffets, and all restaurants (which are included in the fare) offered alcohol pairings with low-ABV or non-alcoholic options, giving me a way to enjoy the flavors without overdoing it. 'One of the things we're continuously working on is enhancing our beverage program to include more wellness-focused options,' Huang added. 'We also know that many of our sailors are looking for lower-ABV and non-alcoholic beverage options, so we've made sure to include those in all of our restaurants and bars.' Note: Virgin Voyages does not offer drink packages; rather, passengers charge beverages to their cabins. Drinks are moderately priced, from $6 to $15, with higher-end beverages around $29. On a seven-day cruise, $300 could equal about five drinks a day. While the restaurants were great (shoutout to Extra Virgin), one of my favorite meals was an Indian-style butter chicken from The Galley. Even with a sweet tooth, I never felt the temptation to mindlessly grab a plate of pastries. By making brunch and dinner reservations at times I knew I wanted to eat, every meal felt intentional. Are there wellness options at the destinations? Yes. There were several shore excursion options for each of the stops. In Roatán, I hiked the mountains of Honduras and followed it with ATV rides. At The Beach Club at Bimini, there was the option for a guided meditation session on the sand before diving into crystal clear waters. There were active ways to explore each destination without feeling like I was skipping a workout. Is the cruise only focused on wellness? 'We're always looking at what's trending and how we can bring new, exciting wellness experiences onboard. For instance, we recently started talking about how K-pop dance classes are becoming really popular. We asked ourselves, 'Do we have the talent to offer that? Is it something our sailors would enjoy?'' Huang said. 'That's part of what makes us different — we're open to trying new things. And if something doesn't work, that's OK. We believe in experimenting, seeing what resonates, and making adjustments accordingly.' I know it sounds like I spent the entire sailing working out, but I promise it was only one hour of my day. Rest assured, most of the time, I was by the pool. I've returned from vacations before feeling like I needed another vacation just to recover. This time I felt refreshed, strong and balanced — as if I had just completed a wellness retreat disguised as a high-energy, indulgent cruise. I didn't lose strength, I didn't feel sluggish, and my routine back home picked up without missing a beat. The reporter on this story received access to this event from Virgin Voyages. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content. Josh Rivera is USA TODAY's Travel Editor.
