UPDATED VIDEO: I've just disembarked Scarlet Lady! Did I enjoy it and did Virgin listen to any of the feedback? Watch the video here: th-cam.com/video/DuNYeVjsukw/w-d-xo.html
As a reasonable American (there's a lot of us, I swear - well, a few anyway) I neither demand nor expect anyone to convert costs into dollars, but I definitely appreciate the effort. Thanks.
@@EmmaCruises Thank you! Personally I don't mind anyway because I can just look it up but your efforts to make it easier are definitely appreciated. Love the channel! ❤️
My husband and I both use cpaps. Lack of bedside tables and accessible electrical outlets is a big problem for us. Thanks for letting people know about this.
The little beige table that is shown in the video functions as the bedside table these can be moved anywhere you wish.....and we had outlets on both sides of our bed. One outlet is a bit farther from the bed than the other. Each outlet had one US plug and 2 USB plugs.
When we first heard about Virgin Voyages we were quite excited but this quickly changed to dismay the more we learned about the ship's design. The booth design in the eateries makes for uncomfortable shuffling around to squeeze in and out; the pool is something we think an important feature, the cabins lack storage and the bathrooms are laughably tiny! I look forward to seeing your post-cruise review, Emma!
I’m happy that you restated your concerns from the first review of the ship after you honestly moderated some of the comments upon getting further information. I know everyone appreciates that type of transparency and candor. I was a bit worried during the first few minutes of this video, as it sounded like a forced apology brought on by threats of a slander suit from some corporate solicitors from Virgin. Of course, everything you stated was factual and you provided opinions based upon your personal experiences and your experience with numerous other cruise ships and cruise lines. Keep up the great work!
I agree I felt like she was trying to mend fences in this a little too hard. All of your original statements were true, with the exception of the number of passengers. But as you said, whatever the number you stood by your statement. that’s not a pool for anything over 10 people. Everyone I know with a pool at their house has a bigger pool than that. So if you want to have an uncomfortable experience in a room( No storage limited plug-ins no side tables) no swimming in the pool but pay as much as you would on any other cruise ship, then go for it. I’m trying to figure out who on earth what do this
On Mother’s Day my brother, who I don’t recall ever having taken a cruise, mentioned Virgin Voyages, and was especially drawn to the private Beach Club at Bimini on their Caribbean voyage itinerary. I shared this channel and told him Emma Cruises will give him the best, most accurate and balanced information anywhere!
Emma, Wanna fill you in on just one thing you said in this video. The "longer toilet," is a HUGE HUGE benefit for some men. It takes the feel of the bathroom from a 2/10 (in a classic circle toilet) to an easy 8/10. To put it politely, things just fit better when seated.
The pool doesn't really concern me as I never go in them. My concern would be the beds and the quality of the food. I will be interested in hearing if the beds are comfy after more than a single night in them.
Hi Emma, here in Australia P&O, have had for many years, the buffet of the future, where there are individual stations, for the country / food regions of the world. We call it a Bistro. Love the reviews, keep them coming.
Thank you for the update! The buffet/not a buffet dining section, to me, has the appearance of a food court in a USA shopping mall, with those prep stations for different types of food. I like the IKEA style decor as well. The bed/sofa transformation is rather nice and certainly provides a sense of additional spaciousness for daytime use. But the best part is the price reduction to one more reflective of the overall experience.
I watched your original review of the Scarlet Lady before the plague and agreed with all of your takeaways about the ship Emma! This revisit hasn’t really changed my opinion. That swimming pool is fine for sailing around the UK but is a non-starter in Caribbean sailings due to its small size. I can look past the quirky cabin style however the miss on the design part was storage. They could have been creative and made “hidden” storage for luggage, etc but must have been thinking college dorm room look! 😂 I am a fan of Sir Richard Branson and his “thinking outside of the box” however the execution in this case was too much art and not enough function. Thanks for the update Emma!
I’m super excited to hear you booked a cruise with Virgin Voyages! I am a travel agent and am sailing on Scarlet Lady in December (hopefully). I think that some of the things that Virgin does differently are going to make it a good fit for certain groups, but I am definitely interested to hear your take from your sailing.
I look forward to your updated review. I was on the repositioning cruise from UK to New York - which got diverted to Miami as New York closed its port due to Coro.......!! The balcony cabin was nice enough but the bed situation? No, no, no! I travelled with my sister so we had the single beds configuration. There is a lovely padded headboard that only one person can use. So if you are a fan of sitting up in bed - forget it. No bedside table for your phone, book, glasses etc. And the black bar of soap in the bathroom? The mess that left. Hope they have changed that. 😀
Haha!! I didn’t remember the soap til made this video, very different! I was alone when I stayed so the bed was okay but yeah. Very weird head to toes situation 😅❤️
I kinda feel that the first review of the Scarlet Lady was more honest than this review. I almost get the feeling that Virgin Cruise Lines has been giving you a hard and unfair time just because you here being honest about them, an that they probably have been threatening to sue you unless you make a new vlog that is in more in their favor. I completely agree with you in everything you said about Scarlet Lady in the first review that you did. It's simply not a beautiful ship.
Haha! My goodness I hope Virgin don’t sue me, they definitely haven’t threatened me with that. I spent my own money on this cruise (a lot for curiosity take I must admit!) looking forward to trying it 😀❤️ Ps, please don’t give Virgin the idea of suing me!! Hudson needs a home! 😂🐈
@EmmaCruises I really appreciate your straightforward and thorough reviews. Saw the "Hate and Love" vlog with very valid ppints made, first, and it does seem like you are doing a positive revision, glad to hear it's not due to pressure - when they should be offering you a consultancy fee!
I really think you are like most of us cruisers that will go pretty well on any cruise right about now. My wife and I went on the old Holland America Veendam three times in the past 5 years. After the last time, but before the "pandemic" hit, she said never again. I can tell you that if the opportunity presented itself again, and we could sail on that ship, we would go in a heartbeat, notwithstanding what we felt before. Same thing happening here lol
Thanks for the great review Emma, only you could review the toilet! iv looked at this ship for a cruise looks very modern but dont think i like the cabin layouts much, and your right about the paddling pool.
Too many cruises cancelled on Silversea and an MSC Norway changed to a cruise to Liverpool, I decided to book the second sailing to nowhere. I do have reservations about it and I am expecting it will be my one and only time, but am looking forward to finally get back on a ship. We have booked and taking the kids with us (21 and 23 with their GF) as it's our 25th. They will probably enjoy more than us, but just being on a ship is enough. I shall post a full ship walkthrough for YT too.
Glad the price has come down! Looking forward to your review on this second chance review! This ship’s look did not really appeal to me but also willing to give it a second chance!
Emma I can't wait to hear your post cruise review on this one.. especially regarding the dining. Yeah, I'm not sure that pool is even big enough for you, my skinny friend..
Your comments are always fair and balanced. Virgin wouldn’t be my cruise line of choice, but then again, I’m not their target demographic. I agree that it’s good to have variety in the choices available to cruisers. Mostly, I just want to get back to cruising! Enjoy your cruise and thanks for the excellent videos!
I look forward to seeing your review Emma after you have cruised with Virgin. I was lucky to do the Transatlantic crossing in 2020 and yes the food was glorious, and I miss those daily ice-creams.. I had fun relaxing in my balcony hammock, once I figured out how to climb into it (I have a video showing my hilarious climb😂)... It was a memorable cruise.
FYI The auto captions translated British Isles Cruise as British Arse Cruise …. I had to laugh… thank you for another review. We almost booked the British cruise but decided against it … we might do one of their very short cruises yet but that bathroom just looks teeny tiny … I am 6’ and not fat but I’m not small either … showering might be a challenge … thank you again Emma ..great reviews …. Quality stuff… you need a Tik-Tok Channel too to put some snippets on … imho of course ..
I’m also booked to go on Scarlet Lady in August. If we are on the same cruise then maybe I will see you on board. If not, then it will be interesting to hear your take on it afterwards. The food choices appear pretty good. The entertainment seems to be intriguing. This is only my fourth cruise. I’ve done two with CMV and one with Pullmantur. This promises to be very different. I’m not sure if it’s for me but as you said, with the reduced price it’s worth trying.
Hi Emma, I really enjoyed your initial tour of Scarlett Lady ship. I'm glad you are getting a chance to try it out on an actual sailing. I hope Virgin took this time to listen to the feedback from you and the other preview guests. Hopefully they changed the shower doors to open outward, and added an extra cabinet or two in the rooms for storage. Pretty sure much can't be done with the pool though. One observation about the toilets. It appeared from your video to be wall-mounted. I know that for some extra large travelers, a floor-mounted toilet is more secure. Given the problems noted with the shower door, I'm starting to believe that Virgin doesn't want (or at the very least, consider) cruisers of size to be part of their target audience. Also, please let us know if anyone does get a tattoo whilst at sea. Even if all of Virgin's decisions don't work out, I'm glad they 'went bold' and tried to bring something different to the cruise industry (and customers). That can only be a net positive, and I hope more cruise lines try to bring in new ideas and concepts, and then pull back where needed when things don't click with paying passengers. Keep up the great work, and looking forward to your post-cruise review! --danielc56 :)
Your vids always lift my mood Emma. Interesting comments about the buffet. Am booked on an FO cruise to Scotland and a Marella cruise to Iceland this summer so it will be interesting to see how they do it. Read your web page on Marella's all inclusive drinks. Yep, pretty extensive range of well known cocktails.
Hi Emma, had same feelings as you but persuaded to give it a go on the august sailings….as you disembark…we board! Really looking forward to your update onboard and particularly the covid pre testing which appears to have been horrendous on the first fare paying voyage. Hope you breeze through! Let us know
It will be interesting to see how it will be since when your review hopefully maybe they have changed some things on board I thought that is what I heard but I could be wrong
Dont forget that if the ship gives everyone free ice cream it might mean that someone has died and they want the fridge! Seriously Emma, you do a great job with this blog. Off on our next cruise soon.
At 8:49 you show that the ship has an onboard tattoo parlor. That pretty much shows the age group they cater to. Accessorizing my moles and age spots is not high on my to-do list.
Emma, I just knew you'd decide to go, with the lower prices. I am looking at their repositionings and they are tempting. Might be a long time to commit to such an unusual ship though. I see all the repositionings are for Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, so it looks like you get to keep Scarlet lady for now. I like Virgin's commitment to the environment, such as lower CO2 emissions and a complete lack of single-use plastics onboard.
@@EmmaCruises There is a good chance Richard Branson will be onboard, don't you think? Maybe he will offer you a personal tour to try to win you over. :)
The pool looks like they intended to do a larger pool and then just forgot to do it. I do like the idea that all the restaurants are their own deal and there is no main dining room. The pricing is the key difference as it appears that they have cut their prices in half and still most everything is inclusive. I think you will enjoy the cruise as it will be "worth" the money for you. The bathroom is really, really small.
@@johneldard6673 watched the video again now I get the underwear reference, this lockdown is so rough I would run around that boat naked of they gave me a free 7 day cruise just to get out of the house
We are sailing this ship in Jan 2022 in a free balcony cabin, just paying taxes and fees. Thanks for your reviews, we want to like it so are hoping we made a good choice. We’re cancelling a 5 night Mariner of the Seas sailing for this 4 night Scarlet Lady sailing but the free cabin was hard to pass up.
About the buffet: I've been on many cruises and compared their buffets to Virgin Voyages "The Galley". Admittedly, I did also think that it was pretty much a redesigned buffet. However, if you look closely at how it operates compared to other cruise ships' buffets, it is actually different. On the cruises I went on and researched, buffets usually involved food set up in trays on long counters for people to line up at (similarly to school cafeterias). When passenger collect their food, they would usually grab them directly by using tongs, spoons, etc. "The Galley" on VV, however, has their food organized in separate, designated stations that are spread out throughout the venue. In each of them, the food is cooked to order and given to guests by the staff (which would be very useful when cruising during the Covid pandemic). It is set up more like a food court rather than a traditional buffet. Therefore, I think Virgin Voyages were right to not call "The Galley" a "buffet".
Oh heck……we booked this cruise knowing it would be an experiment (we normally cruise with Cunard, Celebrity etc) but desperate to get away we thought the price reduction was worth giving it a go. Let’s keep our fingers crossed we did the right thing. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 2 weeks & counting. Maybe we’ll see you onboard Emma x
I laughed out loud for real at the tattoo parlour when you showed it. You know what a moving apparatus needs. Another finer... Much smaller moving apparatus that they are using on your skin. XD Like, all this ship has to do is keel a little. We know what a few degrees on choppy seas does, we know the whole boat is going to feel it. Imagine that being your tattoo story. Hey, your tattoo is so cool but why is it a bit weird right there? Like you have a wonky line. Oh, that. The boat keeled a little to the left. What? Nothing, nevermind. hahahaha fantastic!
Based on the vlogs I watched, including yours, I decided this wasn't the cruise ship for me. However now you've booked I'll be interested to see if your views have changed. I'm particularly interested in how you cope with the cabin set up and bathroom.
Thanks for sharing your reassessment of the Virgin cruise line. I've stayed in minimalist designed hotel facilities before. It is a different experience than a traditional layout and found it acceptable so I think the cabin design on Virgin ships will be fine. Looking forward to seeing your experience on the upcoming British Isles cruise with Virgin. Bon Voyage!
Booked on launch day for mid August for 7 nights as they as they had a small number of solo insiders up for grabs. Paid almost the same as you, just over £140 per night. The second half, I chose a guarantee, so will be interesting which cabin they will give me.
I'm looking forward to your review even though I won't be able to cruise on Virgin for a while because I'm in the US. I wonder how the prices will be once cruising returns in 2022 and beyond?
I’ve had a quick look and they don’t look as high as they were originally... for the planned end of the year back in the US cruises anyway! Wouldn’t be surprised if she stays here a little longer though 😀❤️
I think your listed "cons" were very fair. Over 18 only and all-or mostly-inclusive are nice "pros". As a "larger cruiser" I will not be cruising on Virgin, but I'll enjoy cruising vicariously through your vlogs. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and look forward to your thoughts afterward. What were they thinking with that pool, though?! Isn't the Scarlet Lady supposed to be in the Caribbean some of the year? I know some of the thought was that people would be enjoying their private island stop but I know many cruisers practically live by the pool.
They would have been better off buying a larger ship from another cruise line, refit it and then maybe build their own after a few years experience. They have taken a big gamble with this. Will be interesting to see if it pays off!
Hey hey! The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link, it doesn’t cost you any more to buy through this link but I get a little commission so if you do decide to buy it and could use the above link, I’d really appreciate it!)
Hi Emma, stick to your guns as your previous review was spot on and brave for speaking from the heart, I previously expressed my viewpoint to 'Ben and David' review and they were not too happy...oh well. I do hope you have a great time on this cruise though as we all need and are due s few smiles and laughs.
Hey John! 100% still agree with everything I said in that first review, can’t deny a cruise line halving their prices is good though! Good job were all different and like different things or the world would be very dull 😀❤️
Hi Emma, really looking forward to your review...I'm booked on Scarletts sister ship the Valiant Lady Feb 22 our of Miami on a 8 Day Caribbean cruise. Very interested in your thoughts on the ship & the experience. Have a great cruise. Cheers!
I sure do! Hope this helps: emmacruises.com/you-need-travel-insurance-for-a-british-isles-cruise-heres-how-to-get-it/ (Just wanna add some cruise lines are offering their own travel insurance like MSC, sometimes that’s easier) 😀
I loved your review of the Scarlet Lady. It was very fair and balanced even considering it was a free cruise. The one point that to me is a safety concern is to have the light switch for the room in the closet ??? How did that even get past the quality inspection ?
Hey hey! The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link, it doesn’t cost you any more to buy through this link but I get a little commission so if you do decide to buy it and could use the above link, I’d really appreciate it!)
Well....you booked based on value. If the equation works then that is good. Not a single one of the flaws that you pointed out originally have been corrected. That is also a reflection on the Virgin Brand. I expect that with the pent up demand that the first batch of reviews coming from that cruise will be lavish. I look forward to seeing yours as you are very straightforward, and you are in no way travelling at a discounted or otherwise special rate.
Yep!! I was looking for a cruise and I was originally considering Marella (love them) but saw Virgin for the same price and thought why not! Let’s try 😂🤘🏼
I've been looking into cruises for quite a while as I really enjoy being on ships (ferries or minicruises in Europe) but I always struggled to find a line that would meet my expectations. All of the lines looked way too formal and way too "scheduled" to me (dress codes, fixed dining times, etc.). Virgin is the first line where the concept actually matches what I expect from a holiday (with some reservations) so this is the way I'm looking. I'll hold back a bit because a) I will wait until the world becomes a bit more normal (right now I would face more restrictions on board than I do at home, which is not my idea of holiday) and b) they are a new line, so they only do those basic most popular routes which I'm not very interested in. Hopefully they will add more variety as new ships join the fleet - if not, I'm also considering transatlantic cruise with them (as it is all about being on a ship for me anyway). Either way, I see them being my first cruise line so thanks for all these videos :)
Yeah I think we will have to see, looking ahead a little bit to the US cruises they look cheaper than they were before. But not sure if they’ll keep her here longer, maybe!
I kind of like participating if it's singing or dancing. I do like that all the restaurants are included in the fare and they don't have the specialty surcharge. I seriously dislike paying extra for a meal that has already been included. I really don't think I fit Virgin's target demographic though. I'm more of a cruise traditionalist.
I don’ t see why the beds couldn’t be separated and have them side by side with a space in the middle. I wish you added more as to why. Are there only two configurations, together or in an L shape? Just seems odd and I believe that would be a deal breaker for some people.
@@EmmaCruises Thanks. Thought about it some more. As most cruisers are couples, having a bed that pivots and locks into place making it a king/queen could be a good selling point. Those double beds that are pushed together and not secured have a tendency to split apart. Especially in those wink, wink moments. Most beds that are set up into a two double bed configuration on cruise ships are used for kids. As It’s an only adult cruise line, there won’t be as many.
Hey Lee! The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link, it doesn’t cost you any more to buy through this link but I get a little commission so if you do decide to buy it and could use the above link, I’d really appreciate it!)
Interesting video. I assume you are travelling with another person. (Two people in cabin) I ask because the price to sail based on one person on Scarlet Lady is extortionate. You need a second mortgage! And these prices are 3 or 4 day sailings in August around Portsmouth. Absolutely stupid money.
Do you solo cruise or usually book with someone? Just wondering when you quote prices. Sorry, if you’ve covered this. I’m new to the channel and working through them:)
Interesting. For me I like the idea of cruising with other people who are in their 20s to 40s without worrying about kids underfoot. I LOVE my kids but it is nice to get a break now and then.
I was going to go on one of their staycation trips to nowhere, thought those $700 deals were great for a solo traveller but alas was not able to due to not being vaccinated (and also possibly some travel hassle)
I understand that. I’ll appreciate hearing about it.😁 I’ve been SO curious about this line since I watched your other video. I hope the prices for their US cruises go down some too so that I get the chance to try them next year.
UPDATED VIDEO: I've just disembarked Scarlet Lady! Did I enjoy it and did Virgin listen to any of the feedback? Watch the video here: th-cam.com/video/DuNYeVjsukw/w-d-xo.html
diverse
As a reasonable American (there's a lot of us, I swear - well, a few anyway) I neither demand nor expect anyone to convert costs into dollars, but I definitely appreciate the effort. Thanks.
Side note, hearing your SECOND review of Scarlet Lady will be very interesting.
Thanks Christian! I know most my audience are from the US so try to convert 😀❤️
@@EmmaCruises Thank you! Personally I don't mind anyway because I can just look it up but your efforts to make it easier are definitely appreciated. Love the channel! ❤️
Many Americans expect the conversion, you and I are not the norm
My husband and I both use cpaps. Lack of bedside tables and accessible electrical outlets is a big problem for us. Thanks for letting people know about this.
The little beige table that is shown in the video functions as the bedside table these can be moved anywhere you wish.....and we had outlets on both sides of our bed. One outlet is a bit farther from the bed than the other. Each outlet had one US plug and 2 USB plugs.
Love your ethical compass! Thanks for the articulate rebuttal and willingness to take a second look, you are truly heads above most cruise reviewers.
Thanks Dennis! 😀👏🏼
When we first heard about Virgin Voyages we were quite excited but this quickly changed to dismay the more we learned about the ship's design. The booth design in the eateries makes for uncomfortable shuffling around to squeeze in and out; the pool is something we think an important feature, the cabins lack storage and the bathrooms are laughably tiny! I look forward to seeing your post-cruise review, Emma!
Thanks Evelyn! Suchhhh a teeny bathroom. 🤣
We are set to sail the Scarlet Lady in September. Looking forward to your second look, and my first!
Eee exciting!! :)
I’m happy that you restated your concerns from the first review of the ship after you honestly moderated some of the comments upon getting further information. I know everyone appreciates that type of transparency and candor.
I was a bit worried during the first few minutes of this video, as it sounded like a forced apology brought on by threats of a slander suit from some corporate solicitors from Virgin.
Of course, everything you stated was factual and you provided opinions based upon your personal experiences and your experience with numerous other cruise ships and cruise lines.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you! Appreciate this! 😁❤️
I agree I felt like she was trying to mend fences in this a little too hard. All of your original statements were true, with the exception of the number of passengers. But as you said, whatever the number you stood by your statement. that’s not a pool for anything over 10 people. Everyone I know with a pool at their house has a bigger pool than that. So if you want to have an uncomfortable experience in a room( No storage limited plug-ins no side tables) no swimming in the pool but pay as much as you would on any other cruise ship, then go for it. I’m trying to figure out who on earth what do this
On Mother’s Day my brother, who I don’t recall ever having taken a cruise, mentioned Virgin Voyages, and was especially drawn to the private Beach Club at Bimini on their Caribbean voyage itinerary. I shared this channel and told him Emma Cruises will give him the best, most accurate and balanced information anywhere!
I really appreciated the honesty in your original review. Keep it up! Thx!
Thanks Paula! I’m excited 😀❤️
Emma, Wanna fill you in on just one thing you said in this video. The "longer toilet," is a HUGE HUGE benefit for some men. It takes the feel of the bathroom from a 2/10 (in a classic circle toilet) to an easy 8/10. To put it politely, things just fit better when seated.
Haha!! Yeah I like that change. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
The pool doesn't really concern me as I never go in them. My concern would be the beds and the quality of the food. I will be interested in hearing if the beds are comfy after more than a single night in them.
Yeah me too! I’ll report 😀❤️
Hope you have a fantastic cruise! Can't wait to hear your thoughts after you're back.
Thanks Matt! 😀❤️
Hi Emma, here in Australia P&O, have had for many years, the buffet of the future, where there are individual stations, for the country / food regions of the world. We call it a Bistro. Love the reviews, keep them coming.
Yes! I like it 😀❤️
Thank you for the update! The buffet/not a buffet dining section, to me, has the appearance of a food court in a USA shopping mall, with those prep stations for different types of food. I like the IKEA style decor as well. The bed/sofa transformation is rather nice and certainly provides a sense of additional spaciousness for daytime use. But the best part is the price reduction to one more reflective of the overall experience.
Yes! That’s it. Food court. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I watched your original review of the Scarlet Lady before the plague and agreed with all of your takeaways about the ship Emma! This revisit hasn’t really changed my opinion. That swimming pool is fine for sailing around the UK but is a non-starter in Caribbean sailings due to its small size. I can look past the quirky cabin style however the miss on the design part was storage. They could have been creative and made “hidden” storage for luggage, etc but must have been thinking college dorm room look! 😂 I am a fan of Sir Richard Branson and his “thinking outside of the box” however the execution in this case was too much art and not enough function. Thanks for the update Emma!
Yeah that would have been cool! I’ll keep you up to date when I go and see how it is in reality 😀❤️
I’m super excited to hear you booked a cruise with Virgin Voyages! I am a travel agent and am sailing on Scarlet Lady in December (hopefully). I think that some of the things that Virgin does differently are going to make it a good fit for certain groups, but I am definitely interested to hear your take from your sailing.
Yessss! Thanks Katie 😀❤️
I look forward to your updated review. I was on the repositioning cruise from UK to New York - which got diverted to Miami as New York closed its port due to Coro.......!! The balcony cabin was nice enough but the bed situation? No, no, no! I travelled with my sister so we had the single beds configuration. There is a lovely padded headboard that only one person can use. So if you are a fan of sitting up in bed - forget it. No bedside table for your phone, book, glasses etc. And the black bar of soap in the bathroom? The mess that left. Hope they have changed that. 😀
Haha!! I didn’t remember the soap til made this video, very different! I was alone when I stayed so the bed was okay but yeah. Very weird head to toes situation 😅❤️
I kinda feel that the first review of the Scarlet Lady was more honest than this review. I almost get the feeling that Virgin Cruise Lines has been giving you a hard and unfair time just because you here being honest about them, an that they probably have been threatening to sue you unless you make a new vlog that is in more in their favor. I completely agree with you in everything you said about Scarlet Lady in the first review that you did. It's simply not a beautiful ship.
Haha! My goodness I hope Virgin don’t sue me, they definitely haven’t threatened me with that. I spent my own money on this cruise (a lot for curiosity take I must admit!) looking forward to trying it 😀❤️
Ps, please don’t give Virgin the idea of suing me!! Hudson needs a home! 😂🐈
@EmmaCruises I really appreciate your straightforward and thorough reviews. Saw the "Hate and Love" vlog with very valid ppints made, first, and it does seem like you are doing a positive revision, glad to hear it's not due to pressure - when they should be offering you a consultancy fee!
I really think you are like most of us cruisers that will go pretty well on any cruise right about now. My wife and I went on the old Holland America Veendam three times in the past 5 years. After the last time, but before the "pandemic" hit, she said never again. I can tell you that if the opportunity presented itself again, and we could sail on that ship, we would go in a heartbeat, notwithstanding what we felt before. Same thing happening here lol
haha!! Yep that is SO true. :')
Excellent. Can't wait to hear your follow-up to the original post.
Thanks Sue! 😀❤️
Thanks for the great review Emma, only you could review the toilet! iv looked at this ship for a cruise looks very modern but dont think i like the cabin layouts much, and your right about the paddling pool.
Haha!! It’s important!! 🤣🤣🤣
I'll look forward to seeing you onboard!
Eeeexciting!!! 😀❤️
“A lot of people dancing in their underwear” I feel like someone can make a movie off that quote
Mhmm indeed 😂😂😂
@@EmmaCruises *Michael Bay intensifies*
You've met my family then.😆
@@alanguile8945 XD
Too many cruises cancelled on Silversea and an MSC Norway changed to a cruise to Liverpool, I decided to book the second sailing to nowhere.
I do have reservations about it and I am expecting it will be my one and only time, but am looking forward to finally get back on a ship.
We have booked and taking the kids with us (21 and 23 with their GF) as it's our 25th. They will probably enjoy more than us, but just being on a ship is enough.
I shall post a full ship walkthrough for YT too.
Sounds good! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Glad the price has come down! Looking forward to your review on this second chance review! This ship’s look did not really appeal to me but also willing to give it a second chance!
Thanks Angela! Yep, can’t argue with that price 😅❤️
Love your honest opinions!
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Emma I can't wait to hear your post cruise review on this one.. especially regarding the dining. Yeah, I'm not sure that pool is even big enough for you, my skinny friend..
Haha!! Maybe to float in but swimming is out of the questions 😅❤️
Yay! Exciting. So looking forward to your review Emma, as we are seriously considering Valiant Lady in 2022 😍
Thanks Jenny! 😀❤️🥳
Looking forward to a review of Portsmouth’s cruise terminal 🤣
I’m excited to cruise from there 😀❤️
This is unrelated,but THAT review was what brought me to your channel!
Haha! Awesome 😀❤️
Your comments are always fair and balanced. Virgin wouldn’t be my cruise line of choice, but then again, I’m not their target demographic. I agree that it’s good to have variety in the choices available to cruisers. Mostly, I just want to get back to cruising! Enjoy your cruise and thanks for the excellent videos!
Thanks Ken! Worth a go I think, can’t wait to cruise again 😀❤️
I look forward to seeing your review Emma after you have cruised with Virgin. I was lucky to do the Transatlantic crossing in 2020 and yes the food was glorious, and I miss those daily ice-creams.. I had fun relaxing in my balcony hammock, once I figured out how to climb into it (I have a video showing my hilarious climb😂)... It was a memorable cruise.
Hahaha!! That sounds awesome. 😀
Hello! Fellow Disney Superfan here! I’m gonna go find your Scarlet Lady video if it’s on TH-cam too-have to see the hammocks 🤗
@@HannahPartyOfOne Hi Fellow Disney Superfan.. I probably had more fun on the hammocks than I should've 😂
FYI The auto captions translated British Isles Cruise as British Arse Cruise …. I had to laugh… thank you for another review. We almost booked the British cruise but decided against it … we might do one of their very short cruises yet but that bathroom just looks teeny tiny … I am 6’ and not fat but I’m not small either … showering might be a challenge … thank you again Emma ..great reviews …. Quality stuff… you need a Tik-Tok Channel too to put some snippets on … imho of course ..
I’m also booked to go on Scarlet Lady in August. If we are on the same cruise then maybe I will see you on board. If not, then it will be interesting to hear your take on it afterwards. The food choices appear pretty good. The entertainment seems to be intriguing.
This is only my fourth cruise. I’ve done two with CMV and one with Pullmantur. This promises to be very different. I’m not sure if it’s for me but as you said, with the reduced price it’s worth trying.
Yeah! Totally worth a go. Don’t ever have to do it again if you/I don’t like it 😀❤️
Hi Emma, I really enjoyed your initial tour of Scarlett Lady ship. I'm glad you are getting a chance to try it out on an actual sailing. I hope Virgin took this time to listen to the feedback from you and the other preview guests. Hopefully they changed the shower doors to open outward, and added an extra cabinet or two in the rooms for storage. Pretty sure much can't be done with the pool though.
One observation about the toilets. It appeared from your video to be wall-mounted. I know that for some extra large travelers, a floor-mounted toilet is more secure. Given the problems noted with the shower door, I'm starting to believe that Virgin doesn't want (or at the very least, consider) cruisers of size to be part of their target audience. Also, please let us know if anyone does get a tattoo whilst at sea.
Even if all of Virgin's decisions don't work out, I'm glad they 'went bold' and tried to bring something different to the cruise industry (and customers). That can only be a net positive, and I hope more cruise lines try to bring in new ideas and concepts, and then pull back where needed when things don't click with paying passengers. Keep up the great work, and looking forward to your post-cruise review!
--danielc56 :)
Yeah! Only time will tell. Thank you lots. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Your vids always lift my mood Emma. Interesting comments about the buffet. Am booked on an FO cruise to Scotland and a Marella cruise to Iceland this summer so it will be interesting to see how they do it. Read your web page on Marella's all inclusive drinks. Yep, pretty extensive range of well known cocktails.
Yes!! Soooo many’ love those. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Hi Emma, had same feelings as you but persuaded to give it a go on the august sailings….as you disembark…we board!
Really looking forward to your update onboard and particularly the covid pre testing which appears to have been horrendous on the first fare paying voyage. Hope you breeze through! Let us know
It will be interesting to see how it will be since when your review hopefully maybe they have changed some things on board I thought that is what I heard but I could be wrong
I haven’t heard anything but I’ll be on the lookout 😀 Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
With the bed situation you listed every combination except feet to feet which would be the logical way to sleep :p
That option didn’t cross my mind! Then your head would be in the middle of the room and not protected from monsters!! 😂😂😂
@@EmmaCruises Agreed Emma , not to mention your pillow will probably end up on the floor.
Indeed -- I much prefer my back to the wall.
@@EmmaCruises Best reply ever!!
Dont forget that if the ship gives everyone free ice cream it might mean that someone has died and they want the fridge! Seriously Emma, you do a great job with this blog. Off on our next cruise soon.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 thank you!
Well that title worked. I immediately clicked to finish the sentence! Clever!!
Ooo? Did it cut off on the preview? That is an unintentional smart thing I didn't mean to do. But go me! Ha ha ;)
@@EmmaCruises yeah it just says ‘...despite making that...’ and I thought - that what?? Clever girl!
@@ChristineTurner Omg genius. Go me! I think on different devices it cuts off in different places :-)
@@EmmaCruises I have a bunch of devices laying around. Will send you a screenshot via email.
@@ChristineTurner Thanks! I can't see it cut off anywhere, but that's awesome :D
At 8:49 you show that the ship has an onboard tattoo parlor. That pretty much shows the age group they cater to. Accessorizing my moles and age spots is not high on my to-do list.
Hah! Yep. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
All booked for 16th August Weekdayz cruise - excited!
Nice wrap up thanks. I'm not sure that Virgin will be my cup of tea but I value the diversity they bring to the industry.
Yep! More choice is always good. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I love watching your Videos and never been on a cruise and from Australia!
Hey Simba Cat! What a gorgeous cat. Thank you lots :-)
Hi Emma, I always watching you. I like your videos. :)
I hope it all works out for you, I've not seen a single thing on that ship I liked and it would never be on my wish list. But to each there own.
Totally, not for everybody that's for sure! :)
We can’t all be alike. I love the Adults Only aspect. As you say, to each _their_ own.
another great video Emma.....really enjoying them keep it up
Thank you lots! 😀🤖
Emma, I just knew you'd decide to go, with the lower prices.
I am looking at their repositionings and they are tempting. Might be a long time to commit to such an unusual ship though. I see all the repositionings are for Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, so it looks like you get to keep Scarlet lady for now.
I like Virgin's commitment to the environment, such as lower CO2 emissions and a complete lack of single-use plastics onboard.
That’s so true! They’re great to their crew too so I’ve heard 😀❤️
@@EmmaCruises Fortunately I will have your review to rely on before I decide!
@@EmmaCruises There is a good chance Richard Branson will be onboard, don't you think? Maybe he will offer you a personal tour to try to win you over. :)
The pool looks like they intended to do a larger pool and then just forgot to do it. I do like the idea that all the restaurants are their own deal and there is no main dining room. The pricing is the key difference as it appears that they have cut their prices in half and still most everything is inclusive. I think you will enjoy the cruise as it will be "worth" the money for you. The bathroom is really, really small.
Hahaha can you imagine if that was really it 🤣🤣🤣🤣
The only way that cruise is worth $400 a night is if Emma jumps on stage and dances with the entertainers
Hmmm.... yeah I think lots of things would have to happen before that :')
Let's add Justin from Ship Life doing a breakdancing routine, and post-cruise we get to bribe Hudson with dreamies.
In her underwear
@@johneldard6673 doubt anyone is walking around in their under wear when it is still cold outside, can't image there is much sun on those UK tours
@@johneldard6673 watched the video again now I get the underwear reference, this lockdown is so rough I would run around that boat naked of they gave me a free 7 day cruise just to get out of the house
We are sailing this ship in Jan 2022 in a free balcony cabin, just paying taxes and fees. Thanks for your reviews, we want to like it so are hoping we made a good choice. We’re cancelling a 5 night Mariner of the Seas sailing for this 4 night Scarlet Lady sailing but the free cabin was hard to pass up.
Ooo yeah, for free, can’t complain! 😀🎉
About the buffet:
I've been on many cruises and compared their buffets to Virgin Voyages "The Galley". Admittedly, I did also think that it was pretty much a redesigned buffet. However, if you look closely at how it operates compared to other cruise ships' buffets, it is actually different. On the cruises I went on and researched, buffets usually involved food set up in trays on long counters for people to line up at (similarly to school cafeterias). When passenger collect their food, they would usually grab them directly by using tongs, spoons, etc.
"The Galley" on VV, however, has their food organized in separate, designated stations that are spread out throughout the venue. In each of them, the food is cooked to order and given to guests by the staff (which would be very useful when cruising during the Covid pandemic). It is set up more like a food court rather than a traditional buffet. Therefore, I think Virgin Voyages were right to not call "The Galley" a "buffet".
Hmm yeah, it’s a strange one. Felt like a buffet to people with everybody going up to get food then sit down and eat it, all in one big room 😀❤️
Oh heck……we booked this cruise knowing it would be an experiment (we normally cruise with Cunard, Celebrity etc) but desperate to get away we thought the price reduction was worth giving it a go. Let’s keep our fingers crossed we did the right thing. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 2 weeks & counting. Maybe we’ll see you onboard Emma x
Yep!!!!!! I mean, we will be on a cruise so I’m sure it’ll be good. But different for sure 😅🙏
I laughed out loud for real at the tattoo parlour when you showed it. You know what a moving apparatus needs. Another finer... Much smaller moving apparatus that they are using on your skin. XD Like, all this ship has to do is keel a little. We know what a few degrees on choppy seas does, we know the whole boat is going to feel it. Imagine that being your tattoo story.
Hey, your tattoo is so cool but why is it a bit weird right there? Like you have a wonky line.
Oh, that. The boat keeled a little to the left.
What?
Nothing, nevermind.
hahahaha fantastic!
Haha, they only tattoo when in port I think! 🤣
It could be done if on a gyroscope, but who would do that?
Based on the vlogs I watched, including yours, I decided this wasn't the cruise ship for me. However now you've booked I'll be interested to see if your views have changed. I'm particularly interested in how you cope with the cabin set up and bathroom.
Yep totally fair, I don't think I'll ever really like that bed or the bathroom but hey, worth trying it now :-)
Thanks for sharing your reassessment of the Virgin cruise line. I've stayed in minimalist designed hotel facilities before. It is a different experience than a traditional layout and found it acceptable so I think the cabin design on Virgin ships will be fine. Looking forward to seeing your experience on the upcoming British Isles cruise with Virgin. Bon Voyage!
Hope so! Thank you for watching 😀❤️🤘🏼
Booked on launch day for mid August for 7 nights as they as they had a small number of solo insiders up for grabs. Paid almost the same as you, just over £140 per night. The second half, I chose a guarantee, so will be interesting which cabin they will give me.
Yeah! I’d have booked a solo but they sold out so fast. Sounds good! 😁🥳
I'm looking forward to your review even though I won't be able to cruise on Virgin for a while because I'm in the US. I wonder how the prices will be once cruising returns in 2022 and beyond?
I’ve had a quick look and they don’t look as high as they were originally... for the planned end of the year back in the US cruises anyway! Wouldn’t be surprised if she stays here a little longer though 😀❤️
I think your listed "cons" were very fair. Over 18 only and all-or mostly-inclusive are nice "pros". As a "larger cruiser" I will not be cruising on Virgin, but I'll enjoy cruising vicariously through your vlogs. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and look forward to your thoughts afterward. What were they thinking with that pool, though?! Isn't the Scarlet Lady supposed to be in the Caribbean some of the year? I know some of the thought was that people would be enjoying their private island stop but I know many cruisers practically live by the pool.
Yep Caribbean a lot of the time, not sure! Thanks lots and thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
They would have been better off buying a larger ship from another cruise line, refit it and then maybe build their own after a few years experience. They have taken a big gamble with this. Will be interesting to see if it pays off!
@emmacruises
Where did you purchase the map of the world on your back wall in this video?
Hey hey! The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link, it doesn’t cost you any more to buy through this link but I get a little commission so if you do decide to buy it and could use the above link, I’d really appreciate it!)
Ok, the head-to-head is weird. I was supposed to go on the US INAUGURAL, but of course, it was canceled. I agree. I want to see what clients think.
Ahh yea! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Wonderful vid, I salute your passion and love for cruising! What're your top three expectations from SL cruise?
Ooo! Dramatic entertainment, lots of food and lots of soda 🤣🤣🤣
Emma. your funny. Awesome. great video...nice updates on amenities.. I can't wait for your paying passenger review. Cheers.
Thanks Dylan! I’m looking forward to it. 😀🤘🏼
Hi Emma, stick to your guns as your previous review was spot on and brave for speaking from the heart, I previously expressed my viewpoint to 'Ben and David' review and they were not too happy...oh well. I do hope you have a great time on this cruise though as we all need and are due s few smiles and laughs.
Hey John! 100% still agree with everything I said in that first review, can’t deny a cruise line halving their prices is good though! Good job were all different and like different things or the world would be very dull 😀❤️
The furniture style reminds me of the ibis hotels ( flat pack heaven) 😂
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Hate to say it: it seems to be an (upmarket) a better version of EasyCruise?
Looking forward to your review! Will we see you on Spirit of Adventure’s press event/trial cruise?
Ooo! I have no idea. I was invited to it last summer but then the world went mad and I haven’t heard anything since 😂🥰
Not having more pools is a total deal breaker , no indoor pool is crazy for a new ship. They really are missing the boat!
Good on you! You are the target cruiser by age. Your review of the cruise will be quite interesting.
I am yep! Should be exactly for me. Thank you for watching :-)
Looks more like a ferry to me with the plain and minimalist decor. Glad they saw that they were overpricing.
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I'm booked on that ship for 3 nights in August.
Sounds good! 😁🥳
Hi Emma, really looking forward to your review...I'm booked on Scarletts sister ship the Valiant Lady Feb 22 our of Miami on a 8 Day Caribbean cruise. Very interested in your thoughts on the ship & the experience. Have a great cruise. Cheers!
Thanks Gregory! Very excited 😀❤️
Looking forward to the series 👍
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I'm going on a mini cruises in August the thing I like is the restaurant cituation
Yeah! Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Can anyone tell me what the daytime on board activities are like. Do you get a little newsletter thingy each day telling you about things to do?
Emma,we've booked two U.K cruises this year,do you know anything about the new insurance rules? Thankyou ☺️
I sure do! Hope this helps: emmacruises.com/you-need-travel-insurance-for-a-british-isles-cruise-heres-how-to-get-it/
(Just wanna add some cruise lines are offering their own travel insurance like MSC, sometimes that’s easier) 😀
@@EmmaCruises Thankyou 👍🏼😘
I still don't get why the pool is so tiny lol
No idea 😂❤️
Did you mean divisive? ha I like the combo of diverse and divisive that you used becuase it still applies
That's it!!! Honestly took me about 15 minutes to work out the real word... ha ha.
I loved your review of the Scarlet Lady. It was very fair and balanced even considering it was a free cruise. The one point that to me is a safety concern is to have the light switch for the room in the closet ??? How did that even get past the quality inspection ?
Well, apparently the lights are all automatic/controlled by a tablet. But that wasn’t in there when I was, have to see how that works in reality 😀❤️
Hi Emma, where did you get your wall map of the world? It looks great.
Hey hey! The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link, it doesn’t cost you any more to buy through this link but I get a little commission so if you do decide to buy it and could use the above link, I’d really appreciate it!)
Thanks Emma I'll take a look.
Well....you booked based on value. If the equation works then that is good. Not a single one of the flaws that you pointed out originally have been corrected. That is also a reflection on the Virgin Brand. I expect that with the pent up demand that the first batch of reviews coming from that cruise will be lavish.
I look forward to seeing yours as you are very straightforward, and you are in no way travelling at a discounted or otherwise special rate.
Yep!! I was looking for a cruise and I was originally considering Marella (love them) but saw Virgin for the same price and thought why not! Let’s try 😂🤘🏼
Good you are giving them another chance
Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I've been looking into cruises for quite a while as I really enjoy being on ships (ferries or minicruises in Europe) but I always struggled to find a line that would meet my expectations. All of the lines looked way too formal and way too "scheduled" to me (dress codes, fixed dining times, etc.). Virgin is the first line where the concept actually matches what I expect from a holiday (with some reservations) so this is the way I'm looking.
I'll hold back a bit because a) I will wait until the world becomes a bit more normal (right now I would face more restrictions on board than I do at home, which is not my idea of holiday) and b) they are a new line, so they only do those basic most popular routes which I'm not very interested in. Hopefully they will add more variety as new ships join the fleet - if not, I'm also considering transatlantic cruise with them (as it is all about being on a ship for me anyway). Either way, I see them being my first cruise line so thanks for all these videos :)
That’s totally fair! It’ll all build up. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Will you do a review after cruising this summer i hope?
Of course! 😀❤️
Emma, when you film your content(not b roll) what kind of camera and tripod do you use? You use a lavelear mic, right?
I have a feeling this is a post-covid price to get people onboard. 2022 prices might be adjusted depending how they do this year
Yeah I think we will have to see, looking ahead a little bit to the US cruises they look cheaper than they were before. But not sure if they’ll keep her here longer, maybe!
@@EmmaCruises in either case, Enjoy!
Thank you! 😁❤️
I kind of like participating if it's singing or dancing.
I do like that all the restaurants are included in the fare and they don't have the specialty surcharge. I seriously dislike paying extra for a meal that has already been included.
I really don't think I fit Virgin's target demographic though. I'm more of a cruise traditionalist.
Totally fair! I’m a ‘try anything one time’ist 😂🤣
What does the most expensive cabin/suite look like and how much would it cost per night? Based off of your favorite cruise line.
They have soooooo many suites, thousands of dollars per night if you wanted that. Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
I don’ t see why the beds couldn’t be separated and have them side by side with a space in the middle. I wish you added more as to why. Are there only two configurations, together or in an L shape? Just seems odd and I believe that would be a deal breaker for some people.
They can’t, they can’t like ‘slide’ apart. No idea why Virgin made them like that. 🤔❤️
@@EmmaCruises Thanks. Thought about it some more. As most cruisers are couples, having a bed that pivots and locks into place making it a king/queen could be a good selling point. Those double beds that are pushed together and not secured have a tendency to split apart. Especially in those wink, wink moments. Most beds that are set up into a two double bed configuration on cruise ships are used for kids. As It’s an only adult cruise line, there won’t be as many.
Like the Map behind you
Where did you get it?
Hey Lee! The map is from here: enjoythewood.com/?rfsn=5433540.ccb51c 😄😍 (This is my affiliate link, it doesn’t cost you any more to buy through this link but I get a little commission so if you do decide to buy it and could use the above link, I’d really appreciate it!)
@@EmmaCruises
Thank you
Welcome! 😀❤️
Interesting video. I assume you are travelling with another person. (Two people in cabin) I ask because the price to sail based on one person on Scarlet Lady is extortionate. You need a second mortgage! And these prices are 3 or 4 day sailings in August around Portsmouth. Absolutely stupid money.
Do you solo cruise or usually book with someone? Just wondering when you quote prices. Sorry, if you’ve covered this. I’m new to the channel and working through them:)
Hey Kim! Usually based on 2 sharing. They were all sold out of solo cabins on this cruise but they weren’t much extra 😀❤️
Interesting. For me I like the idea of cruising with other people who are in their 20s to 40s without worrying about kids underfoot. I LOVE my kids but it is nice to get a break now and then.
Yeah totally 😀❤️
Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks whatt! Thanks for joining out live stream the other day too, appreciate it! :D
I was going to go on one of their staycation trips to nowhere, thought those $700 deals were great for a solo traveller but alas was not able to due to not being vaccinated (and also possibly some travel hassle)
Ahh yes! I’m so lucky to have had my first already 😀❤️
don't know if you ever stayed at Aloft hotel but those Virgin Cabins look similar to a Aloft hotel room
Nope never heard of that one, Thanks for watching 😀👏🏼
Hasn't Virgin contracted their food operations to Apollo, the same caterers as Oceania?
Ooo, not sure about that. Maybe?! 👏🏼
Is there any way we could convince you to vlog a little more of your cruise than you usually do? 😀🤞
I’ll come back and show/tell everybody about the cruise 🥰🎉
I understand that. I’ll appreciate hearing about it.😁 I’ve been SO curious about this line since I watched your other video. I hope the prices for their US cruises go down some too so that I get the chance to try them next year.
Did you mean "divisive"? Thank you for the information!
That’s it! 😀❤️