My First Virgin Voyages Cruise

My First Virgin Voyages Cruise: A Mediterranean Adventure on the Scarlet Lady

I just returned from my first cruise with Virgin Voyages, and I have to say, it was an unforgettable experience. We sailed on the Scarlet Lady from Barcelona and made stops in Marseille, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, and spent an overnight stay in Ibiza. While I’m glad I went, I wanted to share my honest thoughts on what the cruise and destinations were really like.

The Virgin Voyages Experience: What You Get for the Price

When you first look at Virgin Voyages' pricing, you might think, “Whoa, this is more than other cruises!” And it’s true—the cost upfront is higher than other cruise lines. But honestly, after experiencing the extras they offer, I think it’s worth it.

For starters, the free Wi-Fi onboard isn’t perfect for streaming (let’s be real, the ocean isn’t Netflix-friendly), but it’s enough to check emails or post on social media. And since I’m always on my phone when I travel, I really appreciated having access to Wi-Fi while out at sea.

When we docked in Marseille and Ibiza, Virgin Voyages offered a complimentary shuttle bus to the downtown areas. In Cannes, they even had a boat shuttle to the shore. It’s these little perks that make you feel like you’re getting a bit more for your money.

Dining? It’s all included! But here's the trick: some of the best spots fill up fast, so if you’re hoping to enjoy specialty restaurants (which I highly recommend), book your reservations as soon as you can—either before the cruise or as soon as you board through Sailor Services. There are also a ton of entertainment options, from live shows (I was particularly excited to see a Drag Queen performance) to a full casino and spa services. And if you’re looking for a fun, ship-wide event, don’t miss Scarlet Night, where everyone wears red.

Onboard Tips & Notes

• The App: Download it ASAP. Some classes and events can only be booked through the app, and it’s super handy for checking schedules and restaurant reservations.

• Sea Days: If you want to use the pool, get there early! It fills up fast on days at sea.

• Port Days: When the ship docks, you have almost 12 hours to explore—perfect for fully immersing yourself in each destination.

• Rooms: We opted for a basic room with no windows, which made it a total blackout experience. But be warned—if you’re not careful, you’ll sleep in way later than planned! I was shocked at how dark it was, and it felt so cozy.

The Stops: What We Did and What We Didn’t

Marseille

Our first stop was Marseille, and we decided to visit the National Park of Calanques. To be honest, I was expecting more, and this stop felt a little anticlimactic. It was a beautiful area, but something about it didn’t quite live up to the hype.

I was particularly disappointed with the downtown area—it didn’t have much charm. If you’re planning to swim in Calanques, definitely bring water shoes because most of the beaches are rocky (though there are a few sandy spots, just further away). Also, be prepared to see topless women on the beaches—it’s pretty common there. If I were to do it again, I’d probably book a boat tour around Calanques to see more of the area from the water.

Cannes

In Cannes, we spent the day walking around and shopping—both high-end designer stores and more affordable options. You can also see the red carpet from the famous Cannes Film Festival, which was cool. But let me tell you about the beach clubs! The public beach didn’t come recommended, and all the beach clubs were charging €55 per person for a chair in the back row. No thank you. It felt a bit over-the-top for just a seat, especially compared to the more affordable beach clubs I’ve visited elsewhere.

However, the snorkeling in Cannes was the best of the trip (though that's not saying much). We saw the most fish here, but it wasn’t anything spectacular in terms of coral or sea life. Still, it was fun to get in the water!

Palma de Mallorca

Now, Palma de Mallorca was a bit of a mixed bag. We booked an ATV ride and snorkeling excursion, and while the ATV riding was fun, it didn’t really meet my expectations. I imagined rough, rocky terrain, but the gravel roads didn’t quite hit the mark. The highlight of the excursion was definitely the snorkeling at a stunning cliffside spot with crystal-clear water. And let me tell you, water shoes are a must here. The coastline is beautiful, but rocky.

Palma de Mallorca itself has some charming sites and picturesque towns, so don’t let my experience discourage you from exploring the area. Next time, I’d spend more time wandering around the town and enjoy the view with a local drink in hand.

Ibiza

Ibiza was easily my favorite stop. I wish we had more time there! After a late dinner in the old town, we headed to the clubs (this one has a DJ in the bathroom) and stayed out way past our bedtime. Then, we woke up early to head to one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.

The beach was perfect—no one hounding us to buy overpriced chairs, just fine sand and clear, blue water. We took a public bus to the beach and laid out on a big beach towel. It was like being in a hidden paradise that capitalism hadn’t ruined yet. If you go to Ibiza, make sure to spend more time on the beaches and explore the island's other spots.

The Scarlet Lady: Thoughts on the Ship

The Scarlet Lady is a beautiful ship, but if you’re in your 20s or early 30s, it’s not exactly tailored to your vibe. We were expecting non-stop entertainment, but a lot of the activities felt geared toward an older crowd. Trivia was fun but hard when you don’t know any of the answers. The live cover bands were amazing, but some of the comedy and drag performances didn’t land for us.

On the bright side, the food was fantastic, and we had a blast trying out all the different restaurants. We quickly found our favorites and kept going back for more.

We also stayed in the most cost-effective room, which was small but well-designed, with plenty of storage space and just the right amount of coziness. It was perfect for winding down after a day of adventure, though you may find yourself sleeping in a lot longer than you expect!

Final Thoughts

Overall, my Virgin Voyages Mediterranean cruise was a fun and unique way to travel. But for me, it’s not something I would do again for a few years. The ease of boarding the Scarlet Lady and hopping between destinations was great, but the experience didn’t totally blow me away.

If you’re thinking about booking, check out other European cruises departing from Barcelona as Virgin Voyages is constantly updating its offerings: Virgin Voyages European Cruises.