Is An Adults-Only Cruise Worth It? My Surprising Week on Scarlet Lady

The staterooms are actually spacious

Most cruise rooms can be tiny and stuffy, however, my experience on Scarlet Lady didn't fit that description in the slightest. I stayed in a sea terrace room, which had a little patio and a view of the ocean with a cozy hammock. There was daily housekeeping and even the option to have food delivered straight to my room with Ship Eats.

The bathroom was a bit tiny, but that's to be expected when you're on a cruise ship. Otherwise, I didn't have many qualms about the room.

Additionally, there's free basic wifi available on Virgin Voyages ships. If you're looking to stream (hello "Heated Rivalry") or have faster download speeds, then you might want to upgrade your WiFi for added convenience.

The dining on board is delicious

A majority of cruise lines are known for having mediocre food on board whether that's in the restaurants or the grab-and-go areas, but Virgin Voyages is quite the opposite.

If you're looking for something quick, whether that's for breakfast, lunch, dessert, or a snack, then you'll want to stop at The Galley — this was my favorite quick service place to eat on board. Think of this as a food court with everything from all-day breakfast and sandwiches to sushi and ramen. Regardless of what you're craving, you'll find it here.Aside from The Galley, there are other food spots on board including The Dock House, The Pizza Place, Sun Club Cafe and The Social Club. If you like pizza, then you'll want to try the Pretty Fly For A White Pie at The Pizza Palace — it's a cheese-lovers dream.

I spent a lot of time at The Social Club and probably had at least five cake pops from the case line which I highly recommend if you like a sweet treat. Oh, and you might even catch a trivia game or a game show going on too with members of the happenings cast.

For a more formal sit down meal, there are six restaurants on board — Extra Virgin, Gunbae, The Wake, Razzle Dazzle, Test Kitchen and Pink Agave. The restaurants are very popular and book out quickly so you'll want to make those ahead of time. There are walk-up lists, but those tend to get filled early on and are not guaranteed.

My personal favorite sit down restaurant was Extra Virgin which had Italian cuisine with classic dishes such as eggplant parmesan and gnocchi. Pink Agave was a close second which was Mexican cuisine followed by The Wake.

To ensure everyone can enjoy the restaurants on the ship, each cabin is only allowed to dine at each restaurant once during the duration of their cruise. That said, this varies based on the length of the itinerary so you'll want to check the app to see what applies to you.

There are no drink packages

This surprised me the most. For many people, a cruise isn't complete without a drink in hand. Virgin Voyages is unique in the fact that they don't offer drink packages, but instead provide a bar tab instead. In essence, this means you can forget about the watered-down drinks and say hello to quality beverages when and wherever you'd like on board.

As someone who doesn't drink, I actually preferred there wasn't a drink package. This was one less expense and it helped keep the other cruise-goers tame especially into the late evening hours. This might be a deal-breaker for some folks, however, it really depends on how you like to cruise.

You'll never be bored with the activity schedule

Aside from relaxing by the pool or sitting in the hot tub, there are dozens of activities going on throughout the day to keep you busy. Whether you're looking to take a fitness class (yes, there's a bungee class), work on a collaborative mural, listen to live music, gamble in the casino, or play trivia, you'll find all of this and more aboard the ship. The best part? It's all included.

You can check on the app to see what is going on for the day as they vary and sometimes even new additions are added for extra enjoyment.

Aside from activities, there are shops on board to do some last minute shopping whether you're looking to pick up a new purse or want a keepsake to bring home with you. There's even a tattoo and piercing parlor on board so if you want to do something a little out of your comfort zone you can.

Live entertainment is exceptional

Live entertainment on board is what brings the ship to life for guests each day. The entertainment varies based on the itinerary and talent changes so you never know what you'll get when you step on board.

One day you might have the chance to see a magician or stand up comedian and the next day watch a one-woman drag show (shoutout to Dixie Crystal.) You'll also want to be sure to catch Duel Reality which is a modern take on the classic Romeo and Juliet brought to live with acrobats.

For the shows, I'd highly recommend showing up 30 to 45 minutes ahead of time. Due to the popularity, seats go quickly and unless you want to stand for an hour, you'll appreciate a seat.

Themed nights bring the ship to life

Speaking of entertainment, Virgin Voyages is known for its Scarlet Night where the entire ship is transformed with lights, inflatables, photo booths and entertainment for guests. Sailors are encouraged to wear red and they can dance the night away on the deck. It's definitely an Instagrammable event for sure so make sure your phone is fully charged and ready to go.

There are other themed nights on board as well such as a PJ party where you can let your inner child run free on the adults-only boat in your favorite pajamas.

The spa is pure bliss

The Redemption Spa on Virgin Voyages is a tranquil and peaceful place to unwind and get in touch with your body while on board. Treatments aren't included in the price of the cruise itself, but they can be booked with Sailor Loot.

Whether you're looking for a facial, massage, or acupuncture treatment, there's an entire menu to sift through. Take it from me, be sure to book your appointment right when you step on board the ship because they go quickly and you may be stuck without one. (Pro tip: You can save 15% on treatments booked on the first day of your cruise.)

I did a 50-minute salvation Swedish massage on the last night of my cruise. It was very relaxing and a great way to spend some time on a sail day when I wasn't able to get off the boat. Oh, and the spa is plus-size friendly from the robes to the tables so extra brownie points there.

There are lots of excursions to book

For the Western Caribbean Charm itinerary, passengers are given the opportunity to book excursions, or what VV calls "Shore Things" at the three destinations. These are available for an additional cost, but booking through Virgin Voyages helps ensure you're touring with trusted partners and going to make it back on the boat before the cut-off time.

I went on one excursion in Costa Maya to the Chacchoben Ruins, which was an hour long bus ride from the port. I had a tour guide who was extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were safe and steered clear from popular tourist scams while we explored.

Due to weather, my other excursion in Honduras was canceled, however, I do know some people went ziplining and really enjoyed that.

If you're not looking to spend money on an excursion, then you'll love Virgin Voyages' private beach club in Bimini. This beach club has gorgeous views of the ocean, several pools, cabanas and food to enjoy. There's a tram that runs back and forth between the dock and the beach club so it's easy to get to and since it's only five minutes away you can come and go as you please.

Overall thoughts

Sailing on the Scarlet Lady was an incredible opportunity and I would definitely consider doing it again. I'm not sure if I'd pick the same itinerary because the waters were pretty rough, however, the destinations were beautiful and I'm grateful I was able to visit.

From the food to on board entertainment, I was thoroughly impressed with the value of everything included and the quality. If you're thinking about taking an adults-only cruise, then I'd recommend checking out Virgin Voyages to see if they have any itineraries that interest you.