Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyages

Quick answer: Scarlet Night is Virgin Voyages’ signature party night. The whole ship turns red, the entertainment cast stages pop-up performances across Decks 6 and 7, and the night builds to a pool party on Deck 15 and a late session at The Manor. There is no dress code, but nearly everyone wears something red. It is part of the fare.

What Scarlet Night is

Most cruise lines run a formal night. Virgin runs this instead. Its own description is a full ship takeover: flash mobs, secret bars, karaoke, shadow performances, acrobatics, music and a pool party, all tied to a story about the Octopus Goddess of the Sea and the Sailor who won her heart. Virgin’s in-house entertainment team built it with theater producer Randy Weiner.

Virgin calls the night somewhat amorphous, and that is a fair warning. It is not one show you sit down for. It is a set of things happening in different places at once, and two people on the same ship can have very different evenings depending on where they wander.

How the evening usually runs

Virgin’s published guide to the night lays out a typical order. Treat the times as a pattern, not a promise; the Lineup in the Virgin Voyages app has the real schedule for your sailing.

Virgin’s FAQ also mentions an honorary wedding with the Octopus Goddess among the things Sailors can join. If you want to see the story from the start, be at a Roundabout on Deck 6 or 7 at the listed start time. Everything after that is easy to drift through.

Virgin does not publish which night of the voyage Scarlet Night falls on. Don’t plan a late port dinner or an early Shore Thing the next morning around a guess; wait for your sailing’s Lineup.

What to wear

Virgin is clear that there is no dress code. What it encourages is red, as much or as little as you like: a full red outfit, a red shirt with neutral trousers, or one red accessory. It says dramatic and understated are both welcome, and costumes too. The ship’s general rules still apply, so wear more than a swimsuit in the restaurants and shoes indoors.

A few practical points from packing for it:

• Plan for a long night on your feet. The event moves between decks and ends at a pool. Pick shoes you can stand and dance in.
• Pack it flat or plan to have it pressed. Clothing irons are not allowed onboard (hair flat irons are fine). Virgin’s laundry service handles pressing; see our laundry guide.
• One look is enough. Virgin’s own packing list for a 5-night Caribbean sailing suggests a single statement look for Scarlet Night.
• Leave room for sparkle. Virgin runs a Glam Station before the party for a little extra shine.

Our theme nights guide covers the other dress-up night and a full packing list.

Cost and drinks

Scarlet Night is entertainment, and Virgin includes its entertainment in the fare. What you drink is charged the usual way: essentials are covered, and cocktails, beer and wine go on your folio or come out of your Bar Tab. A big party night is when Bar Tab credit tends to go fastest, so check your balance in the app before you head out. Our Bar Tab guide explains how it works.

Photos

There is a Scarlet Night photo booth, and Virgin delivers the pictures by email. Enter the right address and check your spam folder that night. Virgin says it does not keep the photos, so they cannot be pulled up after the voyage.

If you are sailing with a group

Scarlet Night is the one evening a group most wants to spend together and the one most likely to scatter it, because the action moves. Pick a meeting point and a time before you start (a Roundabout at the opening works well), and a second one for later, such as the pool on Deck 15. Agree on how red you are going: some groups match, some just agree on an accent. If you are sharing a cabin, take turns getting ready rather than both trying to use the mirror at 8:30.

Groups on our hosted group sailings meet in the Nautir app before boarding, which makes it easier to know who you are looking for in a sea of red.

If you are sailing solo

This is a good night to be on your own. The format is built for wandering, everyone is dressed up, and a shared outfit color is an easy opener. Start at the opening toast, where the crowd is biggest, and follow whatever catches your attention. Virgin also runs solo meet-ups on its sailings; see our solo sailings page for Virgin voyages with a group already going.