Greek Isle Cruise with Virgin Voyages

Sailing the Greek Isles with Virgin Voyages: My Week on Scarlet Lady from Athens

If you love the idea of a stylish, adults‑only cruise through the Greek Isles, Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady sailing round‑trip from Athens is a fantastic option. I have just returned from a 7‑night Greek Isles itinerary that took in Bodrum in Turkey, Rhodes, Chania in Crete and Santorini, and I wanted to share a first‑hand review of both the ship and the ports.

Virgin Voyages is a little different to the traditional cruise lines. The atmosphere feels more like a modern boutique hotel at sea, with excellent food, contemporary design and a relaxed, grown‑up vibe.

Our cruise started and finished in Athens, we had one night pre cruise in Athens which gave us an opportunity to explore Athens, which we loved. We stayed in Plaka, a really central neighbourhood and perfect for a short stay when you want to be central.

Our itinerary was due to include an overnight in Mykonos but unfortunately the weather was not on our side, but Virgin quickly adapted and we spent our overnight in Rhodes instead, which was fantastic. Chania in Crete was added as a day visit in place of the second day in Mykonos. These kinds of changes can happen in the Greek Isles due to weather, but in our case it turned out brilliantly. Having almost two full days in Rhodes was a real highlight of the cruise.

Our Ports

Bodrum, Turkey: a pretty surprise on the Aegean

Bodrum was our first port of call and such a pleasant surprise. We docked right on the edge of the main bay, so it was a very easy walk from the ship into town. I am not quite sure what I expected from Bodrum, but it turned out to be a really pretty port with a lovely holiday feel.

We walked the whole way around the bay to Bodrum Castle, which is well worth a visit. From the castle you get beautiful views back across the harbour and the town. Along the waterfront there are plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants, plus lots of shops if you fancy a browse. We explored independently and chilled by the beach for a swim.

 

Rhodes: an unexpected overnight gem

Our next port was Rhodes, and this is where the revised itinerary really worked in our favour. We docked right beside the Old Town, so we woke up to that iconic view of Rhodes’ medieval walls. It is a very short and simple walk from the ship to the Old Town gate, and from there you can easily explore on foot. I timed it and it took us 6 minutes from our cabin to standing on the port in Rhodes!

Because we ended up overnighting here, we effectively had almost two full days in Rhodes. On the first day we decided to hire a car (it cost a whopping €35 for the smallest car I have ever seen, but was perfect for us! and we drove down to Lindos, which took about an hour. Lindos is stunning, with its whitewashed houses tumbling down towards the sea and the acropolis above. It is well worth the visit, and you can either book an organised excursion or, as we did, drive yourself or take the bus.

On our way back, we stopped at a lovely beach for a swim, which was a perfect way to end the day. One of the big advantages of having the overnight in Rhodes is that you do not feel rushed. You can enjoy Lindos at a relaxed pace and still have time for a beach stop or a leisurely dinner.

The Old Town of Rhodes itself is large, atmospheric and very safe, with lots of cafés, restaurants and shops tucked into cobbled streets and little squares. It is a wonderful place to simply wander for a few hours. For us, Rhodes ended up being one of the real highlights of the entire cruise.

 

Chania, Crete: pretty but less dramatic

Chania, on the island of Crete, was added in place of Mykonos. Here we were docked about 20 minutes outside town, but Virgin includes a free shuttle service, which makes it very straightforward to go in and out.

Chania has a pretty harbour and an attractive Old Town, and we enjoyed our time there. However, by comparison to some of the other Greek ports we visited, particularly Rhodes, it felt a little underwhelming. This is not to say it is not worth visiting, but it is useful to set expectations: if you have just spent two days in Rhodes, Chania is likely to feel more low‑key.

 

Santorini: classic Greek Isles views done your way

Santorini is famous for its dramatic caldera views and blue‑domed churches, and it was one of the most anticipated ports on our Greek Isles cruise. Santorini is always a tender port. We were visiting in September, which meant the port was busy but not overwhelming, and it was very easy to do the day independently. We took the ship’s tender ashore, then used the Virgin‑provided return voucher for the cable car up into Fira. From there we joined a small‑group tour we had arranged ourselves when we arrived, it round trip transfers to Oia and various photo stops around the island.

Everything was straightforward. If you are happy organising your own small‑group tour or simply exploring Fira and Oia, Santorini works very well as a DIY day, especially outside of the peak summer months. But if you are visiting from June to early September I would recommend a ship organised excursion to avoid the long queues and worry about getting back on board. The queue for the cable car down in peak season can be nearly 2 hours!!

 

Life on board Scarlet Lady: adult‑only, stylish and relaxed

One of the biggest points of difference with Virgin Voyages is that the ships are adults only. Scarlet Lady is designed entirely with an adult audience in mind, and you can really feel that in the layout, décor and atmosphere.

The design and décor throughout the ship are very high quality, with lots of stylish, contemporary spaces. I loved how many different areas there were to sit and lounge, whether you wanted a quiet corner to read a book or a more social spot for a drink and people‑watching. It feels chic and modern, more like a lifestyle hotel at sea than a traditional cruise ship.

The pool deck has several jacuzzis and, importantly, plenty of sunbeds. We did not experience the “sunbed scramble” that can happen on some ships. The main pool itself is on the smaller side, and because the weather was a little mixed during our sailing, we did not spend as much time up there as we might have in July or August. My feeling is that in the height of summer a slightly larger pool would be appreciated, but overall the outdoor spaces and general flow of the ship work very well.

The average age on board ranged from 30’s-60’s mostly with a strong US presence. Virgin have a relaxed feel with two main themed nights – PJ party on arrival day and Scarlet Night. Both were great fun and if you wanted to dance the night away up on deck or in the Manor night club you could, but you could just as easily relax to live music or find a quiet corner. I wouldn’t describe our experience of Virgin as being a party ship, I don’t think it was any louder or vibrant than Royal or Celebrity ships I have been on. The entertainment isn’t as a traditional as other cruise ships, instead of big West End style shows there are more intimate shows and festival stages, with comedians, musical performances and some more unique performances, but you can parttake in as much or as little as you like on board.

There is a really strong focus on well being, with a great gym and a wide selection of group classes available throughout the day, mostly included in your fare. There were talks on topics from acupuncture to sleep, and lots of healthy food options throughout too. So it would be a great option for a well being holiday.  

 

Dining on Scarlet Lady: every restaurant included

Dining is where Virgin Voyages really shines. All of the main restaurants are included in your cruise fare, so there is no traditional “speciality dining” with surcharges. You simply book the venues you want, and you can visit them multiple times if you fall in love with a particular place.

We were able to make dining reservations in advance, and even though our sailing was almost at capacity, it was still possible to secure additional bookings during the week or to walk in at certain times.

Here is a quick overview of the restaurants we tried:

Pink Agave – upscale Mexican

Pink Agave was one of our absolute favourites. The food was excellent, the flavours bold and tasty, and the cocktails were particularly good. We enjoyed it so much we ate here twice. If you like modern Mexican cuisine and great drinks in a stylish setting, this is a must‑try.

Extra Virgin – Italian

Extra Virgin is the Italian restaurant on board, and the quality was very high. Think elevated Italian rather than basic pizza and pasta, with a cosy, grown‑up feel. It is a lovely choice for a relaxed, indulgent dinner.

Gumbae – Korean barbecue

Gumbae offers a Korean barbecue experience that is very social and fun at tables of 10. The meal was part of the entertainment with group games and a very social feel. We met some lovely people at our table, and the food was delicious. Its an unusual dining style but made for a really enjoyable and memorable night.

The Test Kitchen – experimental tasting menu

The Test Kitchen is Virgin’s take on a creative, experimental tasting menu. There is a set menu and you get very little information in advance but your hostess explains it all to you. We enjoyed the meal  but were a little underwhelmed overall.

The Wake – steakhouse

Unfortunately we didn’t make it to The Wake, the downside of having a vegetarian husband!! But I only heard great things about it on board, so definitely book it!

The only other restaurant we didn’t make it to was Razzle Dazzle, as we chose to go back to Pink Agave a second time.

The Pizza Place

Also a big hit with us, freshly made pizzas until 2am. The dough and ingredients were so fresh and tasty, lovely thin pizzas so the perfect little pre bed snack after a night of dancing and chatting.

The Galley – all day dining

The Galley is Virgin’s take on the main buffet but its so much more. There are about 8 different food stations with a variety of cuisines with menus that change every day, with all the food cooked to order and super fresh. The Galley was perfect for breakfast, lunch or a snack.

The fact that all of these restaurants are included really changes the feel of dining on board. There is no sense of being “upgraded” or “downgraded” depending on where you eat that night; it is simply a case of choosing which style of cuisine you are in the mood for.

 

Cabin Style - Our Sea Terrace

We stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin and were very happy with it. There was plenty of storage, with lots of space for clothes and belongings and the added bonus that our suitcases fitted perfectly under the bed once we had unpacked. The bed itself was extremely comfortable, and there was a handy fridge in the room.

The balcony is compact rather than huge, but there was ample space for two people to sit outside and enjoy the sea views. One of the signatures of Virgin Voyages is the red hammock on the balcony, and it really does live up to the photos. It is a lovely spot to curl up with a drink or simply watch the wake.

The bathroom is on the small side, which is not unusual for a cruise cabin, but it is well designed. The shower had great  power and plenty of hot water, and there was lots of storage for toiletries and bits and pieces. Overall, the cabin felt modern, comfortable and cleverly thought through. Plus we loved the tech features, an ipad controlled the TV, lights and curtains from your bed, and there was a handy light system to advise if you needed your room cleaned.

The cabin was so quiet, there is virtually no noise from outside at all within the cabins and you wouldn’t even hear the ship docking each morning, you just woke up to a new beautiful view from your balcony. Much quieter than hotel rooms.

Check out my room tour video below for a sneak peak. 

Who this Greek Isles cruise with Virgin Voyages is best for

Based on our experience sailing from Athens on Scarlet Lady, I would particularly recommend this itinerary and ship for

·         Adults who prefer an adult‑only environment with no children on board.

·         Couples and friend groups who enjoy stylish, design‑led spaces, good food and a social buzz

·         Travellers who like the flexibility of included restaurants with different cuisines rather than one main dining room.

·         Anyone who loves the idea of combining classic Greek Isles icons like Santorini with atmospheric ports such as Rhodes and Bodrum.

If you would like to chat through whether this would be a good fit for your own holiday, or you would like me to put together a tailor‑made Greek Isles cruise itinerary for you, just get in touch and I would be delighted to help.

40 Second Trip Recap

A Food Tour around Scarlet Lady  

Room Tour - Sea Terrace Cabin