Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyages

Outfit Ideas, Dress Code Tips,

and What You’ll See Onboard

What is Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyages?

Scarlet Night is Virgin Voyages’ signature themed party night where the entire ship transforms into a bold celebration of all things red. Held across every Virgin Voyages ship—including the Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady—this unforgettable evening blends high-energy entertainment, live music, immersive performances, and sailor participation into one massive event. The only “dress code” is to wear red, but beyond that, anything goes: from swimsuits and sandals to sequined gowns and sharp suits. Scarlet Night is more than just a party—it’s a highlight of the Virgin Voyages experience and one of the most talked-about cruise events at sea.

What People Wear on Scarlet Night

Chase and Tanya’s outfits for the Scarlet Night

When it comes to the Scarlet Night dress code, Virgin Voyages keeps it simple: wear red. But what that looks like in practice is wildly diverse, which makes the night even more exciting.

Walking around the ship, you’ll see:

Casual cruise vibes

Tank tops, polos, linen shirts, and comfortable shorts in every shade of red. Many men sport casual slip-on shoes like Hey Dudes, while women might pair a breezy sundress with flat sandals.

Beach-to-party looks

Red bikinis with sheer cover-ups, flowy skirts, or crochet tops. Perfect for those coming straight from the pool deck.

Statement prints

Dress shirts with red roses, bold patterns, or ombré designs, often paired with tailored red slacks or shorts.

Full glamour mode

Cocktail dresses, bodycon styles, glittering sequined gowns, sharp suits, and even costumes. On our cruise, we spotted a Superman-inspired outfit complete with a bright red cape, walking alongside a partner in a stunning scarlet gown.

A shoe spectrum from casual to couture — everything from flip-flops and espadrilles to dressy sandals, block heels, and stilettos. Comfort meets creativity here.

What’s clear is that there’s no single right way to dress for Scarlet Night—you can go ultra-casual, fully formal, or somewhere in between.

On our sailing, we went for all-out Scarlet glam.

I wore a vibrant red wrap dress with strappy black block-heel sandals, paired with jewelry from Amazon. Chase wore a metallic red suit with a matching shirt and bow tie, topped with a red hat purchased directly from Virgin Voyages. Everything he wore—except his Hey Dude shoes and the hat—was from Amazon.

We may have been among the most dressed-up guests on board, but that’s part of the fun: Scarlet Night is a fashion playground.

Tips for Dressing for Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyages

Wear something that feels like “you”—whether that’s a red swimsuit or a sequined gown.

Plan for movement—Scarlet Night parties flow through multiple venues on the ship, so comfortable shoes are key if you’ll be dancing or exploring.

Layer if needed—indoor venues can be cool with A/C, so a light jacket or wrap can be helpful.

Accessorize in red—if you don’t want to buy a whole new outfit, red hats, jewelry, or shoes can give your look a Scarlet twist.

Why Scarlet Night Is a Must-Experience Event

Beyond the fashion, Scarlet Night is pure Virgin Voyages magic—it’s a mix of music, dancing, and high-energy performances with a whimsical, anything-goes atmosphere. Every sailor becomes part of the show just by showing up in their own version of red.

If you’re sailing soon, make sure to pack your Scarlet Night outfit—whether you’re cruising from Miami, Barcelona, Athens, San Juan, or Melbourne. The photos and memories will be worth it.