Squid Ink is the first and only tattoo parlor at sea, and it has been one of Virgin Voyages’ most talked-about features since Scarlet Lady’s inaugural sailing in 2021. The concept is straightforward and slightly audacious: a proper tattoo studio on Deck 6 of every Lady Ship, staffed by rotating guest artists partnered with World Famous Tattoo Ink, where Sailors can get custom work, choose from a flash sheet, or commemorate their voyage with an exclusive Virgin Voyages-designed nautical piece.
Lines form before Squid Ink opens on the first day. That tells you everything you need to know about demand.
The Studio
Squid Ink’s interior embraces the rock-and-roll maritime DNA of the Virgin Voyages brand: dark walls, neon signs, artwork celebrating tattoo culture and ocean life, and a sleek modern tattoo setup at the center of the space. A porthole window gives the artists — and the person in the chair — a view of the ocean during the session. The studio also features a cocktail bar with lounge seating, making it a social space as well as a professional tattoo environment.
All inks used at Squid Ink are vegan, partnered with World Famous Tattoo Ink. The artists are hand-selected professionals whose work is vetted before they come aboard. Cleanliness and sterilization standards are maintained at the level of a high-end land-based studio.
What You Can Get
Squid Ink offers three main options:
- Custom designs: Bring reference images, describe your concept, and work with the artist to create something original. This is where the most memorable work comes from.
- Flash sheet: Pre-designed pieces available for immediate booking, including nautical motifs, maritime imagery, and designs that suit the at-sea context.
- Virgin Voyages voyage exclusives: Designs created specifically by the World Famous Tattoo Ink team to commemorate a Virgin Voyages sailing. A genuinely unique souvenir that doesn’t require any suitcase space.
Pricing starts at a $250 minimum, with more complex or larger designs priced accordingly. Piercings and permanent makeup using vegan Perma Blend pigments are also available.
The Timing Consideration
Here’s the practical reality that every prospective Squid Ink customer needs to know: fresh tattoos require avoiding direct sunlight, pools, hot tubs, ocean water, and baths for approximately two weeks. On a 7-night Caribbean cruise, that means getting inked early in the sailing significantly limits your ability to swim and sun-bathe for the remainder of the voyage.
The smart approach: schedule your appointment for the evening before disembarkation, or for a port day where you’ve already done what you wanted to do at that destination. That way you enjoy the full sailing first and leave with the tattoo as your final Virgin Voyages memory.
Booking
Squid Ink appointments can only be booked onboard — not in advance through the app. Head to the studio on embarkation day before the crowds arrive. The studio opens once the ship is in international waters (typically after sail-away). Be there early. Lines form fast and slots fill completely on popular sailings.
Insider Tips from Joel and Erin
- Go on embarkation day, not Day 2. The appointment roster fills within hours of opening. Embarkation day availability is your best shot at getting the session you want.
- Schedule your session for the end of the sailing. Protect your ability to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the sun for the majority of your voyage.
- Bring reference images downloaded to your phone. The artists can use your references directly. Airdrop or show them on screen. The clearer your reference, the better your result.
- The voyage exclusives make exceptional gifts. If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want a tattoo themselves, the exclusive voyage designs are the kind of memento that lasts a lifetime.
Ready to Sail?
Joel and Erin are certified Virgin Voyages First Mates who can help you plan every detail of your voyage — including leaving time for your Squid Ink appointment.
Book your Virgin Voyages cruise at CruisePlanner.pro — and come home with something permanent
