Scarlet Night is the signature event on every Virgin Voyages sailing — a ship-wide red-themed celebration that begins with cocktail hour, moves through dinner, peaks with a pool deck party and midnight swim, and rolls into a late-night afterparty in The Manor. The ‘dress code’ is a splash of red. In practice, Sailors treat it as the one night of the voyage to be as creative, theatrical, or glamorous as they feel. Here is everything you need to know about dressing for it — from minimum viable red to full theatrical commitment.
Understanding the Scarlet Night Arc
Scarlet Night typically runs from around 9 PM through 1 AM or later. The evening begins on the pool deck, moves into the water (the pool party portion), and continues in The Manor and other venues. The practical implication for dressing: if you want to swim during the pool party (you should), you need either a pool-safe Scarlet Night outfit or a plan to change into a red swimsuit for the water portion. Wearing your best non-waterproof evening gown into a pool is suboptimal.
The Three Scarlet Night Strategies
- Strategy 1 — The Splash: Wear a bold, dramatic red outfit for the cocktail and dinner portion, then change into a red swimsuit for the pool party. Best of both: the evening glamour photo AND the pool party.
- Strategy 2 — The Dive: Wear a red swimsuit or pool-friendly outfit all evening and get fully into the pool party without hesitation. Prioritizes the experience over the aesthetic.
- Strategy 3 — The Perimeter: Wear your best non-waterproof red outfit all evening and enjoy the pool party from the deck rather than in the water. Still fully participatory, just dry.
Outfit Ideas for Women
- Red sequined or beaded cocktail dress or jumpsuit — the most popular Scarlet Night choice
- Red maxi dress with dramatic accessories
- Bold red two-piece: matching red top and skirt or pants
- Red swimsuit as the full look — with metallic accessories and red sandals for the pre-pool portion
- All-red resort look: red linen pants and a red embellished top
- Red bodycon dress with red accessories
Outfit Ideas for Men
- Red linen or cotton button-down shirt with dark pants or jeans
- Red chinos or shorts with a white or patterned shirt accented in red
- All-red look: red pants and a complementary red top
- Red swim trunks with a red tank or t-shirt for the pool-first strategy
- Red blazer or sport coat over dark pants
- Red polo or designer t-shirt with dark trousers
Accessories and Makeup
Red accessories count as participation — red shoes, red bag, red scarf, red hat, red tie. Bold red lip is widely worn and celebrated. Red nails, red jewelry, and red body glitter are all seen. The more you commit to the theme, the more you feel part of the collective experience.
What About Minimal Red?
A single red accessory — a bandana, a red shoe, a red hair clip — technically counts. Virgin Voyages does not enforce the theme. But first-time Sailors who arrive with no red consistently wish they had packed something. The visual experience of an entire shipful of people in red is genuinely striking, and being part of it feels meaningfully different from observing it.
Insider Tips from Joel and Erin
- Buy red in advance — don’t count on the ship store. The ship’s High Street boutique on Deck 6 sells Virgin Voyages red items, but selection is limited and popular sizes sell out. Buy your Scarlet Night outfit before boarding.
- Plan for the pool portion before you dress for dinner. Decide your strategy — splash, dive, or perimeter — before you pack. This determines what you bring.
- Take the photo in your full Scarlet Night outfit before the pool party. The whole ship is dressed in red and the pool deck atmosphere is spectacular for photography. Capture it before anyone gets wet.
Ready for Your Scarlet Night?
Joel and Erin are certified First Mates who have done Scarlet Night on multiple Virgin Voyages sailings. Let them help you plan the perfect voyage.
Book your Virgin Voyages cruise at CruisePlanner.pro — and dress for the most memorable night at sea
