Less than two weeks after disembarking Valiant Lady in Miami, I found myself boarding a plane destined for Barcelona, where my good friend Danielle and I would depart for the French Riviera aboard Scarlet Lady. As is typical when flying to Europe, we had an early morning arrival and appreciated a smooth experience through customs and an organized taxi situation, making Barcelona a very easy airport to fly into. Fortunately, we were able to drop our bags off at the port right away, allowing us to explore the city luggage-free for the day.
As a top cruise departure port, the location of cruise ships can vary, but thanks to Virgin Voyages’ prime location as the closest ship to La Rambla, we enjoyed a short walk into the city center, ready to explore Barcelona. To kick off our vacation, we quickly secured sangrias and a tasty breakfast at Casa Lolea, a spot highly recommended by our friend Kevin after his month-long adventure in Barcelona last year.
We then explored Parc de la Ciutadella, an excellent place to stretch your legs. The park features a pond with rowboat rentals, a zoo, and a gazebo with live Spanish music—making it a popular spot for dancing. After a wonderful first day in Barcelona, we headed to board the Scarlet Lady, saving our in-depth Barcelona exploration for a post-cruise adventure.
This was my second time aboard Scarlet Lady, as she was the first of the Virgin fleet to set sail. Virgin’s first three lady ships, Scarlet, Valiant, and Resilient are all identical, so if you would like a more in-depth ship review on any of the first three lady ships you can check out my Celebration Voyage blog here. Scarlet Lady is going in for upgrades this fall before she sails back to Puerto Rico with fresh new spaces, VIP cabanas, 24 new suites and much more, so you can expect an even more elevated experience sailing aboard Scarlet Lady when she returns to the Caribbean. Virgin’s newest ship, Brilliant Lady, is also largely identical to her sisters, with some modifications to allow her to sail through the Panama Canal – a voyage I will personally be on in 2026! Regardless of the ship, I can say from personal experience, the Central Sea Terrace will always be worth it!
Unlike my previous cruise, which was a lively girls' trip celebrating 50 years of Virgin history with Boy George and Richard Branson, I focused more on port experiences and staying healthy this time around. Fortunately, Virgin Voyages offers excellent exercise facilities and fitness classes, all included in the fare!
I participated in a HIIT class, of which there are usually a few each day, with rotating workouts. The mornings were a bit too chilly for me to join the outdoor yoga sessions, but they seemed like great classes, especially for warmer weather. The yoga classes, and others like them, are typically held on The Perch, a peaceful area at the top of the ship where I also enjoyed views while running on the track. There were also bungee workout classes (another fun exercise option), and of course, you can always dance the night away at The Manor to stay active in a fun way!
I also had the chance to catch a few more shows on this cruise. The first was Ships in the Night, but I was particularly impressed with Duel Reality, which I enjoyed so much I went and saw it on Scarlet after seeing it on Valiant! LOLz Supper Club was another highlight—a comedy show featuring four rotating comedians alongside dinner and drinks. Many of Virgin’s comedians change frequently, which keeps things fresh for the many Season Pass Sailors on 30+ day voyages. Though I can’t predict exactly what comedians you’ll see, the adult-only crowd seems to inspire exceptional performances. This show and the other variations of the dinner shows across the fleet do require registration and can sell out quickly so be sure you book early!
We closed out the cruise with two back-to-back shows: UNTITLEDDANCESHOWPARTYTHING in the Red Room and the opening act for Studio 72 in The Manor, kicking off disco night. The Red Room show was perfect for getting in the dancing mood before heading to The Manor, where several performers from Duel Reality impressed the crowd with their skills.
Both the main and wellness pools stayed lively and packed all week. As I focused more on exploring, exercising, and keeping up with my clients, I wasn’t too disappointed by the lack of chairs. However, if you’re planning to spend a day by the pool, I suggest getting there early. Just be mindful—reserving chairs isn’t allowed, so be ready to settle in for the day if you grab one early. While the crowd was a bit more laid-back than on my Caribbean cruise, it was still lively, and I imagine it would be even more energetic during the warmer summer months.
Overtourism is a pressing issue in many popular destinations. By being polite and respectful to both residents and the environment, you’ll often find that locals are eager to share their city’s hidden gems with you. A little courtesy goes a long way!
I can safely say that Marseille was my favorite French destination, though I still think Lyon tops my list of favorite cities in France. If you’re curious about my time in Lyon, you can read about it here. In Marseille, Danielle and I disembarked around 11 a.m. and enjoyed a smooth departure, typical of Virgin Voyages. While a free shuttle was available, we opted for a taxi, splitting the fare with other guests for only 7 euros per person. Though we originally planned to take the ferry to Château d'If, strong winds canceled our trip, but we didn’t let that stop us for having fun! We found a bar to enjoy some sangrias and rework our plans, beginning with a walk to Palais Longchamp. This historical monument was built in the 19th century to celebrate the completion of the Canal de Marseille, which brought much needed water to the city. Longchamp houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum, and also features an impressive fountain, expansive gardens, and beautiful architecture and is well worth a visit. Instead of walking back, we tried Marseille’s public transport—a quick and easy option—and took the trolley back to Old Town. Afterward, we caught a bus to Notre Dame de la Garde, which offered excellent views of the city and bay. It was a bit crowded, but the unique nautical-themed interior of the basilica made it worth the visit. To finish our adventure, we enjoyed the city staple of mussels at Le Collins Vieux.
Cannes & Beyond
Our next port of call was Cannes, where we had pre-booked a Virgin Voyages excursion to Nice for a wine tasting. While the promise of sampling fine wines was exciting, the early morning meet up to board the tender was not. We appreciated the level of organization with the tender for those participating in Shore Things, but quickly found that we were in a bit of a large group excursion, which is not quite my cup of tea. If you, like us, enjoy smaller groups, it might be worth exploring alternative suggestions from myself or your travel agent through platforms like Viator or Shore Excursions Group for options that cater to your preferences. Alternatively, hop aboard a train to Nice or any of the surrounding areas for your own self-guided exploration. With a late stay until 9pm in Cannes, you can see a lot of France from this port!
Ajaccio: Napoleon’s Island Paradise
Next, we made our way to Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica known for its delightful charcuterie, particularly the locally sourced boars. A visit to the bustling market, conveniently located on the port side, is a must for food lovers. While various excursions are available, wandering through the streets, shops, and restaurants is undoubtedly the main attraction here. Danielle took a refreshing run around the city's outskirts while I indulged in a unique pizza-like charcuterie dish at one of the many restaurants lining the streets. The relaxed pace and local flavors truly made this stop memorable.
Barcelona is home to the world's largest uncompleted cathedral, La Sagrada Família, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing, with an estimated completion date in 2026—over a century later!
Finally, we arrived at our most anticipated port, the vibrant Ibiza, where we enjoyed an overnight stay. Disembarkation was smooth, and we quickly hopped on a shuttle downtown, which ran frequently—much better than in Marseille! If you’re looking to rack up some steps, walking to the city center is possible, and popping into iconic spots like Pacha on your way back to the ship is a fun option.
While we didn't hit up the famous clubs or see David Guetta, I highly recommend checking out the nightlife scene. Renowned artists from around the world perform here, making for an unforgettable experience. We enjoyed relaxing with beverages on the waterfront at Geminis and strolling through the lively streets to soak in the atmosphere, but I am already working on a return trip to explore the town more thoroughly!
For those interested in activities, my clients had a fantastic time on this sailing adventure last summer aboard the Lady Virginia. For active travelers, consider a cave exploration excursion, which can be booked with me or other suppliers like Viator or Shore Excursion Group. If you're planning an extended stay, renting a car for self-exploration could be a great option, but I wouldn’t recommend it for just a day visit.
Back in Barcelona and eager to explore like a local, our most anticipated activity of the trip was finally here: a city bike tour with Marianna from Be Like Us Tours! Earlier this year, one of my clients had such a fantastic experience on this tour that he couldn’t wait to share the details with me. Marianna, a passionate small business owner, noticed that I, as a small travel agency, had booked the tour for my client. She reached out to personally connect and tell me more about her various excursions, some of which aren’t even listed online. Her passion for the city and for sharing it from a local’s perspective truly shines through. If you're after an authentic, small-group experience, trust me—Be Like Us is the tour company for you!
We learned so much about Barcelona, from its rich and complex history to its vibrant present. One of the highlights was hearing about La Mercè, the largest festival in Barcelona, which we were lucky enough to experience firsthand. Stay tuned to my Instagram and Facebook for fun facts and highlights from our time in Barcelona!
If you’re planning a pre- or post-cruise stay in Barcelona, Hotel SERHS del Port is an excellent option and very walkable—though walk times depend on where your ship docks. For us, it was less than a 10-minute stroll. The hotel is also a great base for running enthusiasts, with paths along the port that lead straight to the beach. La Rambla was just 10 minutes away on foot, and the Gothic Quarter was a bit further, but still easy to reach.
Seeking more of a local vibe, Marianna recommended heading to Carrer de Blai, which is lined with small Spanish restaurants. Given the chilly weather, we appreciated the indoor seating options, which were harder to find on La Rambla due to construction. We ended up at Azoka, where we enjoyed delicious Spanish tapas. One thing that stood out was the difference between Spanish and Catalan tapas, and Carrer de Blai is mostly home to Spanish-style spots. I highly recommend trying both while in Barcelona, but Azoka was easily one of our favorite dining experiences of the trip.
Wilton Manors, Florida
(919) 943 8918
cara@wolftravels.com
Fill out the below form to connect and start planning your next trip today!