Virgin Voyages Is Committing to Music Theme With Vinyl Record Store and Karaoke Lounge
It looks like Virgin Voyages is going all-in with the music theming on its first ship.
The start-up line backed by Richard Branson's Virgin Group announced on Wednesday that its 2,770-passenger debut vessel, Scarlet Lady, will have its very own vinyl record store — an homage to Virgin Group's early days as a record-selling business.
To be called Voyage Vinyl, the record shop on Scarlet Lady will feature listening stations where "sailors" (what the line calls its passengers) can sample music before buying. It'll sell a mix of current and classic albums, plus limited-edition collections created by the line's resident DJs. Music magazines and headphones will also be for sale alongside record players (for those of you who go on cruises to buy record players).
Virgin Voyages also revealed plans for a karaoke lounge on the ship with private, sound-proofed rooms where passengers can belt out their best Ariana Grande or Post Malone. It also said it was developing a "sonic identity" for the vessel's public areas that goes way beyond the typical shipboard background music.
The karaoke lounge planned for Scarlet Lady will be called The Groupie and feature a very-pink-and-purple-infused color scheme and modernist design created by Roman Coppola. It's being billed as a place for gaming and movie-watching, too, should you tire of belting out power ballads.
The latest reveals come on top of previously announced plans for music-themed "RockStar Suites" on Scarlet Lady that will come with gold-plated vinyl record players and classic records.
And the top DJs recruited by Virgin Voyages won't just curate mixes for the record shop. They'll also perform for the line's passengers. Grammy Award-winning DJ, songwriter and record producer Mark Ronson, for example, has signed on for four performances in 2020 during stopovers the ship will make at the Bahamian island of Bimini.
On Wednesday, Virgin Voyages added chart-topping artist, DJ, producer and remixer, MK (Marc Kinchen), and Grammy-nominated electronic music duo Sofi Tukker to the list of "resident DJ" performers making appearances during Scarlet Lady's first year at sea.
Voyage Vinyl will also double as a performance spot for the ship's resident DJs.
And Virgin Voyages said the so-called sonic identity it's planning for the ship will have electronic music at its core, but also incorporate other genres. The line has signed WhiteLabel Creative, a group of music industry insiders, to develop signature sounds for spaces that blend electronically-programmed music dating as far back as the disco era with more traditional "EDM" sounds.
Under development for more than five years, Virgin Voyages is promising to shake things up in the cruise world with ships that offer a hipper, more-inclusive and distinctly younger vibe than what's available from existing lines (though not too young; Virgin's ships promise to be adults-only).
The not-your-father's-cruise-ship sensibility will include such previously announced features as the first tattoo parlor at sea and drag-queen brunches. There also will be plenty of nontraditional entertainment including the previously mentioned DJ sets, interactive dance parties, "micro-plays" and games of dodgeball that don't start until after midnight.
The Broadway-style shows that are a mainstay of many cruise brands have been banned.
Currently under construction at a shipyard in Italy, Scarlet Lady is just the first of four vessels that Virgin Voyages has on order. After debuting on April 1, 2020, it'll sail four- and five-night trips out of Miami to the Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico and Dominican Republic. Fares will start at $750 per person for a four-night voyage, not including taxes and fees.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.