Mixed Reviews as Scarlet Lady Returns to Service
Scarlet Lady 2.0 debuts post-refurbishment with mixed reviews—praised for Grounds Club Too updates but criticized for unfinished projects, controversial cabanas, and dining improvements.
Scarlet Lady 2.0 has emerged from dry dock with significant changes, but early feedback from sailors suggests that the refurbishment hasn’t hit all the right notes. While some updates have been welcomed, others have sparked criticism across social media and comments on ours articles.
Deck Changes
The unique triangular seating on the outdoor decks has been replaced with standard deck chairs. Some sailors have criticized this as a downgrade, with the new seating arrangement described as unfinished by some. Additionally, the flooring in the seating areas has been described as ‘shoddy’. It’s unclear if this is the final product but many regularly used the existing seats. Sailors have reported visible paint marks on the floor of the pool as well.
Seriously Suites Unfinished
Unfinished work has been particularly problematic in the Seriously Suites on Deck 11, with all cabins on the Z side reportedly incomplete resulting in some having to move cabins and others experiencing maintenance issues on the A side resulting in them moving cabins.
Grounds Club Too Changes
The transformation of Grounds Club Too has been a highlight, with sailors commenting about the updated furnishings and the addition of a bar in The Galley. This change also brings a late-night option to The Galley for those seeking a cocktail fix. The new setup has created a serene and sophisticated space for unwinding, especially in the evenings.
Dining at Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle
Lucky Lotus, the reimagined dining experience within Razzle Dazzle, has garnered mixed reviews.
While the appetizers have been praised for their strong flavors and variety, the limited selection of main dishes has disappointed many. With only a few mains available—and just one vegan option, tofu—some sailors feel the restaurant has strayed too far from Razzle Dazzle’s original focus.
Many sailors were hoping for wider menu improvements. The removal of the lamb shank in particular, a fan favorite, has also been criticized with many sailors loving that dish!
“We dined at Lucky Lotus last night, and it was a mix of hits and misses. The walnut prawns were a standout, but the ribeye fell flat—not because of the steak itself, but the sauce just didn’t hit the mark. The dumplings were enjoyable, though the dipping sauce was too oily for my taste—next time, I’ll ask for soy instead. The bao and mango pudding we shared were just okay. The star of the night, though, was the Szechuan noodles” – Sailor Feedback on Cruise Critic
VIP Cabanas
No shock, of course that the most controversial updates is the introduction of VIP cabanas. Priced at $600 for just a few hours of use by four sailors, these cabanas have been widely criticized as overpriced particularly when the other cabanas lack use as it is. The removal of several free cabanas in this space makes the price worse. Additionally the VIP Cabanas again like the pool deck feature some poor workmanship with areas not blending correctly into the floor. One sailor described the cabanas as “ugly and overpriced” whilst another branded them a “waste of space”. Other’s were concerned with how this would affect Scarlet Night as it will significantly reduce upper deck space for viewing of the main pool party.
Final Thoughts
While Scarlet Lady 2.0 has introduced some promising updates, the number of unfinished projects and controversial changes has left many sailors feeling a little underwhelmed. As Scarlet continues on her Transatlantic journey some of these issues may be fixed but menu changes if needed will take more time. Scarlet Lady will set sail from Miami on December 14th, 2024 and hopefully several issues will be fixed before she heads back to Europe in 2025.