Guest Post By Claire Gilligan-Murrell (Kiwi in London, 43, F, countries visited 52)

Why I Chose the Scarlet Lady Summer Pass

The thought of working remotely aboard a Virgin Voyages ship for a month was equal parts exciting and daunting. When I saw the Season Pass announcement for 2025 I knew I had to be on board.  I’ve always loved cruising, and with 10 Virgin Voyages already in the works, the Summer Season Pass on board Scarlet Lady seemed like a dream come true—a chance to escape London for a month, enjoy the Mediterranean, and experience all the luxuries of the ship while keeping up with my job.

But it wasn’t a decision I made lightly. Working remotely while cruising comes with its own challenges, and I had to carefully consider the logistics before committing.

Balancing Working from Helm

Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Reliable Wi-Fi is essential for remote work, and Virgin Voyages offers Work from Sea Wi-Fi for two devices per cabin on the Summer Season Pass. This meant I could connect my laptop and phone, but my second sailor would need to rely on Classic Wi-Fi unless we switched devices. Thankfully, my work landline can divert calls to my phone via Wi-Fi, so this setup worked for me—but it’s something to double-check with your employer before booking.

Time Zone Adjustments

One key detail I learned is that ship time stays consistent with the port of departure—in this case, Barcelona (GMT+1). My usual UK work hours of 9am – 5pm would overlap perfectly with the ship’s time, allowing me to finish work just in time for Richard’s Rooftop Sunset Happy Hour (5-6 pm). My boss even agreed to adjust my hours slightly to UK 8am – 4pm, giving me a little more flexibility to enjoy the ship’s amenities.

Logistics of Being On Board

Voyage Swap Days

One challenge with the Summer Pass is managing the voyage swap days (or back to back days), which occur every 5-7 nights as the ship transitions between voyages. From previous back-to-back cruises, I knew this process could be time-consuming, with requirements like resetting my wristband and possibly rewatching the safety video each voyage. To avoid disruptions, I decided to take swap days off work and use the time to enjoy the ship or explore the port.

Packing Essentials

Packing for a month at sea requires careful planning. I prepared for every scenario, from cold and flu tablets to a small dental repair kit—better safe than sorry. I also packed full-sized toiletries to last the entire trip and planned outfits for multiple Scarlet Nights, PJ parties, and Sail Away Celebrations. The Summer Pass includes laundry service, so I don’t need to overpack.

Switching from Home Life

A month aboard the Scarlet Lady offers luxuries I don’t have at home in London: no cooking, no cleaning, and a private balcony for fresh air. It’s a lifestyle upgrade in every sense. Even mundane routines like coffee runs to Grounds Club or lunchtime sushi will feel indulgent when paired with the ship’s atmosphere.

Second Sailor On Board

One of the unique perks of the Summer Pass is the ability to bring a second sailor—a friend or family member—onboard for part of the trip. I invited a close friend to join me, and Virgin’s flexible cabin arrangements allowed us to switch to twin beds. While I worked during the day, my second sailor could enjoy the ship, and we’d reunite in the evenings to share stories over cocktails on Richard’s Rooftop.

Dining and Entertainment

With a month on the Scarlet Lady, I planned to savor every dining experience, from fresh salads to Test Kitchen menus. I also looked forward to catching all the shows—some more than once—and enjoying trivia and quizzes on weekends.

Port Days

Because I’d be working weekdays, I planned to stay onboard during most port stops, with one exception: Casablanca. I will use a holiday day to explore this city, which I’ve never visited before. Weekends would be reserved for other excursions or simply soaking in the ship’s many amenities.

This is Real, It’s Happening

So now you have booked let’s look at the realities of getting prepared for it!

The App

The Summer Pass in the Virgin Voyages app does not appear as one month-long voyage. Instead, it shows as three separate bookings with different reference numbers—this may vary depending on which Summer Pass you’ve chosen.

This means you’ll need to fill out the seven Sailor information sections for each voyage ahead of time, swapping back and forth. Keep an eye on the staggered dining, entertainment lineup, and shore excursion booking openings. Once Voyage 1 begins, the app won’t allow you to switch between sailings.

Dining

Top Tip: Book at least a few dinner reservations for Voyages 2 and 3 in advance. You can always cancel them later once you know the event schedule.

I’m looking forward to trying out the new Lucky Lotus on Scarlet Lady, but I’m choosing not to make dinner plans every night to keep things flexible. On my last voyage, The Galley had dinner specials that changed daily, and I really wanted to try them.

Packing Begins

If you can pack the night before, good for you—I can’t.

This time, I needed to bring work gear. I never travel with my laptop when I’m on holiday because I prefer to switch off, but this time, I had to pack:

• Laptop & Power cable
• Mouse and spare batteries
• Notes for work
• A Euro-to-UK four-way block (without surge protection) – More info on outlets here.
• Charger cables

For the first voyage, I packed my carry-on backpack with two bottles of wine per cabin, which Virgin Voyages allows. I know I can do this for each sailing, but I’m only bothering for Sail 1.

Medicines

On my last voyage, I lost a contact lens and had to buy more in Martinique. It worked out fine, but I learned my lesson—bring spares. This time, I’m packing:

• Spare lenses
• Glasses
• Sunglasses
• Prescription sunglasses

For medicine, I’m bringing the usual essentials—both for sickness and any just-in-case scenarios. While there’s a Necessities Shop onboard and a Medical Center on Deck 4, I don’t know their prices or if they’ll have exactly what I need.

Clothing and Shoes

On my January 12-night voyage, I packed six pairs of shoes but only wore four. Two of those were flip-flops, so I didn’t need as many socks This time, I’m being ruthless—I’ll only bring four (or maybe five) pairs. 😊

Since it’ll be warm in the Mediterranean, comfort is a priority. Plus, I get one bag of laundry per sailing, so I’m really just packing for one voyage and doing laundry along the way.

Theme Nights

I’ll have three Scarlet Nights and, while I’ll enjoy trying on every red outfit I own, I might just wear the same thing each time. Who would know? Who would care?

Also packing:

• Cobra Kai T-shirt for 80s/90s Night
• VV Insider’s Work From Helm T-shirt

All Packed and Ready To Go

Looking Ahead to My Month at Sea

As I prepared for my Scarlet Lady Summer Season Pass, I realized this trip represented more than just a cruise—it was a leap into a new way of living and working. The decision to embrace this experience, despite the logistical challenges, felt like a commitment to myself and my happiness.

For anyone considering a similar adventure, my advice is simple: plan ahead, communicate with your employer, and don’t forget to pack for both work and play. I plan to report back and review my experience once I’ve been on board!

At VV Insider, we’d like to express our thanks to Claire for sharing her thoughts on her upcoming experience. If you’re interested in writing a guest post, we’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us through our contact form! 

Looking to Book?

The pass offers sailings ranging from 24 to 40 nights starting at $14,999. It includes a variety of perks aimed at providing both comfort and connectivity for those balancing work with vacation.

Find Out More about Summer Season Pass

Work from Helm T-Shirt

Here at VV Insider we know that sailors love the Summer Season Pass and have designed an exclusive t-shirt in a range of different colors to celebrate the launch of the 2025 season.

Visit VV Insider Store