Champagne, spa time & ‘sultry’ snacks: How adult’s-only cruises do Valentine’s

Romantic cruise getaways are possible all year round, but never more so than in the month of February when Valentine’s Day comes around.

The sea air is thick with love as cruise lines lay on special treats to ensure couples treasure their amorous adventure forever.

Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is ideally placed to summon all things romance for Valentine’s – and in 2023 it’s making sure passengers get just the splash of love they’re after as Scarlet Lady sails the Caribbean over this year’s big day.

Virgin Voyages has launched a special package just for lovers (no, not like that) which couples can enjoy on Scarlet Lady’s Valentine’s Day cruise – or indeed any sailing on the ship where you fancy making sparks fly.

Enamoured guests will receive a long list of perks on these romantic cruises with the unique package (smutty jokes to yourself please). For starters there’s priority boarding and a wristband set – the cloth band will serve as a signal to shipboard teams to recognise and to trigger additional “surprise and delights.” Oooo ahhhh.

Once onboard you’ll enjoy specially-curated daily cold-pressed juices at the Juice Bar each morning plus one complimentary Shake for Champagne – which sees a bottle of champagne delivered to your cabin, sun lounger or wherever you want it onboard the ship. Now that’s what we call service.

Hungry? Virgin Voyages will carry out what it’s calling “Aphrodisiac Food Cabin Drops” delivering “sultry bites” to your room. Oysters? Strawberries? Chocolate? Can someone please report back to let us know?

Further perks on these romantic cruises include an exclusive Sailaway Hour at a designated location at Virgin Voyages’ sole discretion as well as one complimentary three-hour thermal spa pass per passenger in the Redemption Spa on the day of their choice. That’s the perfect time to eye up your loved-one in their swimmers right there.

Fancy it? The package, we mean. To add A Splash of Romance to your voyage, just fill out Virgin Voyages’ online form – it’s limited to the first 50 cabins to buy the package per cruise so no hanging around! – and the line will send you a booking confirmation within 72 hours.

Holidaymakers will then have 24hrs from receiving the confirmation email to make their payment (an introductory rate of $200) on the Virgin Voyages’ website (do note that form submissions do not guarantee purchase).

Whether you opt for the package or not you’re sure to enjoy some banging tunes during your getaway – Virgin Voyages has created a dedicated Valentine’s Day cruise Spotify playlist, wittily dubbed A Match Made at Sea – why not give it a listen before you sail to get you in the mood?

Of course, the destinations visited on the holiday itself are worth getting misty-eyed over. You’ll be escaping from the winter of the UK on a five-night cruise around the Riviera Maya. 2023? Nailed it, mate.

Scarlet Lady sails return from Miami and stops at Cozumel (above) and Playa del Carmen (famous for their rich eco-tourism, miles-long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and nearby Tulum) plus the Beach Club at Bimini (below, left) in the Bahamas.

At this exclusive Bahamian resort you can meet and swim with stingrays, go scuba diving among reefs and shipwrecks (maybe even with sharks!), take a cultural tour of the island, ride jet skis or enjoy a dolphin safari.

Alternatively, kick back and do absolutely nothing and soak up the sun on Bimini’s golden sands – there are beachfront cabanas for those who want to take it up a notch.

Incidentally, taking time out for yourself is Virgin’s goal through March 2023 as the cruise line celebrates Wellbeing Season, taking New Year wellness aspirations to a whole new level.

The brand is highlighting all the nutritious dishes on menus throughout the ships, hosting healthy Happy Hours featuring health-conscious mocktails and innovative drinks, putting on wellness workshops and classes and more.

After all, loving yourself is important all year round – it’s not just someone else’s job on Valentine’s Day!