letter of the month
I have read the letters about the new Virgin ships and wanted to comment on the recent letter of the month (SM, July). Firstly, it was stated that Scarlet Lady dispenses with a bulbous bow, but this is not the case. Her underwater form does have a bulbous base, although it does not protrude beyond the entry to the water.
I would suggest that rather than being too long, her bow is very short compared to that of a traditional liner. The fared coverings of the forward decks are taken right to the bow, meaning there is no open foredeck at all. It was also stated that Virgin Voyages appeared to have ‘copied MSC Cruises Seaside class but failed’, but actually Scarlet Lady and her sisters are based on the Seaside concept at Fincantieri, albeit a smaller version, which is to be expected, as they originate from the same shipyard. Basically, a narrow but tall superstructure is floated on a wide, relatively shallow, hull with open decks at the base of the superstructure.
I agree with certain other comments and find the interior design refreshing, with a plethora of smaller bars and restaurants but also some double-height entertainment spaces. All in all I salute Virgin Voyages on their move into cruising and for their brave, bold and considered design approach. The ships may not be to everyone’s taste, but at least they have gone for something innovative, which has made waves (literally) alongside today’s often monotonous-looking cruise fleets. I applaud Sir Richard Branson and wish Virgin every success and a great future for their ‘voyages’ and ‘sailors’ alike.
Andrew Hawkins Bournemouth
Virgin’s cruise ship Scarlet Lady and her sisters attract plenty of comments.