Comparing the virgin voyages spring transatlantic options for 2027 is one of the most exciting decisions a sailor can make. Both Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady offer 14-night eastbound crossings from the United States to Barcelona, but they differ in departure port, port stops, sea day patterns, ship personality, and the overall rhythm of the voyage. If you are choosing between these two spring transatlantic sailings, this guide breaks down every meaningful difference — from itinerary details and cabin selection to onboard experience and booking strategy — so you can pick the crossing that fits your travel style perfectly.
Spring 2027 gives Virgin Voyages sailors two distinct paths across the Atlantic. Both are 14-night repositioning voyages ending in Barcelona, but they take very different routes to get there.
Scarlet Lady (April 24 to May 8, 2027) departs from Miami and sails east across the Atlantic with approximately nine consecutive sea days before reaching the Canary Islands. Port stops include Las Palmas on Gran Canaria, Casablanca in Morocco, and Valencia in Spain before the final arrival in Barcelona. This itinerary emphasizes long uninterrupted stretches at sea followed by a culturally rich series of port calls.
Resilient Lady (May 2 to May 16, 2027) also departs from Miami and heads east, but breaks up the sea days with stops at Tenerife in the Canary Islands and Tangier in Morocco before continuing to Malaga and Barcelona. This routing gives sailors more frequent port visits and a different mix of Atlantic island and Mediterranean experiences.
Both voyages share the same adult-only luxury experience that defines every Virgin Voyages sailing — included dining at restaurants like The Wake, Test Kitchen, Pink Agave, and Gunbae, plus entertainment, wellness programming, and the signature no-kids atmosphere.
The number and distribution of sea days is the single biggest differentiator between these two virgin voyages spring transatlantic crossings. Sea days define the rhythm of a transatlantic voyage, and your preference here should drive your decision.
Scarlet Lady features approximately nine consecutive sea days after leaving Miami before the first port call. This is classic transatlantic sailing — day after day of open ocean, horizon in every direction, with nothing to do but enjoy the ship. For sailors who crave deep relaxation, extended time at the Redemption Spa, long balcony mornings, and the meditative quality of consecutive days at sea, Scarlet Lady delivers that experience in full.
Resilient Lady breaks the crossing into shorter sea segments punctuated by port visits. You still get multiple sea days — this is a transatlantic crossing, after all — but the rhythm alternates between ocean sailing and cultural exploration. If you find the idea of nine straight sea days daunting or prefer a more varied daily cadence, Resilient Lady provides that balance.
There is no wrong answer when choosing between these virgin voyages spring transatlantic sailings. Some sailors live for consecutive sea days and consider them the highlight of transatlantic travel. Others prefer the variety of waking up in a new port every few days. The transatlantic survival guide covers strategies for making the most of extended sea day stretches regardless of which ship you choose.
Both itineraries touch the Canary Islands, Morocco, and Spain — but at different specific ports that offer distinct experiences.
Scarlet Lady ports:
Resilient Lady ports:
Both routes offer Shore Things excursions at each port. Book early if you are on a Premium or RockStar fare to take advantage of your extended reservation window for the best excursion options.
While both ships share the same core Virgin Voyages DNA — identical restaurant concepts, similar entertainment lineups, and the same cabin categories — each has its own personality.
Scarlet Lady is the original Virgin Voyages ship. She has a bold, edgy energy that comes from being the flagship. Her entertainment lineup features the original versions of shows that debuted the brand, and her public spaces have a slightly more dramatic aesthetic. Check the Scarlet Lady entertainment guide for the full show lineup.
Resilient Lady is the third ship in the fleet and benefits from refinements based on feedback from Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady. Her social spaces feel slightly more intimate, and she has a higher proportion of oceanview cabins. Resilient Lady’s entertainment has its own distinct flavor — see the Resilient Lady shows guide for details.
From a cabin perspective, both ships offer the same categories: Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace (including Central, XL, and Limited View), and RockStar Suites. For a transatlantic crossing, Sea Terrace cabins are especially popular because the private balcony becomes your personal retreat during sea days. Check the sun side guide for which side of the ship to book for optimal light.
Transatlantic repositioning voyages are among the best values in cruising because the per-night cost is typically lower than Caribbean itineraries. Here are smart booking strategies for either crossing:
Choose your fare tier carefully. A 14-night voyage amplifies fare tier differences. The Premium fare includes a $15 per sailor per day Bar Tab — on a 14-night crossing, that adds up to $210 per person in included drink credit. The 60-day dining reservation window also matters more on a longer voyage where popular restaurants fill up faster. Compare Base vs Lock-It-In rates to find the right balance of price and flexibility.
Buy MNVVs onboard. A 14-night voyage gives you plenty of time to visit Sailor Services and purchase up to two MNVVs at $100 each for $150 in future cruise credit. If this crossing inspires you to book another voyage, the MNVV savings stack nicely.
Plan your WiFi for the crossing. Nine sea days (Scarlet Lady) or multiple sea-day stretches (Resilient Lady) means you will want reliable internet. Classic WiFi is free and handles messaging. If you need streaming or video calls, Premium WiFi at $30 per day voyage rate or Work from Sea at $50 per day keeps you connected. Premium fare tier includes Premium WiFi with two devices.
Book one-way flights strategically. Both crossings end in Barcelona, meaning you need a one-way flight home (or onward travel in Europe). The transatlantic flight deals guide covers strategies for finding affordable one-way tickets. Book your flight well in advance — Barcelona is a major hub with good options, but prices climb as departure dates approach.
Late April and early May weather varies significantly across the route. Miami departure is warm and humid. Mid-Atlantic sea days can be cool and windy — layers and a windbreaker are essential. The Canary Islands are pleasantly warm. Morocco ranges from mild to hot depending on the city. Barcelona in May is typically comfortable with temperatures around 15 to 22 degrees Celsius. The transatlantic weather guide provides detailed expectations for each segment of the crossing.
Pack for layering. Mornings on deck during mid-Atlantic sea days can be surprisingly chilly, while afternoons in port can be genuinely hot. A flexible wardrobe serves you better than any single-climate packing approach.
A two-week crossing is a fundamentally different experience from a 4 or 7-night Caribbean sailing. The longer duration changes everything — the pace slows, you develop routines, and the ship becomes a floating community rather than a quick vacation.
Both ships offer extended programming on transatlantic voyages including guest speakers, bridge tours, extra fitness classes, rotating dinner menus, and special events that do not appear on shorter sailings. The dining reservation system matters more on a 14-night voyage because you have time to try every restaurant multiple times. Extra Virgin, Lucky Lotus, Razzle Dazzle, and The Wake all become familiar haunts rather than one-time dining experiences.
Solo sailors often find transatlantic crossings especially rewarding because the extended time fosters deeper connections with fellow passengers. The social dynamics of a 14-night voyage are markedly different from a short sailing. Sailor Loot spending also requires more planning on a longer voyage — pace your credits across two full weeks rather than burning through them in the first few days.
The biggest difference is the sea day pattern. Scarlet Lady has approximately nine consecutive sea days before the first port call, while Resilient Lady breaks the crossing into shorter segments with more frequent port stops. Both are 14 nights and both end in Barcelona, but the daily rhythm feels very different.
Neither is objectively better — they are different. Scarlet Lady visits Las Palmas, Casablanca, and Valencia. Resilient Lady visits Tenerife, Tangier, and Malaga. Casablanca and Tangier offer different Moroccan experiences, while Valencia and Malaga showcase distinct regions of Spain. Choose based on which cultural mix appeals to you more.
No. They are sister ships built to similar specifications but with distinct personalities. Scarlet Lady is the original Virgin Voyages flagship with a bold aesthetic. Resilient Lady is the third ship in the fleet with refinements to social spaces and a higher proportion of oceanview cabins. Both offer the same cabin categories and restaurant concepts.
Pack layers for varying climates from tropical Miami to cool mid-Atlantic to warm Mediterranean. Book your dining reservations as early as your fare tier allows. Purchase WiFi if you need streaming or video calls during sea days. Buy MNVVs onboard for future cruise savings. And plan your one-way flight home from Barcelona well in advance.
Both virgin voyages spring transatlantic crossings in 2027 deliver an exceptional two-week sailing experience with world-class dining, entertainment, and cultural immersion. Choose Scarlet Lady if you crave long uninterrupted sea days and the deep relaxation of consecutive days on open ocean. Choose Resilient Lady if you prefer more frequent port calls and a varied rhythm that alternates between sailing and exploration. Either way, you are getting one of the best values in luxury cruising — and a Serious Sailors travel advisor can help you pick the right ship, cabin, and fare tier for your spring 2027 transatlantic booking.
