Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady Entertainment

Quentin Long has written a review of Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, which is coming to Australia in December 2023. Here’s a detailed analysis of all the entertainment onboard.

The Virgin Voyages’ entertainment offering is a quite singular experience. More akin to a fringe festival than a Broadway production, the program is definitely not for everyone. It will divide audiences, but everyone will have an opinion.

To help you form your own opinion, here we review all the entertainment options onboard the Resilient Lady.

Scarlet Night

The signature party and evening that happens on all Virgin Voyages sailings, the Scarlet Night is far more successful than expected. As with all Virgin Voyages experiences, it’s all about the staff, who put their boundless infectious energy into creating a festival atmosphere in every space.

Roundabout atrium on Resilient Lady — The party commences in the Roundabout atrium. (Image: Gina Joy Photo)

The party commences at about 9.30pm in the Roundabout atrium (what cruisers would call the lobby) and then spirals out with a series of games, pop-up performances, music and karaoke in every space. The energy is so irresistible that a rather placid 50-year-old in our party needs very little encouragement to show off what is hilariously his first twerk for a glass of champagne.

The party culminates on the pool deck towards 11.30pm. A giant octopus (or Kraken) is installed over the pool, and with a drag master of ceremonies directing the party, the dance crew put on a performance, splashing the cheering and dancing crowd.

a laser top dance party onboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Colourful laser beams illuminate the dance floor. (Image: Gina Joy Photo)

Persephone

The signature show on Resilient Lady, Persephone is an enjoyable hour of power. The Red Room seating is all neatly tucked away to create an enormous standing-room-only club, with two stages and several podiums, allowing performers to move through and around the crowd.

The Red Room on Resilient Lady — Watch Persephone in the ship’s Red Room.

At one stage, the dance crew are dressed in full-body mirrored jumpsuits, executing serious techno dance moves.

a dance party in the red room onboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — The dance crew go all out in Persephone.

Miss Behave Show

Another cracking but very different performance, the Miss Behave Show is a hilarious panto gameshow. The crowd members are the contestants; divided into two teams, they scream out answers (sometimes in the form of confessions), perform tasks on stage and show off their skills.

None of the questions are conventional: “What’s the opposite of Ellen Degeneres? Ellen De-selfish."

The show’s genius is in the performance and delivery of the quiz master, as well as her talented offsider, who performs mimes and dances to the questions and music.

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Another Rose

Another Rose is part cabaret, part circus acrobatic show.

As Another Rose includes drinks and meals, it’s the only entertainment option that has an additional charge: it’s US$55 ($80) for balcony seats, US$65 ($95.50) for booth/banquette seating and US$75 ($110) for the premium table seats. Be ready to raise your glass if you’re at the tables, as the performers do dance across the tabletops.

a duel reality performance onboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Another Rose is part cabaret, part circus acrobatic show.

The acrobatics and singing are good, but the story seems a little clumsy, and there are some things that still confuse me. The greatest example? During the interval between entrée and main, the premium-seat Sailors are taken to a lounge where they’re asked about their guilty pleasure. A crew member chooses a Sailor based on their declared guilty pleasure, then bounds them in bondage knots.

a woman singing onboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady — Watch diverse yet dynamic performances onboard. (Image: The Fraser James)

All guests return to their seats, the lucky Sailor still wrapped in their knotted accessories, to finish dinner and watch the final half of the performance. There’s no explanation for the rope and knots, which are removed at the end of the show.

Other entertainment options we didn’t experience include the PJ Party, which was exactly what it sounds like (a 70-year-old won the best PJs award for his onesie and loved it all), Lola’s Library, the cabaret entertainment area in The Manor, and The Groupie, a private karaoke bar.

groupie pink karaoke room onboard Resilient Lady — The Groupie karaoke rooms are luxe and unique.

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

Review: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady entertainment and shows

Quentin Long has written a review of Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, which is coming to Australia in December 2023. Here’s a detailed analysis of all the entertainment onboard.

Scarlet Night

Persephone

Miss Behave Show

Another Rose

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