A friend of mine was interviewed by this magazine Bergensavisen. The two of us are American, and when we try to read the article, it is behind a paywall. We tried to purchase a subscription to try to read it, but the website doesn't accept US phone numbers. Putting in our emails doesn't work either. Here is the article: https://www.ba.no/cruiseskipet-scarlet-lady-som-har-18-arsgrense-besoker-bergen-for-forste-gang/s/5-8-3107713

by Rektemintherectum

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  1. This ship has an 18-year-old limit: – Yes, we sell a lot of alcohol
    Eivind Andre Pettersen01.08.25 12:34

    “Scarlet Lady” is owned by the eccentric billionaire Richard Branson through the company Virgin. The shipping company focuses on a niche of its own: Only adult guests.

    – As far as I know, we are the only cruise line of this size that has introduced an 18-year-old limit on all our ships. That means we can ditch water slides and play areas, and instead have more bars, says destination host Richard Diaz in Virgin Voyages.

    Expensive drink packages

    – No children are therefore allowed on board. Does that mean you sell more alcohol?

    – Yes, definitely! We sell large quantities of drink packages, especially in the price range of 200 to 500 dollars (5150 Norwegian kroner) during a five-day cruise, says Diaz.

    – Do you receive complaints from families with children who are not allowed to participate?

    – Some may be disappointed, but they can choose other types of cruises. We focus on this part of the market.

    The 2,700 passengers, who are allowed to board, do not suffer any hardship. The 17 decks are packed with gourmet restaurants, cafes, bars, casinos, luxury shops, jacuzzis and swimming pools.

    Richard Diaz demonstrates the bar app. Photo: Eivind A. Pettersen

    There is a high supply of exclusive drops on board. Photo: Eivind A. Pettersen
    Special drink app

    The cruise host pulls out his mobile phone and shows BA’s dispatcher:

    – Look, we have a separate mobile app for our bar. You just need to open the app and press the desired beverage. Then you shake the phone and the waiters get a message. Then you will be served wherever you are on the ship!

    Cruise passengers Golden and Stacy Orozco from the USA say that they have paid 10,000 dollars for a ten-day “all inclusive all inclusive all inclusive” cruise from Amsterdam.

    (From l.) Stacy and Golden Orozco. Photo: Emil Weatherhead Breistein
    – My wife paid the bill, so I don’t have a full overview. We thoroughly enjoy all the offers on board, and the food and drink are top notch. We are looking forward to seeing more of Bergen, but also Lerwick and Iceland. Now we’re on our way to the Fløibanen, which we’ve heard is fantastic, says Golden Orozco.

    In 2025, 335 cruise calls are planned in Bergen. This is an increase from 317 calls in 2024, which is a cruise record for the city.

    “Scarlet Lady” had her maiden call in Bergen on Thursday 31 July at Bontelabo. There may soon be more:

    – We are now testing Bergen to find out what our customers, and ourselves, think of the city as a cruise destination. Within two to three years, the management will decide whether Bergen is desired as a fixed stop. The city is fantastically beautiful, so personally I think it should be possible, says Richard Diaz to BA.

    Facts about “Scarlet Lady”

    Operator: Virgin Voyages

    Delivered: February 2020 by Fincantieri, Italy

    Capacity: Approx. 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew

    Size: Approx. 110,000 gross tonnes, 277 meters long

    For adults only: 18-year age limit

    Food and drink: Around 20 different eateries, including Gunbae (Korean BBQ), Razzle Dazzle (vegetarian/day show), Extra Virgin (Italian)

    Entertainment: Karaoke lounge, arcade, DJ deck, vinyl shop

    Home port: Port Miami

    Itineraries: Caribbean and transatlantic summer sailings from Europe

    Upgrades: New suites, pool cabanas and upgraded spa (2024)

    Photo: Emil Weatherhead Breistein
    Welcome ceremony

    Port director Michal Forland personally boarded the Virgin ship to welcome the crew to the Port of Bergen.

    There, a years-long tradition was continued, namely a mutual presentation of name plaques between Virgin and the port.

    And yes: only non-alcoholic drinks were consumed in connection with the ceremony.

    General manager on the ship, (from left) Victor Ventura, is welcomed to Bergen by port director Michal Forland. Photo: Eivind A. Pettersen
    The Port of Bergen estimates that around 640,000 cruise tourists will arrive in Bergen this year, roughly the same number as last year.

    – This number is unproblematic to handle, as we stay well within the daily ceiling that the city council has set for four ships and a maximum of 8,000 passengers, says Forland.

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    The harbor master not worried

    – What do you think that yet another international cruise line wants to send large ships to the Port of Bergen?

    – It is important to include in the environmental calculation that ships with 5,000-6,000 people on board pollute far less per passenger than the smaller cruise ships. In addition, we have introduced the strictest emission regulations among ports in Europe. From 2026, the goal is zero emissions from cruise ships, confirms the port director.

    Since the establishment of the shore power plant in 2020, the environmental benefit in Bergen Harbor has tripled, recent figures from the supplier Plug show.

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    Last year, 770 ships of all types connected to shore power in the Port of Bergen. This cut CO2 emissions in the city center by 18,000 tonnes, equivalent to an annual emission from 8,000 fossil-fuel vehicles.

    BA journalist Eivind A. Pettersen poses in front of one of the swimming pools on the top deck of the “Scarlet Lady”.

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