Virgin Voyages Theme Nights: Every Dress-Up Party and What to Wear (2026)

By the Pixie Vacations First Mate team — Certified Virgin Voyages First Mates and travel advisors who have sailed the fleet. 1,195+ verified client reviews averaging 5.0 stars · Book your voyage with us at no extra cost.

Last updated: September 2026

Virgin Voyages has just two fleet-wide dress-up theme nights: Scarlet Night, when the whole ship wears red for a pool-deck party, and the PJ Party, a pajamas-only dance night. There is no formal night and nothing is mandatory — you can go all-out, wear a single red accessory, or skip the theme entirely and still have a great time.

If you’re used to traditional cruise lines with a rotation of “elegant nights,” white parties, and gala dinners, Virgin Voyages works differently on purpose. This adults-only line is deliberately casual, and its “theme nights” are really two signature parties that show up on nearly every sailing. Below we break down exactly what each night is, when it happens, what to wear, and how to find out which parties land on your voyage — so you can pack smart and not overthink it.

Virgin Voyages theme nights at a glance

Theme night	What it is	When it usually happens	Dress code	Mandatory?
Scarlet Night	The signature pool-deck party of every voyage — DJ, performers, and the “Pool Plunge” ritual	Once per sailing, typically toward the end of the voyage	Red — as much or as little as you like	No
PJ Party	A late-night ’90s/2000s-style dance party in your pajamas	Most sailings; often earlier in the voyage	Pajamas, onesies, robes, loungewear	No
Pop-up parties & DJ sets	Sailing-specific dance sets, deck parties, and Sailor Nights that vary by ship and DJ	Varies by itinerary	Whatever you’re already wearing	No

Does Virgin Voyages have a formal night?

No. Virgin Voyages does not have a formal night, an elegant night, or any dress-up dinner requirement. There are no tuxedos, gowns, or “smart casual” rules enforced at dinner. The line was built to feel more like a boutique hotel than a traditional cruise ship, so you’ll never be turned away from a restaurant for wearing jeans and sneakers. The only nights where people intentionally dress up are the two optional theme parties — and even then, “dressing up” means red or pajamas, not black tie. For the full rundown of what flies day and night, see our Virgin Voyages dress code guide.

Scarlet Night: the red pool-deck party

Scarlet Night is Virgin Voyages’ signature event, and it happens on every ship, on virtually every sailing. It takes over the pool deck late in the evening with a resident DJ, roaming performers, an aerial or theatrical moment, and the crowd-favorite “Pool Plunge,” where sailors pile into the pool as the party peaks. According to Virgin Voyages, the dress code is one word: red — and how much red you wear is entirely up to you.

It usually lands once per voyage, often on one of the final nights, but the exact evening shifts by itinerary. Your Sailor App and the printed “Ship’s Log” delivered to your cabin will confirm the date and start time once you’re onboard.

What to wear to Scarlet Night

• Go big: a red dress, red jumpsuit, red shorts-and-shirt combo, or a bold red statement piece.
• Keep it easy: a red scarf, red lipstick, a red flower, or a red tee counts — you don’t need a dedicated outfit.
• Plan to get wet: the Pool Plunge is part of the fun, so wear something you don’t mind splashing in or bring a quick change and a swimsuit underneath.
• Shoes: the pool deck gets wet — flat, non-slip shoes or sandals beat heels here.

Want the full walkthrough — timing, the Pool Plunge, and outfit ideas by budget? Read our dedicated Scarlet Night guide.

The PJ Party: pajamas and a dance floor

The PJ Party is Virgin Voyages’ other signature dress-up night — a late-night dance party where the “dress code” is your favorite pajamas. Expect a ’90s and 2000s soundtrack, a packed dance floor, and sailors in everything from cozy cotton sets and silky loungewear to character onesies and matching group PJs. It’s completely optional, and plenty of people watch in whatever they’re already wearing.

The PJ Party appears on most sailings and often falls earlier in the voyage than Scarlet Night, but — like everything on Virgin — the exact night varies. Check the Sailor App for the confirmed date.

What to wear to the PJ Party

• Comfy classic: a matching cotton pajama set you can actually dance in.
• Statement: a character onesie (think Rugrats, Pokémon, or a bold animal print) or ironic novelty PJs.
• Couples & groups: coordinated or matching pajamas photograph beautifully and are a crowd favorite.
• Keep it simple: a nightshirt, robe, and slippers work perfectly — no shopping trip required.

For a deeper dive into timing, outfit ideas, and first-night logistics, see our full Virgin Voyages PJ Party guide.

Are there other theme nights?

Beyond Scarlet Night and the PJ Party, Virgin Voyages is not a “theme cruise” line in the traditional sense — you won’t find a fixed rotation of white parties, decades nights, or costume galas on a standard sailing. What you will find is a rolling lineup of pop-up deck parties, DJ takeovers, and late-night sets that change by ship, itinerary, and the talent onboard. Special departures (holiday sailings, brand takeovers, or chartered “themed” voyages) can add their own dress-up moments, but those are the exception, not the rule.

The takeaway: pack for the two you can count on (red + pajamas), then let the rest be a pleasant surprise. If big production shows and nightlife are what you’re after, our entertainment and nightlife guide covers the Red Room shows, DJs, and late-night venues.

What to pack for Virgin Voyages theme nights

You can cover both signature nights with almost nothing extra in your suitcase:

• One red item (or a full red outfit if you love to commit) for Scarlet Night.
• A swimsuit you don’t mind wearing during the Pool Plunge, plus flat non-slip shoes.
• Pajamas you can dance in — a cute set or onesie doubles as sleepwear, so it earns its space.
• A small “quick change” plan if you’d rather not stay wet after the pool party.

That’s it — no formalwear, no garment bag, no dress shoes required. For the complete list, from adapters to the one item every first-timer forgets, use our Virgin Voyages packing list.

How to find out which theme nights are on your sailing

Once you board, the Sailor App is your single source of truth: it lists every event, party, and show with dates and times, and lets you add them to your personal schedule. The printed Ship’s Log in your cabin mirrors it. Before you sail, your Pixie Vacations First Mate can tell you what’s typical for your specific ship and route, and help you plan outfits so you’re not scrambling the night of. New to the line? Our first-time Virgin Voyages tips cover the Sailor App and 24 other things we wish we’d known.

Ready to book your Virgin Voyages cruise?

We’re Certified Virgin Voyages First Mates, and we’ll help you pick the right ship, itinerary, and cabin — and make sure you catch Scarlet Night and the PJ Party on your sailing — at no extra cost to you. Start your Virgin Voyages booking here, request a free quote, or call us at 678-815-1584. Same price as booking direct, with a real advisor in your corner.

Virgin Voyages theme nights: FAQ

How many theme nights are on a Virgin Voyages cruise?

Nearly every sailing has two signature dress-up theme nights: Scarlet Night (wear red) and the PJ Party (wear pajamas). Both are optional, and additional pop-up parties and DJ sets vary by ship and itinerary.

Does Virgin Voyages have a formal night?

No. Virgin Voyages has no formal night or elegant-night dinner requirement. Dining is casual every night, and the only dress-up occasions are the two optional theme parties.

What do you wear to Scarlet Night on Virgin Voyages?

Anything red — from a full red outfit to a single red accessory like a scarf, lipstick, or tee. Because the party includes a Pool Plunge, wear something you don’t mind getting wet and choose flat, non-slip shoes.

What is the PJ Party on Virgin Voyages?

It’s a late-night dance party with a ’90s and 2000s soundtrack where the dress code is pajamas — cotton sets, onesies, robes, or matching group PJs. It’s optional and appears on most sailings.

Do I have to participate in the theme nights?

Not at all. Nothing on Virgin Voyages is mandatory. You can dress up, wear one themed accessory, or simply enjoy the party in your everyday clothes.

How do I know which nights the theme parties fall on?

The Sailor App and the printed Ship’s Log confirm the exact dates and times once you’re onboard. Before you sail, your Pixie Vacations First Mate can tell you what’s typical for your ship and route.