Virgin Voyages Tattoo: The Squid Ink Studio Guide (2026)

Last updated: September 2026 · By the Pixie Vacations cruise team — Virgin Voyages First Mates who have sailed the Lady Ships and walked through Squid Ink firsthand.

Yes, you can get a real tattoo on Virgin Voyages. Squid Ink is the cruise industry’s first-ever tattoo studio at sea, found on Deck 6 of every Lady Ship. Walk-in consultations are free, permanent tattoos start around a $250 minimum (with a $200 deposit to book), and appointments open only after the ship leaves port. Here is exactly how it works.

What is Squid Ink on Virgin Voyages?

Squid Ink is a fully licensed tattoo and piercing studio built right into the ship. When Virgin Voyages debuted it on Scarlet Lady in 2021, it became the first permanent tattoo parlor to sail on a cruise ship — and it has been one of the most talked-about venues onboard ever since. Frank Weber, Virgin Voyages’ Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, has called Squid Ink “his baby,” and the idea came from a simple observation: Sailors were already getting tattoos to commemorate their voyages once they got home, so why not let them do it at sea?

The studio is small, stylish, and genuinely part of the ship’s design — the same creative energy you feel across a Virgin Voyages ship shows up here, from the flash art on the walls to the artwork commissioned from artists like Alexis Diaz. The tattoo artists themselves come through World Famous Ink, a respected industry name, and rotate through short-term contracts. They are not cruise-ship hobbyists; they are working professionals with years of experience.

Because every Lady Ship is adults-only (18+), everyone in the chair is an adult by definition — no parental-consent complications, no minors. It is one more reason Squid Ink fits the grown-up, festival-at-sea vibe of the line.

Which Virgin Voyages ships have a tattoo studio?

All four of Virgin Voyages’ ships have a Squid Ink studio, and on each one you will find it on Deck 6.

Ship	Squid Ink onboard?	Location
Scarlet Lady	Yes — where it all debuted in 2021	Deck 6
Valiant Lady	Yes	Deck 6
Resilient Lady	Yes	Deck 6
Brilliant Lady	Yes	Deck 6

If you are still deciding between the ships, our Scarlet Lady guide and the rest of our ship guides break down what is different on each — but for Squid Ink specifically, you are covered on any of them.

How much does a tattoo cost on Virgin Voyages?

Expect a studio minimum of about $250, even for a tiny design, according to Cruise Critic’s firsthand reporting from onboard. That is on the high side for a small piece, but you are paying for the bragging rights of ink you got in the middle of the ocean. Color work and custom designs add both time and cost, and larger pieces climb quickly from there. As of 2026, Sailors also report a $200 deposit is collected when you book your appointment, which is applied toward your final price.

Here is a realistic range based on what Sailors actually get done onboard. Your exact price is always quoted at your in-person consultation:

Type of tattoo	Rough time in the chair	Ballpark price
Micro / fine-line (small symbol, finger, initials)	15–45 min	From ~$250 (studio minimum)
Small flash design (anchor, wave, tiny script)	30–60 min	~$250–$400
Medium custom or color piece	1–3 hours	~$400–$800+
Large or back piece	Several hours	$800+ (may need more than one session)

Prices are ballpark figures gathered from Sailor reports, not a published rate card — treat the consultation quote as the real number. A tip for your artist is customary, just as it would be on land. If you have onboard credit to spend, our Sailor Loot guide explains how it works and whether it can help offset the cost.

How do you book a tattoo at Squid Ink?

This is the single most important thing to understand, because Squid Ink appointments are one of the most in-demand experiences on the whole ship. You cannot book before you sail. For most Sailors, appointments open only once the ship pulls away from the embarkation port. On a typical sailing the studio’s sign-up opens around 7 p.m. on the first evening, and the line starts forming before the doors even open.

Here is the routine we recommend:

1. Do your homework before you board. Bring a reference image and know roughly where you want the tattoo. First-timers who show up undecided lose valuable time; Squid Ink has inspiration books, but coming in with a plan makes everything faster.
2. Get to sign-ups early on embarkation evening. Treat it like a reservation you actually care about — arrive before the doors open.
3. Book your consultation and pay the deposit. You will meet the artist, talk through the design, size and placement, and lock in your appointment time.
4. Be flexible on the day. As one Squid Ink artist put it, “you’ve got to be in it to win it.” If your first-choice slot is gone, take what you can get.

One warning worth its own line: last-day appointments go fast. On one sailing, Cruise Critic reported the final-day slots were gone within 33 minutes of sign-ups opening. There is a good reason those are so popular (more on that in aftercare below) — so if a last-day tattoo is your dream, be first in line.

RockStar perk: If you are in a RockStar or Mega RockStar suite, you get to consult with an artist in advance — a real advantage when appointments are this competitive. It is one of the quieter perks of booking up, and exactly the kind of detail we flag for our RockStar clients before they sail.

What should you know about aftercare at sea?

A tattoo is a healing wound, and healing it on a cruise takes some planning. Squid Ink’s aftercare instructions ask you to avoid direct sunlight for about two weeks and to stay out of pools, hot tubs, the spa’s thermal areas, baths, and salt water while it heals. On a warm-weather sailing, that essentially means trading pool-deck and beach time for indoor time for the rest of the trip.

You will also need to apply a healing ointment (Aquaphor is the usual recommendation) every few hours. If you did not pack any, you can buy it right at Squid Ink. This is exactly why the last day is the most-requested appointment — get inked as you are packing up, and you protect the fresh tattoo on the flight home instead of skipping the pool for days.

A few more real-world notes from the studio: consultations are required, so there is no stumbling in from the bar and making a permanent decision you regret (“don’t drink and ink” is the house rule). And the ship’s motion is not the problem people assume it is — experienced artists handle it fine. As one put it, clients “jump around in the chairs anyway” on land.

Not ready for a tattoo? Squid Ink does piercings too

If a permanent tattoo feels like too big a leap, Squid Ink also does body piercings. They cost less than tattoos, take far less time, and — unlike tattoos — you can usually walk in when the mood strikes rather than scrambling for an appointment. It is a nice middle-ground souvenir, and a popular one for travelers who want to mark the trip without committing to ink.

Either way, a Squid Ink visit is one of those uniquely Virgin experiences you simply cannot get on another cruise line — the kind of story that lands on our list of the best things to do on Virgin Voyages. In true Griswold fashion, we happen to think the best souvenirs are the ones that do not take up suitcase space.

Ready to plan your Virgin Voyages cruise?

Squid Ink is one small reason Virgin Voyages has become our favorite adults-only line to book — it is playful, well-run, and unlike anything else at sea. As Sandals-and-cruise specialists who have actually sailed the Lady Ships, we help our travelers pick the right ship, cabin, and sailing, and we handle the booking for you at no extra cost (with the same fares you would find on your own, plus our help).

👉 Browse Virgin Voyages cruises and book with Pixie Vacations — compare live sailings and lock in current promos.

Prefer to talk it through first? Request a free quote or reach our team here, or call 678-815-1584. We will help you plan the whole trip — Squid Ink appointment strategy included.

Virgin Voyages tattoo FAQ

Can you get a tattoo on Virgin Voyages?

Yes. Virgin Voyages has a permanent onboard tattoo studio called Squid Ink on Deck 6 of all four ships (Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady). It was the first tattoo parlor at sea when it debuted on Scarlet Lady in 2021, and it offers both tattoos and piercings from professional artists.

How much does a tattoo cost on Virgin Voyages?

Plan on a studio minimum of around $250, even for a small design, with color and custom work costing more. Sailors also report a $200 deposit collected when you book, which applies to your final total. Your exact price is quoted at your in-person consultation, since it depends on size, detail, color, and placement.

Who are the tattoo artists at Squid Ink?

The artists come through World Famous Ink and rotate through short-term contracts aboard the ships. They are experienced, licensed professionals — not casual cruise staff — and each design starts with a consultation so you and the artist agree on the piece before any needle touches skin.

Do you need an appointment, or can you walk in?

Tattoos require an appointment and a consultation, and you cannot book until the ship leaves the embarkation port — sign-ups typically open around 7 p.m. on the first night. Piercings are more flexible and often available as walk-ins. If a tattoo is a must-do, get to sign-ups early.

Can you get a tattoo on the last day of the cruise?

You can, and it is the most requested slot — on one sailing, last-day appointments sold out within 33 minutes of opening. It is popular because fresh ink must stay out of the sun, pools, and salt water for about two weeks, so getting tattooed on your final day means you are not missing pool or beach time earlier in the trip.

Is it safe to get a tattoo on a moving ship?

Squid Ink is a licensed studio staffed by experienced artists, and the ship’s motion is not the obstacle most people expect — the pros handle it routinely. As with any tattoo, follow the aftercare instructions (ointment every few hours, no sun or water for about two weeks) to heal cleanly.

Which Virgin Voyages ship has the best tattoo studio?

They are equivalent — every Lady Ship carries the same Squid Ink concept on Deck 6, so you are not choosing a ship for the studio. Pick your ship based on itinerary and vibe instead, and count on Squid Ink being there whichever one you sail.