Virgin Voyages is making a splash by becoming the first cruise line to offer a month-long pass for digital nomads and remote workers.
The luxury adults-only cruise line just announced its new Scarlet Summer Season Pass, which allows you to “work from helm” on the Scarlet Lady cruise ship as you sail through the Mediterranean, stopping in glamorous destinations like Cannes, Rome, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and more.
Sounds like a dream come true, right?
Here’s everything you need to know about the pass, including whether or not it’s actually worth it.
What Is The Scarlet Summer Season Pass?
Virgin Voyages is offering its first Scarlet Summer Season Pass from June through September this year.
This new cruise line, which just launched in 2021, has quickly grown in popularity because of its adults-only cruises and luxury all-inclusive vibe.
The month-long pass, which is the first of its kind, includes four back-to-back voyages on the Scarlet Lady, a high-end cruise ship that will be sailing through the Mediterranean all summer.
You’ll be able to enjoy a luxurious balcony cabin for two, and extra perks to make working from home on the cruise ship a breeze, such as a dedicated concierge, free laundry service, and most importantly, free high-speed WiFi to make sure you’re always connected.
Everything that regular cruisers get is also included — all meals and snacks at more than 20 eateries on the ship, as well as nightly entertainment.
How Much Does It Cost?
If you’re nodding your head and thinking this all sounds great but wondering what the catch is, let’s talk about the cost of the Scarlet Summer Season Pass.
Like most cruise fares, it’s priced based on double occupancy.
The total cost for two people is $9,990, or about $5,000 per person.
Obviously, spending a month working from a luxury cruise ship in the Mediterranean doesn’t come cheap!
But when you break down everything that’s included, it’s actually a decent value. Not only are you getting a month of accommodation, you’re getting all food and non-alcoholic drinks covered too. Not to mention, you’re getting transportation between all the Mediterranean destinations you’ll visit in a month.
It’s also a savings of about 30% compared to booking four week-long cruises individually.
Pros And Cons
As a digital nomad myself and someone who enjoys cruises, this pass definitely sounds intriguing.
One of the biggest pros of the Scarlet Summer Season Pass is the convenience. You don’t have to worry about any travel logistics and you have every amenity you could need onboard.
But there are a couple of drawbacks to this.
For one, it’s not ideal for solo travelers. Like most cruise fares, the pass is priced based on double occupancy, so if you were a solo traveler wanting a cabin to yourself, you’d have to pay the full $9,990.
You also lose out on some flexibility. You can’t choose when to visit destinations, or how long to stay in each place. That’s dictated by the cruise schedule.
More Affordable Alternatives
If $5,000 per person seems steep to you for one month at sea, let’s talk about alternatives.
There are actually plenty of destinations in the Mediterranean where you can spend a month living and working remotely this summer for much less than $5,000.
This is a great alternative to consider if the digital nomad cruise is out of your price range or just doesn’t appeal to you.
Mediterranean Digital Nomad Destinations
So what are some of the best places to work remotely as a digital nomad this summer?
All of these destinations are great for digital nomads and are sunny Mediterranean hotspots where you can enjoy hitting the beach or exploring your surroundings in your free time.
Spain is one of the top European countries for digital nomads, with Mediterranean cities like Valencia, Barcelona, and Palma de Mallorca being great options for a home base.
Another option is Malta. This compact Mediterranean island is a great place to stay for a month and work remotely, using your free time to explore the ancient city of Valletta, go scuba diving, or check out some of the most stunning beaches in Europe.
And although it’s not located on the Mediterranean (it’s on the Adriatic), Albania is perhaps the best destination in Europe for digital nomads.
With shockingly gorgeous beaches, lively cities, stunning natural beauty, some of the cheapest prices in Europe, and the ability for stay for up to 365 days without a visa, Albania is the ultimate affordable destination for digital nomads.
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