Lucky Lotus: A Virgin Voyages Dining Experience

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on 2026-07-29 by Linda

One of the things I love most about sailing with Virgin Voyages is that every restaurant has its own personality, and Lucky Lotus is no exception. Tucked inside Razzle Dazzle in the evenings, Lucky Lotus transforms the bright daytime restaurant into a vibrant Asian-inspired dining experience complete with glowing red lighting, contemporary décor, and a menu designed for sharing.

The atmosphere immediately sets the mood. The rich red accents and sleek black finishes create a modern yet intimate setting that feels perfect for lingering over several small plates while sampling flavours from across Asia.

view of the locky lotus restuarant from the front

Starting the Evening

The first dish to arrive was one of my favourites of the night—crispy pork bao buns.

Pork Bao Buns on virgin voyages

Soft pillowy steamed buns were filled with tender pork belly, crisp cucumber, and fresh apple, creating a wonderful balance of sweet, savoury, and refreshing flavours. They disappeared quickly and were the perfect way to start our meal.

Honey Sriracha Sticky Ribs – Tender ribs glazed with a sweet and spicy sauce

rib dish in the Lucky Lotus


With its perfectly crisp golden base and soft, delicate wrapper, the pan-roasted dumpling was a delicious way to start the meal. Filled with a savoury, juicy mixture and paired with a light dipping sauce, it showcased how Lucky Lotus elevates a classic comfort food into something special.

If you’re visiting Lucky Lotus, I’d happily recommend ordering both of these starters.

Comfort in a Bowl

One of the standout dishes was the spicy noodle soup.

soup on the Lucky Lotus

Served in an oversized crimson bowl, the broth was deeply aromatic with layers of spice, fresh herbs, peanuts, scallions, and minced pork. Every spoonful seemed to offer another texture or flavour. It was warming, satisfying, and exactly the type of dish you crave after a day exploring port.

A Classic Done Well

No Asian-inspired dinner feels complete without fried rice, and Lucky Lotus certainly delivered.

The house fried rice was light rather than greasy, filled with vegetables, egg, scallions, and just enough chilli to provide a gentle kick. The crispy rice topping added a wonderful crunch that elevated what could have been a simple side into a dish worth ordering on its own.

Rich, Fragrant Entrées

Our main course featured beautifully braised chicken served in a fragrant broth infused with basil and fresh chillies.

The chicken was incredibly tender, practically falling off the bone, while the broth offered a comforting combination of savoury richness and aromatic herbs. Served alongside the fried rice, it made for a satisfying main course without feeling overly heavy.

Saving Room for Dessert

Virgin Voyages rarely disappoints when it comes to dessert, and Lucky Lotus continued that tradition.

The Portuguese-style egg tart was everything you’d hope for—crispy flaky pastry surrounding a silky smooth custard with perfectly caramelized spots on top. Warm, creamy, and just sweet enough, it was an easy favourite.

egg tart served at the Lucky Lotus

Alongside it, the crispy fried pastry with vanilla dipping sauce offered a lighter ending. Dusted with icing sugar and served with fresh raspberries, the warm pastry paired beautifully with the creamy vanilla sauce.

lucky lotus and the vanilla dessert

Between the two, I’d be hard pressed to choose a favourite—but if I absolutely had to, the egg tart would win by a very small margin.

The Overall Experience

Lucky Lotus offers something a little different from the other restaurants aboard Scarlet Lady. Instead of focusing on one particular cuisine, it celebrates a variety of Asian-inspired flavours in a relaxed sharing format that encourages ordering several dishes for the table.

Everything we sampled was beautifully presented, portions were generous for cruise dining, and the flavours felt fresh, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared.

The atmosphere added just as much to the experience as the food. The dramatic lighting, stylish décor, and attentive service made it feel like dining in a trendy city restaurant rather than onboard a cruise ship.

Would I eat here again? Absolutely.

If you’re sailing aboard Scarlet Lady, Lucky Lotus deserves a place on your dining list. Whether you’re a fan of bao buns, comforting noodle bowls, flavourful curries, or simply love trying something new, this hidden evening transformation of Razzle Dazzle is well worth reserving.

“What We Ordered at Lucky Lotus”

  • Pork Bao Buns
  • Crispy Spring Roll
  • Pan-Roasted Dumpling
  • Spicy Pork Noodle Soup
  • House Fried Rice
  • Braised Chicken with Basil
  • Portuguese Egg Tart
  • Crispy Fried Pastry with Vanilla Sauce

More Virgin Voyages Inspiration

If you’re planning your own Virgin Voyages adventure, be sure to explore my growing collection of guides, reviews, and tips. From honest restaurant reviews like The Wake to ship tours, cabin insights, stylish evenings onboard, port guides, and packing inspiration, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help you make the most of your voyage. Whether it’s your first sailing or you’re already hooked on Virgin’s adults-only experience, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire your next cruise.

You may also enjoy:

More Virgin Voyages Inspiration

If you’re planning your own Virgin Voyages adventure, be sure to explore my growing collection of guides, reviews, and tips. From honest restaurant reviews like The Wake to ship tours, cabin insights, stylish evenings onboard, port guides, and packing inspiration, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned to help you make the most of your voyage. Whether it’s your first sailing or you’re already hooked on Virgin’s adults-only experience, you’ll find plenty of ideas to inspire your next cruise.

Be sure to bookmark this page, as I’ll continue adding new Virgin Voyages reviews, travel tips, dining experiences, and destination guides after each sailing. My goal is to create one of the most comprehensive Virgin Voyages resources for travelers looking for honest advice, beautiful inspiration and practical tips.

Thanks so much for stopping by A Labour of Life! If you enjoyed this post, I’d love it if you shared it or followed along on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest or Facebook. Every like, comment and share helps more women over 50 discover this little corner of the internet—and hopefully find a little inspiration to travel more, embrace their personal style and find joy in every journey.

And if you don’t want to miss what’s coming next, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Never Miss a Post delivers my latest posts straight to your inbox, along with the occasional tip, idea or behind-the-scenes tidbit I haven’t shared anywhere else.

Thanks for being here, for reading and for supporting A Labour of Life. It truly means more than you know.

Keep Up with Linda and A Labour of Life

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.