A year of planning, a milestone birthday, and a Virgin Voyages tattoo parlor led to one very permanent souvenir. As the only major cruise line with a permanent, onboard tattoo studio, Virgin Voyages made it surprisingly easy to book an appointment during my recent cruise.
For some people, getting a tattoo is something of a rite of passage. For others it’s a form of permanent, wearable art. And for still others, each tattoo represents something – something important to the person, be it their hobby, loved ones, etc.
Getting a tattoo is discouraged (and sometimes interpreted as forbidden) in certain faiths and communities, including Judaism, Hinduism, Mormonism, and Islam. And some Christians take Leviticus 19:28 pretty seriously, when the Bible states, “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord.” (and yes, I know – some people interpret that differently, only go by the New Testament, etc.). Still others never get a tattoo simply because (A) they’re just not interested or (B) they’re concerned about the pain.
I was in both of the latter two groups for pretty much my entire adult life and had no tattoos. But I have a “significant” birthday (it ends in a “0”) coming up, and I figured I could either be really upset about that, or I could do something to REALLY celebrate it.
I decided to celebrate it. And what better way than to commemorate turning ## than to get a piece of artwork – something important to me – that I could enjoy for the rest of my life?
This wasn’t a simple decision, mind you. It was nearly a full year in the making. Did I REALLY want to do this? How badly did it hurt? And if I was going to get this art somewhere on my body that would be with me for the rest of my life, what did I want it to BE?
I eventually figured that all out.
- Thanks to their various resurgences over the decades, I had loved the 1960s era musical group The Monkees for nearly my entire life, and I wanted a tattoo of their logo on my inner forearm.
- I wanted to get the tattoo done on Virgin Voyages cruise ship (just because I COULD).
- I knew who I wanted to do it: Piero Tattwin, an artist who specializes in tattoos that looked like embroidered patches.
Squid Ink: Virgin Voyages’ tattoo shop
Virgin Voyages has always prided itself as being different. They don’t allow guests under age 18. They don’t have any buffets, instead offering six different sit-down restaurants, quick service style food court, and a handful of snack places (think candy, ice cream, pizza, etc.). They don’t have drink packages, instead offering something they call Bar Tab, which is an onboard spending account you set up for yourself. Most balconies have a hammock. And they were the first (and are still the only) cruise line to have a tattoo parlor, called Squid Ink, on board each of their 4 ships.
From Virgin Voyages:
At Virgin Voyages, we believe embarking on a journey through the modern romance of sailing would not be complete without the opportunity for a permanent way to commemorate your voyage. That’s why we’re partnering with one of NYC’s most historic tattoo brands, World Famous Tattoo Ink, and their owner Lou Rubino Jr., son of the late great Tattoo Lou Rubino of Long Island. The result of more than 50 years of tattooing experience passed down directly from father to son; World Famous Tattoo Ink is helping steer the world of tattooing into the future while blessing us with some brilliant ink along the way.
The pre-tattoo process
Here’s how booking, pricing, timing, and artist selection actually worked onboard — and what surprised me most.
The Squid Ink shop typically opens at 7pm on embarkation day, and during my cruise, people started lining up about 20-30 minutes before that. Some are very happy to choose from the shop’s flash sheet (a collection of pre-drawn, pre-priced small designs that are ready to be tattooed), while others have something more custom in mind.
I was in the latter group – I knew I wanted the Monkees’ logo, and in what style I wanted it, because Piero had posted on his social media that he was going to be on Scarlet Lady throughout a good portion of January, which was when my sailing was (we were sailing Jan. 21-25). He included examples of his work, including the “embroidered” style, which is how I finalized what I wanted.
Screenshot
I subsequently reached out to Piero on Instagram to ensure he’d be OK doing the work I was asking for. He said yes, so except for actually making the appointment or discussing the price, I was all ready to go.
I met Piero on embarkation day, and he remembered our conversation. We talked a bit about the design, he gave me a price quote, I agreed to it, and we set up an appointment – January 24th, the last day of the cruise, at 8pm.
Our initial time together was also used for me to fill out their (electronic – on a tablet) paperwork (my basic info, contact person, “I promise not to sue if something happens” signature, etc.), as well as pay a 50% deposit.
Piero asked if I had any question and I did want to know about how long the tattoo would take – he said mine [several colors, about 3″ long x 2″ at its widest point] would take “a couple of hours. 2 or 3, at the max.”
He suggested I not drink alcohol the day before getting the tattoo, nor the day of (I had read it could increase bleeding), but because my appointment time was so late in the day, I could have coffee on the morning of the 24th (I told him that was a smart move – he didn’t want to see what I would’ve been like without coffee in my system all day! Anyway, coffee may also increase your chances of bleeding).
All in all, surprisingly quick and easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Getting the tattoo
After I had finally decided I was definitely, positively going to get a tattoo (remember, this had been a year of contemplating [some may say overthinking] it), I was excited about the process. That feeling continued until the day of my appointment, and then I was more nervous than excited. Not nervous enough to chicken out, but still, apprehension had overcome the excitement.
Once I arrived for my appointment, everything about actually getting the tattoo was probably the same as anyone else who has ever gotten a custom, color tattoo – except that I was getting it done on a cruise ship.
I arrived about 10 minutes before my appointment time, and Piero was finishing up on his appointment before mine. They ended a couple of minutes late, and he invited me into the work area around 8:05pm or so. Piero apologized for the delay, which was very nice and professional.
We went over the design one more time, including my choice of colors for the piece. I then signed off on one more piece of electronic paperwork and we were ready to go.
Piero set up everything he was going to need – the half dozen or more different ink colors, several different pens, lots of paper towels for…I didn’t know what (I later discovered it was to sop up the excess ink as he worked), etc.
After that, he put the stenciled outline of the art onto my forearm. Once we agreed to exactly where on my arm it would go, he transferred the stencil to my arm.
And then the fun started.
Piero didn’t work in silence; we went back and forth between talking about ourselves (I now know his entire work history before becoming a tattoo artist LOL), and his joking around with the other 2 artists-in-residence (Haley and Mike). In 20/20 hindsight, besides removing the awkwardness of two people sitting next to each other for a few hours and not saying anything, it was a good way to distract me from when the tattooing was hurting more.
Anyway, the entire process took about 2-3/4 hours, with one quick bathroom break for both of us. And at the end, I had one kick ass tattoo of what I’ve always thought was a kick ass musical group (and nope, I don’t care what you think of them).
Aftercare
Aftercare was straightforward and exactly what you’d expect from a professional tattoo studio — no surprises, just solid instructions and good communication.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Did it hurt?
A little, yes — but not nearly as much as I’d built it up in my head.
Pain levels depend on your personal tolerance and where the tattoo is placed. Inner forearm tattoos are generally considered moderate on the pain scale (often rated around a 4 or 5 out of 10), which matched my experience. It was uncomfortable at times, especially closer to the inner arm, but completely manageable.
What happens if the ship is rocking during the tattoo?
I wondered about this too — so I asked.
According to Piero, normal ship movement isn’t an issue. When the ship rocks, everyone on board is moving at the same rate, so it doesn’t affect the tattooing process. Only in cases of very rough seas — when it’s difficult to sit or stand steadily — would appointments be delayed or rescheduled.
How long did the tattoo take?
Just under three hours.
My tattoo measured roughly 3 inches long by about 2 inches at its widest point, and included multiple colors and all that “stitching” to make. There was one quick break in the middle, but otherwise the session ran straight through.
How much did the tattoo cost?
The total cost was $900.
Yes, that’s more than I would have paid for a similarly sized tattoo at a land-based studio. Pricing onboard reflects cruise-ship economics — limited availability, premium pricing similar to onboard spa services, and the fact that Virgin Voyages is currently the only major cruise line with a permanent tattoo parlor.
For me, the experience and the story were part of the value.
Would it be cheaper to get the same tattoo on land?
Yes.
A similar tattoo from the same artist or in the same style would typically cost less at a land-based studio. What you’re paying extra for onboard is the convenience, the setting, and the novelty of getting a tattoo at sea.
What was the aftercare like?
The same as any professional tattoo.
Piero applied a layer of Saniderm and advised keeping it on for about a week. After that, aftercare consisted of both gently washing the area and applying lotion a few times a day. Once healed, sunscreen is recommended to help preserve the colors over time.
In conclusion
All told, I love my tattoo and it’s the most perfect ## birthday gift I ever could have bought for myself. Getting it done on a cruise ship was a cool experience and just adds to the story. I’m pretty sure my tattoo is a “one and done,” and I won’t be getting any more. But IF I did, I’d do it the exact same way in a heartbeat. For me, it was less about the tattoo itself and more about the experience of choosing it, planning it, and doing something memorable to mark the moment.
Want the same artist?
My tattoo was done by Piero Tattwin, an artist known for tattoos that look like embroidered patches. His style was exactly what I was looking for, and I couldn’t have been happier with the result.
At the time of my sailing, Piero told me he’ll next be onboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady from March 7–28.
If you want to see more of his work or reach out ahead of time, you can find him on Instagram at @pierotattwin.
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