What better way to spend a romantic getaway than on a cruise? Tropical heat, fresh experiences, and even fresher ink are all great ways to keep the spark alive. But as any tattoo artist will tell you, sometimes things fade… including feelings. We surveyed some of the best artists at sea with one mission: learning how inking your new partner’s name looks from the other end of the needle. So, say hello to Cally-Jo, Nikita Rose, Ilaria Vigliercio, and Tom Johnson from Squid Ink Studio on Virgin Voyages. They’re here to give you the inside scoop.

Squid Ink was lucky enough to welcome renowned artist Cally-Jo onboard for a residency. Her impeccable fine-line style and intricate detail are easy to fall in love with. Moreover, her stories from the sea might even make you believe in soulmates again. When asked about her favorite love-themed tattoos, the Lover’s Eye was the first to come to mind for Cally-Jo.

This realistic eye set in a frame of pearls is designed in the style of Edwardian miniature paintings. While this is a period-piece love note with classic style, not all tattoos dedicated to love are this well-planned. When asked about client coverup stories, Cally-Jo said, “I once tattooed the name of my friend’s girlfriend on his chest as he was proposing later that night… she said no because she was planning on leaving him!! They broke up, and I later tattooed a big red ‘void’ stamp over the same tattoo.”

Renowned for vibrant colors and fine-line designs, Nikita Rose was quite the catch for a stint in the Squid Ink studio. A whimsical style and unique use of color make Nikita’s work pop, and the inks from World Famous like Einstein Blue and Acropolis Orange are a mainstay on her tray. Nikita brought us an incredible story of love, dedication, and loss. It’s a story so good, we’ll let her tell it.
 
Nikita wrote, “Debbie met her husband Chris when she was selling cars for Honda, he bought a car from her and really liked her but was too nervous to ask her on a date. The following year, Chris went back and bought another car, but this time, he plucked up the courage and asked her out! They came to learn that they had much in common, they both had very difficult pasts and had been on their own for years. Three months after their first date, Chris took Debbie to a jewelry store to collect a bracelet he was getting her for Christmas.
 
When they arrived, the jeweler opened the box to show her, and inside was a vintage engagement ring instead. They were married 18 months later, bought a beautiful house together, and had two whippets. Debbie and Chris were best friends, partners in crime, and in Debbie’s own words, ‘life was perfect.’ In April 2023, sadly, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Chris was her rock through it all and was there for every treatment and operation. Two days after Debbie’s treatment was over, Chris died suddenly of a heart attack. A year later, Debbie came to me to get a tattoo to represent her love story with Chris and her survival of breast cancer. It was truly an honor to tattoo her and hear her story, and she gave me permission to share it with others as well.” 

Every good love story needs a good playlist, right? So, what better place for a couple to meet than in a record store? Another wonderful Squid Ink artist, Ilaria Vigliercio, helped her clients do just that. She favors the World Famous Five-Stage Shading Set for her neotraditional and fine-line style.
   
But back to the soundtrack. Two clients fell in love at a record store during a jazz night . They revisited the record store on their anniversary, underscoring vinyl’s special place in their hearts. When they decided to commemorate their meet-cute, they stopped into the studio to see Ilaria. Learning about their love for vinyl, she knew just what to do.

 The couple revisited the record store on their anniversary, underscoring vinyl’s special place in their hearts. After finding out what their favorite record was, Ilaria made it permanent with a matching record on both clients.

Tom Johnson is a multi-award-winning color realism artist and another exceptional member of the Squid Ink crew. His amazing portrait work and use of color are mesmerizing. To make it happen, he loves the World Famous Rancid Batter ink color for its versatility and opacity. Not only does his work evoke strong emotions around the world, but the stories of love and loss he submitted will too. If these tales don’t restore your faith in love, we don’t know what will.
 
Tom’s reported favorite loved-themed tattoo incorporated a Playboy Bunny, but not how you may think. From Tom, “I had a customer who was 90 years old and had always wanted a Playboy bunny on her buttock as her husband nicknamed her Bunny. Sadly, he passed away after being together for 70 years, so she wanted to remember him with a small tribute. She decided to put it on her buttock as she said he was a complete pain in the ass!”

 If this playful commemoration didn’t move you, maybe his real-life rom-com meet-cute will. Tom booked a day session for one of his clients. He didn’t expect them to hit it off with his coworker’s client (who was also there for a day session.) But they did! After chatting and bantering throughout the session, the two lovebirds planned a date for after the appointment. They’ve been together for two years since. How’s that for “meant to be?”

It seems like every tattoo artist has a horror story coverup. But on the other side of every coin, there’s always the sweet 90-year-old woman who wants a Playboy Bunny on her buttocks. Well, maybe not every other side of the coin… but the point remains—tattoos are a wonderful way to celebrate love and move on from heartbreak.
   
Check out Squid Ink on your next voyage with Virgin to make your own memories. You’ll see firsthand how World Famous tattoo supplies help your favorite artists create the masterpieces you love!