CRUISES · VIRGIN VOYAGES
What surprised me about
Virgin Voyages
Two sailings down and a third already booked. Here's what keeps bringing us back.
THE FIRST SAILING
They had me at embarkation
We weren't new to cruising when we tried Virgin. We'd already sailed Disney, Princess and Norwegian, so we knew the traditional cruise experience pretty well.
Virgin promised something different, and that was exactly why we wanted to try it.
Our first sailing was on Scarlet Lady out of Miami. We had priority boarding, check-in was incredibly easy and our XL Sea Terrace was ready as soon as we boarded.
No wandering around with carry-ons waiting for the cabin to open. We got onboard and our vacation started.
We spent way too much time in that hammock.
THE FOOD
The food might be my favorite part.
Virgin doesn't have a traditional buffet or main dining rooms, and I don't miss either one.
The Galley is their alternative to the buffet, with everything from breakfast to sushi bento boxes available throughout the day. We ate breakfast there every morning, usually outside at the aft of the ship overlooking the wake.
Dinner is where Virgin really stands out. Instead of traditional main dining rooms, Virgin's restaurants feel more like specialty dining, and they're included. Pink Agave and Test Kitchen are our favorites. Pink Agave is Mexican-inspired and made for ordering a table full of small plates.
Test Kitchen is something completely different. Your menu is essentially a list of ingredients, with each course built around one of them. It's dinner, but it's also an experience.
If you're strictly a meat-and-potatoes diner, Virgin's food may be one of the reasons it isn't the right cruise for you.
EATING GLUTEN-FREE
Eating gluten-free has also been remarkably easy. Options are clearly identified, and I've been able to get gluten-free bread at every restaurnt and bagels at The Galley.
Gluten-free bagels on a cruise ship still make me happy.
THE ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
It feels different without kids.
The ship feels more relaxed without kids. There's less yelling, less chaos and you don't automatically look around every time someone yells “Mom!”
But adults-only doesn't mean booze cruise.
We've watched high-energy shows and comedy, listened to live music, taken an art tour, played bingo and spent lazy afternoons at The Dock. The entertainment is designed for adults and less traditional than you'll find on many cruise lines. More conservative travelers may find some of it a little risqué. We didn't.
And while the pool can get busy, we're much happier reading on our balcony than fighting for a lounger anyway.
Don't even get me started on boiling myself in a hot tub with a bunch of strangers.
OUR SECOND SAILING
Then we tried Rockstar.
We enjoyed our first sailing enough that we bought our next Virgin voyage before we got off the ship.
For cruise number two, we booked a Brilliant Suite at the RockStar level.
We're probably spoiled now.
We loved the in-room bar, early dining access, priority boarding and Richard's Rooftop. But what I remember most is our RockStar Agent, Anum, having ginger ale delivered when I wasn't feeling well on a particularly rough sea day, then checking on me throughout the day. We're not “butler” people. We don't need much. But having someone there when we did need something made a difference.
She also managed to get us special behind-the-scenes access to Scarlet Night, which turned an already fun night into one of our favorite cruise memories.
MY TAKE
Is Virgin Voyages right for you?
Virgin isn't for everyone, and that's part of why I like it.
I'd recommend it to travelers who want to try something different, appreciate an upscale but unpretentious experience, enjoy good food and cocktails, and would happily vacation without other people's kids.
I'd steer traditional cruisers, families with children and particularly unadventurous eaters elsewhere.
For my husband and me, it fits our vibe.
We're open to new adventures. We want an elevated experience without formality. And good food and cocktails are non-negotiable.
We've sailed Virgin twice.
Our third sailing is already booked for February, this time in Mega RockStar.
Apparently twice wasn't enough.