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I used to be a not-cruise-person, too. Especially after our first cruise on a budget boat. The boring food, the weirdly formal dining hall, the bizarro-land of the casinos and shopping halls on board, the kids being kids.
But it’s like Virgin Voyages found a list of all the objectionable aspects of going on a cruise, and fixed every single one of them.
I’m still not sure that I’m a cruise person, but I am definitely a Virgin Voyages person. Here’s why:
The ship is chic
The Virgin ships feel like a cool, boutique hotel. They’re clean, up-to-date, and genuinely fun to be on. Everywhere you look, there’s a cool nook or cranny to explore. The free arcade next to the milkshake bar is one of our favorites. Cruisers can enjoy classics like shuffleboard and air hockey, or bale into a booth and play some board games with their crew.
On deck, there are tons of spots to kick back and enjoy a drink and a book. With a pool, restaurants, and hot tubs spread around, it never felt crowded or cramped. Of course, the staff is full of energy, constantly facilitating dance-offs, scavenger hunts, trivia games, and more.
The rooms are splendid. It’s designed with fun in mind. They offer plenty of room to move around in and relax. I usually don’t care about technology, but Virgin does it perfectly. Each room comes with an intuitive tablet that lets you set the mood however you want – lights, music, tv, and more. The Virgin app is easy to use and so helpful in seeing what excursions, shows, and dining options are available.
You can even shake your phone, and wherever you are on the ship, they’ll bring you a bottle of champagne.
Virgin Voyages does food right
On a typical cruise, you’re stuck with the cafeteria-style food during the day and the fixed menu dining at night — at a fixed time.
Virgin ships boast dozens of unique, individual restaurants serving everything from classic craft pizza to Korean barbecue to Mediterranean tapas. Over the three Virgin Voyages we’ve been on, we’ve tried all of them and they were each fantastic. While most of the sit-down dinners are only open in the evening, several restaurants serve throughout the day. That’s in addition to a food court whose made-to-order food ranks far higher than the average cruise fare.
You can eat whatever time you want to eat, with whoever you want to eat with. The Virgin Voyages app makes it super easy to make reservations and build your dinner party.
Virgin Voyages knows their audience
Virgin Voyages has an energetic, fun-night-out vibe. My husband is a hiking pants-and-t-shirt person, but even he had fun getting a little dressed up every night for dinner or to attend the ship’s Scarlet Night event.
The activities and shows on the ship all feel geared toward this strike zone. We loved the Duel Reality acrobatic show, and the staff-led activities have been fun. If you want a fresh shave or even a tattoo, you can get that onboard.
The size of the sailings is perfect — around 2,500 sailors compared to the 4,000 you’d find on a Carnival cruise. Sailings are adults only, which cuts down on a lot of the chaos and maintains the vibe.
Everything's included
Unlike normal cruises, where it’s easy to get nickel-and-dimed, almost everything’s included in the sticker price for a Virgin Voyages cruise.
Your cabin
All food – as many entrees and apps as you want
Basic beverages like still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas, and drip coffee
WiFi for two devices per sailor
Gratuities for wait staff
Shows and entertainment onboard
Group fitness classes
Shore excursions cost extra, as does a bar tab. However, the bar tab is shareable, and if you pre-purchase your bar tab, they throw in a bonus.
Make Your Virgin Voyages Cruise Even Better
Booking a Virgin Voyages cruise on your own is great—but booking through a travel advisor (like me!) makes it even better. You’ll get the same price, plus extra perks at no cost, like early boarding, onboard credits, and priority access to the best restaurants, shows, and excursions.
I’ll help you navigate all the options, share insider tips, and make sure your trip is seamless and stress-free. And the best part? There’s no extra cost—just extra benefits.
If you’re setting sail, why not make the most of it?
Let's set sail
For the most part, we rarely repeat trips or destinations. So it says something that we’re about to go on our fourth Virgin cruise in March. And, we're taking our Moms this time! Every trip has been just as fun as the last, and we keep finding new reasons to love Virgin Voyages.
If you’re thinking about booking, I’d love to help you plan the perfect trip and unlock some extra perks along the way—all at no extra cost. Whether it’s picking the best itinerary, snagging priority reservations, or just answering your questions, I’ve got you covered.
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