Tuesday, April 2, 2024

I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

voyages cruise

First, the biggest difference we noticed is that Virgin doesn’t offer a traditional large theater that seats hundreds and hundreds at one time. As a result, there aren’t the big production shows like you see elsewhere. This is a stylish little bracelet (complete with an anchor clasp) that holds a gray tag. It’s scanned when you come and go on the ship, and it’s scanned whenever you make a purchase onboard. In a small (but loved) perk, Virgin offers a carafe of water and glasses. That means you don’t have to bring or buy bottles of water or drink out of the bathroom faucet just to get a swig of water in your cabin.

Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member

Virgin also had a resident drag queen with several performances during the cruise. There’s a lot of use of color (especially lights) to set the mood for different spaces — even down to the wake coming off the back of the ship. Typically there is a major difference between newer and older ships. However, since Virgin Voyages is still a new line, it only has three ships (with a fourth on the way). So whether you are on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady, you’ll have a similar experience. While marketing for Virgin seems to focus on the “cool” factor with lots of beautiful and trendy people, there are all sorts of people on the ship — young, old, black, white, beautiful and not-so-beautiful, gay, straight.

At Pink Agave, the pork tacos were so good I had them twice.

voyages cruise

Other than the cabin cleanings, the crew was more noticeable, too. We saw crew members on the basketball courts, eating in The Galley and just generally out and about around the ship even when they didn't appear to be on the clock, which helped create a more relaxed atmosphere. There are also no set dining times, restaurant rotations or dress codes, though you can — and should — make dinner reservations. As a result, you can dine at whichever restaurant you prefer at a time that works for you. Additionally, unlike Disney Cruise Line, where cabin attendants make it a point to get to know you and your preferences, Virgin Voyages lacked the same personalized service. I never interacted with a person in charge of our cabin, as it would be serviced while we were out (after pushing a button that sent the request to the crew) by a person that, to us, remained nameless and faceless.

Experience the world's #1 cruise line for yourself

Typical is a six-night "Valiant Caribbean Holidays" sailing out of Miami on Dec. 20, 2024, visiting Puerto Plata, Nassau and Bimini. One thing you’ll like about Virgin Voyages is that all food on the ship is included. If you’ve cruised before, it was likely on a line that has a credit card style room key that served to open your room, check you on and off the ship, and charge items to your onboard account.

The first Virgin Voyages sailings to Australia and New Zealand on the line's new Resilient Lady will begin this winter. After its initial summer cruising in the Mediterranean, the vessel will reposition to Australia in December for a series of 11 sailings ranging from five to 14 nights. For a line with so few ships, that makes sense, as the Bahamas and Caribbean account for the biggest chunk of demand for cruises.

All of these spots are either grab and go or you simply wait a few minutes while they prepare your meal. Instead, Virgin Voyages has several different sit down restaurants that are all included with your fare. Gratuities are included in your fare as well, as is wi-fi service. And with free, reliable Wi-Fi available everywhere on our cruise ships, you’re just a video call away from any little ones you may have left on land, whether for a good night story, or a good night kiss.

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Instead of waterslides and putt-putt, it’s yoga classes, tattoo parlors, and fitness equipment. Whether you choose to jumpstart the morning with a wheatgrass shot from Gym & Tonic or a Filthy Mary from The Red Bar, you can trust that any path you take will remain unobstructed by little feet. We’re proud of our design-forward eateries and bars and we created them specifically for adults, either for mingling with like-minded adventurers or for cozying up and reconnecting with the person you came aboard with. On top of the spaces themselves being kid-free havens, the menu items served within may also be a little advanced for the average tyke. Between hibachi crudo and filets at The Wake, carpaccio and truffle pasta at Extra Virgin, and mezcal pairings at Pink Agave, we keep our food and drink offerings mature and unexpected. The only areas that ever felt crowded were the pools at the Aquatic Club and Gym and Tonic, which is pretty typical of any cruise ship, especially on sea days.

In partnership with the Virgin Group, Virgin Voyages is jointly funded by Bain Capital, one of the world’s leading private multi-asset alternative investment firms. Car rental – Car rentals are super affordable here, costing as little as 25 BGN per day. You don’t need one to get around the city, however, if you want to explore the region a car might be helpful.

That's created an expanded lineup of so-called "repositioning" cruises across the Atlantic that feature many sea days. Overall, the crowd seems to skew younger — and more upscale — than most cruises. The atmosphere — ranging from the vibe on the ship to food to entertainment — definitely caters more to adult tastes. We think who would love the cruise line the most would be a couple from years old celebrating an anniversary, special occasion, or simply wanting a romantic trip away.

As soon as the Scarlet Lady departs US waters the drinking age becomes 18 and the ship is ready to party. The pricing for this cruise line is done a bit differently, charging for cabins that have the capacity for up to 3 passengers (or 'sailors' as the line refers to its passengers). With rates that hover around $1,300 per cabin for 4-5 night trips, Virgin is poised to become the perfect upscale yet affordable vacation for a friends group looking to experience some new destinations. Virgin Voyages adults-only scene changes up the attitude and energy of everyone onboard, giving the whole experience an exclusive, club vibe.

Additionally, you'll find casual spots that serve ice cream, pizza, poke bowls and more. You can also order room service; the food is complimentary, but there's a $5 delivery fee. In addition to featuring more than 20 grab-and-go spots and traditional sit-down eateries, there's the large Galley venue with various vendors arranged in a way similar to what you'd find in a food court or buffet. As far as I'm concerned, cruises are for eating — and Virgin Voyages offers numerous places to dine on Scarlet Lady.

The pappardelle was lighter and chewier than my previous experiences, which I preferred. And there was just the right amount of sauce not to overpower the flavor of the pasta itself. I didn't feel overstuffed after my meal, as I often do when eating pasta. The diversity was evident with and felt by the passengers and crew, and it seemed everyone was simply happy to be together at sea. I miss Valiant Lady and her crew and hope to sail with Virgin Voyages again soon. Still, we took advantage of the Experiences offered by Virgin.

Drivers need to be at least 21 years old and have an IDP (International Driving Permit). This is a high-end pedestrian street filled with fashionable boutiques and designer shops, but it’s worth the stroll for the view of snow-capped Vitosha Mountain. Art Nouveau buildings line the street, and there are several small sidewalk cafes where you can grab a coffee and relax. Come here to browse, people-watch, and take in the local pace of life. Paintballing has become increasingly popular throughout Sofia. There are over half a dozen different places you can go that offer equipment rentals, paintballs, and both indoor and outdoor gaming areas.

There are two pools, but the main pool only had seating for a couple of hundred people around it that seemed to fill up quickly when at sea. The Galley offers a lot of options, whether you want simple (burger and fries) to more adventurous (sushi, ramen). We especially enjoyed Pink Agave, the upscale Mexican restaurant where everything was phenomenal. You’d expect that a ship focused on adults might have different entertainment, and in this case, you’re right. Along with these changes, Virgin also seems to have taken a hard look at traditional things in cruising and made changes that will appeal to many.

The guests on my sailing were from all walks of life and notably younger. Instead, everything about the cruise can be tailored to adult tastes. Entertainment on the ship is more mature, such as drag shows in the nightclub. Many events go on until later at night than on a normal cruise. The food offered is more adventurous and upscale (though traditional options are available).

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