Good Girl is the fourth and latest ship in Virgin Voyages’ fleet, with the same structure and really feel to the primary three Girl Ships. These adults-only vessels really feel extra like trendy boutique motels than conventional cruise ships, with fashionable styling and a social environment.
As the primary ship for the model to sail in Alaska, Good Girl includes a barely slimmer profile (to permit transit by means of the Panama Canal) and refined enhancements, together with new exhibits and actions, a redesigned and extra open central Roundabout, a brand new restaurant, an enhanced Athletic Membership, and loads of distinctive Alaska experiences, together with enhanced menus fleetwide.
We simply returned from an Alaska cruise on the vessel, and we’re sharing what we beloved, what missed the mark, and whether or not Virgin Voyages’ latest ship is value reserving. On this Good Girl cruise overview, we cowl every thing from the leisure and eating to cabins, facilities, and every thing in between that can assist you determine if it’s the best ship on your subsequent trip.
Leisure
Good Girl’s signature leisure is the realm the place she stands out most. As an adults-only cruise line, Virgin has come a good distance in defining what meaning since its debut. Positive, the exhibits are nonetheless a bit extra risque, with loads of innuendo and a few mature language. However we personally just like the steadiness that Good Girl strikes between distinctive leisure choices and extra traditonal cruise exhibits. They’re nonetheless totally different however not as over-the-top.
The Crimson Room is the ship’s primary theater. On Good Girl, it hosts Competition Stage acts, that are extra akin to headliners on different cruise traces, like comedians or mentalists, together with three signature performances. Our favourite Virgin present of all time nonetheless stays Duel Actuality. This Shakespearean cirque efficiency pairs proficient performers with a contemporary retelling of Romeo & Juliet. The hour-long manufacturing options jugglers, acrobats, and even some wrestling, and it’s in contrast to something you’d discover on one other cruise line.
Whereas at instances tacky, Crimson Scorching is an fascinating story of Richard Branson’s success. The present progresses by means of his profession alongside music from the Virgin label’s archives, full with CGI-rendered mermaids and occasional dangerous AI screens of Branson himself. However the lead singers and the remainder of the forged delivered on the vocal performances and dance strikes. The present was upbeat and fascinating.
The opposite efficiency is much like a typical cruise revue with an outrageous plot. Out of Time is a enjoyable and quirky time-traveling story with pop music spanning a long time. It has loads of jokes and references aimed straight at us 40-somethings.
Together with being the ship’s nightclub and internet hosting a number of events all through the cruise, The Manor can also be residence to some signature exhibits of its personal.
The closest factor to among the earlier Virgin leisure is Love, Love, Love with the Hostess. This cabaret-style efficiency presents a a lot tamer have a look at the 5 love languages, with solely minimal viewers participation.
Homicide within the Manor is by far the most effective efficiency right here. Given its recognition, it’s the solely present that requires a reservation on Good Girl. Bookings open up late afternoon on embarkation day.
This hilarious and immersive present is stuffed with loads of 80s references and pop music because the story takes company on a whodunit journey surrounding the loss of life of popstar Sheena.
The identical forged returns for Up With a Twist, a roaring 20’s supper membership the place company step into Girl Valentina’s Emporium of Extra. This dinner present prices additional. At $50 per particular person, it was a stable present, with mediocre meals and 5 cocktails (which appeared a bit a lot). If we needed to choose, the complimentary Homicide within the Manor is the clear winner.
Three featured singers from Up With a Twist additionally seem in Duets, alongside a dwell band. Sure, a present known as Duets includes a threesome: two feminine performers and one male singer. Solely on Virgin Voyages. On a ship with so many leisure choices, we’d confidently say you can skip this one.
Nightlife
One downside to Virgin’s ship design is the restricted variety of bars and lounges in a position to accommodate dwell music concurrently. The Roundabout and On the Rocks are positioned adjoining to one another, so musical acts alternate between these two Deck 6 venues on most evenings.
Peach and Bourbon was Heidi’s favourite. This Australian duo supplied a mixture of fashionable songs and basic rock and pop. Heidi a lot appreciated the nightly Usher soundtrack.
Jack Sheppard was one other looper, and his units have been stuffed with jam-band-style tracks.
The Soulo Lyon Trio supplied funky takes on every thing from basic rock to bubblegum pop. The Bigger Than Lions lead feminine singer had a soulful voice and loads of energy as she belted out requirements and rock hits.
Each the Diva and The Hostess additionally supplied one-woman cabarets on the venue.
Nonetheless, given the restricted variety of musical venues, the Roundabout was typically standing room just for pre-dinner and post-dinner performances.
It’s by no means been clear to me why a duo or acoustic guitarist doesn’t reside within the Dock Home regularly. Or why there aren’t some dwell performances within the Sip cocktail bar. They may simply add an digital piano to this venue to unfold out the crowds from the middle of the ship.
Later within the night, The Manor is the place for near-nightly events and dancing. The normal PJ Occasion on embarkation evening ensured yours really was donned in a purple plaid pajama set.
There are additionally themed dance events, like Disco Circus or Electrical. However these are all basically the identical to me. Completely different logos and outfits, however nonetheless loud music and other people crowding the dance flooring.
In fact, the largest occasion on any Virgin cruise is Scarlet Night time. That is when the ship turns purple, actually, and sailors put on their brightest hues to have a good time the forbidden love of an octopus and a sailor. Hey, I didn’t write the plot.
Given Good Girl is crusing in Alaska, the culminating pool occasion was moved to the Crimson Room. With pop-up occasions taking place across the within the ship and a Moon Occasion in The Manor, it did really feel a tad extra tame than our different Scarlet Night time experiences, which is okay by us.
Bars and Lounges
Good Girl boasts the identical actual lineup of bars and lounges as her sister ships, however among the menus have been up to date since we final sailed with Virgin Voyages. Plus, there have been a number of Alaska unique cocktails that includes Alaskan spirits and wine. These signature drinks are famous on the menus with a bear icon.
We appreciated the expanded choices and concentrate on native taste.
On the coronary heart of the ship on Deck 6, On the Rocks is likely one of the extra standard indoor bars, given the nightly dwell music featured right here. Whereas this menu did get an replace, we caught with our basic cocktails right here.
Up one deck, the Draught Haus is the craft beer spot. Though on Good Girl, this house within the Roundabout is extra open, with a extra welcoming design and plush seating. On our Alaska crusing, it poured a rotation of Alaskan craft beers. So did the Free Cannon, the nautically themed bar tucked behind the Social Membership. Nevertheless, Heidi did respect that the Draught Haus now has a number of cocktails on faucet, just like the Lemon Drop.
One other new providing that you just don’t wish to cross up are the soiled sodas on the Social Membership. These pair nice with the new canine, pretzels, and popcorn additionally served right here.
Sip is the champagne and cocktail lounge, with a menu of signature drinks plus a variety of wine and champagne. We loved the Commonwealth Spritz made with bourbon, and Heidi sipped the Coquettish Attraction that includes vodka.
Our favourite spot on any Virgin ship remains to be The Dock although, with its upscale resort really feel, plush seating, and countless ocean views. The equally stylish indoor counterpart, The Dock Home, serves the identical menu of meals and drinks. It’s a good spot to unwind after a protracted day ashore.
The Alaska-exclusive sangrias right here have been a spotlight, together with the Blueberry Mirlo and Strawberry Rhubarb.
A number of outside bars up on Decks 15 and 16 combine up comparable however barely totally different menus. These bars embrace the Aquatic Membership Bar, the Gymnasium & Tonic Bar, and the Solar Membership Bar. With the Alaskan climate, we didn’t spend a lot time on the pool deck. Though, we did heat up on the Athletic Membership Bar with an Alaskan mulled wine and a boozy sizzling chocolate whereas taking in glacier views.
Even the on line casino featured unique drinks with Alaskan spirits, just like the Nutty Previous Normal.
However after all, speaking about bars and lounges wouldn’t be full with out considered one of our favourite spots, the Grounds Membership espresso home. This venue includes a menu of signature coffees and teas, espresso martinis, and even a number of Alaskan specials. The perfect half is that as a part of Virgin’s Crusing Membership loyalty program, we undoubtedly took benefit of the free every day specialty espresso perk!
There’s additionally a separate juice store on Good Girl. JuiceSea serves up cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and wholesome photographs for an upcharge.
Onboard Actions
Once we first sailed on Virgin Voyages again in 2021 and 2022, we balked on the restricted variety of issues to do on the ship. Nicely, Virgin heard our pleas and stated, maintain our beer. Or on this case, our microphone.
The Happenings Forged delivered a completely stocked listing of onboard actions and occasions. Whereas many are acquainted actions discovered on many cruise traces, Virgin provides its personal signature twist.
Trivia was a staple, normally held within the Social Membership. From basic trivia to music trivia and even Alaska-themed trivia, this place was the hub of daytime exercise. There was additionally arts and crafts with the Artist, numerous cruiser competitions like puzzle races, and The Large Combine music problem held within the Crimson Room. There have been additionally dance lessons, group health lessons, and upcharge tastings and mixology lessons.
Karaoke classes have been an everyday incidence too. Or, small teams might join personal classes within the Groupie karaoke lounge positioned ahead on Deck 7.
This was an Alaska cruise, so many occasions and challenges have been themed to the area. These included Bear Wit It trivia, the Gold Rush Gamble ($50 purchase in), and the Lumberjack Video games on the sports activities deck, full with Velcro axe throwing, to call a number of.
Given the itinerary, the Good Girl every day actions additionally featured enrichment classes led by the 2 onboard Alaska specialists. These ranged from formal classes within the Crimson Room to extra intimate classes in The Manor, The Scene, and On the Rocks. The naturalist additionally hosted wildlife-viewing classes on the pool deck and ran a WhatsApp chat group.
Whereas we had low expectations for the enrichment on Virgin Voyages, the cruise line stunned us. They have been really among the most informative and intriguing classes, albeit totally different, that we’ve had throughout our eight Alaska cruises. (For a full breakdown of the Alaska-specific choices, see our Virgin in Alaska overview.)
To not point out, loads of different actions crammed the time between ports of name, together with online game competitions, scavenger hunts, a retro arcade with free video video games, and a wide range of self-led board video games. So, there was definitely by no means a boring second onboard. Except, after all, you simply needed to calm down and chill on the Dock. The truth is, we discovered it tough to suit every thing into our week-long schedule.
Informal Eats
Over 20+ eateries are included in your cruise fare on Virgin Voyages Good Girl, and plenty of of them are informal spots. The ship options all the similar venues you discover on different Virgin ships, however we nonetheless suppose the cruise line presents among the greatest selection and high quality at sea.
The Pizza Place remains to be a standout. The private-sized pies stay among the greatest pizza now we have eaten on any cruise. The menu of grilled skewers and snacks on the Dock Home has been up to date since our earlier Virgin sailings, however the brand new choices nonetheless ship. I notably loved the brand new beef kafta skewers.
One contact particular to our Alaska crusing: throughout golden hour, this venue featured distinctive complimentary snacks, with themed Alaska cocktails obtainable for an upcharge.
The primary hub for informal eating is The Galley, the ship’s meals corridor. Right here, you order freshly ready gadgets from a wide range of themed stalls somewhat than shuffling down one lengthy buffet line.
Standouts embrace the breakfast burritos from Let’s Taco About; burgers, hen sandwiches, and French fries from Burger Bar; all-day breakfast at Diner and Sprint; and rotating pastries and dessert from The Candy Spot. Plus, there are paninis, avocado toast, and extra from Off the Press; customized bagels and salads at Each day Combine; sushi bins at Bento Child; ramen and miso at Noodle Round; and a wide range of breads and breakfast sandwiches at Nicely Bread.
There have been traces, and discovering a seat indoors was tough particularly at peak instances on the chilly, moist sea days. Nevertheless, if you happen to discover a desk and like to not wait in line on your meals, you can too order tableside.
Moreover the informal eating that we’ve already talked about, a number of different spots are simple to miss. The Solar Membership Cafe, tucked ahead on Deck 16, serves poke bowls and bao buns. And on the Social Membership, you’ll be able to seize sweet and snacks like pretzels, popcorn, and hen wings.
After which there’s ice cream. Each cruise line consists of ice cream, normally tender serve on the pool deck. However the ice cream parlor on Virgin Voyages serves complimentary gelato with a number of every day specials.
Essential Eating Rooms
Within the evenings, cruisers select from six sit-down eating places on Virgin Voyages Good Girl. Every venue presents a definite idea somewhat than one primary eating room with a rotating menu. All eating places require reservations, and we extremely advocate you make them earlier than you board.
When you’ll be able to e-book is dependent upon your fare kind and stateroom class. Rockstar Suite company get the earliest entry for advance reservations. Most sailors have entry to eating reservations across the 45-day mark. Solely these on the bottom fare might want to wait till 15 days earlier than crusing to order.
We ate at each restaurant besides the Take a look at Kitchen this crusing, and none disenchanted.
Rojo by Razzle Dazzle is new and unique to Good Girl, a Spanish tapas restaurant that replaces the Razzle Dazzle After Darkish menu beforehand discovered on the opposite ships. Brunch is similar unfold served fleetwide, with among the greatest bacon at sea and a mouth-watering frittata.
Dinner is the place Rojo received us over. We sipped candy sangrias and shared tapas like patatas bravas, grilled octopus, and jamón croquettes. The roasted cod, an Alaska unique, and the ribs have been each scrumptious. Additional, the basque cheesecake was so good we ordered it each instances we dined right here.
Pink Agave boasts Mexican specialties and remains to be considered one of our favorites. The venue is heat and vibrant, and the menu options shareable small and medium plates. We labored by means of guacamole, grilled corn, and enchiladas, and I notably loved the achiote-spiced salmon, an Alaska unique on this menu.
Additional Virgin is the ship’s Italian restaurant with an open kitchen turning out house-made pasta. The menu has been up to date so every ship now carries its personal signature dishes.
I began with the fritto misto and moved on to the braised lamb girella, each unique to Good Girl. The braised pork cheek impressed me as effectively, and the affogato helps you to construct a customized dessert tableside.
The Wake is the glamorous steakhouse aft on Deck 6 with spectacular ocean views. The Wake serves up a refined eating expertise that may simply be a $65 upcharge on every other cruise line. As a Bostonian, I used to be impressed with the New England Clam Chowder, ready tableside.
My steak got here out completely seared to medium, with sautéed mushrooms and French fries that have been an ideal complement. We additionally tried the loin of venison, a signature dish unique to our Alaska crusing, which was tender and filled with taste. You possibly can’t cross up the lemon cheesecake and not-so-baked Alaska desserts both. To not point out, The Wake additionally serves up brunch with a menu of benedicts, brioche French toast, and extra.
Lastly, Gunbae is Virgin’s Korean barbecue constructed round communal grill tables. This multi-course menu has been up to date since our final go to with new gadgets as effectively. It’s a enjoyable different to the standard teppanyaki restaurant, however the meals was hit-or-miss for us this time. Nonetheless, the Korean fried hen was successful.
Outside Decks
Like the opposite ships within the fleet, Good Girl’s outside areas are considered one of its greatest drawbacks; though, there are a number of small updates.
There are two swimming pools, each on Deck 15. The primary pool, positioned midship, has a small wading space with an excellent smaller spot to truly take a dip.
Simply aft is the wellness pool, a smaller round pool ringed by loungers and outside exercise tools. That gear is a little bit of an eyesore, and it eats up worthwhile lounger house. Given the itinerary, this was much less of a problem on our crusing.
Throughout the 2 outside decks, there are solely 4 sizzling tubs, with solely the 2 on Deck 16 really overlooking the water. That is definitely a downside for an Alaska cruise.
On Good Girl, our deck time was extra in regards to the surroundings than sunbathing. And in contrast to different ships crusing within the area, there aren’t any forward-facing spots for scenic viewing, not even a bow that may be opened up for glacier day.
The Athletic Membership on Deck 16 has some circuit tools and a boxing ring, nevertheless it’s additionally the one outside house that noticed an actual change on Good Girl. The seating space has been redesigned to make it simpler to make use of the rail house for sightseeing. Some shade covers have additionally been added to the opposite seating choices. Nonetheless, the Internet stays, taking over worthwhile deck house.
Elsewhere, there’s a small outside sports activities courtroom and a devoted jogging observe. There are two indoor gyms as effectively, one for cardio and one for power, plus devoted rooms for health and spin lessons. Virgin Voyages fares embrace all group health lessons.
Ahead on Deck 16, there’s additionally an unique space for Rockstar Suite company, Richard’s Rooftop. This sundeck options two sizzling tubs, lounge furnishings, and a personal bar, however no pool.
Past these two high decks, the one different outside areas are the Deck 7 promenade and The Dock. Even the outside midship promenade space is partially obstructed by tall glass, and the remainder of the walkway views are blocked by the lifeboats. Not superb in Alaska.
That stated, there was nonetheless loads of house for company at The Dock and the reconfigured Athletic Membership, albeit each aft-located.
Stateroom
For this voyage, we booked a Sea Terrace room and have been assigned cabin 12294. This portside balcony cabin is positioned ahead of the ahead elevators. Whereas barely enhanced with some wooden accents and blankets to make use of in the course of the crusing, the staterooms on Good Girl are mainly similar to the opposite ships within the fleet.
And if we’re being trustworthy, the staterooms are one other downside, notably in relation to storage for an Alaska cruise.
Virgin Voyages staterooms merely don’t evaluate to different premium traces like Celeb Cruises‘ or Princess Cruises‘ latest mega ships crusing within the area when it comes to decor or facilities. Additionally they lack storage and extra comfy seating choices. The truth is, Virgin’s staterooms are the least fashionable space on the ship.
Strolling into our stateroom, the tiny lavatory was instantly to our left, with the small closet reverse. The closet features a garments bar and hangers, with a curtain reminescent of a dorm room. Close by is one run of cabinets and a shoe rack. With extra outerwear and bulkier clothes, it took some strategic unpacking to stow all our gear. Even so, we nonetheless needed to stack a number of packing cubes and make the most of magnetic hooks and an over-the-door organizer to stash the small stuff like toiletries and chargers to sun shades and sunscreen, hats and gloves, and different equipment.
And we’ve stated it earlier than, however we’ll say it once more, the bogs are the smallest within the business. Although, I stay a fan of the rainfall bathe, which is a contact bigger than the standard cruise bathe. However the lavatory has no above-vanity cabinets or space for storing for private care gadgets.
Close to the balcony, there’s a small chair and a multi-purpose desk. There may be additionally a desk with the close by mini-fridge. For the reason that stateroom attendants not reconfigure the seabeds in the course of the day, the floor-level sq. desk beside the mattress turned an additonal space for storing, however that meant there was no couch.
We did respect the extra 120-volt retailers and USB-A and USB-C connections all through the stateroom. This gave us ample energy to cost all our units all through the week.
Out on the balcony, the house was good, with two chairs, a small desk, and Virgin’s signature purple hammock. Even with the cool Alaska climate, it was an excellent perch for taking within the surroundings.
Good Girl Cruise Ship Evaluate Recap
Virgin Voyages’ Brillant Girl was maybe probably the most distinctive Alaska cruise we’ve taken within the area. The ship presents a definite expertise that’s superb for the best traveler.
The meals stays the headline. The cruise line presents among the greatest informal eating and lineup of sit-down eating places. The brand new Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, unique to Good Girl, is a standout addition. Plus, the up to date menus throughout the ship gave us loads of new meals and drinks to check out.
Good Girl’s leisure can also be top-notch. With a largely new lineup of manufacturing exhibits and events, together with unique Alaska experiences, there’s lots to maintain new and repeat Virgin cruisers busy.
The ship isn’t with out its downfalls, although. The staterooms are quick on purposeful storage, which we felt greater than normal on an Alaska cruise with further layers. The outside decks for wildlife viewing and scenic crusing will not be superb both, with no forward-facing areas and no indoor commentary lounge.
Climate is all the time a wild card in Alaska, and, sadly, the rain saved us indoors greater than we’d have preferred this journey. That stated, Good Girl dealt with it effectively with loads of indoor areas for enjoyable and socializing, together with the Dock Home, Social Membership, and newly redesigned Roundabout.
Good Girl nonetheless appeals to the identical fashionable, grownup vacationers that Virgin has all the time courted. The vibe is informal, inclusive, and by no means stuffy. The gang on our Alaska crusing was various, however they have been all in search of the identical factor: a contemporary, kids-free Alaska cruise. And Good Girl delivered simply that!
You’ll doubtless love Good Girl if you’re:
- An adults-only traveler who desires a kids-free, no-judgment environment
- A foodie who values selection and execution over white-gloved formality
- A cruiser who prioritizes eating, bars, leisure, and nightlife on an Alaska crusing
- Somebody who likes a mid-size ship with lots to do however with out mega-ship overwhelm
- A cruiser keen to lean into Virgin’s informal, fashionable vibe
It’s possible you’ll wish to look elsewhere if you’re:
- A cruiser who wants a spacious, extremely purposeful cabin with beneficiant storage
- A sun-deck lover who desires a number of swimming pools and sprawling outside lounging house
- An Alaska traveler anticipating unobstructed open-deck viewing from each angle
- Anybody cruising with children, since Virgin Voyages is eighteen+ solely
- A traveler who prefers a extra basic and conventional cruise environment
Feedback
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