Virgin Voyages is without doubt one of the latest cruise traces on the scene, and it actually made a splash within the cruise trade. Bucking cruise traditions like a buffet, set eating instances, and an all-ages-welcome environment, Virgin Voyages got down to be completely different from the very starting. However, as with each cruise line, there are each execs and cons of Virgin Voyages. Right here, we’re providing you with the rundown on what each the positives and potential negatives are of taking a cruise with this line.
Professionals of Virgin Voyages
1. Adults-only
When contemplating the professionals and cons of Virgin Voyages, maybe the most important professional is that no children are allowed. That’s proper, you should be 18 or older to sail with this line. This can be a big professional for a lot of cruisers because the overwhelming majority of cruise traces welcomes nearly all ages. Not having children on board implies that Virgin has a extra laid-back environment with the power to host leisure and actions which are suited to simply adults. It additionally implies that visitors don’t have to fret about children being underfoot — plus no area needed to be taken up onboard for youths’ golf equipment.
2. All eating is included
Virgin Voyages does eating a bit in a different way than most different cruise traces. There isn’t a principal eating room; as an alternative many of the eating places across the ship are just like specialty eating places on different traces — and so they’re all included!
Company can take pleasure in venues resembling Further Virgin (Italian), Razzle Dazzle (veggie-forward), The Wake (steakhouse), and Pink Agave (Mexican), amongst others. In lieu of a buffet, there’s The Galley — an off-the-cuff restaurant the place you possibly can order dishes from varied meals stations and so they’re ready freshly. Informal snacky meals like sizzling canines, wings, smooth pretzels, and floats could be discovered at The Social Membership, with pizza and ice cream spots on board as effectively — all included within the cruise fare.
3. Scarlet Evening
Scarlet Evening is the get together to attend on Virgin Voyages, even for individuals who aren’t get together individuals and don’t attend any others through the cruise. The truth is, Scarlet Evening might higher be described as a whole Scarlet night, because the festivities begin to unfold lengthy earlier than the top of the event — the huge deck get together — begins.
All through the day main as much as Scarlet Evening, the ship begins to remodel right into a purple and tentacle-filled wonderland. As night falls, everybody dons their greatest purple apparel and has the chance to attend a wide range of occasions and actions led by the ship’s leisure workers, or “Happenings Solid.” There are even some shock activations that will not be within the ship’s day by day publication; you’ll both need to be invited or stumble throughout them to expertise them. The night culminates in a spectacular deck get together crammed with music, dancing, and possibly even a dip within the pool… all with a big inflatable octopus overseeing the celebration.
4. The Seashore Membership at Bimini
Earlier than Virgin Voyages even operated its first cruise, the road introduced that it will be debuting a brand-new seaside membership on the Bahamian island of Bimini that might be free for its visitors to take pleasure in. Whereas not technically unique to Virgin, the seaside membership is only for Virgin Voyages passengers when a ship from the road is docked there.
The Seashore Membership at Bimini is only a quick tram experience away from the cruise pier, and gives a basic seaside day for vacationers with all meals included. Guests can lounge on the seaside or discover a spot subsequent to one of many two lagoon-style swimming pools. Hammocks and day beds can be discovered on the property. On the seaside membership alcoholic drinks do price additional, however the excellent news is that visitors’ Bar Tab credit score can be utilized on the seaside membership.
5. Included health courses
Seeking to keep in form (or maybe begin stepping into form) in your cruise? You don’t have to simply jog across the monitor or use free weights within the gymnasium! Health courses are provided on Virgin Voyages ships, and so they’re fully free. Within the Coaching Camp space on deck 16, passengers can take part in HIIT, bungee courses, and spinning. There’s even a exercise video-style class held in The Manor and dawn yoga periods on The Perch.
6. Balcony hammock
One among Virgin Voyages’ most distinctive facilities is their signature balcony hammocks, obtainable in most balcony (Sea Terrace) cabins. These hand-woven purple hammocks provide a uniquely enjoyable strategy to take pleasure in ocean views. Excellent for afternoon naps, morning espresso, or sundown cocktails, the hammocks are greater than only a flashy gimmick. As an excellent different to the busy pool deck on a sea day, these hammocks have turn out to be a considerably iconic characteristic that we want extra cruise traces had. Although, getting out and in could be tough, particularly after a couple of cocktails.
7. The Manor nightclub
In the case of cruise ship nightclubs, The Manor on Virgin Voyages takes the cake. Named after Richard Branson’s first recording studio, the two-story area incorporates a stage, giant dance flooring, and three bars so that you’re all the time close to your subsequent beverage. It’s designed extra like a land-based nightclub than a cruise ship one, and right here I believe that’s a superb factor. Daytime reveals, dwell music, and themed occasions happen within the area that transforms right into a DJ-fueled membership into the night time. The glitzy mirror-filled entrance into The Manor is a pleasant contact, too!
8. Included WiFi and gratuities
Virgin Voyages could possibly be thought of a halfway level between a mainstream cruise line and an all-inclusive model. Whereas some additional issues (like alcoholic drinks and excursions) are nonetheless not included, different issues are like gratuities and fundamental WiFi. Not solely do you not have to fret about day by day gratuities being added to your invoice on the finish of the cruise, however there aren’t any gratuities added to issues like drink purchases or spa remedies, both. The worth you see is the value you pay.
There are three WiFi tiers obtainable to visitors on Virgin: Fundamental, Premium, and Work from Sea. The fundamental tier, which permits for looking, e mail, and social media, is included within the cruise fare. When you do need to pay additional for greater tiers which afford the power to do issues like video name, stream, and attend digital conferences, having fundamental WiFi included within the worth of the cruise is a luxurious most traces don’t provide.
9. Inventive leisure
Along with all that encompasses Scarlet Evening is numerous different distinctive leisure on Virgin Voyages’ ships. Although every ship varies barely with its leisure lineup, listed here are some reveals which are provided. Duel Actuality is a fast-paced retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a circus-themed twist, whereas Ships within the Evening makes use of know-how and choreography to discover the importance of incidental connection. Virgin Voyages all the time has specialty artists like comedians, magicians, and others on rotation too, in addition to numerous themed dance events and the music-video-meets-club-scene Untitled DanceShowPartyThing. And don’t neglect the pajama get together on the primary night time of the cruise!
10. Standing Match
As a comparatively newcomer within the cruise trade, Virgin Voyages is providing a limited-time standing match for its Crusing Membership loyalty program. For those who’re seeking to take a look at out Virgin for the primary time, standing matching could possibly be a pleasant perk in case you have loyalty standing with one other cruise line (or choose Virgin journey model). It means you don’t have to begin from scratch and might instantly take pleasure in advantages like free specialty espresso, complimentary laundry, and an unique cocktail occasion.
All visitors who standing match will instantly obtain Blue Extras; nevertheless, you do have to be a sure degree in one other model’s loyalty program to qualify. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle ranges qualify; and Carnival’s Platinum and Diamond statuses qualify.
Moreover, Virgin Voyages simply introduced sailors will now earn Virgin Pink factors, 100 factors per sailor, per night time to be actual. This rewards membership enables you to earn and use factors throughout all Virgin manufacturers.
11. Onboard tattoo store
When Virgin Voyages introduced that its brand-new fleet would characteristic a tattoo store, many have been skeptical. Nonetheless, time has confirmed that the distinctive thought was a profitable one. For hundreds of years, sailors have been related to tattoos, usually tattooing one another throughout free time whereas at sea. Particular kinds of sailings even have tattoo traditions. For instance, it’s frequent to get a tattoo of an anchor after one’s first transatlantic crossing. With a tattoo store aboard Virgin Voyages’ ships, it’s doable to honor this piece of maritime historical past and custom whereas nonetheless on board (if it’s your factor). It additionally makes for a really distinctive and memorable memento of a enjoyable cruise journey.
Cons of Virgin Voyages
1. No drink bundle (but)
For individuals who prefer to take pleasure in some drinks all through their trip, it may be a giant bummer to find that Virgin Voyages doesn’t provide a conventional drink bundle. As a substitute of a bundle the place you possibly can take pleasure in a virtually limitless quantity of drinks every day for one set day by day worth, Virgin gives a program referred to as Bar Tab. Via Bar Tab, you add cash to your onboard account particularly for drinks, then the cruise line dietary supplements it with a bit of additional Bar Tab credit score. It’s higher than nothing, however for individuals who can drink fairly a couple of alcoholic drinks and specialty drinks all through a cruise, it will not be as cost-effective as a conventional bundle.
As a silver lining, Virgin Voyages is testing a conventional drink bundle proper now, so visitors might even see one sooner or later.
2. Cabin loos are tiny
Whereas the principle residing and bed room area in a Virgin Voyages stateroom is about common for many cruise ships, the lavatory shouldn’t be. Except you’re staying in a set, the cabin loos are extremely small. They’re so tiny that while you’re standing in the course of the lavatory, you’re already in the fitting spot to do absolutely anything you’d have to do there: brush your tooth, use the bathroom, or step into the bathe. If you wish to prepare within the rest room similtaneously your associate, neglect about it; you’ll have to take turns.
3. Underutilized deck area
Lining the facet of the ship on deck 16 are a row of cabanas that visitors can reserve for a day as soon as on board. The cabanas, that are up towards the railing, characteristic slatted partitions and cloth roofs with a view out to the ocean. A small cabana that may accommodate as much as 4 individuals prices $250. A big cabana, which holds as much as eight, prices $350. Inside is a daybed, chairs, a mini-fridge, and meals and beverage service from a devoted server.
The issue is, these cabanas are very underutilized, with most remaining empty for almost all of the voyage. That is largely partly as a result of there actually aren’t many perks related to the cabanas apart from waitservice and a assured spot to lounge with an ocean view. They’re not even situated close to a pool. They’re, nevertheless, positioned on a busy hall. I personally have walked by them many instances and the passageway behind them to get by means of may be very slender. I believe this deck area could possibly be a lot better used with simply common loungers or day beds arrange. This might permit everybody to benefit from the ocean views from that a part of the ship. Particularly since they don’t appear to be stuffed fairly often, anyway.
4. Little range between ships
Not like Royal Caribbean, Movie star, or Carnival, Virgin Voyages’ ships have a really comparable (nearly an identical) design and onboard expertise. That is nice for individuals who don’t thoughts consistency and like having the ability to board a special ship and nonetheless know the place all the things is. It may be a draw back, although, for these looking for selection throughout completely different Virgin Voyages cruises.
For instance, all Virgin Voyages ships characteristic the identical eating venues, although the Razzle Dazzle restaurant is debuting a special dinnertime expertise on some vessels. Some reveals and dance events do fluctuate, however all characteristic the identical bars and lounges. On some ships, the Squid Ink tattoo parlor has moved spots. Choose small inside design components are additionally completely different between ships. However for probably the most half, in case you’ve sailed one Virgin Voyages ship, you recognize precisely what to anticipate and find out how to navigate any of the opposite vessels within the fleet.
5. May be expensive
Whereas costs aren’t fairly up there with luxurious traces, Virgin Voyages undoubtedly matches into the premium class by way of price. There are only a few cruises that price $100 per particular person, per night time or much less, even for an inside stateroom. The truth is, anticipate to pay between $140 and $190 per particular person, per night time for an inside cabin. For a balcony, you’re taking a look at round $200 to $240 per particular person, per night time.
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to keep in mind that with this greater price comes extra inclusions. For a lot of passengers, a Virgin Voyages cruise might even out in comparison with many mainstream choices. With all eating, gratuities, and fundamental WiFi included within the cruise fare, there may be added worth to go together with the marginally greater price ticket.
6. Restricted actually grab-and-go choices
Whereas it’s nice that every one meals is included within the cruise fare on Virgin, we do want the road provided a bit extra in relation to actually grab-and-go choices. The Social Membership is nice however has a really restricted menu, serving issues like sizzling canines, smooth pretzels, wings, and floats. The Pizza Place serves up contemporary pies made-to-order, and is open till 2 am for these late-night cravings.
Solar Membership Café is a walk-up counter-service venue on the sundeck subsequent to the doorway to Richard’s Rooftop. It serves bao buns, bowls, and dips. This venue is a bit hidden away and most of the people both neglect it’s there or by no means discover it in any respect.
Different not-quite-sit-down however not fairly quick-service choices embrace The Galley (Virgin Voyages’ reply to a buffet that’s extra like a meals market) and The Dock aft sundeck which serves a small menu of tapas within the afternoon.
Whereas there are a number of choices for informal eating, it might take ten or twenty minutes to organize. In order for you a fast chunk with out the wait, your solely choices are the “quickeze” containers within the buffet (or close to The Dock) which are sometimes a salad, vegetable crudite, or a sandwhich.
7. Lack of thrills and sights
If we had a ‘this could possibly be a professional or con’ class, this level would undoubtedly slot in there. Virgin Voyages is a really laid-back cruise line. There aren’t any principal eating rooms or set eating instances, there aren’t many bulletins on the loudspeaker all through the day, and there aren’t many bells and whistles on board.
For a lot of, this feels like — and is — the right trip. However others might discover that they miss a number of the extra distinctive facilities on different cruise ships resembling water slides, mountain climbing partitions, or escape rooms (as a result of these issues aren’t only for children!).
8. Restricted itinerary choices
Since Virgin Voyages solely has three ships (with a fourth setting sail this September), it’s solely logical that it isn’t in a position to provide as many itinerary choices as different traces. However with that being stated, there’s a good selection to select from in case you’re versatile concerning the time of yr you wish to go to a given area. For instance, this spring and summer time visitors can select from Mediterranean or a restricted variety of northern Europe voyages on Scarlet or Resilient Girl. Within the fall and winter, each ships will provide Caribbean cruises.
Valiant Girl will spend this spring and summer time in Miami earlier than relocating to San Juan for southern Caribbean sailings. The fleet’s fourth ship, Good Girl, will provide a couple of cruises to Canada/New England from New York in addition to Caribbean sailings from Miami and Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In spring 2026, the vessel will transfer to Seattle for Virgin Voyages’ first season in Alaska.
However in case you’re searching for sailings in Asia, Hawaii, or Australia, you gained’t discover them on Virgin Voyages. As effectively, areas just like the Mexican Riviera, northern Europe, and Canada/New England have very restricted seasons with this line; you’ll by far have probably the most choices within the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
9. Celebration environment might not enchantment to conventional cruisers
Virgin Voyages’ energetic environment could be a particular disadvantage for these used to traditional cruise experiences. The ships characteristic late-night DJ units, dance events, and different non-traditional leisure. Whereas quiet areas do exist onboard, the general ambiance caters extra to these looking for a trip with a vigorous social scene reasonably than a predictable cruise expertise, which can not enchantment to extra conventional cruisers.
10. Restricted poolside area
The pool and surrounding deck area on Virgin ships are likely to replenish rapidly, particularly on sea days when everybody desires to take in the solar. With fewer and smaller swimming pools in comparison with mainstream mega-ships, discovering loungers could possibly be troublesome. Whereas the adults-only idea eliminates the splashing and noise of youngsters’s areas, it doesn’t resolve the area challenge. The primary pool merely isn’t sized appropriately for the variety of passengers. This ends in a considerably cramped expertise throughout peak hours.
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