I have one word to describe sailing with Virgin Voyages - AMAZING! It is no wonder that everyone we met on our amazing 7-days around the Mediterranean was a die-hard Virgin Voyages fan. Honestly, I think we were the only people who were on our first cruise with Virgin Voyages -- some people told us they had already been on 2 this year and others said they have done 7 (and the cruise line has only been around for a few years...).
It's no question that Virgin Voyages is a fantastic cruise line, but here are a few reasons why we had a fabulous time.
1. The Food
Dining with Virgin Voyages is unlike dining on any other cruise. There is no main dining hall, but rather several specialized restaurants. The cost of all menu items is included (with a few rare exclusions), so you can order as much food as you want. Each restaurant specializes in something different and they are all delicious. From Korean BBQ to classic Italian to experimental gastronomy, there is something for everyone! The restaurants can get crowded in the evening, so be sure to book reservations on the app in advance.
In addition to the sit-down restaurants, there is also a counter service cafeteria and a few other snack and dessert shops around the ship. My favorite with the ice cream stand which offered new unique flavors each day of the voyage.
2. The Atmosphere
In case you haven't heard yet, Virgin Voyages is a no kids cruise line. So don't worry about crying babies and obnoxious teenagers. Instead, be ready for non-stop fun. Everyone, including employees, is so friendly and ready to have a good time.
There are usually two major parties on board a Virgin Voyages cruise. The first is the opening day party. This was wild! Just imagine...non-stop free champagne for everyone! It is so nice to be in an environment where everyone is just enjoying themselves -- lots of dancing, laughter, and getting to know people.
Later in the cruise there is a Scarlet Night. This night is fabulous! Everyone dresses head to toe in red and there are parties throughout the ship lasting all night long. Again, it is such a fun time to dance, drink, and meet new people.
3. The Ship
Our western Mediterranean cruise was aboard Valiant Lady. This excellent ship is well maintained and beautiful. All of the ships have a mermaid mascot, which I thought was so cute, so be sure to look for your mermaid mural painted on the side of the ship. The decor inside and outside is stunning. There is so much detail put into each space of the ship. Be sure to take time exploring and soaking in all of the little decorations.
Onboard the ship there are endless places to relax. From tire swings to hammocks to hot tubs, you can always find somewhere to take a nap, soak up the sun, or snuggle with a loved one. There is even a catamaran that overlooks the ocean!
As for swimming, there are two swimming pools, but they are more like relaxation pools. There is not space or depth to actually swim, but they are perfect for cooling off in. These pools can get pretty crowded during the day, so arrive early if you want to swim with less people around. The small pools is probably the only thing I would complain about on our Virgin Voyages cruise. But again, since there are no kids, it makes since that the pools are smaller and more equipped for relaxing. There are TONS of hot tubs scattered allover the ship.
For any fitness fans, there are so many places to workout with Virgin Voyages. There are two gym areas -- one that focuses on strength and the other on cardio. In addition, there are several outdoor workout spaces like pull up bars, a boxing ring, a basketball court, and pushup bars. These never seemed too crowded, so there is always room to get a workout in.
As far as entertainment, there are various dance clubs, bars, casinos, shops, and theater scattered throughout the ship. You will NEVER have a dull moment. The Manor is the best place to spend the evenings. This swanky dance club is also one of the most Instagrammable spots on board.
4. The Pricing
One of my favorite things about sailing with Virgin Voyages is that there were no hidden costs. Yes, the initial price of the cruise may be a bit more than sailing with other cruise lines, but unlike other cruises, I was not surprised with a huge bill at the end of the voyage asking for extra payments for drinks, wifi, and tips.
I was very delighted when I found out that all tips and wifi are included. This was such a relief because I tried to pay for wifi with another cruise and was sorely disappointed that I wasted like $50 a day for the slowest connection. Yes, the connection on Virgin Voyages is not incredibly fast (I mean it is the middle of the ocean), but at least it was already included! Not having to pay tips was also such a relief. I am so glad these were already included in the cost of the cruise.
As for drinks, basic drinks (water, juice, soda, coffee, tea) are free for all. Alcohol and some special drinks (cocktails, lattes, tea blends, etc.), cost extra. They usually offer a drink package deal. The one that most people had on our cruise was for a $600 bar tab for only $300. We do not drink that much so we did not purchase it, but it definitely seems like a good deal if you want to take advantage of all the drinks onboard.
5. The Luxury
Finally, nothing beats the luxurious experience of sailing with Virgin Voyages. The rooms are large and comfortable, and (I think) each room comes with a balcony and hammock. And like mentioned earlier, there is always a spot to relax, order drinks, and just enjoy the beautiful ocean views.
The spas are also incredible -- be sure to purchase a Thermal Spa package at least once during your cruise. It can get crowded, but if you are strategic, you can have the spa all to yourself. We went during dinner time on Scarlet Night. We were the only people in the whole spa. We had an early dinner that day and still had time to change into our red clothes after the spa.
Whether you are preparing for your first Virgin Voyages cruise, or debating on whether to go one, hopefully this has been helpful in giving you a peak into the experience. We had an amazing time and cannot wait to sail again!
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