My Virgin Voyages Experience: A Cruise Like No Other!

I just stepped off my very first Virgin Voyages cruise, and y’all, I can’t stop talking about how amazing it was! Seriously, I’ve done cruises in the past, and I honestly thought it wasn’t for me—but Virgin has completely switched my gears. Cruising is for me, as long as it’s on a Virgin cruise. I’m that in love with it. So much so, I’m already working on booking a group rate to go to Alaska (feel free to join us!).

Now, I’ve been on other cruises before, but I’m not going to name any cruise lines. Let’s just say they have some of the biggest ships out there. But Virgin? It’s in a league of its own. Let me tell you about some of my favorite things, and I’ll even throw in a few tips and tricks to make your Virgin Voyages experience even better.

1. Virgin Voyages is Adults-Only (18+), and It’s a Game Changer!I know, we all love kiddos, but sometimes it’s nice to leave them at home and enjoy an adults-only getaway. Virgin Voyages completely caters to grown-ups, and it makes a huge difference. Without kids onboard, they can focus solely on providing experiences for adults, which means more space for us to enjoy the things we love.

There’s a game room filled with puzzles, childhood games, cards, and trivia. The arcade is free to use, and there are so many great spots on the upper deck to sunbathe, relax, or even walk on the trail or hit the workout areas. Even down below, there are tons of places to enjoy the stunning ocean views, and the inside areas are filled with cozy nooks to relax and enjoy the vibe. There’s no giant atrium like you might find on other cruises, but there are plenty of amazing areas to unwind and take it all in.

2. Entertainment for a More Mature Audience: The entertainment on Virgin Voyages is truly something special. We found shows starting in the late afternoon and running all evening long, ensuring there was something for everyone no matter what time you were in the mood for a show. Some performances took place in smaller, more intimate venues, such as comedy shows, which gave you the chance to enjoy a more personal and interactive experience. Others were in larger venues, offering grander productions, but even those felt more upscale and relaxed compared to the typical cruise entertainment. What I loved was the variety—every night, you had multiple options to choose from, whether you were in the mood for live music, a Broadway-style show, or a good laugh with stand-up comedy. It was never a case of "nothing to do" at night, and with so many performances to choose from, you could pick the perfect vibe for your evening.

3. The Food: Included, Delicious, and Diverse: Okay, this was a huge difference for me. On Virgin, ALL food is included in your price. No more worrying about specialty restaurants, because there are over 20 restaurants on the ship, and every single one is fantastic. They’ve got everything from Italian, Mexican, and steakhouse options to more unique spots like Korean BBQ or Test Kitchen, where you’ll experience an experimental dining experience you won’t want to miss.

A pro tip: don’t make reservations for dinner before 7 PM. Trust me, you’ll want more time to explore ports and hang out on the sun deck! They do keep half the reservations open for onboard guests, or you can even walk up. I didn’t have a single complaint about the food—it was all incredible.

Also, if you're in the mood for something quick, there’s the Galley (think food truck-style stands) with everything from burgers and sushi to desserts, salads, and even a grab-and-go corner with charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and salads. Drinks? No problem. There’s a Coke machine with a ton of flavors, plus coffee, tea, and flavored waters available 24/7.

4. Port Times and Extra Time for Exploration: We were always one of the last ships to leave port, usually around 5:30-6:30 PM, which gave us so much more time to explore and enjoy. Other ships were leaving around 4 PM, so this extra time was a huge perk. Plus, being on a smaller ship meant we could get from one port to the next much faster, so there was more time for fun.

5. The Ship: Luxury Yacht Vibes: If you’re looking for the biggest ship in the world, this may not be for you. But if you’re after a luxury yacht vibe, this is it. The ship was never small, but I felt comfortable navigating it, and it had a cozy, intimate feel.

6. The Rooms: Light, Comfortable, and Full of Fun Features: I’d read mixed reviews about the rooms, but I honestly loved ours. We had a Sea Terrace, which is equivalent to a balcony room. The balcony was amazing, with a signature red hammock that might just be the most comfortable hammock ever (seriously, I spent a lot of time out there napping and reading).

The room had fun features like mood lighting (controlled by an iPad, which is amazing), temperature control, and the ability to send messages to the crew (I used it to have a cake delivered for a roommate’s birthday). There was also plenty of storage space, and the bed was super comfy. We had twin beds, but they could easily be pushed together for a king.

The bathroom was your typical cruise size, but the products they use—shampoo, conditioner, soap—smelled absolutely amazing! Plus, they provided towels for excursions, which was so convenient. And if you ever need a break, the room has tons of movies to choose from!

7. Nightclubs, Parties, and Fun: The nighttime parties were a blast. We went to a PJ party on the pool deck, a Y2K party (hello, 2000s!), an 80s party, and of course, Scarlett Night. Scarlett Night is a special event where the entire ship turns red, from the lights to the crew’s outfits and even the drink menu. From 7-9 PM, there are random flash mobs, storytelling, dancing, singing, and even acrobatics happening in various spots. Later, the party moves to the top deck for more dancing, and there’s an after-party. We didn’t make it that far, but it was a fantastic experience.

8. The Workout Areas and Classes: Virgin really focuses on wellness. The fitness classes are all free (with a $10 donation required if you don’t cancel or show up), and I took full advantage. I tried a bungee workout class (so fun and such a great workout!) and a spin class, plus yoga and HIIT. There are classes all day long, so there’s always something to fit your schedule.

9. The Spa: While I didn’t get a chance to try the spa myself, many others told me how wonderful it was. You can even buy a day pass for under $100 to enjoy the spa areas.

Bonus: Tattoo Time: I was also surprised to see a lot of people getting tattoos onboard, which was a fun little bonus for those looking to commemorate their journey!

Virgin Voyages: The Perfect Cruise Experience: If you haven’t tried Virgin Voyages yet, you absolutely should. It might just change the way you cruise. And right now, they’ve got an amazing deal—8% off the second sailor and up to $300 onboard credit!

It was an unforgettable trip, and I can’t wait for my next Virgin cruise. If you’re interested in hearing more or want to book your own adventure, send me a message—I’d love to help you plan this amazing trip!