If you think cruises are all boring buffets, basic bingo and blaring announcements, Virgin Voyages is here to change your mind. From the moment you step aboard, it’s clear that things here are a little different. Virgin Voyages is adults-only, delightfully stylish and just a little bit cheeky. I’m hooked and here are 10 things I adore, and that I think you will love about Virgin Voyages.
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1.) You Can’t Beat All the Included Dining
Virgin Voyages is a foodies dream. It has some of the best pizza at sea, delicious gelato and breakfast tacos….and none of those even come from the speciality spots.
The food is a la carte throughout the ship. There is no traditional buffet so your dinner is always fresh and tasty. Instead of the buffet, there is a food court style space called The Galley. In here you’ll find eight different counters, including Noodle Around with surprisingly great ramen noodles, Diner and Dash serving all day (and all night) breakfast, and Bento Baby’s grab and devour sushi.
Elsewhere, you are going to find some extra eateries (as they are known on Virgin Voyages). Highlights include the utterly divine octopus and prawns at The Dock & Dockhouse, the tasty buffalo chicken wings at The Social Club and easily overlooked bao buns and poke bowls at the Sun Club Cafe.
Finally, you have the six “speciality” spots. Unlike on nearly every other crucial one in the world, every restaurant is included in your fare, and they are all chefs kiss!
- Pink Agave – Described as elevated Mexican, this is not your standard Tex-Mex fare. There’s duck, prawns, steak (famously slathered in mole and cheese) and street corn that people go crazy for.
- The Wake – A classic steak and seafood restaurant. Start with the creamy clam chowder, presented with flair and then have a perfectly cooked steak or salt baked dorade served table side.
- Extra Virgin – The Italian onboard is full of flavour bombs. The charcuterie board gets better and better and the chicken parfait is light as air. Then you can pick from plenty of pasta, another delicious steak and finish it all up with the iconic affogato cart.
- Test Kitchen – Using unusual ingredients or unusual cooking methods, the food here is interesting and delicious. The tasting menu doesn’t give much away but the staff will guide you through as you go. Some may find the dishes challenging, but as it’s included, it’s worth a go!
- Razzle Dazzle – When first launched, Razzle Dazzle was a vegetarian forward spot with utterly instagrammable dishes. They have added more and more meat as time has passed, so now you can get a delicious chicken burger, chicken wings and their stupidly delicious candied bacon with a bit of spice.
- Gunbae – Korean food is the star of Gunbae. After an exciting selection of started and medium dishes, the BBQZ is fired up and loaded with protein. Seating is shared and the ice is broken with a fun drinking game.
2.) There Are No Kiddos
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like kids, but not everywhere, all the time. Personally, I don’t have children, so going on an adults-only cruise is an easy decision, but hear me out. There are three main reasons I think it is a brilliant way to cruise
- It’s nice that Virgin devotes all its effort to entertaining us grown-ups. Without kids’ clubs or family-friendly shows, every consideration is taken for the adults’ amusement. It weirdly gives the more mature amongst us the chance to play and act a little childlike. When was the last time you got to colour in a picture or get on swings and a seesaw?
- Everyone is old enough to be a little naughty. Whether that’s a swear or three in a show, or a drink or three at the bar, everyone can relax knowing that we are all allowed.
- The only people throwing crying fits are grown ups, and they tend to do it a little less frequently. This really adds to the relaxation and general noise level.
3.) You Can Have a Grown Up Bar Tab
Virgin Voyages doesn’t have standard drink packages. Instead, they offer the chance to prepay for a bar tab, which they will sometimes add a little bonus to. This means nobody is counting drinks to ensure they get the most out of the package, people tend to be slightly more mindful about day drinking, and the drinks served onboard aren’t terribly sweet and watered down. Rather, they are nicely crafted cocktails or generous pours of wine.
Paying per drink rather than per day means if we want a boozy day, we can have one. If we want a dry day, we haven’t “wasted” anything. Plus, water, fizzy drinks, tea and coffee are all included in the fare so you can stay hydrated without a pesky drinks package.
4.) There’s a Running Track in the Sky
The running/walking tracks on the Virgin Voyages’ ships are right up at the top of the ship. On many other ships, you will find them on the promenade deck, littered with sunbeds, benches and loungers. Deck 17’s track has no obstacles (besides the odd annoying Instagrammer taking this photo…yes, I know I am part of the problem). Everyone goes anticlockwise whether they are running, jogging or strolling to top up to those magical 10,000 steps. It just takes away the low-level irritation of sharing the deck with people who aren’t on the move.
5.) The Delicious Double Entendres
When Virgin Voyages first launched, they gained a reputation for being a little risqué. There was definitely an adult vibe, but it was always based on humour, and they have definitely pulled back since those early days. The jokes on board are just a touch naughty. I’m not talking super dirty, just a healthy level of Carry On tongue in cheek. For example, the ice cream spot is called “Like Me Til Ice Cream”. If that makes you smil,e then Virgin may just be for you.
6.) You Don’t Have to Carry a Purse
By this, I mean a British purse. In American English it would be a wallet, billfold or coin purse. Tips are either included in your cruise fare. prepaid, or paid onboard directly to Sailor Services, so you don’t have to stress about getting cash out for every drink and every meal.
It is well known that Virgin Voyages pays its staff well and so tipping for service during your sailing isn’t required. Instead, it’s great to name excellent staff in the daily surveys you receive at the end of the day. When they get mentioned, they gain perks.
7.) Virgin Voyages Make You WANT to Exercise
Wellness is a big deal on Virgin Voyages. You are going to find a lot of the ships real estate dedicated to working out. There is a large gym with two sides, one dedicated to weights and yoga, the other all about cardio. There’s even a studio space upstairs with boxing facilities!
I have spent a little time on the running machines but you can do that anywhere and that’s not what makes Virgin special. It is the unusual classes on offer. Guided yoga, bungee classes (so much fun) and HIIT are all available to book. Better than that, they are all included. As spots are limited, you will be charged if you miss the class but turn up and it won’t cost you a penny. In particular, the boy band dance classes and VHS workout make me grin like an idiot whilst I work up a sweat. They are presented by the talented Happrnings Cast and are all about enjoying yourself.
8.) There’s No Stuffy Formal Night
Long gowns and tuxedos are purely optional on Virgin Voyages’ special evening. The only dress code requirement (and even that is optional) is that you wear a hint of red. For some that means a nice red hat, for some a waistcoat of red sparkles and for some, a full on crimson costume.
After hearing the tale of Scarlet Night m, and the song that will be in your head all jgiht, everyone breaks out to explore the pop ups through the ship. We have sung karaoke, parties to a DJ, learned a pirate shanty, found circus performances and jammed to some great guitar. Then, sailors come back together for an epic party around (and sometimes in) the pool. Dancing, secrets and a big ol’ pool party all in a splash of scarlet. What’s not to love?
9.) Each Bar Has its Own Personality
Every bar on the ship has a different vibe and more than that, a different drinks menu so you can find ”your local” or try new things throughout the cruise. For example, Mr Fluskey is a rum fiend. Imagine his delight when he discovered the speciality rums at The Loose Cannon. For high end bubbles, make a beeline for Sip Lounge. Speaking of bees, the Bees Knees at the Dock is a real winner, as are their sangrias. The Red Bar in Razzle Dazzle and Gunbae’s menu both have novelty drinks which still pack a yummy punch. The pool bars have your frozen drinks and Pink Agave is STACKED with tequilas and mezcals. Whatever your tipple, there is a place for you. I’ve also heard that the bartenders at On the Rocks and Draft House love to create new cocktails for sailors based on their preferences so have fun!
10.) Virgin Voyages Likes a Late Sleeper
If you are not an early riser, you will love Virgin Voyages. From day one of your cruise, you don’t need to set a horrible alarm. Boarding times are later, starting at 13:30 (1:30pm) so you can enjoy your hotel’s full check out time.
Boarding later also means disembarking on your last day is later too. They don’t turf you off at 06:00 with nothing to do until anything opens or your flight leaves. Instead, you can wait right up until 10:00 to get off.
Breakfast is served in the Galley until 11:00 and there is brunch at The Wake and Razzle Dazzle until even later. If you are really sleeping in, but need a breakfast fox, Diner and Dash does cooked breakfast all day! You are allowed to take the grab and go boxes from the fridges around the shop and put them in your fridge room too, so you wouldn’t even have to go upstairs to get brekkie.
Final Thoughts on the Things You’ll Love About Virgin Voyages
From the food to the fun, there are definitely more than just these 10 things you’ll love about Virgin Voyages. We have taken three cruises with Virgin and I know we will be back onboard again soon. Just like us, once you experience the Virgin way to sail, you’ll never look at cruising the same way again.
Rosie xx
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