If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind cruise experience that offers first-class luxury and unbeatable vibes, look no further than Virgin Voyages! I recently had the pleasure of taking my first Adult Only Virgin Voyages cruise and let me tell you – it was an experience I won’t forget anytime soon. In this blog, I’m going to give you a comprehensive overview of my cruise, from the moment I stepped onto the Scarlet Lady to the moment I disembarked. So, if you’re curious to know what to expect on a Virgin Voyages cruise, read on to find out!
Overview of Virgin Voyages
First things first: let’s take a look at who Virgin Voyages is and what they offer. Virgin Voyages is an adult-only cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group. The company was founded in 2014 and launched its first cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, in 2020.
Virgin Voyages has a different approach to cruising than traditional lines. They focus on creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere for adults, with a variety of activities, dining experiences, and entertainment. They also focus on sustainability and community building, offering a variety of onboard activities and shore excursions that promote local cultures and environments.
How does this translate in real life? For starters, think of no buffets, and no food waste…They partner with organizations for items they need that will help to lift up and provide income for indigenous villages across the globe (like Thailand for example), where YellowLeaf creates the custom hammocks that hang on all of the balconies and are made of recycled ocean waste! It is by far the most luxurious ship, but far more, they are also doing good things across the globe to make your vacation possible!
What to expect on a Virgin Voyages cruise
Before I get into my own experience, let’s take a look at what to expect on a Virgin Voyages cruise. As I mentioned, Virgin Voyages focuses on creating an adult-only atmosphere filled with fun and relaxation. The cruises are all-inclusive, so you don’t have to worry about going over budget. When you pay for your cruise EVERYTHING is included in the price of the cruise with the exception of alcohol (we will get to that in a minute). It includes taxes, on-ship tips & gratuities, and ALL food, there are no fees for specialty dining.
Each Virgin Voyages cruise includes a variety of activities, entertainment, and dining experiences. From live music and comedy shows to onboard cooking classes and yoga, there’s something for everyone. The ships also have multiple bars, lounges, and clubs so you can let loose and have a good time.
Now let me address two things. First, the VIBE that I keep talking about. This was the most inclusive cruise, or vacation for that matter, that I have ever been on. From solo cruisers to couples, young to older, parents with their 20-something kids, every race, gender, ethnicity, etc. AND all the people I meet kept saying the same thing, “The people they met on this ship were the nicest people they had ever met on vacation”. It just had a VIBE of happiness, inclusivity, and good times. That is not to say that you had to party all the time…there was certainly a lot of that going on, but there were also a lot of nice and luxurious spots to relax. The wellness classes (if working out on vacation is your thing) were off the charts, and they are ALL included in the price of your cruise!
The other thing I said I would get to was the actual extra costs. So here is what you do have to pay for: Alcohol, Specialty Coffees, Pressed Juices, Shore Excursions, Spa, Shopping, tattoos (yes, there is a tattoo parlor on board), salon services, and casino. The typical things that you would need to pay for on any vacation. While they don’t have a drink package, they do price their drinks better than the average hotel and you can prepurchase a Bar Tab before you sail, which gives you a $50 bonus for every $300 that you put on your tab. The benefits of this are that you don’t have to purchase a drink package for each person in your cabin (lots of people may have a big drinker and a non-drinker, but most cruise lines require you to purchase the drink package for all adults in a room). Additionally, money put on a bar tab can be used by anyone if you give permission and in any manner you want. If you want to buy a round of shots, go for it! Feel like shaking for champagne? Just shake your app and push the button!
The Scarlet Lady: My Incredible First Virgin Voyages Cruise
Now, let’s take a look at my Virgin Voyages cruise. I took a five-night Dominican Daze journey on the Scarlet Lady, a luxurious cruise ship with a capacity of 2,700 passengers. The ship was absolutely stunning, with modern décor, comfortable cabins, and plenty of amenities.
The moment I stepped onboard the Scarlet Lady, I was taken aback by the beauty of the ship. The crew was friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was relaxed and fun. I was ready for an unforgettable experience!
Once on board, we were able to head straight to our room to drop off the items that we carried on the ship. We accessed the room with our Virgin Voyages bracelet that also acts as your room key, it pays for everything and/or is attached to your bar tab, and it’s used to get you on and off the ship. Then we headed out to get familiar with the ship and quickly found our way to Sips…the luxury Champagne and Caviar Lounge onboard!
Highlights of My Virgin Voyages Cruise
Throughout my five-night journey on the Scarlet Lady, I had the opportunity to experience a variety of activities, entertainment, and dining experiences. Here are some of the highlights of my cruise:
First-Class Luxury
The first thing that struck me about my Virgin Voyages cruise was the luxurious accommodations. The cabins were outfitted with modern décor and comfortable beds, and I had access to a variety of amenities, including a mini-fridge and a flat-screen TV. The ship also had multiple pools, hot tubs, and a spa, so I could relax and unwind in style. There were also multiple terraces with various atmospheres from a party lots of going, to very quiet if you were looking to read or snooze, or just a chill place to relax with a cocktail as you set sail from the port.
Unbeatable Vibes
The atmosphere on the Scarlet Lady was truly unbeatable. Everywhere I went, there was a fun and relaxed vibe. The crew was friendly and welcoming, and there was always something going on. From live music and comedy shows to themed nights, there was never a dull moment! There were so many events going on all the time and live music everywhere. You will never be bored on this ship…and there is even an entire area dedicated to adults letting out their inner child as you play board games, Foose ball, table-top shuffleboard, and a full (FREE) arcade!
Dining Experiences on the Scarlet Lady
If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience, you won’t be disappointed on a Virgin Voyages cruise. The ship has a variety of restaurants, bars, and lounges, so you can find something to suit your tastes. From traditional Italian and Mexican cuisine to sushi and steak, there’s something for everyone.
The food was absolutely delicious, and the presentation was top-notch. I also had the opportunity to try some of the specialty cocktails, which were refreshing and flavorful. I highly recommend the Virgin Voyages dining experience!
We managed to snag reservations at each of the restaurants onboard (with the exception of the Korean barbecue, which many people actually said was their favorite). We happened to LOVE Test Kitchen and because they have two different menus each sailing we wanted to try them both and gave up our reservation to dine here a second time. This was definitely our favorite! It’s an elevated adventurous culinary journey through six courses. You can also do a wine or cocktail pairing and both times we chose to do the wine pairing which was amazing! We had things like mushroom foam, blue cheese ice cream, and venison with chocolate and a gravy sauce. Everything was amazing!
We also loved The Wake, the ships Steakhouse that is also open for brunch daily (the clam chowder is a show stopper). Pink Agave, an elevated take on Mexican cuisine, trust me to try the duck main course! And finally, Extra Virgin, the ship’s Italian restaurant that does dinner and also has an aperativo hour some evenings at 5pm. The beef carpaccio was out of this world!
Entertainment on the Scarlet Lady
The entertainment on the Scarlet Lady was top-notch. The ship has multiple theaters, bars, and lounges, so there’s something for everyone. I had the opportunity to attend a few live music and comedy shows, and they were absolutely fantastic. Some great and, slightly wild, nightly events included a departure night Pajama Party (don’t forget your PJs), any night dancing at The Manor, the entertaining and acrobatic Dual Reality Show, and the Sex Comedy Show!
I will say this about the entertainment, it was imaginative and sometimes pressed the limits of what you would think possible! The talent level of these entertainers is nothing short of amazing. It is most definitely not your parent’s cruise…meaning this is not traditional cruise entertainment. It’s next level! So many things to see and do, but take this for what it’s worth. If you were to only see one show, Around the World in 80 minutes with The Diva (or whatever the title might be at the time) is hands down the show to see. It has everything, it is so entertaining. She sings she dances, she’s hilarious, and she does aerial acrobatics! Mic Drop…
The ship also has a variety of activities, from karaoke, and trivia nights to dance classes. There’s something for everyone, so you’re sure to find something that appeals to you.
Onboard Activities
In addition to the entertainment and dining experiences, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy on a Virgin Voyages cruise. The ship has a variety of sports courts, fitness centers, and spas, so you can stay active and relaxed.
The ship also has a variety of onboard classes, from cooking to yoga. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the ship, from the art gallery to the observation deck.
Ports of Call
My five-night Virgin Voyages cruise took me to two different ports of call. I had the opportunity to explore some beautiful islands in the Caribbean, from an unforgettable cultural tour “Eat, Drink, Dance” in the Dominican Republic to the crystal-clear waters of the private Beach Club at Bimini. The tour we did in the Dominican was one of the BEST cruise excursions I have ever done. It was so culturally immersive, showing you so much of this beautiful area in just 5 hours and the staff that ran the tour was absolutely phenomenal! Virgin Voyages has a commitment to only partnering with local tour groups that treat their staff and the environment ethically, focus on culturally immersive itineraries, and ensure that they are eco-friendly (especially when the sea and animals are involved)!
In Bimini, we also did a short cultural tour of Bimini before heading to the beach club, which I would also highly recommend if you want to see the real Bimini. We saw where the locals live, learned much about the government and many legendary people (like Martin Luther King, Jr.) that frequented Bimini over the years, and saw how to remove a conch from its shell and taste a selection of local favorites. The shore excursions were truly unforgettable. I had the opportunity to visit a few local restaurants and markets, and I even had the chance to take a tour of a local rum distillery.
Spilling Some Top Secret Virgin Voyages “Tea”
While I certainly don’t want to ruin all of the surprises in store…there are a few things that could help make your VV sailing on any of their ships more enjoyable with a little bit of secret info, so I am “Spilling the Tea”:
- The entertainment is amazing, but the one must-do event is the legendary Scarlet Night party! On the ship, all the lights turn bright red to welcome in Scarlet Night, a wild party with entertainment, a pool party, drinks, and a 6am finish. If you are in the know enough to get an invite…there are even secret parties in various locations around the ship, in addition to the ones shown in your itinerary!
- A not-so-secret, secret, but not well advertised…I heard it on a ship tour toward the end of our cruise, is that you are allowed to sunbathe topless on the Perch, should this be your desire!
- Some of the wilder experiences aboard the ship include a restaurant that plays drinking games with the table as you cook your own food, a twist on common cruise ship bingo where a Drag Queen calls the numbers and makes you cluck like a chicken, or other outrageous sounds to call “BINGO”, and a place to get an IV aboard the ship…should you find yourself too hungover!
- Did someone say FREE Champagne? If you are a Rockstar or a Mega Rockstar…or lucky enough to befriend one during your cruise and get invited, Richard’s Rooftop serves free glasses of Moet Chandon champagne every day from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Excursions, the pool, and the bars are lovely places to make new friends on the ship!
- One of the best-kept secrets for an ultimate splurge is the only MAC Make Porthole, the only MAC store at sea, where you can book a free makeover with a $100 makeup purchase! But schedule quick, as spots fill up! A great way to get GLAMMED for Scarlet Night!
Overall Review of my Virgin Voyages Cruise
My Virgin Voyages cruise was an unforgettable experience. From the first-class luxury to the unbeatable vibes, it was an experience I won’t soon forget. The crew was friendly and welcoming, and the ship was absolutely stunning.
The food was delicious, the entertainment was top-notch, and the onboard activities were fun and engaging. I also had the opportunity to explore a few beautiful Caribbean islands, which was truly the icing on the cake.
I had an incredible time on my Virgin Voyages cruise (I actually purchased two future cruise credits before I got off the boat if that tells you anything) and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking for first-class luxury or unbeatable vibes, a Virgin Voyages cruise is sure to deliver. So, if you’re looking for an amazing cruise experience, be sure to give Virgin Voyages a try!
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