Virgin Voyages made a splash onto the cruising scene when its first ship, Scarlet Girl, started crusing in 2021. Since then, two further ships have joined the fleet and one other is about to start crusing in 2025. For those who’re planning to e-book a cruise, right here’s what you want to know earlier than cruising on Virgin Voyages.
Adults Solely
Whereas some cruise strains are extra family-friendly than others, Virgin Voyages is strictly adults-only. With a design aimed to enchantment to the 18+ crowd, Virgin Voyages’ purpose is to create an “environment for reflection, transformation, and exploration without life’s everyday stressors.”
Thus, bookings are open solely to sailors who’re 18 years of age or older — completely no children are allowed on Virgin Voyages.
The cruise line is very trying to enchantment to those that won’t ordinarily contemplate a cruise for his or her subsequent trip. The vibe on the ship can also be extra informal. So, there isn’t any have to pack your formal apparel — except you wish to for issues just like the “We Fancy” occasion or Scarlet Night time.
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All-Inclusive Pricing
Virgin Voyages’ cruise fares provide probably the most inclusive choices within the premium cruise line class.
All cruise fares on Virgin Voyages embrace primary drinks, gratuities, WiFi, specialty eating, and extra.
Complimentary primary drinks embrace nonetheless and glowing water, non-pressed juices, soda, tea, and drip espresso. You may wish to deliver a reusable water bottle, as there isn’t any bottled water out there on board. As a substitute, there are water refill stations all through the ship.
Cruise fares additionally embrace all gratuities, even on providers akin to spa therapies. Because of this there might be NO further service fees or crew ideas added to your onboard account. There may also be no gratuity added to alcoholic drinks bought.
Different inclusions which might be usually an up-charge on a cruise are primary WiFi for all passengers, in addition to group health lessons. Eating in all venues can also be a part of the cruise fare.
Nonetheless, there’s a cost to improve to streaming WiFi or for sure premium menu gadgets on the onboard eating places.
Associated Put up: Are Cruises All-Inclusive?
A Number of Eating Choices
Talking of eating places, Virgin Voyages has upped the ante in the case of cruise ship eating. There isn’t a fundamental eating room, no true buffet, and no set dinner instances.
As a substitute, there are 20+ eating choices which might be all included in your cruise fare.
The Galley is the meals corridor serving made-to-order burgers, tacos, noodles, sushi, candy treats, and extra. Then, there are a number of specialty eating places serving up worldwide flavors.
Among the many eating venues, one which tops our listing is The Wake. Situated on the aft of the ship, this glamorous restaurant options high-end steak and seafood choices for a scrumptious dinner with a view.
Different eating places embrace Further Virgin, an Italian trattoria serving handmade pasta and Pink Agave, an upscale Mexican restaurant. There’s additionally the energetic Korean BBQ restaurant, Gunbae, Razzle Dazzle, and experiential meals on a set menu at Take a look at Kitchen.
Since there aren’t any set dinner instances, company could make reservations on the Virgin Voyages app beginning 45 days earlier than departure (or 60 days for sailors booked in Mega RockStar and RockStar Quarters). Although, just one reservation per restaurant could be made prematurely.
The meals and eating is actually the place Virgin Voyages shines! The meals high quality and intimate areas make you’re feeling like you might be eating at a restaurant on land as a substitute of on a cruise ship.
Cabin Choices
Scarlet Girl’s cabins undoubtedly get you nearer to the ocean. Ninety-three % of all cabins on the ship have an ocean view. Eighty-six % of the cabins have a balcony, and practically all come full with a pink hammock for swaying to the movement of the ocean and having fun with the saltwater breeze.
The cabins actually have a novel model, together with technological enhancements, fashionable décor, and a configurable seabed.
All rooms embrace rainfall showers, temper lighting, a 43+ inch TV, lavatory toiletries, a number of energy and USB retailers, and a secure large enough on your laptop computer.
Sadly, sailors can not choose their actual room location. Very similar to a resort, the cruise line auto assigns a room from the chosen cabin class on the time of reserving. Nonetheless, should you name Sailor Providers or work with a journey agent they can get you booked into a particular cabin of your selection.
Cabin classes are the Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace, and RockStar Quarters together with essentially the most lavish Huge Suite.
Whereas we initially questioned the performance of the cabins, we have been pleasantly stunned. The closet has loads of storage for a five-day cruise. The dimensions of the cabin can also be on par with different normal balcony cabins, although the lavatory does really feel notably smaller.
When it comes to the mattress, will probably be left within the nighttime configuration (as a mattress) except you request for it to be modified to the couch setup (daytime configuration).
We actually loved the hammock on the balcony, the rainfall bathe, and the abundance of retailers.
No Beverage Packages
Not like most up to date cruise strains, Virgin Voyages doesn’t provide cruise ship beverage packages.
Fundamental drinks like nonetheless and glowing water, non-pressed juices, soda, tea, and drip espresso are included. Premium espresso, contemporary squeezed juice, and alcoholic drinks will value additional.
Sailors can buy a Bar Tab earlier than setting sail. It is a devoted allowance for premium drinks that can be utilized onboard the ship and on the Seashore Membership at Bimini. Be aware that the Bar Tab is nonrefundable as soon as the voyage begins.
Fortunately, not all sailors in a cabin have to buy a Bar Tab. Since it really works extra like onboard credit score than a conventional drink package deal, you need to use the Bar Tab for drinks as you would like, together with utilizing it to buy drinks for fellow sailors.
Virgin Voyages is at the moment working a deal the place should you pre-purchase a $100 Bar Tab, they’ll add an additional $10. You get an additional $25 on a $200 Bar Tab, and an additional $50 on a $300 Bar Tab.
Sailors are additionally welcome to deliver two 750mL bottles of wine per cabin in carry-on luggage (no liquor or beer). Of word, there’s a corkage price of $25 at eating places.
The prices of drinks are on par with different cruise strains, minus the extra gratuity cost. So, you may rack up fairly the hefty invoice should you’re not paying consideration.
We do hope Virgin Voyages reconsiders this selection. As mainstream cruisers, we just like the comfort of drink packages and even espresso playing cards provided by different cruise strains.
Associated Put up: Caribbean Cruise Planning Information
The Band Acts as Your Key Card
Very similar to Princess Cruises’ Ocean Medallion, The Band bracelet is your wearable all-in-one machine. The Band acts as your room key card permitting you to enter your cabin, make onboard purchases, and extra.
The band additionally acts as a geo-locator for app options like Shake for Champagne and Ship Eats. Basically, it permits the crew to seek out you onboard the ship to ship meals and drinks ordered via the app.
You’ll obtain your band throughout check-in on the terminal previous to embarkation. It’s crusing particular, so that you won’t be able to make use of it for future voyages.
All Caribbean Cruises Go to The Seashore Membership at Bimini
The Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries on Virgin Voyages present a number of totally different 4 to eight-day choices. Fortunately, all Caribbean itineraries go to the Seashore Membership at Bimini with prolonged time in port effectively into the night. This unique 4.5 acre resort within the Bahamas overlooks the ocean and gives an expansive lagoon-style swimming pools.
There are many complimentary hammocks, seaside loungers, and cozy furnishings to loosen up, in addition to personal poolside and beach-side cabanas to hire. Like most cruise ship personal locations, the Seashore Membership gives complimentary meals choices, three bars, water sport leases, and excursions for buy.
Associated Put up: High Non-public Islands
Distinctive Leisure
Very similar to eating, Virgin Voyages has re-envisioned cruise ship leisure. Scarlet Girl gives distinctive leisure choices in contrast to your typical fundamental theater and Broadway-esque reveals.
The Crimson Room is the transformational theater that provides 4 totally different configurations. This enables for utterly totally different experiences all through the cruise.
With trendy and immersive leisure choices, you’ll actually wish to take a look at the reveals, together with Duel Actuality and UNTITLED DANCEPARTYSHOWTHING.
If that’s not sufficient, there’s additionally the Instagram-worthy The Manor nightclub, which options numerous late-night dance events — together with themed ones.
Lastly, there’s Scarlet Night time, which is an all-evening occasion culminating with an enormous occasion on the pool deck. Until you’re crusing a particular cruise over a vacation, this might be THE largest occasion of your crusing and also you don’t wish to miss it. Remember to pack some enjoyable pink clothes and your sparkliest make-up to assist get you within the temper for the most effective nights of the crusing.
Late Embarkation and Disembarkation
Consistent with the occasion vibe, Virgin Voyages is providing later checkout instances than most up to date cruise strains. Sailors can join disembarkation instances as late at 10:45 am. So, do plan your flights dwelling accordingly.
With that being stated, embarkation begins later as effectively, typically 2 pm. So, in case you are flying into the homeport the morning of your cruise, you’ll have loads of time to get to the terminal. Additional, the ship doesn’t normally depart till 7 or 8 pm. Nonetheless, the sail away occasion usually begins an hour earlier than sail away, so be sure you head as much as the primary pool deck to benefit from the occasion (together with a free glass of champagne!).
We do suggest finishing your check-in as quickly as attainable so you may reserve one of many earlier boarding teams.
Obtain the Virgin Voyages App
Lastly, earlier than you set sail with Virgin Voyages, be sure you obtain the Virgin Voyages app. This app might be your digital useful resource as soon as onboard the ship.
You can also make eating reservations or reserve shore excursions through the app (both pre-cruise or as soon as onboard). You too can make reservations for the spa and health lessons (the latter of which is complimentary).
The Virgin Voyages app, at the side of The Band, additionally permits for onboard foods and drinks supply providers, together with Shake for Champagne.
Very similar to different cruise line apps, you may view your onboard account and all of the day by day actions as effectively. You may even chat with Sailor Providers through the app as a substitute of visiting in individual.
Additional, the app will ship push notifications with reminders for reservations, to warn you when the ship is cleared to go ashore at a port of name, and extra.
There’s additionally a pill situated in every cabin from which you’ll be able to request providers like water, towels, room cleansing, and extra. This pill additionally controls the lights and curtains within the room.
Now that you understand all the pieces there’s to know earlier than cruising on Virgin Voyages, the one factor left to do is have time!
Feedback
Is there the rest you wish to know earlier than cruising on Virgin Voyages? Do you’ve gotten an upcoming crusing on Scarlet Girl or Valiant Girl? Drop us an anchor beneath together with your questions on this new cruise line.
