A Deep Dive into Virgin Voyages: Redefining the Cruise Experience

I must admit that I was quite fascinated by the launch of Virgin Voyages. The cruise industry is one sector that is notorious for being old-fashioned despite having large vessels sailing to exotic locations. It was refreshing to see Virgin, a company associated with change and innovation in almost all industries, venture into the field. What the company has come up with is unique, in my opinion, and is not only a new cruise line but an entirely new cruising experience.

The Advantage of Being Adults Only: An Entirely Different Atmosphere

The first thing that strikes you about Virgin Voyages is that it is adults-only 18+ ship. And this makes all the difference straight away. There are no kids' club activities, no splash pools or character shows. In other words, you get something that is created only for the adults. The atmosphere on board is much closer to a high-end boutique hotel in the sea than to some family-friendly resort. This is definitely one of the main advantages of choosing Virgin Voyages for me – I am a person who likes to spend his or her vacations in a more elegant and sophisticated atmosphere.

Elegant Design and Thoughtful Spaces

As soon as you enter any Virgin Voyages ship, be it Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady, you get the feeling of a particular aesthetics. Gone are the days of spacious ships with garish interior designs. Instead, Virgin has chosen a modern and almost minimalist approach. Sleek and modern design features have been incorporated into the cruise ship with a lot of effort. I am talking not only about the cabins but also about all public spaces as well.

My personal experience shows that the cabins, or 'cabins', are quite smartly designed. Almost all the cabins include a 'Seabed', which is a kind of a bed system that can be transformed from the sleep system into a comfortable couch. It allows the cabin occupants to have more space to relax. Also, balconies with hammocks add something to relaxation on sea days. However, even the public spaces are very well designed. For example, there is an Aquatic Club, which is basically their main pool area, but more like a lounge than waterpark.

Culinary Experience Rather Than Meals

That is what sets this company apart from others, according to my personal viewpoint. In fact, it has entirely redefined the conventional concept of cruise ship dining. There is no main dining room and no massive buffet on board. The guests will have access to more than 20 different venues with their fares, and all of them are specialty restaurants. That is definitely revolutionary, and it greatly influences the onboard experience. I think that both quality and diversity are amazing. Imagine, every day could become a new culinary journey for you. Below are some of my favorite venues.

The Test Kitchen: That is not just a place where people come to eat. It is an experimental laboratory, where chefs create tasting menus which are artistic and always very tasty.

Razzle Dazzle: It is called 'naughty or nice,' and that is why it provides guests with a lot of vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as some decadent meat choices.

Pink Agave: A very energetic Mexican restaurant with delicious appetizers and main dishes. Margaritas here are great, too.

Extra Virgin: It’s the trattoria with authentic Italian cuisine, from hand-crafted pasta to tasty seafood. You are definitely transported into an authentic Italian restaurant.

The Wake: It’s the steak and seafood restaurant of theirs providing a classical and elegant dining experience accompanied by amazing sea views, particularly enchanting at sunset time.

What I value the most in such system is the total freedom. There are no restrictions on eating time, there is no formal dress code; there is an opportunity to choose where and what to eat whenever you want.

Entertainment that is Sure to Surprise You

If you expect anything similar to Broadway shows or games of bingo, you'll be surely disappointed. The concept of entertainment of Virgin Voyages is far from ordinary – they have managed to change entertainment for the better and make it more immersive. They say their approach is 'rebellious luxe', and indeed, it perfectly describes their entertainment program. The shows which take place in their multifunctional theatrical venue The Red Room are quite dynamic and up-to-date.

I have witnessed productions from modern dance to interactive cabarets there. Moreover, you can enjoy a number of pop-ups, DJ parties, and other themed events around the ship. The emphasis on the interactivity of entertainment gives a different level to the whole cruise. However, entertainment doesn't end there – you can try some unique fitness classes in B-Complex, relax at Redemption Spa, and even get a tattoo in Squid Ink, an onboard parlor.

Transparency and Value: What's Included?

It's great to see the level of transparency when it comes to the inclusions on board the Virgin Voyages cruise line. The cruise line has managed to remove all of the hidden charges that can often add up to quite a bill on a cruise holiday. When you book with Virgin Voyages, you will be getting:

20+ specialty restaurants included

• Basic beverages (water, sodas, tea, coffee)
• WiFi throughout the entire ship
• All tips included
• Fitness classes

The list of things that come with your cruise fare is great, allowing you to plan your expenses properly, and not worry about accumulating a huge bill for everything that you might end up doing on board.

Who is Virgin Voyages For?

Therefore, who is the perfect 'Sailor' of Virgin Voyages? As far as I'm concerned, the cruise line will suit well adults who are willing to have a fancy, modern, maybe even a little bit rebellious holiday. If you love tasty meals, entertaining activities, lively atmosphere and relaxed environment that is dedicated to adults, then you should definitely give it a try. You will enjoy discovering various destinations, while being on board of a ship that is the destination itself. To my mind, Virgin Voyages will appeal to young travelers, but also to older ones who want something fresh and exciting in addition to family cruises on huge ships.

Virgin Voyages is not only another cruise line; it is a totally new concept of what cruising can be. From adult-only policy and unusual dining options to creative entertainment program, Virgin Voyages have definitely tried to build their own image. And as far as I see, they have done this task really great.