Here’s our review of the NEW Adult Only cruise line!
VIRGIN VOYAGES
HEY STRANGERS!
Virgin Voyages is a new cruise line, started under the Virgin brand, headed by Richard Brandson. The company launched their first ship during a difficult time for the cruise industry, something we would soon realise.
We wrote a blog recently about our slightly, unique, cruise onboard Scarlet Lady so we won’t go into detail about that chaotic sailing. If you want to read about that, click here.
Our cruise was onboard a trial and repositioning cruise, getting the ship over to Miami. Although we didn’t experience Virgin’s current cruise itineraries, we were able to sample most of the entertainment, amenities and dining options.
FOOD
Virgin Voyages have some incredible inclusions with the price of your cruise, including all food and non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment and crew tips! Luckily, with these wonderful additions, they have curated a unique and broad range of dining opportunities on board with over 20 eateries.
The modern company has also removed some cruise line staples such as buffets and set meal times (first and second seatings in a dining room), instead opting for a more casual, restaurant approach where you choose where you eat and when you dine. The restaurants on board have their own distinct design, atmosphere and cuisine.
Jake has always been a very picky eater and (thankfully) this cruise awoke something in him. Whilst on-board he was concerned about the menus and struggling to find something for his ‘special’ pallet. What he found is that each restaurant had dishes that ranged from tame to adventurous and with all of the meals included in the cost, he was able to try things he didn’t expect to like and discover he LOVED them!
Our favourite restaurant onboard was Pink Agave, the ship’s up scale Mexican restaurant served up enhanced street style with modern Mexican aesthetics. We still dream about the guacamole and chips to this day, made with fresh avocados, mixed spices and pomegranate seeds for a pop of sweetness! I think we both agree that Pink Agave was our favourite restaurant onboard, but for me Gunbae and Razzle Dazzle come in close (possibly tied) second! But you can read all about our dining delights in our Delicious Voyage blog.
ENTERTAINMENT
The entertainment options aboard Virgin Voyages are unique to say the least, I have a feeling the crew members have to say “you just have to see it” about 50 times a day when passengers ask about the eccentric shows.
The shows were impressive, don’t get me wrong, they were just bizarre. The whole allure of Virgin Voyages is that they are 100% child free. You have to be 18+ to sail, which gives Virgin the ability to get a little naughty with the entertainment options. The first show we watched was a one-woman cabaret, named “Never Sleep Alone”, in The Manor Nightclub. The show was lead by the ship’s resident sexologist, offering tips on how to ensure you never sleep alone. The show was heavy on audience participation, which is entertaining to watch, but I can only assume mortifying for those selected, but maybe I’m just too socially awkward.
We did have a lot of fun at the Untitled Danceshowpartything which takes place in the Red Room, it’s a loud, energetic show with the performers moving around and surrounding you. It makes you feel like you’re in the most extravagant club at sea, and it honestly might be! The music is blaring, all of the walls are lined with floor to ceiling screens depicting an ever changing kaleidoscope of colours, images and a giant cat head spouting a very important message, “don’t be an a**hole”.
Duel Reality, which also takes place in the Red Room, was a modern take on Romeo and Juliette expressed through dance, acrobatics and food. Guests sit around a center stage, whilst the performers spin and twirl above your head, dance on the tables, and tell the classic story without saying a word. The performance itself was extremely impressive, the contortions of the performers were inhuman but mesmerizing. The only thing we didn’t like was the food aspect, which supposedly matched the scene but was more of an inconvenient distraction than anything else. Cold soup, eggs and peas? No thanks.
There was one instance where I was lured into a dark room and had a cardboard box put over my head in the name of sensory depravation, I was taken on a journey through time and space, blind to the room around me and looking very silly I’m sure but it was an experience to say the least!
Hello, Jake here – when we were invited into the recording booth onboard, the crew member placed the box onto Georgia’s head, told me to be silent and to start filming. Swiftly, several other crew members hurried into the booth and sat around Georgia who was oblivious to the whole thing. Surrounding her, they began to play instruments and created a tranquil story of music and small puppets, casting shadows onto a translucent side of the box. It was incredibly impressive to see a whole cast of musicians and performers work together to create an amazing, short and unique experience. When the show ended, Georgia took the box off of her head and they had all left. Leaving the room they waited to take their bow after I had gotten the chance to explain to Georgia what had just happened! An amazing experience for sure! I got a pretty dark and grainy video of the experience that you can see on our TikTok or by clicking below…
THE ROOM
The room itself was functional, when you’re on a cruise I feel like it should be a common goal to spend as little time in the room as possible. The bed actually turned into an L-shaped sofa during the day, then at some point the housekeeping staff would come by and turn it back into a bed for the evening, this meant a lot more space during the day! To the left in the photo above was the bathroom, your regular cruise ship bathroom, tiny, equipped with a shower that makes you fear drowning with how close everything is (or maybe that’s just me?) The shower was a rainfall shower though, which was rather lovely and the toiletries provided, “Red Flower”, are mounted on the walls of the shower so no single use plastics!
Also included in every sea terrace stateroom is a hand woven, uniquely made red hammock situated on the balcony so that you can sit back and enjoy the views of the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or where ever your voyage may be taking you…
MORE
Scarlet Lady and Virgin Voyages’ other ships also feature additional exciting activities, entertainment and experiences. Unfortuantely, as we were aboard during a trial/test sailing we weren’t able to enjoy everything this new company would soon deliver. The Spa and Fitness Centre both looked incredible and would definitely help you relax and unwind, or reach your personal bests with incredible views over the ocean. The Redemption Spa is an upcharge experience, offering a relaxation room with heated loungers as well as offering spa treatments such as massages and mani-pedis.
Also unique to Virgin Voyages is the Squid Ink Tattoo Studio which welcomes rotating tattoo artists to offer an incredible and memorable experience. This is something we had thought about doing but even on our relatively quiet and lengthy voyage, every time slot was fully booked before boarding, something we believe still happens during regular sailings.