Who Should Cruise with Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages has sent waves through the cruise industry since its debut in 2021. The line is the brainchild of Richard Branson, who set out to develop a new kind of vacation and change the concept of the traditional cruise experience. The brand boasts three cruise ships, with a fourth scheduled for delivery in September 2025. You may be wondering, who exactly should consider a cruise with Virgin Voyages?
First, a quick rundown of Virgin Voyages:
- Ships in Fleet (aka the ladyships):
- Scarlet Lady (Launched in 2021)
- Valiant Lady (Launched in 2022)
- Resilient Lady (Launched in 2023)
- Brilliant Lady (Debuts 2025)
- All of Virgin’s vessels have the same venues, stateroom types, and onboard amenities/design elements. You will find different shows, and a twist on some menus, depending on the ladyship
- Vessel Capacity: All Virgin Voayges’ vessels have a capacity of just under 2,800 sailors and over 1,000 crew.
- Where does the cruise line sail? Virgin Voyages currently operates in the Caribbean, and Europe (Mediterranean and Greek Isles), with future cruises on the schedule for Alaska and Canada/New England.
- Pricing: Premium line pricing, but Virgin’s fares come with a unique model - more on that below.
Does this sound appealing so far? Let us convince you further why Virgin Voyages may be the right cruise line for you.
If You are Looking for a Kid-Free Vacation
No one under the age of 18 may sail with Virgin Voyages, and no exceptions are made. Virgin Voyages is a cruise line specifically for adults (and adults who are kids at heart).
If you are looking for a cruise line that accommodates children and teenagers, multi-generational family travelers, or a line that caters to groups with guests under 18. This is NOT the cruise line for you.
There are no huge water slide parks, family-friendly events, kid’s and teen’s clubs, rock climbing walls, kid-friendly eateries, or anything for younger sailors on Virgin Voyages ships. Virgin acknowledges that other lines exist for family travelers that are more kid-appropriate, but they are not the line seeking to fit this market.
The brand has a bit of an adult-humor theme to it, which is something to be aware of before you get onboard. Many of the activities and events are adult-geared, which may not be for everyone. Everything about the Virgin Voyages brand is fun and open-minded, but not something you want to bring kids to experience.
If you are a traveler who prefers a vibrant atmosphere and enjoying cocktails by the pool vs. the sounds of baby cries, a couple looking to spend a few days away from kids and responsibilities, or anyone seeking a more adult-minded mentality from their fellow sailors, put Virgin Voyages at the top of the consideration set when planning your next cruise.
Someone Seeking An All-Inclusive Fare
Virgin Voyages prides itself on not nickel and dining guests. At first glance, cruise fares from Virgin may seem higher in comparison to other mainstream/premium cruise brands. However, the extras that Virgin includes in their upfront pricing to all sailors make it an even better deal than most traditional cruise lines.
Here’s what is included in the cruise fares with Virgin for all passengers:
- Wi-Fi
- All Dining - No dining upcharges for any onboard eateries, including specialty restaurants
- Essential Drinks - Water, Sodas, Juice, Drip Coffee, Teas
- Tips - All gratuities included
- Group Fitness Classes
For other cruise lines, these charges can add up over the course of a multi-day sailing. Virgin adds all of these amenities into the fare, so there’s less surprise about extra costs, and you have a better sense of what you are going to spend onboard.
What’s not included in Virgin Voyages’ fares:
- Alcoholic/Specialty Beverages - Virgin has taken a break from the multi-day drink packages like many other lines offer. Guests can pre-purchase (with some discounts) a ‘Bar Tab’ or buy drinks a la carte. Cocktails, anything with alcohol, wines, beers, specialty coffees, pressed juices, and smoothies all come with their cost as they would in a landside bar or restaurant. You either pay as you go, or money is subtracted from the sailor’s pre-purchased bar tab. While this may seem different to seasoned cruisers, it eliminates the need to purchase a (sometimes seemingly mandatory) beverage package for all travelers in your party.
- Shore Excursions
- Select Onboard Entertainment/Activities
- Spa/Salon Services
- Retail Shopping
If you would like to see your cruise fare up-front when you book and believe that Wi-Fi should be included in the cost of your vacation (like many land-based resorts), Virgin’s all-included nature is one to keep on your radar.
Those New to Cruise (or Say They Will Never Cruise)
If you have never taken a cruise, or perhaps say you will never cruise, let Virgin Voyages change your mind. Virgin Voyages is not your traditional cruise line.
Virgin Voyages has no buffet areas, formal dress nights, main dining areas with assigned seating and eating times, or many other things that may be hangups for people who are hesitant to cruise. The atmosphere is casual, fun, elegant, stylish, and quite literally everything all at once.
It is a vacation experience where everyone is welcome. In the past few years, Virgin Voyages has brought so many people onboard its ships who say they have never cruised, and after the cruise, they come back again and again. Virgin says that nearly 30% of its guests are repeat cruisers; a huge chunk of them had never sailed before stepping onboard one of the ladyships.
Its ships are incredibly unique, with color, art, and fun decor, at every turn. There are places to be loud and party and nooks at every corner to be quiet and relax. However you want to craft your vacation, you can with the Virgin Voyages experience.
Seasoned Sailors
If you are a seasoned sailor with numerous cruises logged on your Shipmate cruise history, you will also love Virgin Voyages for its unique nature, elegant ships, excellent dining, fun entertainment, and luxurious surroundings.
Cruising with the line just once is such a unique experience that it is worth checking out, even if you are a loyal, high-status tier with other lines. Try something new for a different vacation experience, and see what the Virgin Voyages hype is all about.
If you are a frequent cruiser with another line and have a loyalty status, be sure to check out Virgin Voyages’ Sailing Club Status Match program. Virgin matches the status of other brands to the same level of their own Sailing Club loyalty program, right off the bat on your first voyage. Perks of the Sailing Club include values like free specialty coffees, bar tabs, laundry, premium wi-fi, priority boarding, dedicated sailor services, and more, dependent on your club tier. Learn more about this program here from Virgin Voyages.
Anyone Looking to Explore Somewhere New
Virgin Voyages offers a range of itineraries, with many popular destinations offered for travelers looking to get away and see new places.
Seeking a sun-soaked Caribbean escape? Let Virgin bring you to some of the most beautiful islands in the tropics, with itineraries ranging from two to 12 nights. Most Caribbean sailings on Virgin Voyages occur from the line’s own Terminal V at PortMiami. A handful of sailings depart from San Juan.
Many Caribbean cruises include a stop at the Beach Club at Bimini, Virgin’s own private destination with beachfront space, a luxurious pool, and plenty of spaces to lounge, party, eat, drink, and be merry.
Other Caribbean port stops with Virgin include Nassau, Key West, Puerto Playa, Tortola, Cozumel, Philipsburg, and more.
Explore All Virgin Voyages Caribbean Cruises
Perhaps you are dreaming of a kid-free European adventure? Virgin Voyages offers seven to fifteen-night cruises from Barcelona and Athens with port stops in the Greek Isles and Mediterranean. Explore locales like Rome, Santorini, Corfu, Mallorca, Rhodes, Kotor, and other excellent historic and scenic destinations. Some European voyages even include overnights in exciting ports like Ibiza so you can enjoy extended time exploring.
Plan a European Adventure with Virgin Voyages
Come 2025, Virgin will offer several new regions with new itineraries as Brilliant Lady hits the high seas. The ship kicks off its maiden season with cruises from New York City, with itineraries visiting Bermuda as well as Canada/New England. In 2026, following an epic Panama Canal voyage, Brilliant Lady will offer its first cruises from Los Angeles, sailing the Mexican Riviera. In the spring of that year, the ladyship will sail up to Seattle to offer Virgin Voyages’ first-ever cruises to Alaska. Adding new destinations is a big step for the brand and an excellent opportunity for cruisers to explore the Last Frontier sans kids and with the uniqueness of the Virgin onboard experience.
Explore Brilliant Lady Itineraries
Foodies
No Main Dining, No Buffetts, No Worries. That’s the motto of the dining experience from Virgin Voyages.
Virgin’s ladyships offer the same lineup of complimentary eateries. There are 20+ on each vessel, all of them offering incredibly unique offerings. Menus are curated with the adult palate in mind, boasting options from Michelin Star fine dining to casual 24/7 spots. They even have an extensive in-room dining selection.
There is no big buffet area on Virgin ships. If you want a quick bite, opt for any casual spots around the ship, like Pizza Place, serving made-to-order personal pies, or The Dock House for its Mediterranean tapas menu and grilled veggie bites.
Sailors can also grab casual eats at The Galley, a large food hall-esque area with stations offering sushi, ramen, sandwiches, diner food, burgers, tacos, breads, sweets, popsicles, champagne, and a soup and salad stand. Don’t want to stand in line to order at the station? Choose a table, check out menus via a QR code on your phone, and place the ‘flag’ up at your table. A friendly crew member will be by to take your order and serve the delicious options available for all the stations. Indeed, there is something for everyone in The Galley.
Virgin has left out the Main Dining Room on purpose. The line wants you to choose your own adventure when it comes to dining and when you eat. There are no assigned tables with strangers or times that you must be eating every night. You can opt to dine at a casual spot or choose any of the seated, specialty venues onboard.
Those specialty restaurant venues include Pink Agave (serving Mexican foods with a twist), Gunbae (Korean BBQ), The Wake (steak and seafood in an elegant setting), Extra Virgin (Italian fare), a chef-driven tasting menu and dining experience at The Test Kitchen, or Razzle Dazzle (serves veggie options and burgers alike). It’s recommended to book dining options at sit-down eateries in advance if you want a particular time/day to dine, but walk-ins can be accommodated.
As mentioned, all food venues are included with Virgin Voyages, for all guests. This is all the restaurants onboard, yes all of them, at no extra charge. Do we have your attention?
Related: Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Dining Review
If You Want to Have Fun
When you cruise with Virgin Voyages, there is never a dull moment on a ladyship. There’s always a party, activity, game, show, or something to check out.
The entertainment options are among some of the most innovative at sea. Among the highlights is Persephone, an immersive one-of-a-kind show that’s not your average theater performance.
Daily programming options include 80s-inspired group fitness workouts (pack leg warmers), trivia games with margaritas as prizes, DJs and live music acts, pop-up experiences, sunrise yoga, and events like fried chicken and champagne tastings.
Each sailing includes the Scarlet Night party, Virgin Voyage’s signature red-themed event that is truly a one-of-a-kind celebration. Spoiler alert - the night ends with a dance party under the stars on the deck, with many sailors ending up in the pool (which is flanked by a large octopus mascot).
Virgin Voyages is just the ticket if you are searching for a vacation to break up your normal routine and experience something new.
Have We Convinced You to Give Virgin Voyages a Try?
If any of these reasons have convinced you to give Virgin Voyages a try for your next vacation, Cruiseline.com is the perfect resource to help you search for itineraries, read ship reviews, and find deals:
Explore All Virgin Voyages Itineraires Using Our Find a Cruise Tool
Explore Ship Reviews:
Brilliant Lady Reviews - Coming 2025
Top 10 Virgin Voyages Deals
Virgin Voyages Balcony Deals
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