The best cruise we have been on (our 3rd together). Virgin brings new ships and a new vision to what cruising should be. The way they approach satisfying their sailors is awesome. The entertainment, the food, the rooms and the staff are all top notch. My wife and I had the best time and are planning to return to take another voyage already.
**Personal note. Virgin Voyages is very proud to employ and welcome the LGBTQ community onboard so PLEASE be respectful of all lifestyles on the ship and enjoy the best cruising on the seas.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The embarkation was so simple and organized that it should be adopted by all lines. We were at the terminal for about 10-15 minutes before we were on the ship.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We enjoyed Gunbae the best it was such a great experience. It was a party during dinner the staff was super fun. The Wake was good for dinner and had a really good brunch. The galley had many options that we took advantage of including a Sushi station that makes it all day long in take away boxes which was great. The salad station was also a great way to get a quick healthy snack. The have a Poke station that is hidden out on the deck above the pool. And I can't forget out late night favorite the Pizza Place for a midnight (every night) snack. Also check out the afternoon Greek bites in the social club on certain days for a quick bite.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
The parties on this cruise were so good. First up was the Pajama party. Everything from onesies, cosplay, flannel and very skimpy lingerie were on display. The 80's night party was also a blast. A lot of people including us dressed up. Finally the Scarlet night party was THE PARTY of the cruise. Do not miss it. Pack something red to wear and get after it.
I used the track every morning and my wife took a 80's VHS workout which she really enjoyed. We did trivia a few times. If that is your thing get there early it gets packed. We went to karaoke. And the social club with all of the provided games (sorry, clue, cards against humanity, and others) was a nice hangout spot.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
All of the shows that we saw were great. Our favorites were Misbehave, The Magnets (acapella group), and the mind mangler. All of these shows were interactive and they want the audience to be involved so don't be shy. The bands were good especially the "boy band" the played to full rooms every night they performed. The DJs were both good as well they kept the parties moving.
Children's Programs
Adults only
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff are virgin's greatest asset. So professional and personable. Everyone we ran across was so helpful and nice. I want to shout out our room steward Arvi who was there whenever we needed anything. Vivian in the manor served us with a smile at every party/show we attended in that venue. And I want to give a BIG shout out to Gena in the Pizza Place. She was there every night to greet us with a smile and a nice to see you again. She was genuinely enthusiastic about taking care of us every time we came in.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The layout of the ship was pretty easy to figure out after a day. They have plenty of signage at every elevator bank. One touch that I really liked was that all elevators are mirrored on the outside which allows for you to check yourself before heading anywhere just in case you need to fix something up. The ship is so new and pristine and the crew works hard to keep it that way. I saw people working throughout the ship to make sure it was always kept sparkling. Lots of places to sanitize and wash your hands outside of the restrooms which was nice. Plenty of public spaces to relax quietly or engage with others if you wanted to.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The room layout is pretty standard BUT the bed was placed off-center in the room which makes a big difference. It frees up so much room for getting dressed that I have to wonder why no other line I have been on hasn't thought of it. The bed itself was pretty firm which I like but some may not. The hammock was a nice touch. The tablet control center is nice but we hardly used it. The water pressure in the shower was almost better than our house. It hits hard (loved it).
Ship tip
We took advantage of the onboard special to put down a $300 place holder. It allows 2 years to book and that money goes toward your deposit. It also gives you a $300 bar tab for that future cruise. Do it.
Jsu like the embarkation process this was super easy. Booked a time in the app went down at our time and we were off in about 10 minutes. We had already scheduled the Virgin bus back to airport. So straight onto the bus.
Thanks for your amazing review.
The Resilient Lady will finally grace us with her presence in Sydney tomorrow evening at 19:00 for the first time, we are so looking forward to her arrival.
We will be at the Overseas Passenger Terminal to see her when she makes her grand entrance at sunset into our magnificent harbour. It will be spectacular....
We will be travelling to Hobart Tasmania Feb 11-15, 2024 round trip from Sydney, very much looking forward to experiencing Uncle Richard's hospitality.
⚓️Woo Hoo ⚓️
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