I didn't want this to be a non stop party but I expected that there would be a party option and that they would understand that with the majority demographic being 40-50 year old we weren't going to be crazy about techno music. They just didn't have any options for folks wanting to have a good time. The entertainment staff seemed to have more fun they the sailors did.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Very smooth and quick!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Best food in any cruise line I've been on by far!
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
I took a spin class and hung out at the pool. I'm not crazy about working out, but I will would do it just to hear some other music than techno or Electric beats.
The pool time could have been so much better if the DJs played to the crowd. When you look around and only a handful of people are even bobbing their head to the music you have to know you are not reading the room correctly. Apparently, they had a playlist and they were sticking to it no matter what.
Entertainment
1 out of 5
Wow! What a let down. There were only 3 shows to choose from the entire 5 nights. The DJs, no matter where or when insisted on ONLY playing Electric Beat/Techno music. No hip hop, R&B, reggae, rock, country, salsa, reggaeton, NOTHING else. It was like they only wanted to cater to one demographic. It was very disappointing. The scarlet night seemed to a time for the dance staff to enjoy themselves. There was no attempt at sailor involvement except that we got dressed up to sporadically watch a small flash mob dance from a handful of staff entertainment. The only non- techno we heard on the ship the entire sailing was in a spin class and in the Gumbae restaurant the one night we had dinner there which of course was the last night. Nowhere else, not even on Bimini! We are on a Bahamian island and they can't find even one reggae or Calypso song? Come on man! It began to feel insulting as clearly my demographic was not who the cruise line was interesting in. This honestly took this cruise from my top 1 or 2 to 3rd at best.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
The staff was amazing! A couple of fumbles but they really rolled off our backs. These are humans and no one has a great day every day. Overall, wouldn't trade this staff for another cruise line's even if it meant I could cruise for free.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Not a blemish to speak of. Beautifully built and beautifully maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Clean and comfortable. Our cabin stewart, Tupak, was very accommodating and he always left the room well stocked and clean.
Ship tip
Come with the expectation to just chill out and be pampered. This is not a party ship.
This could have been such a better experience if they treated it like a party scene. With some good music this port could have saved my overall experience. The food here was great. The drinks were great. The area was beautiful but we kept waiting for it be fun. We even came back for the bonfire hoping that was when the party would start but it was just a group with some acoustic guitars singing Kumbiya music. Downer.
I really hope they don't change the music situation. I hate dealing with listening to country or the cupid shuffle the whole cruise. Even the reggae ends up being the same four songs over and over. I'm excited for a line that finally offers what I like. I'm so happy not to hear the same music I hear on every other ship.
Also, I kind of feel that it's one's own fault if fun cannot be had (not directed at OP, just in general). The crew are there to start the party and you're supposed to join in. It is nobody's fault but your own if you don't join. I really love that Virgin is different and I really hope they don't change. There's a lot about traditional cruising that I really dislike and Virgin addresses a lot of it.
PS - Techno is only a small category of EDM. All of the music onboard is not techno. Electronic [dance] music (EDM) is the proper term you're looking for.
The music is not the djs fault. It is given to them and approved by the ship line or cruise director. Music is a matter of choice for the listener and it isn't loved by everyone.
Thanks for the review. Could the fact that Virgin is a European company have anything to do with their music choices? Techno / EDM is very popular in much of Europe and the DJs may be used to playing that in their previous jobs. With enough feedback, they may change to meet the preferences of the American market.
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners
(travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our
users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or
prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site
for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on
external web sites.
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
