Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Virgin Voyages cruise destination guide: The line's 5 best itineraries

virgin cruise ships

At 6 feet tall, I could stretch out completely and rock with the waves as the ship made its way through the Caribbean. Its presence made a forgettable, utilitarian room desirable and memorable. I am generally not a fan of cruise ship buffets, but a five-night cruise on Scarlet Lady gave me new appreciation for them. They're great for checking the weather, drying swimsuits and eating room service breakfast – but I rarely spend much time hanging out on them. Usually that's because the chairs are upright and made of metal (or metal and plastic mesh) and the veranda is small, and you can't get comfortable. Virgin Voyages is committed to having one of the cleanest fleets at sea, by investing in clean efficient technologies and implementing policies to reduce our environmental footprint.

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A room with a (porthole) view

The Greek Islands itinerary, called Greek Island Glow, includes stops at Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos, as well as a visit to Bodrum, Turkey. Resilient Lady will continue to be based in Piraeus, alternating between eastern Mediterranean itineraries that focus on the Greek islands and the Croatian coast, respectively. So much is included on your cruise, but one area that isn’t — alcoholic beverages.

More to Cabins Beside the Iconic Red Hammock

With three ships in the water by the end of the summer, Virgin Voyages is welcoming its fourth lady ship to the family. For solo Sailors looking for quiet moments with the sea from our super large single beds, or duos perched on our nautically-inspired window seats — the ocean is yours to make eyes with. Gazing out at the waves every morning, this is the closest you can get to the ocean (without the windblown hair).

Cruise Line Offers Free Parking for Passengers at One Homeport

Cruise fares include all meals, soda, basic Wi-Fi and crew gratuities, but it's not a luxury product filled with opulent decor, sedate travelers and a stuffy vibe. Onboard entertainment will include sexual innuendos, F-bombs and queer themes. As with Virgin's Bahamas and Caribbean itineraries, its Mediterranean itineraries are specifically designed for fun-seeking travelers looking for a late-night experience. We will also say that compared to other mass market lines with mega ships, there aren’t near as many things to do as you see elsewhere. For instance, there’s no roller coaster, go-kart track, zipline, rock-climbing wall or the like.

Caribbean

As a promo offer, all bookings made by June 30, 2020, received up to USD 500 per person in OBC (onboard credit). A full (100%) monetary refund was optional for cancellations made between May 21-December 31, 2020. In February 2020 was announced "The Band" - smart wearable technology to be introduced on Scarlet Lady (April 1). The device is made from recycled marine plastic (sustainability initiative) and developed via partnership with The Bionic Company. The lightweight device (RFID wristband) is mailed to all passengers and is complimentary (keepsake).

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Introducing Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship, Brilliant Lady

In mid-May 2020 were canceled 15 additional departures (through October 15). The 4-night "Richard Branson's 70th Birthday Cruise" (originally planned for July 15, 2020) was rescheduled for July 14, 2021. In late-September 2020 were canceled all Scarlet Lady's November itineraries, and in late-October - the remaining (December 2020) departures. The brand's inauguration was rescheduled for 2021 (January 3, then for May 9).

Passengers may only smoke (this includes vaping) in the Deck 6 smoking room outside the Red Room and in a designated outdoor area on the starboard side of Deck 16 by the entrance to Richard's Rooftop. Scarlet Lady also brings guest comedians and performers on board, and the ones I saw were top notch, including a young Latina pop group called Bella Dose. Your server will bring the most popular of the appetizer, seafood, meat and dessert courses, though your table can turn down any option, ask for more of a favorite or request the alternatives (mostly vegetarian dishes). All the seafood (shrimp, octopus, etc.) is cooked together in the table's central grilling station, followed by the meat – without a thorough cleaning of the grill. If this bothers you due to allergies or dietary restrictions, make sure you inform the server. You can use the one long shelf beneath the sink or place your items in the small space next to the sink – there are no other drawers or shelves.

feature a Sea Terrace hammock

At brunch, the spicy avocado toast gets high marks, and the cucumber-melon salad was a refreshing starter. Oddly, the restaurant had no jam for my British-style chocolate-chip scone and I had to make do with butter. The only storage is in the closet area, and as in a micro hotel, your clothes won't exactly be hanging behind closed doors.

The way the staging and performer interaction engaged the audience was original and brilliant. The ship does not have a buffet or a cavernous banquet-style dining room. Kids are not welcome, but the adults-only ship gives grownups plenty of opportunities to play in both childlike and mature ways.

If you’re someone that’s been turned off by some of the “kitsch” in cruising, then cruising Virgin will be refreshing. There’s no line dancing on the pool deck or roving photographers or overly-excited cruise director. Other shows included a mentalist and comedian with a quick-witted sense of humor that was able to make off-color jokes since everyone was adults. Virgin also had a resident drag queen with several performances during the cruise. This is a stylish little bracelet (complete with an anchor clasp) that holds a gray tag.

Scarlet Lady is currently based out of Miami, where the ship sails four itineraries to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Each of the four- and five-night cruises spends a day at Virgin's private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas. Other ports of call may include Key West; Cozumel/Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya, Mexico; or Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. If you're someone who likes to go out – to dinner, a show, a bar or a party – this social ship will be for you. Many restaurants have communal tables designed to bring people together, such as Gunbae, where tables exclusively seat six and you're encouraged to join in a drinking game with your newly-met tablemates.

On the other hand, when it's busy and you just want a quick meal before your tour, it can be hard to flag down a server and your food can take 20 minutes to arrive. Plus, there's no option for hot food that you plate yourself and take back to your room if there are no seats because you have to have a table to order food at The Galley. Sometimes you just need those steam-tray eggs, grabbable bagels and premade pancakes, and you don't want a waiter-served meal. The 45-square-foot terrace is furnished with two uninviting metal upright chairs and a round drinks table. I wouldn't even bother to sit out there – except for the striking red hammock hung from hooks bolted into the bottom of the balcony above.

Scarlet Lady's first-night pajama party is optional, but if you do want to get your Virgin vibe going on day one, pack a pair of party PJs and head to the Athletic Club bar on the first night. Scarlet Lady's Redemption Spa is also broken up and scattered around the ship. The main venue is tucked away on Deck 5 on the other side of the elevator bank from Sailor Services, Pink Agave and Razzle Dazzle. You'll find treatment rooms for massages here, as well as the thermal suite. I loved the tucked-away Dock House Bar for a pre-dinner drink and its outside extension, The Dock, for day drinking while lounging on a sun bed.

Another top destination for Virgin Voyages is the Mediterranean, where the line has been expanding quickly as it adds new ships. The other two longer Caribbean itineraries that Virgin is offering in 2024 are both out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and operated only by Valiant Lady. What are the best Virgin Voyages destinations you can visit and itineraries you can choose? While the latter voyages aren't starting up until the end of 2023, they're already open for bookings. Still, as Virgin Voyages grows — it has a fourth ship on order — it is likely to greatly expand its offerings in other parts of the world.

virgin cruise ships

All rebookings made with the 200% FCC were fully refunded (200%) and additionally received 25% in FCC (to be used on another booking). Virgin Voyages also introduced the "Smooth Sailing Program" which allows for itineraries in 2020 (through December 16) the final payment dates to be moved to 60 days (previously 120 days) prior departure. Smooth Sailing also allows cancellations up to 48 hours (prior departure) with receiving a full (100%) refund in FCC. Virgin's Bimini Beach Club overlooks the sea and features a large lagoon-style swimming pool.

Although Virgin Voyages' ships allowed anyone 18 or older to sail, the drinking age on board is 21 years when ships are docked in the U.S. In international waters and in places like Europe, where the drinking age is 18, the onboard drinking age is 18. Passengers will not receive keycards unless they have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive sun deck reserved for cruisers booked in Rockstar Suites. Before you board, you'll link a credit card to your account (which you can do via the app prior to embarkation day) or put up a cash amount from which you can debit for purchases made on board. Anyone who breaks the rules will be fined $500 and may be disembarked at the next destination, with no refund for missed days on the ship and no compensation for lodging and/or airfare back home.

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