When Virgin Voyages started crusing three years in the past, they started providing one thing that no different cruise line provided. An adults-only cruise geared in direction of the mainstream market.
I used to be on their very first crusing, a 4 night time cruise to The Bahamas from Miami on Scarlet Woman. After I wrote my evaluation, I beloved many features of the cruise however was additionally essential of many issues that I assumed have been nicely, ridiculous. You may learn that evaluation right here.
Final week, I disembarked from a week-long cruise on Virgin that was a part of the cruise line’s Virgin Celebration Voyages. Virgin invited me on board to expertise every little thing that they now have to supply on their ships.
By the tip of the week I had only one thought, Virgin Voyages has perfected cruises. They’ve made essential adjustments over the previous couple years that actually makes it the right adults-only cruise.
“Virgin Voyages perfected cruises” – Cruise Fever
Right here is how they did it.
Because it was a Virgin Celebration Voyage, lots of the cruise line’s executives have been on board together with CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu. Additionally on board for a part of the cruise was Sir Richard Branson, Boy George who DJ’d for 3 hours, Raygun and Virgin Galactic astronauts.
On one of many sea days, Saverimuttu sat down with sailors (what Virgin calls their passengers) and gave them an replace on Virgin and likewise had a Q&A session with them.
He talked about many necessary adjustments that have been made since they began crusing three years in the past. “By no means Sleep Alone”, the intercourse therapist present, is gone.
He stated that they didn’t need the unsuitable story being instructed about their model. Whereas it was only one present, folks obtained the impression that it was extra of a “intercourse cruise” than what it truly is, a cruise with no children. They didn’t need one present to outline who they’re so that they removed it.
Additionally, all the ridiculous present descriptions I talked about in my first evaluation have been eliminated. Now, as a substitute of attempting to be “edgy”, they’re including extra leisure like reside music and comedy exhibits. Issues folks really need whereas on trip. There was reside music all around the ship, it was very nice.
A whole lot of the oddball leisure that used to roam the ship can also be gone.
One of many cause for the adjustments is that the CEO of Virgin listens to their friends. I’ve talked to each CEO from all the main cruise traces and Saverimuttu is the primary one I’ve even seen pull out a small notepad from his pocket and write down concepts/complaints that friends inform him.
Now, Virgin Voyages presents a premium cruise expertise with no children on board. Saverimuttu stated that not having children on board permits them to spend money on higher meals and companies. If you would like a kid-free trip or vacation, you possibly can’t beat the expertise that Virgin presents.
What’s Included in Cruise Fares
One of many issues that makes Virgin Voyages so nice is what’s included together with your cruise fare.
To begin with, each eating possibility on the ship is included. Now, the six important specialty eating places do have a couple of choices that price additional however I by no means discovered the necessity to order one among them.
Additional Virgin, the Italian restaurant, has turn into my favourite Italian eating possibility on any cruise ship. Tip, get the gelato for dessert. (Thanks to Nadia who works in Visitor Providers on Scarlet Woman for this tip.)
For lunch or a late night time snack, The Pizza Place can’t be beat. Cruise Fever rated it because the #1 complimentary pizza store at sea. They even must go packing containers if you wish to take it away. At night time, this can be very widespread. One crew member instructed me that they make 1,000 pizzas a day.
The view from The Wake, the steakhouse and seafood restaurant, can’t be beat.
For a really distinctive eating expertise, go to The Check Kitchen.
Along with the six important eating places, there are additionally a load of informal choices throughout the ship together with meals to go in The Galley. One of the best half, you don’t must pay additional for any of it.
Primary WiFi by means of Starlink can also be included though you possibly can improve for the quickest speeds if you would like.
Primary drinks like soda are additionally included. You may go to any bar and ask for a Coke and there’s no cost. There are additionally self-service fountain soda machines in The Galley.
One factor you gained’t discover in your invoice on the finish of the cruise are every day gratuities added. Additionally, the worth listed for drinks and spa appointments are what you pay. You may tip additional if you would like however it’s already a part of the worth listed.
Sailors who guide a Rockstar Suite have entry to Richard’s Rooftop on the entrance of the ship. That is the quietest space on the ship and an excellent place to calm down. There’s additionally a free completely satisfied hour from 5-6:00 pm every day.
What You Gained’t Discover
There’s no nickel and diming on Virgin cruise ships. Even the arcade that’s stuffed with retro video games from the 80s and 90s is free.
There are not any photographers on Virgin’s ships interrupting your dinner for photographs.
There are not any formal nights and there’s actually not a costume code, though most have a tendency to placed on one thing good for dinner. This creates a relaxed vibe, one thing I personally search for in a trip.
There are not any artwork auctions, no guess the worth of a Peter Max and all of the nonsense that goes with that.
There’s additionally no important eating room on Virgin’s ships.
Crew
I’ve at all times stated that the 2 most necessary elements of a cruise are the meals and repair. Virgin Voyages excels in each. Cruisers can overlook different issues that is probably not as much as par however not these two areas.
Since I’ve already talked concerning the meals, I need to discuss concerning the crew on Virgin’s ships for a minute.
Nirmal Saverimuttu gave a couple of feedback on the crew that actually stood out to me. He stated that for those who deal with your folks proper, your corporation will thrive. Virgin lets crew members be themselves and so they additionally give them free WiFi. Pleased crew makes for higher service!
They handle by exception, not guidelines. He stated that is what makes them profitable.
I can’t say sufficient nice issues concerning the crew members on my newest Virgin cruise on Scarlet Woman. The service was phenomenal in all places I went.
Distinctive Virgin Options
Scarlet Evening is probably the most distinctive night time that you just’ll discover on a cruise. It takes over just about the complete ship, even the hallway lights flip to crimson. The night time ends with a deck social gathering up by the pool.
“I’ll be the ocean, for those who’ll be the moon, that is our Scarlet Evening.”
If you happen to’re happening a Virgin cruise, convey one thing crimson to put on for this night time.
There is no such thing as a smoking allowed within the on line casino on Virgin’s cruise ships. One of the best a part of that is that there is no such thing as a smoke touring to different elements of the ship which can be close to it like on most cruise traces.
Virgin stays the one cruise line to have a tattoo parlor on their ships.
The staterooms on Virgin Voyages are additionally distinctive in a couple of methods. For one, they’re good rooms and you may management the complete room from a pill. You may flip the lights up, down or off, open/shut curtains, function the thermostat, management the TV and many others., all from a pill. That is one thing that each cruise line ought to do, it’s so good.
Additionally, each balcony cabin has a crimson hammock. It appeared like a gimmick after I first heard about it however after having a balcony cabin, I need it on each cruise. Whether or not it’s within the morning with a cup of espresso or simply enjoyable on a sea day, the hammock is nice characteristic.
When Virgin Voyages first debuted, I had a number of colleagues who’ve lined the cruise trade for many years inform me that Virgin can be out of enterprise in a 12 months and one of many main cruise traces would find yourself shopping for their ships.
I’m glad to report that they have been unsuitable.
Three years later, Virgin’s cruise ships are crusing at or close to capability and so they provide a cruise expertise that you may’t discover anyplace else. Sure, it’s completely different than the standard cruise expertise however that’s one thing that attracts folks to Virgin.
I nonetheless bear in mind my first day on a Virgin cruise again in 2021, I actually didn’t prefer it. Quick ahead to immediately and they might be my first selection if I used to be taking a cruise with my spouse.
Notice: For transparency, the primary a number of cruises that I took on Virgin I paid full fare and this newest one I used to be a visitor of Virgin Voyages. This text is a mix of each cruise that I took on a Virgin cruise ship, however most of it’s concerning the latter.
