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 the 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. Once I wrote my evaluation, I cherished many points of the cruise however was additionally crucial of many issues that I believed have been properly, 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 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 crucial modifications over the previous couple years that basically 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, most 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 essential modifications 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 fallacious story being informed about their model. Whereas it was only one present, folks received 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 an alternative of attempting to be “edgy”, they’re including extra leisure like reside music and comedy exhibits. Issues folks truly need whereas on trip. There was reside music all around the ship, it was very nice.
Plenty of the oddball leisure that used to roam the ship can also be gone.
One of many cause for the modifications is that the CEO of Virgin listens to their company. I’ve talked to each CEO from all the main cruise strains and Saverimuttu is the primary one I’ve even seen pull out a small notepad from his pocket and write down concepts/complaints that company inform him.
Now, Virgin Voyages affords 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 providers. If you would like a kid-free trip or vacation, you possibly can’t beat the expertise that Virgin affords.
What’s Included in Cruise Fares
One of many issues that makes Virgin Voyages so nice is what’s included along with your cruise fare.
Initially, each eating possibility on the ship is included. Now, the six most important specialty eating places do have just a few choices that price additional however I by no means discovered the necessity to order one among them.
Additional Virgin, the Italian restaurant, has change 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 need to go containers if you wish to take it away. At night time, this can be very standard. One crew member informed 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 Take a look at Kitchen.
Along with the six most 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 need to pay additional for any of it.
Primary WiFi by way of Starlink can also be included though you possibly can improve for the quickest speeds if you’d 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 received’t discover in your invoice on the finish of the cruise are day by day gratuities added. Additionally, the worth listed for drinks and spa appointments are what you pay. You may tip additional if you’d 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 awesome place to calm down. There’s additionally a free comfortable hour from 5-6:00 pm every day.
What You Received’t Discover
There’s no nickel and diming on Virgin cruise ships. Even the arcade that’s filled with retro video games from the 80s and 90s is free.
There aren’t any photographers on Virgin’s ships interrupting your dinner for photographs.
There aren’t 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 aren’t any artwork auctions, no guess the worth of a Peter Max and all of the nonsense that goes with that.
There may be additionally no most important eating room on Virgin’s ships.
Crew
I’ve at all times stated that the 2 most essential elements of a cruise are the meals and repair. Virgin Voyages excels in each. Cruisers can overlook different issues that might not be 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 just a few feedback on the crew that basically stood out to me. He stated that when you deal with your folks proper, your online business will thrive. Virgin lets crew members be themselves they usually additionally give them free WiFi. Completely happy 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 every single place I went.
Distinctive Virgin Options
Scarlet Evening is essentially 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 celebration up by the pool.
“I’ll be the ocean, when you’ll be the moon, that is our Scarlet Evening.”
In the event you’re occurring a Virgin cruise, convey one thing crimson to put on for this night time.
There isn’t any smoking allowed within the on line casino on Virgin’s cruise ships. One of the best a part of that is that there isn’t a smoke touring to different components of the ship which are close to it like on most cruise strains.
Virgin stays the one cruise line to have a tattoo parlor on their ships.
The staterooms on Virgin Voyages are additionally distinctive in just a few methods. For one, they’re good rooms and you’ll 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 so on., 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 function.
When Virgin Voyages first debuted, I had a number of colleagues who’ve lined the cruise business for many years inform me that Virgin could be out of enterprise in a yr and one of many main cruise strains would find yourself shopping for their ships.
I’m glad to report that they have been fallacious.
Three years later, Virgin’s cruise ships are crusing at or close to capability they usually provide a cruise expertise that you would be able to’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 at present and they might be my first selection if I used to be taking a cruise with my spouse.
Be aware: 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 mixture of each cruise that I took on a Virgin cruise ship, however most of it’s concerning the latter.