When Virgin Voyages started crusing three years in the past, they started providing one thing that no different cruise line supplied. 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 overview, I beloved many features of the cruise however was additionally essential of many issues that I assumed have been properly, ridiculous. You’ll be able to learn that overview 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 all the things 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 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 necessary 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 flawed story being advised about their model. Whereas it was only one present, individuals acquired 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 overview have been eliminated. Now, as a substitute of attempting to be “edgy”, they’re including extra leisure like stay music and comedy reveals. Issues individuals really need whereas on trip. There was stay music everywhere in 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 friends. 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 friends 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 put money into higher meals and companies. If you’d like a kid-free trip or vacation, you’ll be able to’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 together with your cruise fare.
Initially, each eating choice on the ship is included. Now, the six primary specialty eating places do have a couple of choices that value additional however I by no means discovered the necessity to order one among them.
Further Virgin, the Italian restaurant, has turn into my favourite Italian eating choice 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 packing containers if you wish to take it away. At night time, this can be very fashionable. One crew member advised 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 primary 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.
Fundamental WiFi by way of Starlink can also be included though you’ll be able to improve for the quickest speeds if you need.
Fundamental drinks like soda are additionally included. You’ll be able to 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 day by day gratuities added. Additionally, the value listed for drinks and spa appointments are what you pay. You’ll be able to tip additional if you need nevertheless it’s already a part of the value listed.
Sailors who e-book 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 incredible place to chill out. There’s additionally a free joyful 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 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 value of a Peter Max and all of the nonsense that goes with that.
There’s additionally no primary eating room on Virgin’s ships.
Crew
I’ve at all times stated that the 2 most necessary components 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 in regards to the meals, I need to discuss in regards to the crew on Virgin’s ships for a minute.
Nirmal Saverimuttu gave a couple of feedback on the crew that basically stood out to me. He stated that in the event you deal with your individuals proper, your small business will thrive. Virgin lets crew members be themselves they usually additionally give them free WiFi. Comfortable 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 in regards to 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 pink. The night time ends with a deck social gathering up by the pool.
“I’ll be the ocean, in the event you’ll be the moon, that is our Scarlet Evening.”
If you happen to’re occurring a Virgin cruise, convey one thing pink 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 any 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 a couple of methods. For one, they’re sensible rooms and you may management the complete room from a pill. You’ll be able to 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 pink hammock. It appeared like a gimmick after I first heard about it however after having a balcony cabin, I would like it on each cruise. Whether or not it’s within the morning with a cup of espresso or simply stress-free on a sea day, the hammock is nice characteristic.
When Virgin Voyages first debuted, I had a number of colleagues who’ve coated the cruise business for many years inform me that Virgin could be out of enterprise in a 12 months and one of many main cruise strains would find yourself shopping for their ships.
I’m glad to report that they have been flawed.
Three years later, Virgin’s cruise ships are crusing at or close to capability they usually supply a cruise expertise that you could’t discover wherever else. Sure, it’s totally different than the normal cruise expertise however that’s one thing that pulls individuals 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 alternative 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 mixture of each cruise that I took on a Virgin cruise ship, however most of it’s in regards to the latter.
