Virgin Voyages… Cruising with a difference
I was one of the fortunate UK travel agents able to experience one of Virgin Voyages European cruise itineraries this summer. In my case this was onboard Valiant Lady on her ex Barcelona one week voyage taking in the ports of Marseille, Cannes (the French Riviera playground where we enjoyed our honeymoon nearly 26 years ago), Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. Like many agents I have long wondered about the buzz surrounding the Virgin Voyages cruise product, an adult only offering which is rare in cruising these days and more so during the summer holidays in August which was when we travelled.
Virgin Voyages currently has three sister ships, soon to number four in 2024 when Brilliant Lady joins the fleet. The beauty is they are all designed in the same way, so once you know one you can relate to the entire fleet currently including Scarlett Lady largely based in the Caribbean and Resilient Lady, which has been offering Greek Itineraries this summer and shortly sails to Australasia. The ships are all mid size with a capacity of around 2800 guests which offers lots of valuable space to Sailors, the term that the company use for customers or guests.
Boarding the ship was straight forward, the usual queues to negotiate we headed straight for our cabin. At check in you are handed a wrist band which serves to open the cabin door and is where all your information is stored. No need for the old-fashioned key card and registering your credit card details at reception. This wrist band can be worn whilst swimming or showering and it is unaffected so no need to return to the cabin. Your only essentials whilst on deck will likely be your sunglasses, sun cream and this wrist band which is scanned to add purchases as you go.
Open your cabin door the lights come on and the curtains draw back in one motion. You have in front of you a boutique cabin, closely resembling some of the chic rooms you may encounter in a downtown hotel. Open the sliding doors to the balcony, we had a Sea View Balcony cabin, which make up more than half the cabins onboard, and your eyes will be instantly drawn to the hammock awaiting you. To have your own balcony and also a hammock to enjoy the fresh air either in port or whilst at sea is a unique experience wherever you may be travelling in the world. It gives that perfect area of privacy when you want to come away from the public areas of the ship.
The selection of movies one can enjoy from the cabin is large and varied if you have time for this. The in-cabin fridge was also most useful during the voyage. Hanging space is generous and your luggage should slide neatly under the bed.
Once you head outside the cabin you will either head to the upper decks and the outside areas, the main pool area, smaller pool, and maybe start at the Galley, which is the buffet style casual area to eat where you can enjoy excellent dishes perfect is you wish to grab a quick bite perhaps in between sunning yourself.
Alternatively head to the lower decks where you will find a wide selection of bars to enjoy your favourite drink. Virgin Voyages offer all Sailors a drinks package (called Sailor Loot) with a difference which must be purchased pre cruise at USD 300 per person and a further USD 50 is then added complimentary. This will enable you to enjoy all types of drinks, alcohol and non alcoholic for all your party and for whoever else that you choose. It is a form of credit that is added and there is no requirement to purchase the identical drinks package for both in the cabin which is often the requirement, which can penalise guests where one may not enjoy alcohol.
It is clear that Virgin Voyages do things differently. Having enjoyed many cruise experiences over some thirty years, Virgin Voyages seem to have found the sweet spot and the size of their modern ships is very comfortable, whilst there are so many sun loungers and beds across the various open decks so no need to battle for these. We enjoyed so many relaxing hours by the pools listening to music with many other sailors, yet if you wanted it was easy to find a smaller area either at the aft end of the ship or even along the sides of the open decks. For Rock Star sailors, who will be accommodated in one of the 78 cabins in this elevated cabin category, there is a private area on deck 16 forward with its own private bar and extensive space called Richards Rooftop. Private cabanas can also be hired for the day for the ultimate privacy for all Sailors.
The service onboard is unobtrusive and unforced. Staff are there if you need them and will leave you alone if your preference, there is no pushy sales feel as can be the case at sea. They are recruited from every continent and are very warm and approachable, also proud of their varied backgrounds. This is the case with waiters, bartenders, chamber staff and deck crew in general. There is no hierarchy onboard. Gone are the days of the lifeboat drill where names are called out, your wrist band identifies you at once. Captains welcome night or Gala Evenings do not exist. No senior hotel team introduction, just get on with your vacation doing the things you want to do.
All dining is uniquely included on every booking where there is a very wide choice of restaurants and dining venues to enjoy. (No speciality dining supplements here). Razzle Dazzle, the perfect place for breakfast with a healthy and varied menu, looks like your typical New York American Diner, and has a pleasant casual feel about it. The Wake is the Steak restaurant, you could opt for the popular Italian alternative Extra Virgin, and there is a remarkable Mexican restaurant named Pink Agave which was our favourite as it has an atmosphere and feel of being in a high class restaurant in Mexico City. All meals in these fine dining restaurants are cooked to order and were simply exquisite, always included in your cruise price.
Onboard entertainment with Virgin Voyages is certainly different. No Broadway style shows or musicals. Rather hand created interactive shows and performances where Sailors love to get involved. We found this a very refreshing change as the shorter duration of these shows to more traditional performances means that one can go from venue to venue, bar to bar, perhaps enjoy the Karaoke or enjoy one of the many popular onboard quiz shows. The Ships live band and other entertainers were all we found of a very high standard.
Excursions and tours were offered across the itinerary to all guests. No loud announcements for those on tours, rather discreet notification via the App informing of the required times and meeting venues. Sailors may enjoy these or go off the ship independently when in port. Once onboard the Virgin Voyages App is the place to view the daily activities and agenda, also to book your restaurant of choice and to book your excursions of choice. Many areas of the ship do require booking, for example Yoga, the Spa, evening shows, and the dining. All sailors have access to the efficient ship WIFI for the duration of the cruise at no extra charge, though there are upgradeable packages if you wish.
The guests on this cruise came mainly from the USA, though an increasing number of European guests, especially attracted by the Adult Only cruise aspect are coming onboard. There were also several smaller groups from Latin America. Onboard currency is the US Dollar and purchases will be billed in this currency. Gratuities are neither required or expected.
Our one week cruise called into Marseille, Cannes, Palma Majorca and Ibiza, the latter two were overnight. The ship has so much going on all at all times that no area feels crowded, though the two major onboard party events the Pyjama Party on the first night and Scarlett Night the major draw on every cruise for party people will always draw large numbers which is when you will see most sailors all together on the open decks and the lower decks are also transformed into a sea of red.
My highlights...
Hammocks in the Balcony cabins is a genius idea, simple and very impactful
The restaurant selection and quality were superb.
Virgin Voyages unobtrusive service feels very different and very welcome.
The ship wrist band is so handy. To be able to use this to open your cabin door, to pay for anything you buy, to sign in and out of the ship and to identify yourself at any point is genius.
The size of the ship would be classed as midsize. Yet there is a very definite and obvious yacht feel as the ship glides through the sea. The ship feels spacious as guests have so much to enjoy so no areas feel overcrowded.
The fitness opportunities are excellent including onboard gym, fitness classes including Yoga and a luxurious spa, and the Runway is a perfect open air running track to have a short run or jog to wake you up in the morning.
There is a very inclusive feel onboard so you can be who you want to be and you will blend in.
So give Virgin Voyages a try…. A modern cruiseline with a difference.
Written by Roger Mallock, Sales Manager , Sussex Cruise Club
To contact Roger, please call 01243 871663