Sarah Bretz, ContributorVirgin Voyages is one of the newest cruise lines on the scene, and it certainly made a splash in the cruise industry. Bucking cruise traditions like a buffet, set dining times, and an all-ages-welcome atmosphere, Virgin Voyages set out to be different from the very beginning. But, as with every cruise line, there are both pros and cons of Virgin Voyages. Here, we’re giving you the rundown on what both the positives and potential negatives are of taking a cruise with this line.
Pros of Virgin Voyages
1. Adults-only
When considering the pros and cons of Virgin Voyages, perhaps the biggest pro is that no kids are allowed. That’s right, you must be 18 or older to sail with this line. This is a huge pro for many cruisers as the vast majority of cruise lines welcomes just about all ages. Not having kids on board means that Virgin has a more laid-back atmosphere with the ability to host entertainment and activities that are suited for just adults. It also means that guests don’t have to worry about kids being underfoot — plus no space had to be taken up onboard for kids’ clubs.
2. All dining is included
Virgin Voyages does dining a bit differently than most other cruise lines. There is no main dining room; instead most of the restaurants around the ship are similar to specialty restaurants on other lines — and they’re all included!
Guests can enjoy venues such as Extra Virgin (Italian), Razzle Dazzle (veggie-forward), The Wake (steakhouse), and Pink Agave (Mexican), among others. In lieu of a buffet, there’s The Galley — a casual restaurant where you can order dishes from various food stations and they’re prepared freshly. Casual snacky food like hot dogs, wings, soft pretzels, and floats can be found at The Social Club, with pizza and ice cream spots on board as well — all included in the cruise fare.
3. Scarlet Night
Scarlet Night is the party to attend on Virgin Voyages, even for those who aren’t party people and don’t attend any others during the cruise. In fact, Scarlet Night could better be described as an entire Scarlet evening, as the festivities start to unfold long before the pinnacle of the occasion — the massive deck party — begins.
Throughout the day leading up to Scarlet Night, the ship begins to transform into a red and tentacle-filled wonderland. As evening falls, everyone dons their best red attire and has the opportunity to attend a variety of events and activities led by the ship’s entertainment staff, or “Happenings Cast.” There are even some surprise activations that may not be in the ship’s daily newsletter; you’ll either have to be invited or stumble across them to experience them. The evening culminates in a spectacular deck party filled with music, dancing, and maybe even a dip in the pool… all with a gigantic inflatable octopus overseeing the celebration.
4. The Beach Club at Bimini
Before Virgin Voyages even operated its first cruise, the line announced that it would be debuting a brand-new beach club on the Bahamian island of Bimini that would be free for its guests to enjoy. While not technically exclusive to Virgin, the beach club is just for Virgin Voyages passengers when a ship from the line is docked there.
The Beach Club at Bimini is just a short tram ride away from the cruise pier, and offers a classic beach day for travelers with all food included. Visitors can lounge on the beach or find a spot next to one of the two lagoon-style pools. Hammocks and day beds can also be found on the property. At the beach club alcoholic beverages do cost extra, but the good news is that guests’ Bar Tab credit can be used at the beach club.
5. Included fitness classes
Looking to stay in shape (or perhaps start getting into shape) on your cruise? You don’t have to just jog around the track or use free weights in the gym! Fitness classes are offered on Virgin Voyages ships, and they’re completely free. In the Training Camp area on deck 16, passengers can participate in HIIT, bungee classes, and spinning. There’s even a workout video-style class held in The Manor and sunrise yoga sessions on The Perch.
6. Balcony hammock
One of Virgin Voyages’ most distinctive amenities is their signature balcony hammocks, available in most balcony (Sea Terrace) cabins. These hand-woven red hammocks offer a uniquely relaxing way to enjoy ocean views. Perfect for afternoon naps, morning coffee, or sunset cocktails, the hammocks are more than just a flashy gimmick. As a great alternative to the busy pool deck on a sea day, these hammocks have become a somewhat iconic feature that we wish more cruise lines had. Though, getting in and out can be tricky, especially after a few cocktails.
7. The Manor nightclub
When it comes to cruise ship nightclubs, The Manor on Virgin Voyages takes the cake. Named after Richard Branson’s first recording studio, the two-story space features a stage, large dance floor, and three bars so you’re always near your next beverage. It’s designed more like a land-based nightclub than a cruise ship one, and here I think that’s a good thing. Daytime shows, live music, and themed events take place in the space that transforms into a DJ-fueled club into the night. The glitzy mirror-filled entrance into The Manor is a nice touch, too!
8. Included WiFi and gratuities
Virgin Voyages could be considered a midway point between a mainstream cruise line and an all-inclusive brand. While some extra things (like alcoholic beverages and excursions) are still not included, other things are like gratuities and basic WiFi. Not only do you not have to worry about daily gratuities being added to your bill at the end of the cruise, but there are no gratuities added to things like drink purchases or spa treatments, either. The price you see is the price you pay.
There are three WiFi tiers available to guests on Virgin: Basic, Premium, and Work from Sea. The basic tier, which allows for browsing, email, and social media, is included in the cruise fare. While you do have to pay extra for higher tiers which afford the ability to do things like video call, stream, and attend virtual meetings, having basic WiFi included in the price of the cruise is a luxury most lines do not offer.
9. Creative entertainment
In addition to all that encompasses Scarlet Night is a lot of other unique entertainment on Virgin Voyages’ ships. Though each ship varies slightly with its entertainment lineup, here are some shows that are offered. Duel Reality is a fast-paced retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a circus-themed twist, while Ships in the Night uses technology and choreography to explore the significance of incidental connection. Virgin Voyages always has specialty artists like comedians, magicians, and others on rotation too, as well as lots of themed dance parties and the music-video-meets-club-scene Untitled DanceShowPartyThing. And don’t forget the pajama party on the first night of the cruise!
10. Status Match
As a relatively newcomer in the cruise industry, Virgin Voyages is offering a limited-time status match for its Sailing Club loyalty program. If you’re looking to test out Virgin for the first time, status matching could be a nice perk if you have loyalty status with another cruise line (or select Virgin travel brand). It means you don’t have to start from scratch and can immediately enjoy benefits like free specialty coffee, complimentary laundry, and an exclusive cocktail event.
All guests who status match will immediately receive Blue Extras; however, you do need to be a certain level in another brand’s loyalty program to qualify. For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle levels qualify; and Carnival’s Platinum and Diamond statuses qualify.
Additionally, Virgin Voyages just announced sailors will now earn Virgin Red points, 100 points per sailor, per night to be exact. This rewards club lets you earn and use points across all Virgin brands.
11. Onboard tattoo shop
When Virgin Voyages announced that its brand-new fleet would feature a tattoo shop, many were skeptical. However, time has proven that the unique idea was a successful one. For centuries, sailors have been associated with tattoos, often tattooing each other during free time while at sea. Specific types of sailings even have tattoo traditions. For example, it’s common to get a tattoo of an anchor after one’s first transatlantic crossing. With a tattoo shop aboard Virgin Voyages’ ships, it’s possible to honor this piece of maritime history and tradition while still on board (if it’s your thing). It also makes for a very unique and memorable souvenir of a fun cruise adventure.
Cons of Virgin Voyages
1. No drink package (yet)
For those who like to enjoy some drinks throughout their vacation, it can be a big bummer to discover that Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer a traditional drink package. Instead of a package where you can enjoy a nearly unlimited amount of beverages each day for one set daily price, Virgin offers a program called Bar Tab. Through Bar Tab, you add money to your onboard account specifically for drinks, then the cruise line supplements it with a bit of extra Bar Tab credit. It’s better than nothing, but for those who can drink quite a few alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks throughout a cruise, it may not be as cost-effective as a traditional package.
As a silver lining, Virgin Voyages is testing a traditional drink package right now, so guests may see one in the future.
2. Cabin bathrooms are tiny
While the main living and bedroom space in a Virgin Voyages stateroom is about average for most cruise ships, the bathroom is not. Unless you’re staying in a suite, the cabin bathrooms are incredibly small. They’re so tiny that when you’re standing in the middle of the bathroom, you’re already in the right spot to do just about anything you’d need to do there: brush your teeth, use the toilet, or step into the shower. If you want to get ready in the bathroom at the same time as your partner, forget about it; you’ll need to take turns.
3. Underutilized deck space
Lining the side of the ship on deck 16 are a row of cabanas that guests can reserve for a day once on board. The cabanas, which are up against the railing, feature slatted walls and fabric roofs with a view out to the ocean. A small cabana that can accommodate up to four people costs $250. A large cabana, which holds up to eight, costs $350. Inside is a daybed, chairs, a mini-fridge, and food and beverage service from a dedicated server.
The problem is, these cabanas are very underutilized, with most remaining empty for the majority of the voyage. This is largely in part because there really aren’t many perks associated with the cabanas except for waitservice and a guaranteed spot to lounge with an ocean view. They’re not even located near a pool. They are, however, positioned on a busy corridor. I personally have walked by them many times and the passageway behind them to get through is very narrow. I think this deck space could be much better used with just regular loungers or day beds set up. This would allow everyone to enjoy the ocean views from that part of the ship. Especially since they don’t seem to be filled very often, anyway.
4. Little diversity between ships
Unlike Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Carnival, Virgin Voyages’ ships have a very similar (almost identical) design and onboard experience. This is great for those who don’t mind consistency and like being able to board a different ship and still know where everything is. It can be a downside, though, for those seeking variety across different Virgin Voyages cruises.
For example, all Virgin Voyages ships feature the same dining venues, though the Razzle Dazzle restaurant is debuting a different dinnertime experience on some vessels. Some shows and dance parties do vary, but all feature the same bars and lounges. On some ships, the Squid Ink tattoo parlor has moved spots. Select small interior design elements are also different between ships. But for the most part, if you’ve sailed one Virgin Voyages ship, you know exactly what to expect and how to navigate any of the other vessels in the fleet.
5. Can be pricey
While prices aren’t quite up there with luxury lines, Virgin Voyages definitely fits into the premium category in terms of cost. There are very few cruises that cost $100 per person, per night or less, even for an interior stateroom. In fact, expect to pay between $140 and $190 per person, per night for an interior cabin. For a balcony, you’re looking at around $200 to $240 per person, per night.
However, it’s important to remember that with this higher cost comes more inclusions. For many passengers, a Virgin Voyages cruise could even out compared to many mainstream options. With all dining, gratuities, and basic WiFi included in the cruise fare, there is added value to go along with the slightly higher price tag.
6. Limited truly grab-and-go options
While it’s great that all food is included in the cruise fare on Virgin, we do wish the line offered a bit more when it comes to truly grab-and-go options. The Social Club is great but has a very limited menu, serving things like hot dogs, soft pretzels, wings, and floats. The Pizza Place serves up fresh pies made-to-order, and is open until 2 am for those late-night cravings.
Sun Club Café is a walk-up counter-service venue on the sundeck next to the entrance to Richard’s Rooftop. It serves bao buns, bowls, and dips. This venue is a bit hidden away and most people either forget it’s there or never notice it at all.
Other not-quite-sit-down but not quite quick-service options include The Galley (Virgin Voyages’ answer to a buffet that’s more like a food market) and The Dock aft sundeck which serves a small menu of tapas in the afternoon.
While there are several options for casual dining, it could take ten or twenty minutes to prepare. If you want a quick bite without the wait, your only options are the “quickeze” containers in the buffet (or near The Dock) which are often a salad, vegetable crudite, or a sandwhich.
7. Lack of thrills and attractions
If we had a ‘this could be a pro or con’ category, this point would definitely fit in there. Virgin Voyages is a very laid-back cruise line. There are no main dining rooms or set dining times, there aren’t many announcements on the loudspeaker throughout the day, and there aren’t many bells and whistles on board.
For many, this sounds like — and is — the perfect vacation. But others may find that they miss some of the more unique amenities on other cruise ships such as water slides, rock climbing walls, or escape rooms (because those things aren’t just for kids!).
8. Limited itinerary options
Since Virgin Voyages only has three ships (with a fourth setting sail this September), it’s only logical that it isn’t able to offer as many itinerary options as other lines. But with that being said, there is a good variety to choose from if you’re flexible about the time of year you want to visit a given region. For example, this spring and summer guests can choose from Mediterranean or a limited number of northern Europe voyages on Scarlet or Resilient Lady. In the fall and winter, both ships will offer Caribbean cruises.
Valiant Lady will spend this spring and summer in Miami before relocating to San Juan for southern Caribbean sailings. The fleet’s fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, will offer a few cruises to Canada/New England from New York as well as Caribbean sailings from Miami and Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. In spring 2026, the vessel will move to Seattle for Virgin Voyages’ first season in Alaska.
But if you’re looking for sailings in Asia, Hawaii, or Australia, you won’t find them on Virgin Voyages. As well, regions like the Mexican Riviera, northern Europe, and Canada/New England have very limited seasons with this line; you’ll by far have the most options in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
9. Party atmosphere may not appeal to traditional cruisers
Virgin Voyages’ energetic atmosphere can be a definite drawback for those used to conventional cruise experiences. The ships feature late-night DJ sets, dance parties, and other non-traditional entertainment. While quiet spaces do exist onboard, the overall ambiance caters more to those seeking a vacation with a lively social scene rather than a predictable cruise experience, which may not appeal to more traditional cruisers.
10. Limited poolside space
The pool and surrounding deck space on Virgin ships tend to fill up quickly, especially on sea days when everyone wants to soak up the sun. With fewer and smaller pools compared to mainstream mega-ships, finding loungers could be difficult. While the adults-only concept eliminates the splashing and noise of children’s areas, it doesn’t solve the space issue. The main pool simply isn’t sized appropriately for the number of passengers. This results in a somewhat cramped experience during peak hours.
Comments
Do you agree with our list of the pros and cons of Virgin Voyages? Do you have anything else to add to this list? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences cruising with Virgin.
