Sailed in November 23 and had no idea you needed to reserve restaurants. I missed out on Agarve and the Wake because I could not get a seat. Not cool. I booked two weeks ahead and now I know you have to book the cruise and reserve restaurants weeks ahead. The food I got to try was very good 👍
I have been on one and it's amazing. The food is great the drinks are great and the service is fantastic. I wish it had a bigger pool and better entertainment like a comedy show though. Overall it was a great time I could have stayed on board and chilled the while trip. Age, race and sex don't matter just do you boo. A no judgment zone. Going again soon. No hidden fees or unexpected charges. Be sure to get tge app and reserve your restaurants before you get on ship. 😂
I’ve been in Virgin twice and never wanna sail on another cruise line. I appreciate your review. I never left my cruises with a balance, everything included is amazing. Also tip with reservations, they do open restaurant reservations 45 days out, but only a limited block of them. Do your reservations immediately on boarding if you book late or couldn’t get early reservation. Also as a solo sailer, I was able to meet a ton of people (some I still chat with months later) and really felt included.
Just got done with my first Virgin Cruise. The no kids is wonderful. No slides. No screaming kids, no fighting. If you want to party then party. If your the chill with a book, plenty of spaces for you. Planning the next Virgin cruise.
Just returned from VV and loved it. We did all the restaurants except Test Kitchen. You can start booking restaurants 45 days before your cruise with the app, or I think you can call and book. The app definitely needs work. The Italian restaurant, Extra Virgin, was my favorite. There was always somewhere to sit, and anytime you went to the galley for casual food you could still find a place to sit. We missed the shows, but saw the bands, and they were good. There's a lot of techno music with the same beats, but I enjoyed it. We put a deposit down toward a future cruise. That's something we have never done. I sat on the balcony and just a little in the hammock. Next time, I'll take more advantage of our balcony. Our service was top notch. We sailed the Valiant Lady out of PR and went to Aruba, Curacao, Martinique, and St Kitts.
Did a 5 day Cruise on Virgin and by far the best Cruise I have ever been on. I love kids but to be kid free was amazing! Everything was adult friendly and food was the best I have ever had on a Cruise. I will re-book on Virgin for my next Cruise for sure.
Great vid. Currently on my second VV cruise as I write this. My partner and I tried RC and Celebrity in the past , did not enjoy the experience. We tried VV on a whim while on a 3 week holiday in Greece, we were blown away! We booked our next cruise while on board, we liked it so much. If you are not a cruise enthusiast then this is the cruise line for you! It’s different in the best possible way. We have booked another Mediterranean cruise for spring 2025. Can’t wait!
We cruised Scarlet in December and loved it. We booked for April 2025 for an 8 day. Pink Agave was our favorite with Gunbae being our least favorite. We enjoyed the Test Kitchen and had 2 helpings of their venison. We’re in our late 50’s and just loved this ship, the vibes and the staff. For us, a wonderful experience.
Zach, so glad you enjoyed your (virgin) Virgin cruise so much, just like we did in January. Our experience paralleled yours almost identically, though the crew for us was the best we've ever experienced, but from day one. We loved it so much we have two more Virgin cruises scheduled in 2024. I think anyone hesitant in trying them should put those concerns aside and give them a shot, just like we (diehard middle-aged NCL) cruisers did. Yes, they *are* different, but in the best ways possible. (I'm not affiliated with Virgin Voyages in any way, believe it or not!)
Cruised Virgin in March for 5 nights and had the time of our lives! Food, drinks atmosphere...everything was perfect. Best part about the entire thing...NO KIDS ALLOWED ❤❤❤
I did my 1st comment at beginning. I enjoyed test kitchen i am a picky eater but i tasted everything and paired it with adult beverages. The galley is sit down and they bring it to you. I have been on carnival and the pool was no bigger. Any time i need someting i got it in a timely manner. The shows are not supper risque the Diva was amazing there are so many areas to go if you just want to chill. I did a group trip 80 people in the Mediterranean and just a friend in the Bahamas fantastic experience. Your bags even get to your room before you sail away.
Hi Zach! I had been anxiously awaiting this review. As you are such a fan of Celebrity, I did have some concerns about how you would feel about VV. It is very different, and I am so glad you enjoyed it. I will be heading on my third VV this week:). And I love what you said about the entertainment- if it isn't your cup of tea, go do something else:). So glad you had a great time.
I love Virgin Voyages, it gives you options. If you want to relax you can relax and no one will bother you. If you want to party, you can party all day and night and no one will judge you.
Virgin is awesome. We have been on 2, both on Scarlet. The best food and service we have experienced. We love that there are no kids, a very unique experience. Great bar service as well as we never waited more than a minute or so at a bar. They take care of their guests as our first cruise was very rough due to high winds and we didn’t stop at our first port. They ended up giving everyone a 25% future cruise credit so that is what we used for our second one. Interesting about the service issue you experienced. We had nothing but great service on our 2 cruises. Bimini is fun but better get to the beach club early if you want chairs by the pool. We will be back for sure.
I just took my first cruise ever on Valiant Lady a couple weeks ago. I thought it was really a fun experience. Not sure how to compare it to others but the staff and food were amazing. I’d definitely go again.
I'm doing my first VV cruise in April on the Scarlet Lady.....a 14-night Transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona...thanks for the review.....lots of great information. I can't wait!!!!
My husband and I love Virgin Cruises, we just booked our 5th cruise (3rd on Virgin) and cannot wait! Thanks for the video love the way you do your reviews!
We just booked our first Virgin Voyage and we are so excited. We were pleasantly surprised to find that they matched our loyalty status with our previous cruise line. I love that there’s a “party” vibe. We’ve been missing that.
Great review! I loved the almost all inclusive aspect of VV the most. Especially after paying the extra fees for wifi and specialty dining for my Celebrity Ascent & NCL Viva cruises in March. Loved Extra Virgin & Pink Agave for dinner, Wake for brunch & the Dock for lunch. Loved the thermal suite for only $49. Loved Taino Bay & Bimini beach club. The App needs major work, tiny bathroom in central sea terrace, low hard bed, but service, other sailors & staff were great. Booked 5 more.
Zack, you must cruise with Virgin in the med. not only is the cruise itself amazing, the ports of call are equally amazing. History, architecture, art, beautiful landscapes and the food in Europe is great. And in most places it’s so easy to get around, you really don’t need to pay for excursions. We have our 3rd Virgin cruise in the med booked for 2025.
We just recently did a 6 day out of San Juan PR. Our stops were Tortola British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Barbados, & St. Johns/ Antigua. You are absolutely correct about the hammocks! Man, my wife and I took turns sleeping out there getting rocked like a baby. My favorite restaurants were #1 Razzle Dazzle #2 The Wake, #3 Gunbae. I missed out on Pink Agave & the Italian restaurant. The pizza spot was good and came in handy especially on late nights. I discovered new places to eat and drink daily because there are so many nooks on the boat. Social Club is probably where we hung out the most. We watched the Super Bowl in The Red Room with theater seating & that experience was cool! We ordered pizzas & brought them in there for the game. My only complaint was the main pool was so darn small, being that was our only pool action the whole trip, it could have been bigger. The pool and Jacuzzis stayed packed in like human soup. Other than that, The Valiant Lady was amazing!
That Super Bowl sailing was the best! Might book again for another Super Bowl. Scarlet Night falling on Valentines Day was fitting. We enjoyed ourselves as well. So much so that we booked another while still onboard. Can't wait for the Greek Island Glow cruise!
@disom8957 Exactly! That Super Bowl situation was special. Everything on that voyage worked out awesome and I forgot about Valentine's Day being the same as wear your red day. That was the one thing I dropped the ball on, not thinking it was a big deal. Next time I will have on my red! Looks like we'll be back on the same boat again, as we booked for Greece in 2025 as well, on the Scarlett Lady. See you there!
I like the captain speaking and the cruise director announcements about whats happening on the ship not sure if I like doing everything on a app booking shows and resturants would go with sister once to try but not solo does not appeal to me to go solo would never do it
Loved your video. I love, love, Virgin. I have been on 2 cruises with them so far, and I can't say enough good things about this cruise line. I have 2 upcoming 14-night cruises with VV this year. My daughter is hooked on VV also. She has been on 3 cruises with them. She has another 3 booked this year.
Completely agree about the cruise director announcements. Tried to get a nap on the first day after boarding (long drive down and wanted to be able to stay up later that night), but nope. Every 5 minutes they were announcing how many still hadn’t done their muster station 😩
I'm jealous you're so close to your sail date (and that's from someone cruising with them again at the end of March, lol). I hope you have as wonderful a time as we did. (and Zach, it would seem! ) Safe travels, sailor...
We sailed on Valiant Lady on June 16th. We had a great time apart from the rough weather and seas we endured heading to Mexico. We were rocking pretty bad all night long. But everything else made up for it.
I want to try this one! Gotta find a friend to take with me. I love having a balcony because sitting on it to watch the ocean go by while I relax is one of the main things I enjoy doing.
I’ve gone on two cruises either Virgin, one in a suite and one in a regular room. My experiences have been absolutely amazing and I have a third one booked for 2025!
Love the candor, it doesn't feel like a virgin commercial like some of the other videos appear to be. Looking forward to my first one this November. Thank you for your insights.
STEPS--how clever!! I've never seen a red Christmas tree before! Was that a red hamburger bun I saw? Red everywhere you look throughout the ship it seems. Scarlet Night: naturally, the colour of choice! A teeny tiny too many red sightings for my blue eyes! I didn't find the general decor relaxing at all. The one pool is very small with no interior pool. Not everyone is a sun worshipper. The balcony hammock is a nice touch and red, of course. VV ain't my thing. Thanks for confirming this, but glad you enjoyed yourself!
I’m curious to know what you thought of this ship for a solo cruiser in her ‘50s. Because it looks cool but I’m a little worried it’s for a younger crowd.
I can't speak to the solo cruiser experience, but my wife and i are in our 50s and it was a great experience. Agree with Zach that it skews younger, but not jarringly so..and everyone was so laid back and friendly that it was easy to forget the age differences. We once spent an hour or so in one of the hot tubs with a couple in their 70s, some Cali guys in their 20s, and a solo woman in her 50s, and it was a relaxed, enjoyable time for everyone...age never seemed an issue at all.
I celebrated my sixtieth birthday on the Valiant Lady on a solo Transatlantic. It was fantastic. Great people of all ages. They have dedicated activities for solo passengers early on in your voyage and everyone I met (solo or otherwise) was happy to be there and friendly. Are they for everyone? Of course not, but I highly recommend Virgin.
there are singles and couples of all ages, just bring thongs or gstring bikinis and a very open mind. please dont bring a prude mind on a virgin cruise
Just went on my first cruise that wasn't Disney as a kid, and your review was fantastic. Went on the "Irresistible Med" out of Barcelona, and everything you covered is 100% correct (obviously). Loved the ship, felt like the pools were very cramped, and the dinner venues are way too crowded/cutthroat for what they offered. We ate everywhere except the Italian place and Wake steakhouse. Also, kinda wild 8 months later the Test Kitchen was exactly the same menu was offered.
Been waiting on your STEPS review on VV 🇦🇺👍 really great to hear your thoughts, especially on the ship as it gives dark, pokey vibes in pics I see, but glad to hear it’s not so. I was a little hesitant to try VV before but based on this thorough review, I’m thinking “why the heck not!?”, especially since some disappointing experiences with Celebrity lately. As always, great review Zach 🙏
Your videos are so useful. Big fan here🙌. I’m a Celebrity Cruise Line loyal customer but I’m really intrigued by Virgin. Your information about Virgin is awesome and gave me such great insight. The thing that’s holding me back is that the ship doesn’t seem aesthetically pleasing. Everything seems so dull and kinda cheap looking. Is it just the way the ship photographs or seems like in videos?
So you think VV’s beach club is better than CocoCay especially with the new addition of Hideaway Beach? Just curious. The food looked very interesting but I must say that the shows were not the type I would enjoy for a full week. Thanks for your thorough review.
At this point in my cruising, I really enjoy just sitting in a bar with some live music: A solo pianist, a band playing 1970's music, solo guitarist, a jazz band, etc. do they have anything like that on virgin? Nobody mentions it.
Thanks for this review! Am doing a 7 day cruise in Greece with VV in July - this review helped me get into the mindset that you’re paying to be in a floating playground and should focus on that value and not the destinations. Last summer I hired a yacht for 5 friends for €2,000 to sail the same route as VV in Greece but we stopped in 14 locations instead of 5 offered by VV. We didn’t have a chef making avocado toast though so I look forward to that.
Hi Zack Great review!! We’re doing valiant lady in July from Miami. What time do you suggest to book dinner most nights and Scarlett night in order to see the evening shows.
I really like your take on VV. It has promoted me to consider VV for my next cruise. Everything looked very interesting. The overall style of the ship is very minimalistic and declutterred. Everything seemed very quiet and low pace.
Thanks for your review. I am not sure how i feel about the decor - it seems like a cross between an adult Nickloden vibe crossed with Ikea furniture? I actually love elegant nights, so i would miss that. I do like the adults only vibe & their private island looks amazing. I definitely want to try them on a 3 or 4 night and see for myself without a long commitment ❤
We enjoyed our cruise with them. I agree with all score except the entertainment. Really enjoyed how the food was done and the way the ship is cut up into smaller venues. I thought the entertainment was good but not 5/5 compared to the wonder of the seas we went on. Also found it hard to figure out what the entertainment was going to be and where. But that is also part of virgin trying to be different. Would recommend
Yes...but no. Yes, your up-front cruise fare will be higher than other lines. But you can *easily* take an entire cruise without spending another dime. No specialty dining upcharges. No built-in daily tips/gratuities. No "soda package". Unlimited (non-streaming) wifi included In-cabin movies...free. You get my drift. We sailed NCL and VV two weeks apart, and we spent *way* more in total on NCL than Virgin. And if you book with a Virgin "first mate" travel agent, they can get you A LOT of included onboard credit, bar tab, etc.
I wouldn't call The Galley a buffet, because it is table service and food is cooked to order and I really enjoy the selection of food they have up there.Their grab and go food was always excellent and always plenty of it. If there was nothing you liked, they would gladly make it up for you. i'm going on mgy 3rd Virgin Voyages cruise next month and already looking forward to being in my hammock, reading my book and watching the world sail past.
How is the ship for a traveler who enjoys peace and quiet and wants to get away from the loud music and parties? You mentioned that you retreated to your room and balcony. But on my Princess cruise i had an interior room where i spent almost no time and enjoyed beautiful but quiet parts of the ship. Can i book a less expensive interior room on Virgin and escape the parties without being confined to a cell?
I can say for sure that there are *plenty* of opportunites/venues/areas for peace and quiet on Virgin ships. I *really* dislike most (modern) dance music, but it was never an issue for me to find someplace chill. It was amazing to me how well-designed the ship was such that the noisier venues didn't bleed into the ones around it at all. And I have to say: the DJs onboard were *amazing* in their ability to seamlessly mix *all* forms of music throughout the day...
I would say yes, there are quite a few spots where you can escape from the noise. The Dock, at the back of the ship, has wonderful seating and views. They also have on demand food and drink service. Many people had books and hung out for hours reading and eating the afternoon away. There are also quiet lounge areas outside on deck 7. The very back of the ship on deck 16 also has a few whirlpools and a bar that are chill/quiet.
@irapbmd...please, just go for it! I was (quite) hesitant myself, but am a complete convert after just one cruise (have 2 more this year now). Just put any preconceived notions aside and adopt a "go with it" attitude and you won't regret it.
Virgin Voyages are definitely our favorite cruiseline now. I love that they don't try to nickle and dime you to death. We literally spent no extra due to their very generous perks, and the food that is included was the best ever. Next time, try the pizza. It's our favorite for all the cruiselines. Plus, they will give you a buzzer that alerts you when your pizza is ready. We had fun in the casino while they were cooking our pizza.
Took a VV cruise last year with my fiancée and we loved it! Going on another one from Barcelona around the Mediterranean this September for our honeymoon, I can’t wait! I def recommend virgin voyages!
I love VV and I love your review. I love that they are listenin and always improving on their experience with the cruise line. I already booked my second cruise with them! Meanwhile I’ve tried almost every other cruise line once and hated it .
I couldn't agree more regarding them taking feedback seriously. I am amazed at how it seems like they make improvements almost from one sailing to the next! Small example: we won an upgrade bid to an XL Sea Terrace, but it was considered the "worst" one because prior vlogs warned it didn't even have a hammock on the balcony. Guess what? We had one! And the previously complained-about wicker room chair was replaced with a huge rolling cushioned chair that converrted to an ottoman. Now they just have to fix the app! :)
I have been binge-watching your videos and love them. I went on my first cruise a couple of weeks ago and want to try Virgin Voyages for the next one solo.
In all honesty, alright, really enjoyed this review. You have made me a believer. I am currently considering a 5 day cruise with this ship. And I think I'm going to book it today. Thanks a bunch great video
I just booked my first Virgin cruise for Feb 2025, and the offer to match status from other cruises did come up. I've only cruised with NCL before, so I am looking forward to seeing how Virgin is different! :)
Thank you for the informative video! I have just booked my first ever cruise, and I chose Virgin because it is so different looking g than traditional cruises and adult only.
Hi@@ZachtheTravelingMan, I just wanted to mention that on a cruise we're taking in November, solo cabins are almost $600 *more* than a "standard" (i.e. double occupancy) interior cabin...and are about 70 sq ft smaller. I suppose it's a supply/demand thing...? I just thought it was important to point out the dedicated solo cabins aren't necessarily cheaper, so solo travelers shouldn't go straight to solo cabins when they go to book on Virgin!
@@rossfortini1856 The same thing happens with the solo studios at NCL. They have high demand, so they generally are more expensive than the bigger standard cabins
Sounds like a Sandals resort in Cruise ship form with great evening entertainment Sir Richard Branson would never let his Virgin brand be associated with something low budget or low quality
You were on the ship with us! The reason it took them a couple days to get service sorted was that the delay of the 4th boat, pushed 1000 sailors over onto this voyage when their scheduled voyages were cancelled. They had never been at 100% full, so they were adjusting on the fly. They typically run around 80%. FYI, their capacity is 2600 sailors, its a smaller boat, but doesnt feel small! Glad you enjoyed it, we did as well!
I’m used to cruises with more than one pool. How does it feel to only have one pool that also looks pretty small? On a full ship I imagine it gets really crowded?
First off, thank you, Zach. Based on this excellent, balanced VV review, I have subscribed. I have never cruised before only for two reasons: 1) If I experience seasickness, I don't want to 🤢 in front of people and then spend too much time in my cabin each time that happens. 2) I can't bear screaming children running around and placing their fingers in food at buffets. So VV sounds like a dream regarding point #2. As to point #1, I would have a challenge no matter what cruise.😆 However, my virgin cruise is overdue, and, with a milestone birthday in 2025, I'm going to take the plunge (oh no, wrong word🤭) and go on a VV cruise as a solo. I won't dress skimpily because I have too much "area" for that😊, BUT I am no prude. I have no issue with fellow cruisers being scantily dressed. If I do the Scarlet, I'll make sure to pack red outfits. The LGBT+ friendliness is another reason I would select VV because I like fairness to all people. I am nothing to look at, but I hope not to be hit on in a vulgar way. Harmless flirting is cool, though -- as long as the flirter is not married. Hmmm, I should have made that point #3.🫢 Zach, I so enjoyed your cruise review! And if commenters can help me with my mentioned concerns, I really would appreciate your replies.😊 Something tells me I am too late to book a VV cruise for next year, but I would not mind at all celebrating my 2025 miletone birthday in 2026.👍🏼Thanks!🫶🏼
Test kitchen was my only disappointment of the cruise. However a couple we met who went the night after had a totally different menu that sounded delicious so I think it is hit or miss
Under the S, did you rate Virgin higher than Celebrity E-class? Shocking! I enjoy entertainment on Royal and NCL and think I would miss that on this ship.
Fritz here from "Travel and Bang" channel - quick question, as a bachelor should I bring a female partner with me (bring sand to the beach) or can one find single loose ladies on board the ship?
Question me and my wife dont drink at all but woild like to try gunbae do you have to participate in the drinking games or coukd they sit you by yourself?
What do you think of Virgin Voyages? Have you been? Do you want to? I wanna hear your thoughts!
Virgin is by far my favorite cruise line. Been on 6 so far
Sailed in November 23 and had no idea you needed to reserve restaurants. I missed out on Agarve and the Wake because I could not get a seat. Not cool. I booked two weeks ahead and now I know you have to book the cruise and reserve restaurants weeks ahead. The food I got to try was very good 👍
I have been on one and it's amazing. The food is great the drinks are great and the service is fantastic. I wish it had a bigger pool and better entertainment like a comedy show though. Overall it was a great time I could have stayed on board and chilled the while trip. Age, race and sex don't matter just do you boo. A no judgment zone. Going again soon. No hidden fees or unexpected charges. Be sure to get tge app and reserve your restaurants before you get on ship. 😂
I’ve been in Virgin twice and never wanna sail on another cruise line. I appreciate your review. I never left my cruises with a balance, everything included is amazing. Also tip with reservations, they do open restaurant reservations 45 days out, but only a limited block of them. Do your reservations immediately on boarding if you book late or couldn’t get early reservation. Also as a solo sailer, I was able to meet a ton of people (some I still chat with months later) and really felt included.
Thanks to your review we felt confident in booking one for next summer!
Just got done with my first Virgin Cruise. The no kids is wonderful. No slides. No screaming kids, no fighting. If you want to party then party. If your the chill with a book, plenty of spaces for you. Planning the next Virgin cruise.
No slides for adults 😢
Just returned from VV and loved it. We did all the restaurants except Test Kitchen. You can start booking restaurants 45 days before your cruise with the app, or I think you can call and book. The app definitely needs work. The Italian restaurant, Extra Virgin, was my favorite. There was always somewhere to sit, and anytime you went to the galley for casual food you could still find a place to sit. We missed the shows, but saw the bands, and they were good. There's a lot of techno music with the same beats, but I enjoyed it. We put a deposit down toward a future cruise. That's something we have never done. I sat on the balcony and just a little in the hammock. Next time, I'll take more advantage of our balcony. Our service was top notch. We sailed the Valiant Lady out of PR and went to Aruba, Curacao, Martinique, and St Kitts.
more money than sense obviously.
Did a 5 day Cruise on Virgin and by far the best Cruise I have ever been on. I love kids but to be kid free was amazing! Everything was adult friendly and food was the best I have ever had on a Cruise. I will re-book on Virgin for my next Cruise for sure.
I would do this cruise. No amusement park, buffet, and kids…yes.
Great vid. Currently on my second VV cruise as I write this. My partner and I tried RC and Celebrity in the past , did not enjoy the experience. We tried VV on a whim while on a 3 week holiday in Greece, we were blown away! We booked our next cruise while on board, we liked it so much. If you are not a cruise enthusiast then this is the cruise line for you! It’s different in the best possible way. We have booked another Mediterranean cruise for spring 2025. Can’t wait!
We cruised Scarlet in December and loved it. We booked for April 2025 for an 8 day. Pink Agave was our favorite with Gunbae being our least favorite. We enjoyed the Test Kitchen and had 2 helpings of their venison. We’re in our late 50’s and just loved this ship, the vibes and the staff. For us, a wonderful experience.
Great to hear. I leave on the Scarlett lady in 5 days.
@@jmev.4732 Hope you had fun!…
Or are having fun! 😊👍🏽 🛳️
Where would they land a helicopter on these ships?
I cruised with them three times in 2023 and I can't wait to go back. It's a place where you can be your authentic self!
"A place where you can be your authentic self", what...does that mean?
YES INDEED. ❤
Zach, so glad you enjoyed your (virgin) Virgin cruise so much, just like we did in January. Our experience paralleled yours almost identically, though the crew for us was the best we've ever experienced, but from day one. We loved it so much we have two more Virgin cruises scheduled in 2024. I think anyone hesitant in trying them should put those concerns aside and give them a shot, just like we (diehard middle-aged NCL) cruisers did. Yes, they *are* different, but in the best ways possible. (I'm not affiliated with Virgin Voyages in any way, believe it or not!)
Cruised Virgin in March for 5 nights and had the time of our lives! Food, drinks atmosphere...everything was perfect. Best part about the entire thing...NO KIDS ALLOWED ❤❤❤
I did my 1st comment at beginning. I enjoyed test kitchen i am a picky eater but i tasted everything and paired it with adult beverages. The galley is sit down and they bring it to you. I have been on carnival and the pool was no bigger. Any time i need someting i got it in a timely manner. The shows are not supper risque the Diva was amazing there are so many areas to go if you just want to chill. I did a group trip 80 people in the Mediterranean and just a friend in the Bahamas fantastic experience. Your bags even get to your room before you sail away.
Hi Zach! I had been anxiously awaiting this review. As you are such a fan of Celebrity, I did have some concerns about how you would feel about VV. It is very different, and I am so glad you enjoyed it. I will be heading on my third VV this week:). And I love what you said about the entertainment- if it isn't your cup of tea, go do something else:). So glad you had a great time.
I love Virgin Voyages, it gives you options. If you want to relax you can relax and no one will bother you. If you want to party, you can party all day and night and no one will judge you.
Virgin is awesome. We have been on 2, both on Scarlet. The best food and service we have experienced. We love that there are no kids, a very unique experience. Great bar service as well as we never waited more than a minute or so at a bar. They take care of their guests as our first cruise was very rough due to high winds and we didn’t stop at our first port. They ended up giving everyone a 25% future cruise credit so that is what we used for our second one. Interesting about the service issue you experienced. We had nothing but great service on our 2 cruises. Bimini is fun but better get to the beach club early if you want chairs by the pool. We will be back for sure.
We've been 4 times!! Absolutely love this cruise line, won't be disappointed
I just took my first cruise ever on Valiant Lady a couple weeks ago. I thought it was really a fun experience. Not sure how to compare it to others but the staff and food were amazing. I’d definitely go again.
Thanks Zach. Your steps process is brilliant. It makes it so easy for us to catorise what we want in a cruise.
I'm doing my first VV cruise in April on the Scarlet Lady.....a 14-night Transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona...thanks for the review.....lots of great information. I can't wait!!!!
Hey….I’ll be on that same cruise! Have been waiting just over a year and am so excited to be onboard again! It’s our first TA sailing.
Did you guys vlog your transatlantic cruise? I'm going next year and could use all the advice. Thanks
My husband and I love Virgin Cruises, we just booked our 5th cruise (3rd on Virgin) and cannot wait! Thanks for the video love the way you do your reviews!
We just booked our first Virgin Voyage and we are so excited. We were pleasantly surprised to find that they matched our loyalty status with our previous cruise line. I love that there’s a “party” vibe. We’ve been missing that.
Great review! I loved the almost all inclusive aspect of VV the most. Especially after paying the extra fees for wifi and specialty dining for my Celebrity Ascent & NCL Viva cruises in March. Loved Extra Virgin & Pink Agave for dinner, Wake for brunch & the Dock for lunch. Loved the thermal suite for only $49. Loved Taino Bay & Bimini beach club. The App needs major work, tiny bathroom in central sea terrace, low hard bed, but service, other sailors & staff were great. Booked 5 more.
I'm glad you enjoyed it also. Thanks for watching!
Going on Valiant Lady in 2025. Thank you for the positive reviews. This will be my first Virgin cruise.
Zack, you must cruise with Virgin in the med. not only is the cruise itself amazing, the ports of call are equally amazing. History, architecture, art, beautiful landscapes and the food in Europe is great. And in most places it’s so easy to get around, you really don’t need to pay for excursions. We have our 3rd Virgin cruise in the med booked for 2025.
It was awesome hearing about his pleasure with Puerta Plata and San Juan. I'm going there on the Celebrity Eclipse in just 2 months!
We just recently did a 6 day out of San Juan PR. Our stops were Tortola British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Barbados, & St. Johns/ Antigua. You are absolutely correct about the hammocks! Man, my wife and I took turns sleeping out there getting rocked like a baby. My favorite restaurants were #1 Razzle Dazzle #2 The Wake, #3 Gunbae. I missed out on Pink Agave & the Italian restaurant. The pizza spot was good and came in handy especially on late nights. I discovered new places to eat and drink daily because there are so many nooks on the boat. Social Club is probably where we hung out the most. We watched the Super Bowl in The Red Room with theater seating & that experience was cool! We ordered pizzas & brought them in there for the game. My only complaint was the main pool was so darn small, being that was our only pool action the whole trip, it could have been bigger. The pool and Jacuzzis stayed packed in like human soup. Other than that, The Valiant Lady was amazing!
That Super Bowl sailing was the best! Might book again for another Super Bowl. Scarlet Night falling on Valentines Day was fitting. We enjoyed ourselves as well. So much so that we booked another while still onboard. Can't wait for the Greek Island Glow cruise!
@disom8957 Exactly! That Super Bowl situation was special. Everything on that voyage worked out awesome and I forgot about Valentine's Day being the same as wear your red day. That was the one thing I dropped the ball on, not thinking it was a big deal. Next time I will have on my red! Looks like we'll be back on the same boat again, as we booked for Greece in 2025 as well, on the Scarlett Lady. See you there!
I like the captain speaking and the cruise director announcements about whats happening on the ship not sure if I like doing everything on a app booking shows and resturants would go with sister once to try but not solo does not appeal to me to go solo would never do it
Loved your video. I love, love, Virgin. I have been on 2 cruises with them so far, and I can't say enough good things about this cruise line. I have 2 upcoming 14-night cruises with VV this year. My daughter is hooked on VV also. She has been on 3 cruises with them. She has another 3 booked this year.
I have also sailed twice with Virgin and it was ALL GOOD!!👍
Thanks for the sneak peek. We are taking VV Scarlet Lady on 29th March. Super excited as this is my first cruise and looking forward to chill.
Completely agree about the cruise director announcements. Tried to get a nap on the first day after boarding (long drive down and wanted to be able to stay up later that night), but nope. Every 5 minutes they were announcing how many still hadn’t done their muster station 😩
Were booked on a 4 day in October. First time. They are status matching until december twenty four.
Wow!! I’m sailing at the end of this month & your videos are wonderful. I’m so excited!! Thank you!!
Have fun!
I'm jealous you're so close to your sail date (and that's from someone cruising with them again at the end of March, lol). I hope you have as wonderful a time as we did. (and Zach, it would seem! ) Safe travels, sailor...
Can't wait to go on this cruise! I'm going solo in 2weeks out of Miami
Have fun!
Our first VV cruise is June 12-16 out of Miami-Key West- Bimini Beach. Thanks for the tips
Hey Zack!! I am on the Valient in March 2024 over Springbreak and they did still do the cruise match. Thanks
Have fun!
We sailed on Valiant Lady on June 16th. We had a great time apart from the rough weather and seas we endured heading to Mexico. We were rocking pretty bad all night long. But everything else made up for it.
I want to try this one! Gotta find a friend to take with me. I love having a balcony because sitting on it to watch the ocean go by while I relax is one of the main things I enjoy doing.
Go solo and make friends every where on the ship. Some of the most friendly people I have ever been around.
I’ve gone on two cruises either Virgin, one in a suite and one in a regular room. My experiences have been absolutely amazing and I have a third one booked for 2025!
Love the candor, it doesn't feel like a virgin commercial like some of the other videos appear to be. Looking forward to my first one this November. Thank you for your insights.
Glad you enjoyed. Have a great cruise!!
STEPS--how clever!! I've never seen a red Christmas tree before! Was that a red hamburger bun I saw? Red everywhere you look throughout the ship it seems. Scarlet Night: naturally, the colour of choice! A teeny tiny too many red sightings for my blue eyes! I didn't find the general decor relaxing at all. The one pool is very small with no interior pool. Not everyone is a sun worshipper. The balcony hammock is a nice touch and red, of course. VV ain't my thing. Thanks for confirming this, but glad you enjoyed yourself!
I’m curious to know what you thought of this ship for a solo cruiser in her ‘50s. Because it looks cool but I’m a little worried it’s for a younger crowd.
Not at all. There were folks of all age. The demographic does skew younger than other lines, but still plenty for adults of all ages to enjoy!
I can't speak to the solo cruiser experience, but my wife and i are in our 50s and it was a great experience. Agree with Zach that it skews younger, but not jarringly so..and everyone was so laid back and friendly that it was easy to forget the age differences. We once spent an hour or so in one of the hot tubs with a couple in their 70s, some Cali guys in their 20s, and a solo woman in her 50s, and it was a relaxed, enjoyable time for everyone...age never seemed an issue at all.
I celebrated my sixtieth birthday on the Valiant Lady on a solo Transatlantic. It was fantastic. Great people of all ages. They have dedicated activities for solo passengers early on in your voyage and everyone I met (solo or otherwise) was happy to be there and friendly. Are they for everyone? Of course not, but I highly recommend Virgin.
there are singles and couples of all ages, just bring thongs or gstring bikinis and a very open mind. please dont bring a prude mind on a virgin cruise
Just went on my first cruise that wasn't Disney as a kid, and your review was fantastic. Went on the "Irresistible Med" out of Barcelona, and everything you covered is 100% correct (obviously). Loved the ship, felt like the pools were very cramped, and the dinner venues are way too crowded/cutthroat for what they offered. We ate everywhere except the Italian place and Wake steakhouse. Also, kinda wild 8 months later the Test Kitchen was exactly the same menu was offered.
Been waiting on your STEPS review on VV 🇦🇺👍 really great to hear your thoughts, especially on the ship as it gives dark, pokey vibes in pics I see, but glad to hear it’s not so. I was a little hesitant to try VV before but based on this thorough review, I’m thinking “why the heck not!?”, especially since some disappointing experiences with Celebrity lately. As always, great review Zach 🙏
We do the New Year’s Eve Virgin cruise so much fun
Wonderful review! I’m going for the first time next year! I can’t wait now
Your videos are so useful. Big fan here🙌. I’m a Celebrity Cruise Line loyal customer but I’m really intrigued by Virgin. Your information about Virgin is awesome and gave me such great insight. The thing that’s holding me back is that the ship doesn’t seem aesthetically pleasing. Everything seems so dull and kinda cheap looking. Is it just the way the ship photographs or seems like in videos?
So you think VV’s beach club is better than CocoCay especially with the new addition of Hideaway Beach? Just curious. The food looked very interesting but I must say that the shows were not the type I would enjoy for a full week. Thanks for your thorough review.
I have not been to Hideaway Beach but yes I find the Beach Club to be more relaxing than CocoCay.
Are you able to get more than 1 entree? I eat a lot, those portions look small
Thank you so much for your views on Virgin. I am going to look into it. Amen
That's a great and detailed review. Thank you for putting this together and sharing with us.
My pleasure!
At this point in my cruising, I really enjoy just sitting in a bar with some live music: A solo pianist, a band playing 1970's music, solo guitarist, a jazz band, etc. do they have anything like that on virgin? Nobody mentions it.
I am glad to hear about the private island pool....that pool on board is for a private backyard...family of 4...
Thanks for this review! Am doing a 7 day cruise in Greece with VV in July - this review helped me get into the mindset that you’re paying to be in a floating playground and should focus on that value and not the destinations.
Last summer I hired a yacht for 5 friends for €2,000 to sail the same route as VV in Greece but we stopped in 14 locations instead of 5 offered by VV.
We didn’t have a chef making avocado toast though so I look forward to that.
Have fun!
Thanks!
Thank you!!!
I’m sailing on the Valiant Lady in April. I can’t wait!
Hi Zack
Great review!!
We’re doing valiant lady in July from Miami.
What time do you suggest to book dinner most nights and Scarlett night in order to see the evening shows.
I really like your take on VV. It has promoted me to consider VV for my next cruise. Everything looked very interesting. The overall style of the ship is very minimalistic and declutterred. Everything seemed very quiet and low pace.
Thanks for your review. I am not sure how i feel about the decor - it seems like a cross between an adult Nickloden vibe crossed with Ikea furniture? I actually love elegant nights, so i would miss that.
I do like the adults only vibe & their private island looks amazing. I definitely want to try them on a 3 or 4 night and see for myself without a long commitment ❤
"adult Nickelodeon" is the perfect description for this ship lol
We enjoyed our cruise with them. I agree with all score except the entertainment. Really enjoyed how the food was done and the way the ship is cut up into smaller venues. I thought the entertainment was good but not 5/5 compared to the wonder of the seas we went on. Also found it hard to figure out what the entertainment was going to be and where. But that is also part of virgin trying to be different. Would recommend
I’m interested in cruising with them. But, aren’t their prices higher than comparable cruise lines?
Yes...but no. Yes, your up-front cruise fare will be higher than other lines. But you can *easily* take an entire cruise without spending another dime. No specialty dining upcharges. No built-in daily tips/gratuities. No "soda package". Unlimited (non-streaming) wifi included In-cabin movies...free. You get my drift. We sailed NCL and VV two weeks apart, and we spent *way* more in total on NCL than Virgin. And if you book with a Virgin "first mate" travel agent, they can get you A LOT of included onboard credit, bar tab, etc.
The days of 400.00 cruises are over and the other lines nickel and dime for everything...
Off to Greece in July. Cant wait
I can not find information on the time of shows and parties. Was it late after 9pm or early evening?
I wouldn't call The Galley a buffet, because it is table service and food is cooked to order and I really enjoy the selection of food they have up there.Their grab and go food was always excellent and always plenty of it. If there was nothing you liked, they would gladly make it up for you. i'm going on mgy 3rd Virgin Voyages cruise next month and already looking forward to being in my hammock, reading my book and watching the world sail past.
How is the ship for a traveler who enjoys peace and quiet and wants to get away from the loud music and parties? You mentioned that you retreated to your room and balcony. But on my Princess cruise i had an interior room where i spent almost no time and enjoyed beautiful but quiet parts of the ship. Can i book a less expensive interior room on Virgin and escape the parties without being confined to a cell?
I can say for sure that there are *plenty* of opportunites/venues/areas for peace and quiet on Virgin ships. I *really* dislike most (modern) dance music, but it was never an issue for me to find someplace chill. It was amazing to me how well-designed the ship was such that the noisier venues didn't bleed into the ones around it at all. And I have to say: the DJs onboard were *amazing* in their ability to seamlessly mix *all* forms of music throughout the day...
I would say yes, there are quite a few spots where you can escape from the noise. The Dock, at the back of the ship, has wonderful seating and views. They also have on demand food and drink service. Many people had books and hung out for hours reading and eating the afternoon away. There are also quiet lounge areas outside on deck 7. The very back of the ship on deck 16 also has a few whirlpools and a bar that are chill/quiet.
Excellent honest review. I have been reluctant to book with Virgin previously but I’m ready to give them a try now.
@irapbmd...please, just go for it! I was (quite) hesitant myself, but am a complete convert after just one cruise (have 2 more this year now). Just put any preconceived notions aside and adopt a "go with it" attitude and you won't regret it.
Virgin Voyages are definitely our favorite cruiseline now. I love that they don't try to nickle and dime you to death. We literally spent no extra due to their very generous perks, and the food that is included was the best ever. Next time, try the pizza. It's our favorite for all the cruiselines. Plus, they will give you a buzzer that alerts you when your pizza is ready. We had fun in the casino while they were cooking our pizza.
New subbie. Just returned from the Valiant Lady over the halloween weekend. It was a blast. Thanks for all of your knowledge and content.
I'm so glad you had a great time on the Valiant Lady!
Took a VV cruise last year with my fiancée and we loved it! Going on another one from Barcelona around the Mediterranean this September for our honeymoon, I can’t wait! I def recommend virgin voyages!
Note… the coffee at their specialty shop was not included. I think it was like $3 each.
I recently did that cruise. Was wonderful. A real adventure!
I love VV and I love your review. I love that they are listenin and always improving on their experience with the cruise line. I already booked my second cruise with them! Meanwhile I’ve tried almost every other cruise line once and hated it .
Thanks for watching!
I couldn't agree more regarding them taking feedback seriously. I am amazed at how it seems like they make improvements almost from one sailing to the next! Small example: we won an upgrade bid to an XL Sea Terrace, but it was considered the "worst" one because prior vlogs warned it didn't even have a hammock on the balcony. Guess what? We had one! And the previously complained-about wicker room chair was replaced with a huge rolling cushioned chair that converrted to an ottoman. Now they just have to fix the app! :)
I have been binge-watching your videos and love them. I went on my first cruise a couple of weeks ago and want to try Virgin Voyages for the next one solo.
Wow you are my twin...lol...I just had my 1st cruise experience Christmas 2023 (Royal) I plan on doing a Virgin solo cruise...real soon
@@kimkirksey3018 That is too funny! My first cruise was with Royal as well!!
In all honesty, alright, really enjoyed this review. You have made me a believer. I am currently considering a 5 day cruise with this ship. And I think I'm going to book it today. Thanks a bunch great video
Glad it was helpful!
@ZachtheTravelingMan Just to update I've booked for Aug 25 .
I just booked my first Virgin cruise for Feb 2025, and the offer to match status from other cruises did come up. I've only cruised with NCL before, so I am looking forward to seeing how Virgin is different! :)
First time watcher. Wow great stuff
Thanks and welcome!
Same thanks for the info and good job
Can you eat as much as you desire at each restaurant?
Yes!
Thank you for the informative video! I have just booked my first ever cruise, and I chose Virgin because it is so different looking g than traditional cruises and adult only.
How did you find the cruise in terms of being a solo traveler?
I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of other solo travelers to meet onboard!
Excellent Review.
Thanks for watching
Comparing cruise prices, the fact that so much was included, is the Virgin cruise overall price comparable to the other cruise lines + their add-ons?
Need a drink package on virgin I don’t wanna have to budget anything day to day
Great review Zach. Really enjoyed it. On point, honest and factual
How have I just found this video now? Love it, Zach!
Thank you, my friend!
Thank you for the review. I Amy consider this line.
I wonder what their policy is on solo travelers? Be prepared for paying double or more?
The cost of their cruises is priced "per cabin" as opposed to per person which is good. They have cabins for solo travelers as well.
Double in a standard room. They also have solo staterooms for less than double the price.
Hi@@ZachtheTravelingMan, I just wanted to mention that on a cruise we're taking in November, solo cabins are almost $600 *more* than a "standard" (i.e. double occupancy) interior cabin...and are about 70 sq ft smaller. I suppose it's a supply/demand thing...? I just thought it was important to point out the dedicated solo cabins aren't necessarily cheaper, so solo travelers shouldn't go straight to solo cabins when they go to book on Virgin!
@@rossfortini1856 The same thing happens with the solo studios at NCL. They have high demand, so they generally are more expensive than the bigger standard cabins
That was really good, thank you 🥂
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great review, thank you.
Thanks for this review. I have 25 cruises on Carnival this will be my first Virgin Cruise next month.
You're welcome! I'm glad you found the review helpful. Excited for you to experience your first Virgin Cruise-it's going to be a memorable journey!
Great video we are booked for this year Rock star suite!
Have fun!
Do you have to pay for the coffee at the grounds?
Sounds like a Sandals resort in Cruise ship form with great evening entertainment
Sir Richard Branson would never let his Virgin brand be associated with something low budget or low quality
You were on the ship with us! The reason it took them a couple days to get service sorted was that the delay of the 4th boat, pushed 1000 sailors over onto this voyage when their scheduled voyages were cancelled. They had never been at 100% full, so they were adjusting on the fly. They typically run around 80%. FYI, their capacity is 2600 sailors, its a smaller boat, but doesnt feel small! Glad you enjoyed it, we did as well!
Every Lady ship's capacity is 2770 pax. I sailed the Resilient Lady downunder. My sailing was 2550 and it was very crowded.
I’m used to cruises with more than one pool. How does it feel to only have one pool that also looks pretty small? On a full ship I imagine it gets really crowded?
Going to book this next year for my BD!
Fab video. Thank you. Can’t wait for my VV next month
Have fun!
@@ZachtheTravelingMan thank you 🚢😊
Thank you so much for this video Zach.... helped to make up my mind about virgin🚢
First off, thank you, Zach. Based on this excellent, balanced VV review, I have subscribed. I have never cruised before only for two reasons: 1) If I experience seasickness, I don't want to 🤢 in front of people and then spend too much time in my cabin each time that happens. 2) I can't bear screaming children running around and placing their fingers in food at buffets.
So VV sounds like a dream regarding point #2. As to point #1, I would have a challenge no matter what cruise.😆 However, my virgin cruise is overdue, and, with a milestone birthday in 2025, I'm going to take the plunge (oh no, wrong word🤭) and go on a VV cruise as a solo. I won't dress skimpily because I have too much "area" for that😊, BUT I am no prude. I have no issue with fellow cruisers being scantily dressed. If I do the Scarlet, I'll make sure to pack red outfits. The LGBT+ friendliness is another reason I would select VV because I like fairness to all people.
I am nothing to look at, but I hope not to be hit on in a vulgar way. Harmless flirting is cool, though -- as long as the flirter is not married. Hmmm, I should have made that point #3.🫢
Zach, I so enjoyed your cruise review! And if commenters can help me with my mentioned concerns, I really would appreciate your replies.😊 Something tells me I am too late to book a VV cruise for next year, but I would not mind at all celebrating my 2025 miletone birthday in 2026.👍🏼Thanks!🫶🏼
Would you recommend as your 1st cruise ship or maybe another traditional ship like Royal Carribean or Norweign cruises
I’d say give it a go! They’re good for first timers and seasoned cruising veterans alike.
How are the stabilizer on ship? I try to book large ships to help avoid sea sickness. Hate taking medications if i can avoid it.
No issues with rocky seas or seasickness!
Test kitchen was my only disappointment of the cruise. However a couple we met who went the night after had a totally different menu that sounded delicious so I think it is hit or miss
Great video so much great info. its in the details. love the presentation. Dreaming about my first voyage thanks for sharing. Keep being you Bro
Glad you enjoyed it!
Under the S, did you rate Virgin higher than Celebrity E-class? Shocking! I enjoy entertainment on Royal and NCL and think I would miss that on this ship.
You mentioned free soda, but what about alcohol? Do they have a drink package or do you have to charge adult beverages as you go?
It’s basically pay as you go. You can purchase bar tab credit ahead of time but there’s no all encompassing drink package to my knowledge.
@@ZachtheTravelingMan Thanks!
Fritz here from "Travel and Bang" channel - quick question, as a bachelor should I bring a female partner with me (bring sand to the beach) or can one find single loose ladies on board the ship?
Question me and my wife dont drink at all but woild like to try gunbae do you have to participate in the drinking games or coukd they sit you by yourself?
I'm sure you could ask and they could make those arrangements for you. They are very accommodating.
Do all outside cabins come with hammocks?
@@joannen9072 shhhhh! Thankd