What I LOVED (and hated) about cruising with Virgin Voyages
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- #cruise #virginvoyages
In this video, let me tell you about Virgin Voyages - what I liked, and what I didn't! Before boarding my first ever Virgin Voyages cruise, I had no idea what to expect. They claim to be VERY different to the rest of the industry and in this video, let's talk about it. Sometimes, 'different' can be for the better, but sometimes it's not.
Virgin launched their first cruise ship, Scarlet Lady, a few years ago, and this is the ship I'm onboard today. I've cruised on here for a short cruise out of Miami, Florida, and we've visited Key West and Bimini (the Virgin private beach club). If you'd like to see more from these port calls, check out the below videos:
I visited Key West on a cruise and almost MISSED THE SHIP... • I visited Key West on ...
BEACH CLUB AT BIMINI: The Ultimate Guide to Virgin's Club • BEACH CLUB AT BIMINI: ...
LIKE: The ships themselves - 01:07
LIKE: No Drinks Packages! 02: 17
LIKE: No announcements - 04:05
LIKE: No children! 05:35
LIKE: The FOOD! 06:26
LIKE: Onboard fitness options - 07:36
LIKE: The vibe - 'be yourself' - 08:45
DIDN'T LIKE: The swimming pool... 10:09
DIDN'T LIKE: Booking into the restaurants - 10:51
DIDN'T LIKE: My cabin... 11:46
DIDN'T LIKE: The PRICES onboard - 12:35
DIDN'T LIKE: The final thing... 13:21
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Thanks for watching this video from my time onboard Virgin Voyages! If you've enjoyed, please hit the LIKE button, and support my channel by clicking SUBSCRIBE! Thank you!
I enjoyed your video and commentary! I've been on one Virgin cruise. What I loved: the FOOD (the best I've ever experienced on any cruise line, and I've been on most of the mainstream lines), a pizzeria where the pizza is actually GOOD, the ice cream bar (with real ice cream, not crappy soft-serve from a machine), no kids! (huge plus), quirky/edgy entertainment and all of it geared to adults, not families with kids. So many things included in the fare (gratuities, soft drinks, internet, fitness classes, all games in the arcade, ALL dining - and the dining is akin to specialty dining on other lines), no nickle-and-diming (no photographers chasing after you, nobody constantly trying to sell you stuff), they actually have Impossible Burgers, vegan sausages (available at breakfast) and vegan hot dogs for those of us non-meat eaters, lots of delicious snacks and sweets on the ship (even candy!), carafes of water in the cabin (refilled ever day), availability of solo cabins (cabin for one), this cruise line is more environmentally-focused than other major lines, they pay their employees fairly and employees seem happy, no loud speaker announcements, lots of free movies and TV shows available to watch in your cabin, whimsical vibe across the ship, lots of comfortable areas to lounge inside and outside on the decks - some quiet areas too. Almost every staff person I interacted with was super warm and friendly.
On the downside (for me): The worst thing was the music playing around the ship, especially around the pools. If you like blaring non-stop thumping EDM or pop music geared to teens and 20-somethings, you'll love it. I heard almost no music I liked, and this shocked me given that Virgin also has a record label and lots of great artists. Almost no rock at all and generally no music that might appeal to the MANY passengers who are 40+ I also heard no reggae or tropical music at all (even though it was a Caribbean cruise) and I really missed that. The hyper, annoying music was blaring in the galley at breakfast time (who feels like hearing blaring music first thing in the morning?). The pool is way too small and only a small portion of the pool is regular depth. The majority of pool real estate is a shallow wading ledge to sit on. The other thing I missed was the solarium. Virgin doesn't have them on their ships. That's always been my favorite area to hang out on sea days. There's also a pretty serious lack of shady areas around the pool and not enough seating around the pool either, although there are plenty of loungers around the ship on other decks and areas farther from the pool. The Virgin app, which is the main way you make reservations for dinners and shows - is very glitchy and doesn't work half the time. Everyone in my group had a lot of frustration with the app. The ship's layout is a bit confusing to navigate. Signage/directories on the ship are not great - difficult to read, not comprehensive, no signs with visual deck plans. Most food venues in the Galley close at 3pm, which is not convenient for people coming back aboard the ship hungry after being in port. Everyone congregates at the burger place, which is one of the only places open, so the line (and wait) is very long and the staff look frazzled.
Despite my criticisms, I actually enjoyed this cruise more than most cruises I have been on and would certainly sail again. I've heard lots of others complaining about the music, so hopefully they will address that and at least have a MIX of music so there's something for everyone. I hope if/when they build new ships that they will have better and larger pools, more shade and a solarium!
Oh, what a detailed review in this comment - I’m sure this will help people, so thank you for taking the time to write this! I do agree re music - I felt like it was being pumped into every room at times, but then I also felt that cruising with Royal Caribbean recently - they’re all at it 😂
Thanks for watching!!
just did my first Virgin cruise, and I agree with all the good and not so good on Virgin. More good than bad of course. Loved embarkation, so smooth, and not crowded, and the later disembarkation .. Shows and entertainment were top notch, but the pool didn't bother me, and we were in it alot talking to folks with drinks in hand. Galley food sooo good .. very fun cruising with them ..
Hey Kevie, thanks a lot for watching, and great to hear you agree! I also don’t mind about the pool - I’m not a big swimmer, but I do hear of so many people complaining about the pool.
Thanks again for your support for my little channel! 😊
Thanks!
Thank YOU for watching!
Really enjoying your videos - love the pace and information. A small technical note - try and sync up your camera's frame rate with your editing software to avoid the somewhat jerky zooms and pans.
Hi Reuben, I’m happy you’re enjoying - thanks very much! I’ll have a search on google about frame rate - interesting point you make - thanks for this!
Great list, well done.
Thank you, Joan!
Great honest review.
Thank you, Laura!
Enjoyed this, thanks! I like any line that doesn't blast announcements all the time. Lot of good things with Virgin, but overall probably not my thing. 😊
Yeah, the tannoys annoy me so so much! That’s alright - we’re all allowed ones that are more ‘us’ than others! Thanks as always for watching, Tammy!
Great video! I appreciated your insight as I’m cruising with Virgin later this year. I knew about the booking in advance and the pool, but the info on the shop prices is great to know.
Thanks so much for watching - have a great cruise when it comes!
Love Virgin. Had the best time on a short 5 day voyage.
Ah, I’m so glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching!!
We are sailing with them next month, we've gone mega rockstar which is their all inclusive option, loved the review! More excited now
Oh wow - what an incredible experience you’re in for. Have a great trip - drop back and let me know how you get on!!
There is no bar tab any more book through a top tier vacation planner you will get vigin bucks
Ahh, there was still bar tab bonus on my last VV cruise a few weeks ago - have they changed this? That’s a shame!
I have an upcoming Virgin in 2 weeks and have the option of a bar tab with bonus
A ringing endorsement of Virgin … it does look great and would tempt us to give it a go.. thank you
Oh, thanks so much - appreciate it!
Thank You For Sharing. The Food Does Look Good On Board. We May Try It Once They Start Sailing Out Of The West Coast (Maybe) 🤣
Thanks for watching! I’d really recommend them - they’ll unlock a whole new segment of the market with their West Coast itineraries, for sure!
It seems they are just renaming "Drink package" to "Bar Tab" to be different. Unless I misunderstood, it sounds like pretty much the same thing with just the added bonus.
Good review, good info. I had some time today so I'm binge-watching your recent videos, thus the multiple comments.
Yeah, it’s essentially pre-paid money that you credit to your account - interesting move, isn’t it?
I’m so happy to see you back and commenting again - thank you!!
Except you pay for every drink you consume as you go along so your bar tab will run out if you drink a lot! With a drink package you pay it all up front and then consume as much as you want, within limits with some cruise lines (15 drinks a day).
Spot on pros and cons. We cruised Virgin in October and agree completely
Glad you agree - thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment!!
Just found your channel! Loving the VV reviews! You remind me so much of Alan Cumming any relation?
Ah, thanks so much - happy you’re here! Ha, no relation, but I did actually meet him on a Cunard cruise last year, ha!
Welcome to Fraser at Sea!!
Fantastic vid, Frasier. Just booked my first Virgin Voyages sailing for next September, when the Brilliant Lady debuts in New York City. I won't lie: I kinda hope that they roll out a drink package between now and then. I like having ALL my expenses takenc are of in advance. But looking forward to trying something SO different!
Hey, thanks for watching! Really good point about covering your expenses before you board - gives you less to worry about onboard, I guess! What a great one you’ve booked - I’d love a Virgin sailaway from NYC!!
No drink package is what makes it great. You can still pay ahead for drinks, but you have to figure out how much. The drinks are all. “Premium” liquors, and are reasonably priced. In 4 cruises, we have not seen ONE person “falling down drunk” trying to get their monies worth. I hope you love VV as much as we do 😊
@@paulajr2 yeah, I agree - I love the fact there’s no drinks packages. I’ve also very rarely seen people ‘gone’ through drink on there!
@@paulajr2 I've never felt the pressure to get my money's worth, but I know what you mean. i've definitely seen that! For me, I'd rather overpay and not have a cash-register going off in my head every time I order a drink. But hey, I'll make it work! LOL
@@CruisingTipsDotComhey! You’ll pay ahead..get a bonus from VV, drink quality drinks (they have no “house” liquor…only good stuff) and relax and have fun! 😍
Great video, very detailed! Sounds like you had a great overall time on your Virgin cruise! Hope you're still cool with us blaming you if we do end up booking one?
! 😂😂
Oh, I loved it. Of course - that’s blame I’d gladly accept, haha!
@@FraserAtSeaGood! Because we have our eye on one! 😉
I’m going on my first Virgin cruise next week and it’s going gun to be a full cruise.
Has anyone had any problems with queues or finding a seat around the ship?
Hey! Don’t worry - I’ve been on Virgin ships that are totally full, and seating is never usually an issue. Have a great time - come and report back!
Hey Fraser..my daughter is embarking the Virtuosa on same morning u disembark your p and o cruise on Saturday .....
Do you know anyone that is going on the Virtuosa on Saturday 18th ?....thanks for all your content as always
Ah, cool - she might see me in Southampton somewhere - I'll be the guy with all the luggage, haha! I actually don't know anyone going on Virtuosa this weekend - I wish it was me! Please pass on to your daughter to have a fab cruise!
Did you want to retreat to your cabin more on virgin than other lines??
Hey, good question! I think the answer is yes - I did find it quite a ‘busy’ ship at times. On most ships, I’ll be out my cabin all day, but I liked going back for periods on here. Good question!
@@FraserAtSea thanks! I’m an introvert so trying to see if virgin voyages would fit for me. It looks both like tons of fun and terrifying haha.
@@sowrongitsanne Ah, I totally get that! Don't worry - you can be as 'involved' or not as you wish!
The word "Tannoy" is foreign to Americans ;). (They can tell the meaning from context, obviously.) I have only cruised NCL and very,very few announcements sound in the cabins, only in public areas, which I sometimes found annoying. For example, because of a hurricane, the itinerary changed to skip the next port and replace it with a different port for the next day, but the announcement did not come in the cabins and I didn't know. The announcement only played in the public areas. I needed to know this information to replan my excursion.
Ahh, this example is so annoying - you’d have loved a ship-wide announcement here, huh? So funny that ‘tannoy’ isn’t a universal word - I had no idea when recording this video - will keep that in mind for future! Thanks a lot for watching and supporting my little channel! :)
I love the no kids policy also. Best cruise I ever had was post Covid on a ship 60% full with no children under 12. It was fantastic, or brilliant if you prefer.
Ooh, that sounds like a dream - 60% full - those were the days, ha! Thanks a lot for watching!!
How tall are the ceiling on the ship and in room, my man is extra tall closer to 7 feet will he be comfy navigating the ship?
Hey! Don’t worry - I’m about 6ft 4, so never struggled. The public areas are totally fine! Good question, though.
Virgin did have anouncement going through the Suez canal by an Egyptian expert/travel guide from Egypt
Ahh, this is great to hear - maybe their Panama Canal route on Brilliant Lady would feature a local expert too then! 🤞🏼 Thanks for this!
No chance of me doing a Virgin Cruise after 43 cruises I find it now nothing like it used to be.In fact I haven’t cruised since 2018 because of falling standards in all the various parts of the shipboard offer
Oh, sorry to hear that - hopefully see you back onboard at some point! :) Thanks for watching my video!
@@FraserAtSea hi Fraser not likely I first cruised when I was 8 in 1968 so a wealth of experience and at present there is no way we will cruise in the near future.Ships are too big,too impersonal and standards have been falling year on year for the last 15/20 years.
What did you thin’ of the entertainment? Was it particularly geared towards younger people? I’m happy with MSC 70s and 80s parties! How does it compare? Thanks Fraser!
Hey, good question! It’s not as ‘wild’ as their reputation sometimes suggests. Very different to MSC, but I enjoyed! I have vlogs from my time onboard Scarlet in the Virgin section of my channel, if you’d like to see more!
@@FraserAtSea Thanks. I must admit having watched some they did seem a bit wild. I’ll look at your other Virgin content. I have always enjoyed your videos.
Thanks for show us the ship. I watched few other video of Virgin Voyage from other guests, too. I would not go on Virgin Voyage because they are too modern and different. I will not look at video of Virgin Voyage again. I like old classic ships on Cunard and Princess. I heard from someone that Virgin Voyage or MSC allow guests with t-shirt and short in main dining room. Also they had pajamas party. They were weird cruise line. I watched video of MSC from other guest, too. Not from your video. I will go on either Cunard or Princess. Which cruise line do you like best. I know you went on many Costa ships. I went on Costa Victoria once from Florida in about 1998. She was not nice. It got happened after Carnival Corp took over them after they filed for bankrupted. I don't know if they are better now than before.
Hey! Don’t worry - that’s what my TH-cam channel is all about - showing the whole industry! Thanks a lot for watching, and sorry to hear VV doesn’t seem up your street.
Not sure if I have a favourite - I’ve done such a mix, and love the different experiences they all offer.
Thanks again for watching, and supporting!
@@FraserAtSea Hey, No I don't worry about it. I just like to know what they look like and what they are doing on ship. In 2004 I stayed with a few friends in England for three weeks. I took a few Virgin trains trip. I love Virgin trains very much. I know they run Virgin airlines and hotels. I saw the Virgin hotel in Chicago. I thought I would take the Virgin cruise, too. But they are different. Have you seen a tall ship, Tenacious at U.K.? I took three week trip with her in the Caribbean on Christmas and New Year 2003-2004. Most crews and guests were from U.K. Last year I found out that Tenacious and her sister ship, Lord Nelson were out of service. I don't worry about it. I like to go back on cruise ships again. Thanks again. I miss England and Tenacious.
My God it looks awful. Really cheap and tacky and some of the passengers look a bit down market. Thanks for the review, I won't waste my money.
Hi! I actually don't agree here - I feel the Virgin product is a really modern luxury. I do have reservations about the top deck feeling luxurious (I'm not convinced it does), but the interiors and core product are great! Thanks a lot for watching - I really appreciate your support of my little channel!!
An interior cabin is an interior cabin. You booked it. Good review, otherwise.
Thanks, John!
@Fraser at Sea, you are from the UK and so your value of $$$ will likely be much better than someone from US and definitely from Australia or Canada currency!!! So for this reason without any $$ speaking means nothing much to me with your comments.
Hey, thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment! Hopefully you enjoyed - not sure if your last sentence was a question, so please forgive me for not answering - if I can offer any more insight, just let me know by reply :)
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Vv is overrated.. it’s an ugly ship can’t can’t even find comfortable seats ..
Ah, I disagree with you there - I really enjoy cruising with VV!
I find other cruise like MSC, RC and celebrity have better service. Food is diverse and outstanding. For VV there is limited food especially for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is great but you have to fight to reserve.. bars are stingy with liquor. Bottom line it’s a good ship I just find it more like a high school style .. I m pretty sure other will like it more
Thanks for highlighting the pros and cons of Virgin. Personally, I wouldn't sail on this ship if I was given a free ticket. The interiors look cheap and tacky and designed for a kids' playcentre. I don't understand why it's an adults-only ship and yet is decorated as though it's for children!
I would not sail on this line if you paid me!
The ship is the ugliest I have ever seen and I agree with you about the decor.
The crew look so undisciplined without the stylish uniforms worn by other cruise line staff and the whole vibe of the ship looks tacky, trashy and vulgar!
Yeah, I have heard this feedback quite a few times. It does look MUCH better in person - I just don’t think it comes across overly well in photos etc sometimes, which is unfortunate.
In person, the ships feel much premium.
Thanks a lot for watching, and for taking the time to leave a comment!
These comments are way off base. After sailing on other lines, The Virgin Lady Ships are in much better shape than others and are 10,000x less tacky.
Wow! We just got off our 4th Virgin cruise and you couldn’t be more off base! The crew are treated like real people, and therefore treat all sailors with so much respect and are just amazing! The food is better than any other line hands down, and NO KIDS, NO announcements, NO pushy photographers..I could go on and on. But, that’s ok that you wouldn’t want to sail…more room for those of us that love it!!
I hardly think that’s designed for children…js not primary colors or animated characters.
Great honest review. After watching the channel 5 series it really put us off trying Virgin Voyages. Who knows something or someone may convince us to give it a whirl sometime
Yeah, that was such an odd series - they didn’t paint Virgin in an interesting light at all. I really think you should give it a shot! Thanks (as always) for watching guys!
After just getting off my 3rd Virgin cruise, I agree with everything you stated in this video! NO KIDS - can't be overstated enough :D but also agree with your dislikes. Great video and summary, Fraser, really enjoyed this!
Hey, thanks very much for watching, and thanks for your comment too! Glad to hear you enjoyed your time onboard - also glad I haven’t upset anyone (yet!) by having things I didn’t like… Ha, thanks again!