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My husband and I have been on 4 Virgin cruises and we have 5 more booked, including the 15 day transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona in about two weeks. We ❤ Virgin and we are so happy that there are finally some ships for the non-traditionalists! We are Sapphire on NCL and almost Diamond on RCCL, but our new favorite is Virgin Voyages. So much included in the rate, some mentioned in this review (WiFi, gratuities, ALL restaurants, sodas & water, specialty exercise classes, and more). By the way, if you don’t get reserved for the exercise classes, go standby. Yes, you may be in your workout clothes with no workout, but you can walk or run on the fantastic running track (glorious, clear view of the sea, by the way) or just go change into your bathing suit and enjoy the comfortable sun beds. Thanks to Ilana for mentioning some of our favorite features like No Kids! Made-to-order delicious food. Hammocks on the balconies. Diverse and happy crew who are allowed to show their personality (visible tattoos, comfortable uniforms, and staff in all ages, shapes, colors, sizes, and sexual orientations). We are 63 years old , so don’t believe the rumors that it is just a sexy party ship. There are fun parties to be found, for sure, but also relaxation and easy going fun as well. Shows are unique and energetic and they think outside the box. If you are very traditional or conservative, perhaps the classic lines will be better for you, but if you can open your mind and your heart to trying something new, check out VV. The Virgin crew and we Sailors will welcome you with open arms!
NO KIDS! No one under 18 is allowed to sail on any of their ships! That's all I needed to hear! I'm BOOKED for a Dec. sailing!! When price shopping with other cruise lines, make sure you're comparing apples to apples! Virgin prices include a lot of things that other cruise lines charge extra for like, Wifi, specialty dinning, soft drinks, gratuities etc. My booking included a $600 bar tab. When you add everything Virgin includes then their cost is very similar to Carnival, RC and NCL.
We have already booked our cruise in January with other company, but because of the 18+ Policy I think that further on we will sail more with Virgin Voyages. 💖
We love Virgin! It has become our number 1. Best parts. Less people, smaller ships, and no bad parents not controlling their children. Princess used to be our go to. We are platinum and elite on Princess.
I was on Valiant Lady last month, and I loved it. I think it's really smart on Virgin's part not having unlimited drink packages. It meant that we didn't run into very many extremely drunk people, which, as someone who doesn't drink, made the experience much more pleasant and less like a frat party. I really liked the demographics and the variety of activities. We're not really night life people, but we had a great time with daytime activities and met really wonderful people. Not being a parent, I really appreciated that there were no kids onboard. I forgot how loud they could be until I was back in the airport.
I've been very interested in Virgin Voyages for some time now, and my husband and I have discussed possibly cruising with them for my 40th birthday. The fact that it's an adults-only cruise line is enough to completely sell me on it, and this video is extremely helpful. Thank you!
My partner and I were on the Scarlet Lady a few weeks ago - my first cruise in 25 years and her first cruise ever! I appreciate you mentioning about the sales pitches that happen on other cruise lines; our plan for the cruise was to just relax which would have been difficult if there were constant sales pitches. On a different note, a major shout out to Gunbae - we were dreading sitting with strangers (I think we are atypical cruisers because we are both serious introverts) but by the end of dinner we were laughing and chatting with the rest of the table *and* had an excellent dinner and drinks!
Had my very first cruise experience last week on The Scarlet Lady and I thought the food was outstanding! The service was exemplary with some minor exceptions. The Galley was interesting and many food options closed at 3:00 PM and late night options, especially dessert, was limited. The pool is definitely small! Love your open and honest reviews - I watched many of them in preparation for last week. Thank you!!!
I had a great Virgin cruise and think your review was fair. I felt that some of the seating was more awkward than uncomfortable. I never encountered any delays or slowness in the galley. There are great grab and go food options there as well as other quick service spots for folks that don’t want to wait.
I cruised on the Valiant Lady in February and I loved every aspect of it. I heartily agree with all of your positives; I didn't notice or wasn't bothered by your negatives; and for all of your "undecideds," I come out on the positive side. I see a lot of people agreeing with you that the Galley is too slow on port days. I probably didn't notice that because I rise very early (even on vacation). However, I'd like to point out you DO have an option. Ship Eats will deliver breakfast to your room at a time of your choosing starting at, I think, 6:30 AM as long as you order the night before. The selection is not as large as it would be in the Galley but it's fresh and hot and it includes full meals as well as just bread and fruit options. The $5.00 delivery fee is waived if you include a $5.00 purchase, like a specialty coffee, so I would recommend that.
We cruised Scarlet in March and were really impressed. The Thermal Spa can be purchased for a 3 hour use (aside from expensive massages). This Thermal spa is included with rockstar level, but can be snagged Al a carte for roughly $39-49 per person and it’s completely worth it for a relaxing day at sea! We truly found the entertainment to be unmatched too; great review 🙌🏼
My husband and I cruised the Valiant lady just 2 weeks ago and it was an overall GREAT experience. Anyone watching this video please take this with a grain of salt and experience it for yourself.
@@wizirbyman just because I'm young doesnt mean I dont want to sit normally and be able to just relax watching the sea instead of a frosted glass or having to climb on an outdoor bed.
We just got off valiant lady and it was the best cruise we've ever had. Compared to the Carnival suite, the seriously Suite with the stocked bar and tablet was a great upgrade. Once our food was slow in the galley (20 min) so I told a crew member who took the order again then came back in 3 min with our food (our original order arrived 1 min prior so we ended up with 2 meals). I still left a small tip for my cabin attendant and RockStar agent. We're taking our college boys on scarlet in 3 months because we got 100% future cruise credit.
Thanks for the review Ilana. You have raised some points for us to consider before booking a Virgin Cruise (tiny pool, uncomfortable common area seating and the lack of a quick buffet option on port days). On port days speed at breakfast is very important to us. We are still “considering” Virgin but haven’t booked yet. I suspect that we will go on at least one or two more Carnival cruises before we try Virgin.
The food is SO SO SO much better than Royal or Norwegian. There are plenty of seating options, don't let this video stop you from trying it out. Love the hammocks, the crew, the no nickle and diming.
I hate traditional cruising, so I cannot WAIT to go on my VV cruise in Jan. This is all I ever wanted in a cruise, PARTAY! No tipping. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks to avoid bringing my own cans/bottles. Body positive and LGBQT friendly staff. A dream!
I enjoy no kids, no up-charge restaurants, no alcohol packages (no binge drinkers!), and idk what she’s on about seating.. I will never sail with traditional lines again. Love VV way too much.
I follow your channel for your honest input. Never apologize for posting 'negatives' along with the positives. Seating, access to ocean views, etc., is among my main reasons for my enjoyment of cruising. Virgin seems great for many, but for me, it's a hard PASS.
Exactly! It's your channel, and we really are here for your opinion! Virgin is now my preferred cruise line. Nothing beats totally kid free! My MAIN dislike is something you didn't mention: no Virgin points of any kind: Virgin Red, Virgin Atlantic, etc.
Enjoyed your honest likes/dislikes. I don’t like that you need to reserve much of your dining times/ places. I keep hearing they book up quickly. Who needs that stress on a vacation? It’s why I almost have booked with Virgin, but after hearing about the app challenges, the small pool, restaurant reservation issues, esp. if you do not buy your cruise 45+ days in advance, it sounds frustrating. You have to try to reserve certain things as soon as you get on the cruise, when new slots may open up? It sounds like too many sailors & too few times of their shows & mean seatings; not relaxing. Solo cabins are always sold out in my experience. It’s become too much work to ensure reservations!
Thanks for the info Ilana; you've re-confirmed that Virgin is not the cruise line for us. We are in our mid-50s and have been cruising in the MSC Yacht Club exclusively since 2015 or so. Your review, along with others I've seen confirms that the whole Virgin cruise experience is not something we'd enjoy. But I always tell people that there is a cruise line out there that caters to everyone's desires and I'm glad Virgin is providing a cruise experience that appeals to so many.
I didn't even get to go in the pools. They were so crowded on sea days that it was just people soup and it was hard to find a chair in the late morning. If you came in the afternoon, some people were starting to open up some chairs from being there all day but you still had to hunt. Since I was by myself, I could easily just grab a single chair. Also Virgin has a 30 min policy on saving chairs, but I found it wasn't enforced unless you grabbed a staff member. I also thought almost every bar I went to was short about 1 bartender. I felt that I waited about 5 minutes for almost every drink, sometimes longer. Not a huge deal, but still when you just want to grab a drink and run back to the fun waiting wasn't fun. And there are plenty of small little bar areas throughout the ship. Last note, as a solo cruiser, I didn't book any advance dinner reservations because I hoped to make new friends. This did happen and some reservations were easily changed to accommodate. However other times this couldn't happen and I ended up with pizza or the galley. Not a huge deal, but because of this I missed out on Pink Agave and Razzle Dazzle.
Totally agree...we cruised on Scarlet Lady last September. The seating is a big negative; mainly all seating was low to the ground. Especially uncomfotable if you are tall. Ship layout was a bit confusing and public washrooms are hidden. The hammock was divine! I am not a napper, but 1st afternoon, fell asleep for 2 hours out on the balcony. Didn't care for the overall design elements - felt a bit like a battle ship with all the grey. Loved the entertainment!
We just spend 8 days on the Valiant Lady- I agree with most of your comments altho I wouldn't use "hate"- I thought the pool area was larger than other ships I've been on. We are cruising again on the new Virgin ship next year - 5 reasons: food, crew, all inclusive re tips and dining, entertainment and NO KIDS!
What I’ve learned: if you want to be left alone and avoid crowds, cruise a family-heavy ship. The adult-only areas are much less crowded. We prefer Disney for this reason - with late dining and the Rainforest room, along with the adult pool area, we seldom even see children and don’t have to fight for deck chairs. 😂😂😂
I just got off the Valiant Lady and... if you heard on the news, there was an issue. Virgin gave every paying customer a free cruise equal to what they paid for their cruise. Now some extra opinions Also, I wish I could hear announcements in the cabin. Better to read directories, maybe in elevators? They had great outlets in the cabins, loved the free toiletries. I hated that the reservations were gone before I got my WiFi set up- BUT restaurants fit us in. Also, as a disabled passenger, I felt that the staff went above and beyond for me and the ADA cabins are fantastic.
I'm late to this thread, so you mind elaborating on what you meant? Did something happen during your cruise? Why did they give you credit for a cruise?
Very interesting and informative video, Ilana. I would love to see a video about Bimini! I wish other cruise lines would get those hammocks on the balconies 🤩.
I know some people who recently cruised Scarlet Lady and LOVED IT!!! We may prefer the classy and more traditional cruise that a Celebrity Edge-class ship would offer (we're young 60-somethings) BUT one reason why we would seriously look at VV is not because it's an 18+ age requirement, it's because their entertainment and crew promote a very Diversity-rich atmosphere (Drag Queens hosting the entertainment? I'm in). I guess people who hate "Woke" would also hate VV. 🤷♂👨❤👨👩❤👩
People don't like drag being forced on kids. An adult only cruise is one of the places most people who are sick of being bullied by your religious zealots wouldn't care about it being there. The problem is the kids your church has sterilized. The youngest I personally know was only 11 when they sterilized him. You're in cult, you know that right?
@@msheartface5288 Most of the people we interacted with were proudly woke! I would say if you are anti LBGT or offended by drag queens, this would likely not be the cruise for you.
Great review! My husband and I are big pool snobs and the fact that they have a tiny pool for all of those people….I don’t think we’ll be cruising with Virgin anytime soon. It seems like Virgin is trying to appeal to 20-30 something’s.
I Loved virgin voyages. Valiant lady was such a beautiful ship!! The crew was great!! The food was better than any other cruise line. They don’t make announcements unless they are absolutely necessary. No incessant cruise director and captain announcement. I Loved everything except some of the shows. I’m going again!!
Thank you for this video. Going on their Greek Island Glow in October. I found this very helpful. I'm going to share your video with the rest of the folks we are traveling with. Looking forward to the cruise.
Great review. As a true Virgin fan and multiple VV Sailor, I think you were fair and pointed out that a VV cruise experience is not for everyone and it's awesome that there is so much choice. For me, the one thing that sets Virgin apart is that this is a cruise were you never have to feel like an "Other." VV is about being your authentic self. It's evident in the Crew and passengers. For me, it's the Crew that make the real difference. And the hammock! I share your frustration with the Galley and the App can drive one crazy. But the hammock! I like the modern industrial vibe (but also enjoy Queens Grill on Cunard). I also like the lack of visible hierarchy on the ship. I was on the Valiant Lady with tragic accident and while the Ship's Officers may not have stripes on their shoulders, they are firmly in command. Thanks again for the review and did I mention the hammock?
The Wife & I did Virgin over last Thanksgiving. And We had a number of Issues. . One Major point was the Seating both in the Cabin ,around the Pool and other areas. But ALL in ALL We agree With You and We feel one Cruise on Virgin was enough for Us .
In many sailors videos the pool looks very overcrowded; quite unappealing. That fact & that it’s hard to get reservations, has me not interested anymore. I’m a huge fan of their airline though.
Cruise lines are like music, everyone has their own preferred vibe. I think Virgin would be perfect for some people, while it's not quite right for others. I'm older & prefer a more traditional surrounding, even if it's considered a bit dated. My adult kids would love Virgin.
I really like the Virgin Voyages cruise over all. I love the bar tab. I feel i got a lot of bang for my buck. What i didnt like was not being able to get into classes. And having a reservation for some restaurant which filled up. I didnt know that i had to do. But considering i was a solo sailor i got to piggyback off others reservations.
I’m giving them a try in November. Actually I’m not a cruiser. I’ve only taken one cruise on Royal Caribbean over 15 years ago and didn’t really like it. I like that VV is different and that’s why I’m giving them a try. Plus no kids is a big plus.
One thing I loved was I met some great crew members. That actually learned my name. I got to eat breakfast with one of them at least twice and hopefully when I go back they will be on that ship
Hello Ilana! I was on the Valiant lady the week after you (as it would appear). I watched a lot of your videos prior to going, as this was my first cruise. One tip for Virgin that I picked up is that they actually stagger their releases for their workout classes, so the first sailors aboard cannot snatch them all up. I was determined to experience the Bungee workout class, so after asking Sailor services who sent me to the spa, they told me to keep checking my app and sure enough, the next morning more classes were released and I was able to book it. I saw a few more later in the week that I could have booked too. I got to go to every workout class on my list (5 or 6, which seems like a lot for a vacation! Ha!). If you clicked on the event, you could see all the times it was scheduled during the week, which made it easier to keep tabs on when they were happening. Thanks again for your videos!
This is good info. I don't think a lot of people this. I've watched a ton of Virgin videos and you're the first to mention it. My husband and I are going in July.
Thanks for the info as this firmly confirms that Virgin is not the cruise line for us. We're over 60 and much prefer a more traditional cruise experience.
I go with my 64 year old mother on virgin voyages and she loves it besides there being only one 70s disco night (she wants 70s music all the time). We loved doing the jane fonda work out aerobics class together
My wife and I had never been on a cruise before. After raising four kids, two change student kids and now three foster kids I don’t think I want to see a kid the whole cruise. We have a balcony room if we need to see the water. We are pretty much content on in each others company. We just looking for some down time and relaxation. Our cruise I just booked is on the Scarlet at the end of August. Short notice but then again I forgot about hurricane season September through November. Thanks for all of your reviews I have learned a lot about cruises from your reviews.
Fantastic delivery of relevant information. Really learned a lot and see your points, both good, bad and in between. I'm not a pool person, so even sitting in the 1-foot deep section to cool off works for me. The whole booking thing seems stressful: you're told to book your dinner reservations 45 days prior to departure, once your Virgin app allows you too. Next, it's the entertainment and activities/classes you book once you arrive at the pier (apparently, you don't need to wait until you board, but can reserve once you get the Virgin WiFi connection at the pier). The uncomfortable seating around the ship and limited number of public washrooms are valid concerns whilst the cabins do look somewhat bland. A small sofa would be nice in the cabins so as not to always have to sit on the bed. The chair in the cabin also looks very basic. As I recall, other cruise lines sometimes add a small sofa, but the hammock is a brilliant signature addition. Of course, the food is one of the main attractions as is the entertainment. Not being a big drinker, it's nice to be able to choose the amount you'd like to purchase on your tab and finally, the inclusion of gratuities into the ticket price is the way to go. BTW, you can bring one bottle each of your own wine or champagne.
Except for the no kids part, I just don’t see Virgin being for us. I think we may be too old and too traditional for their vibe. However, I’m glad that it’s there to make cruising appeal to even more people!
Great video, thanks! Our daughter is 22 as well, so I'm curious if your son would choose Virgin over the Celebrity Edge class ships/voyages. This will be all of our first cruise. Thanks for your help and happy cruising!
I truly agree about the officers' uniforms, and the seating, and visual issues the most. I wish all cruise lines did the hammocks! Edit: also, the pool thing, that's tragic. Thanks for the review!
As someone that cruised on Disney Wish in January during bad weather (couldn't dock in Bahamas so had a sea day), i would take an adults only any day. Seeing kids everywhere did not bother me, but there were so mamy people everywhere, the buffet and all restaurants were very crowded. And that unexpected sea day we felt claustrophobic and although they did add more activities everything ended up packed. We ended up watching a movie in the movie theather and that even people sat on the floor because there wasnt enough to do on board to kill time while at sea. Finally, the specialty dining was ok. Nothing that I ate impressed me. The restaurant servers we had and our room stewart were amazing and the highlight of our trip on board.
I really enjoy your videos, they are so informative. We have been on 3 cruises, all different cruise lines and always learn something helpful in your videos. We love cruising. Have you been on an Alaskan cruise? Would love your take on those as that is what we are considering next.
I am inquisitive about how your son liked the cruise. I am planning a cruise with my 18-year-old son and would like it to be a great experience for him, too.
I’m taking my young adult son for our first cruise on virgin voyage, I was excited to hear you also traveled with your son, I was wondering if it would be an odd vibe since it sounds like virgin does have a bit of a couples focus.
I cruised on the Scarlet Lady in March after not cruising for 9 years. Overall I loved it but I do agree with you that The Galley experience, especially on port days, was not great. Finding a table was hard, getting service was slow, and they forgot items I’d ordered twice and I did not want to wait around for it to be remedied. I wish I could have walked up and gotten the food myself. I’d definitely go back though!
I sailed in December for my birthday and had a blast! The overall experience was amazing and I was able to upgrade my cabin on the ship for a great price. I do agree the pool was lack luster and was very surprised at the size👎🏾. The casino was a little smaller than expected. The shows were fun, the music could have been a little more diverse. But the food…the food was delicious. My daughter booked all the dinners in advance so we had no issues with RSVP and we ate pizza and ice cream everyday. As for the bar tab, my daughter and I shared the $600 and it worked out great for us. Overall, I will definitely book another cruise on Virgin.
I think that the biggest issues on Virgin have some what easy solutions. Views, change out some of the Glass and move some of the furniture. Seating, change out some of the seating that lacks back support, and comes off rudimentary and cheap. Greatly increase the number of gym classes.
I was really looking forward to sailing my first cruise with Virgin & am now having serious second thoughts. The pool area actually looks terrible to me. Appreciate this very thorough review!
Truly enjoy your videos. I'm with you about the furniture on Virgin it's very uncomfortable. One thing that I didn't like about Virgin had to search to find things that were tucked away. Did not like the close in box feeling in different areas you went in. Food was on point and not having to have a drink package for soft drinks was a great touch. Love the bar tab enjoy sharing it with others.
As usual, a great and fair review. I would have been a bit more harsh about a couple of things. I will take issue with the fitness classes. Some classes can only handle 6 people (I think it is to look trendy because otherwise it makes no sense on a ship that holds over 2K), but other classes can handle 100 or more. There is always a standby line, so don't give up is you can't get a reservation. We liked the hammock so much that we bought one when we got home (they do sell then on the ship, but were sold out on our cruise; they provided the manufacturer's info). I like the bar tab a lot. As you noted, you buy a bar tab in advance and get whatever the current bonus is. I"ve never purchased an alcohol package on another line because we are light drinkers....spending $70-130 per day plus tip makes no sense. On VV, you can share your bar tab with anyone you wish, whether in your cabin or not. On the last night, you can choose to buy a round for your new best friends or purchase a bottle of wine or other product FROM A BAR to take home. The thing that I really like is that I didn't encounter any drunk rowdy people on my cruise. No one is trying to max out the daily limit on their beverage package. I thought people were drinking much more responsibly. And remember, tips are already included in the posted prices....so your $300 bar tab got you $350 in paid beverages, not $350 less 18%! The Galley needs some improvement. They have made some changes, but the ideal would. be to be able to order on your phone or a tablet at the table, and then have it delivered.
Virgin is well worth the money. Compared to the other cruise lines I've sailed on, Virgin is top notch. The food is by far the best I've had on any cruise line and better than some sit down restaurants that we have visited. Looking forward to our next Virgin cruise!
There’s obviously a market for Virgin voyages but it’s not me! Love the view of the ocean and many ships have amazing views with infinity pools and comfy seating. Appreciate your thorough review!
As always, great video. I had never even though about taking a Virgin Cruise until you first talked about it. I have been waiting and waiting for you to go and review :). I have to say, a big plus for me is that the Crew were happy and themselves. A big negative is the pool and the lack of drink package. When you travel with your son, do you get different types of rooms? I travel with my 23 year old he likes for us to get a larger mini-suite, which has worked in the past but perhaps we may need to change for the future.
We really weren’t in our cabin much, so it was ok. I thought of the larger balcony cabin, but it really wasn’t much bigger. A suite would have been nice but price was 😬😂
The virgin bed can be set up in the sofa configuration so it is 2 "single" beds and they dress it up with the duvet/pillows. Ive not seen it like this. I share the room with my mom and we dont have issues. She watches netflix at night while i go to the manor nightclub etc. We had things to do together like yoga, zumba and then we could chill out, go to a show etc too.
Thank you for your comprehensive review of Virgin Cruises, so helpful. We have a cruise coming up soon and we are in the basic Rockstar Suite which has a fully stocked drinks cabinet in the room. Do you know if we are allowed to take drinks outside the room to a bar, restaurant or club? Guess I'm just an old cheapskate!! 😄
We went to that resort in Bimini in February with Royal and I LOVED it so much! Beautiful! Virgin Voyages is not in my sights as of right now but never say never!
Thank you Ilana. Your reviews are always diplomatic and leave room for personal interpretation. This overview confirmed that Virgin isn’t the cruise for me. I must be a traditionalist too. I love seeing the Captain and ship officers in uniform. The Galley concept doesn’t appeal to me. Since a lot of the cruise experience is ambience, the stark hallways and the bed like seating doesn’t say “holiday” to me. And poor ocean views? Uh uh.
Thanks for watching & for your comments. I agree Virgin isn't for everyone. I am hoping they'll keep adapting & I may enjoy some aspects more in the future lol
That would be like seeing the Captain of an airline sitting in the cockpit in casual clothes; it would be very unsettling. I'm surprised Virgin does this, and really don't understand it.
There is an outdoor viewing point from the back of the galley on deck 15 (below deck 16). Deck 17 is also a better viewpoint where the yoga station is. However i did leave in their survey for future ships to be less military and more class to view out. However the food in general is great. For breakfast/lunch you can go to the wake or the razzle dazzle and in theory avoid the galley altogether. The toasted peanut butter jelly sandwich was always hot and quick to come and the salads too - they were surprisely good and tasty. I cant wait to go back in 2 weeks with my 64 yr old mom for a mother/daughter cruise.
@@Gardis72 i like this considering in my workplace (engineer at american tech company including the CEO) we all where tshirt and jeans/leggings and runners. So i like when people dress casual as in irish society we dont like to have a hierarchy of people.
We recently went on VV for the first time, and every point you mentioned was right on. We already booked 2 more back-to-back VV cruises even though we don't think VV is our cup of tea after our first cruise with them. Seems like the cruise is ideal for people who love to drink and party, which isn't what we enjoy doing. Couldn't book any shows because they filled up too quickly, and most of them overlap with the dinner reservations, which also filled up quickly (so we had very few choices).
Yes would love a video on Bimini! I am taking my daughter there in the fall. We are so excited to go there. It looks like a place we will feel comfortable to go by ourselves. I’d love to know if we should go to the beach club. I heard some people didn’t like it but it looks great to us. Thank you so much for all your great information 💜
So many great video's here about VV. Solo cruiser here almost 60 SWM. I gleaned lots of information before my trip, most was helpful. My big mistake was not bringing a small travel fan. My room was very warm even at the coldest setting but I couldn't fathom moving after getting settled in. Food was very good overall with some disappointments. Gunbae was a mess, I never got the meal I ordered and our chef was very hard to communicate with. If you ordered the wygu beef upgrade you got served first while the rest sat and waited so all my sides were cold when only part of my main course arrived. Room service steak, salad, soup and desert made up for it nicely. Also, I like to party and got sat at the fuddy duddy table!! My filet mignon at the Wake was fabulous but not hot.Did not care for razzle dazzle much either. For me the free wifi was terrible and so was the app. and lack of live TV, movies were good though.I love the room, and whoever said bring a bluetooth speaker was a life saver!! Although I could not steam YOu tube where my music is I had enough music on my laptop to survive!! I loved the Dock and dock room, service, food although limited, comfortable seating and views were fantastic! Highlight of my trip, morning sunrise over Key west and Bimini from deck 15 hot tub followed by some stretching under the moon before the YOGA crowd showed up. It was spiritual moment for me.
We were on the Valiant Lady the first week of April 2023, and I agree with so many of the things in this video. The seating can be a little odd, men’s restrooms are a little tough to find in certain areas, and the service in The Galley was spotty. On 2 occasions the meal I ordered (or part of it) never arrived. Otherwise, it was the best cruise I’ve ever experienced. The food, crew and overall service experience were top notch! We’re going again in October and I can’t wait!
Thank you for the review. I have been considering a Virgin cruise. I think your view has pushed (us) into the ‘no’ category. We don’t dance, we do love to look at the ocean as we move, we do love comfortable seating, we do want ends to both sides of the bed, and we don’t want direct sunlight when near a pool, and we want a pool more than a place to be seen.
Actually folks, book restaurants before the cruise at home usually 2-3 wks before embarkation. And Book your shows and courses as soon as you have access to Ahoy wifi at Terminal V. Somewhat opposite to some of the pros and cons. I had been on both ships (the decor are slightly different). I actually don't like the crowded pools and chair hoards on RCI or NCL's. Also, unlike other ships, there are a lot more sitting choices around the ship that are away from crowds (Promenade anyone?) Where you can eat your pizza or gelato (the to inclusive) say at the pub for instance was great. Entertainment though was a bit too neo for my liking. But the fact I can just go read a book or plug my laptop in at the cafe surfing the internet for free was good enough. Courses like tequila tasting or learn to plate food for instagram were interesting as well. I am going back on to the Resilent Lady this year. Also food were all great (although food at the Galley could be delivered slow at times), except Test Kitchen. The experience was fun but food was just ok.
Hello lllana, Thanks as always for sharing your experience and helpful tips. ❤ I've never been on Virgin voyage, but I will keep those things in mind. Planning a cruise for next year.
Loved the video. I will say Virgin is awesome for us and they take care of their customers. Example: we booked two cruises for Brilliant Lady mermaiden. They canceled the cruises because the ship was not ready. Instead they gave us 1,000 OBC, 800 bar tab for 2 cruises of our choice with the same cabin type. However they even gave us a free upgrade to a Oceanview Verandah. So I'll take Virgin any day.
I'll be on Valiant Lady in June, and I'm hoping I like it. This will only be my 2nd cruise. The 1st one was on Oasis of the Seas, which I absolutely loved! I'm a little anxious about this ship. I like buffets, comfortable seating around the ship, unobstructed views of the ocean, and the ability to take a gym class, so hopefully, the shows and food will make up for those things.
Thanks for your review. Too many other good options for us to go Virgin. We are not either “heavy” or “light” drinkers. But prefer a more “all inclusive” feel - and keeping up with, and accounting for the “bar tab” sounds like kind of a hassle. We agree with you on the furniture - looks very uncomfortable. Thanks again.
What a great video. I wanted to put Virgin on my list of cruises, but the beautiful views of the ocean and comfy outdoor seating are important to me for e.g.watching the sunrise. I burst out laughing when I saw your photos of the round red kid's tables. Not something I want to sit on while being on an adult cruise, lol. The entertainment looks fun and innovative, and something I would be interested in, but the weird red inward-facing seating at the aft of the ship, wooden chairs, and some of the design and tables looking like a high school cafeteria are a turn-off for me.
I’m cruising next May for Virgin, will be a good experience, been in luxury cruise before, I think will be something different, I’ll let you know, with the spirit of fun of a different actitud I’ll hope.
Having been on virgin voyages i agree with every thing you say on this video. Very balanced review. True about not having enough areas to look out and hard chairs. Still love it and going on my 5th and 6th week on valiant lady in 2 weeks. Then resilient lady in october
I sailed on giant tankers. Thank goodness I was able to ditch my uniform after college and was able to wear normal clothing on the bridge and FR clothing on deck.
A year ago (during the restart), our itinerary got changed from Grand Cayman to Bimini (on Celebrity). From what we could tell, the Virgin Beach Club is exclusive to Virgin (at least at the time). There was another (Hilton I think) resort on the island but we heard that they were unwelcoming toward cruise ship passengers. While we got lucky and met a really nice taxi driver who showed us around, our impression of Bimini was (shall I say) less than stellar.
The beds were originally designed to be a couch during the day and converted to a bed at night. They stopped that unless you ask because of bad reviews. Look at the video Emma cruises did back in 2019/20. She was around 25 years old at the time and hated the set up!! Is a great video
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@@MsPeggyCruise411you sont need it belive me.Just pack normal things and look at announcments on board
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Does Virgin Voyages allow passengers to hide rubber duckies?
My husband and I have been on 4 Virgin cruises and we have 5 more booked, including the 15 day transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona in about two weeks. We ❤ Virgin and we are so happy that there are finally some ships for the non-traditionalists!
We are Sapphire on NCL and almost Diamond on RCCL, but our new favorite is Virgin Voyages. So much included in the rate, some mentioned in this review (WiFi, gratuities, ALL restaurants, sodas & water, specialty exercise classes, and more). By the way, if you don’t get reserved for the exercise classes, go standby. Yes, you may be in your workout clothes with no workout, but you can walk or run on the fantastic running track (glorious, clear view of the sea, by the way) or just go change into your bathing suit and enjoy the comfortable sun beds. Thanks to Ilana for mentioning some of our favorite features like No Kids! Made-to-order delicious food. Hammocks on the balconies. Diverse and happy crew who are allowed to show their personality (visible tattoos, comfortable uniforms, and staff in all ages, shapes, colors, sizes, and sexual orientations).
We are 63 years old , so don’t believe the rumors that it is just a sexy party ship. There are fun parties to be found, for sure, but also relaxation and easy going fun as well. Shows are unique and energetic and they think outside the box. If you are very traditional or conservative, perhaps the classic lines will be better for you, but if you can open your mind and your heart to trying something new, check out VV. The Virgin crew and we Sailors will welcome you with open arms!
Thanks for sharing your experiences :)
Best response and review I’ve read yet! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Amazing review! I want to watch YOUR VIDEOS !!!
Great review. Thanks!
❤
NO KIDS! No one under 18 is allowed to sail on any of their ships! That's all I needed to hear! I'm BOOKED for a Dec. sailing!! When price shopping with other cruise lines, make sure you're comparing apples to apples! Virgin prices include a lot of things that other cruise lines charge extra for like, Wifi, specialty dinning, soft drinks, gratuities etc. My booking included a $600 bar tab. When you add everything Virgin includes then their cost is very similar to Carnival, RC and NCL.
Great points. A lot is included and we didn’t have extras on this cruise
Viking is also adults only 😉
VV price points are more equal to Celebrity and Holland America ships too. But the VV Pool Deck!?!? What's up with that??
We have already booked our cruise in January with other company, but because of the 18+ Policy I think that further on we will sail more with Virgin Voyages. 💖
Yep 🎉
We love Virgin! It has become our number 1. Best parts. Less people, smaller ships, and no bad parents not controlling their children. Princess used to be our go to. We are platinum and elite on Princess.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Interesting comparison to Princess. I agree they do a lot of things well :-)
I was on Valiant Lady last month, and I loved it. I think it's really smart on Virgin's part not having unlimited drink packages. It meant that we didn't run into very many extremely drunk people, which, as someone who doesn't drink, made the experience much more pleasant and less like a frat party. I really liked the demographics and the variety of activities. We're not really night life people, but we had a great time with daytime activities and met really wonderful people. Not being a parent, I really appreciated that there were no kids onboard. I forgot how loud they could be until I was back in the airport.
I hope all of you would like to come
I've been very interested in Virgin Voyages for some time now, and my husband and I have discussed possibly cruising with them for my 40th birthday. The fact that it's an adults-only cruise line is enough to completely sell me on it, and this video is extremely helpful. Thank you!
My partner and I were on the Scarlet Lady a few weeks ago - my first cruise in 25 years and her first cruise ever! I appreciate you mentioning about the sales pitches that happen on other cruise lines; our plan for the cruise was to just relax which would have been difficult if there were constant sales pitches. On a different note, a major shout out to Gunbae - we were dreading sitting with strangers (I think we are atypical cruisers because we are both serious introverts) but by the end of dinner we were laughing and chatting with the rest of the table *and* had an excellent dinner and drinks!
Had my very first cruise experience last week on The Scarlet Lady and I thought the food was outstanding! The service was exemplary with some minor exceptions. The Galley was interesting and many food options closed at 3:00 PM and late night options, especially dessert, was limited. The pool is definitely small! Love your open and honest reviews - I watched many of them in preparation for last week. Thank you!!!
The Galley is the best thing, no buffets, no people crossing you to get food... perfect!
I had a great Virgin cruise and think your review was fair. I felt that some of the seating was more awkward than uncomfortable. I never encountered any delays or slowness in the galley. There are great grab and go food options there as well as other quick service spots for folks that don’t want to wait.
Great grab & go! I agree this was awesome
I really enjoy and appreciate your reviews, very no non-sense. Your reviews of the odd seating and sea views obstruction are excellent! 🙌🏻
I cruised on the Valiant Lady in February and I loved every aspect of it. I heartily agree with all of your positives; I didn't notice or wasn't bothered by your negatives; and for all of your "undecideds," I come out on the positive side. I see a lot of people agreeing with you that the Galley is too slow on port days. I probably didn't notice that because I rise very early (even on vacation). However, I'd like to point out you DO have an option. Ship Eats will deliver breakfast to your room at a time of your choosing starting at, I think, 6:30 AM as long as you order the night before. The selection is not as large as it would be in the Galley but it's fresh and hot and it includes full meals as well as just bread and fruit options. The $5.00 delivery fee is waived if you include a $5.00 purchase, like a specialty coffee, so I would recommend that.
Great! Thanks for mentioning that
Good tip! I've seen many videos that suggest ordering room service at least once! Lol
We cruised Scarlet in March and were really impressed. The Thermal Spa can be purchased for a 3 hour use (aside from expensive massages). This Thermal spa is included with rockstar level, but can be snagged Al a carte for roughly $39-49 per person and it’s completely worth it for a relaxing day at sea!
We truly found the entertainment to be unmatched too; great review 🙌🏼
My husband and I cruised the Valiant lady just 2 weeks ago and it was an overall GREAT experience. Anyone watching this video please take this with a grain of salt and experience it for yourself.
THIS❤
That's how all feedback works, its informative not the end all be all & a way to track trends
honestly i feel like it's just depends on the the person's vibe. like virgin is definitely for younger party people lol
@@wizirbyman just because I'm young doesnt mean I dont want to sit normally and be able to just relax watching the sea instead of a frosted glass or having to climb on an outdoor bed.
@@wizirbymanI didn’t really get that. I saw people of all ages.
We just got off valiant lady and it was the best cruise we've ever had. Compared to the Carnival suite, the seriously Suite with the stocked bar and tablet was a great upgrade. Once our food was slow in the galley (20 min) so I told a crew member who took the order again then came back in 3 min with our food (our original order arrived 1 min prior so we ended up with 2 meals). I still left a small tip for my cabin attendant and RockStar agent. We're taking our college boys on scarlet in 3 months because we got 100% future cruise credit.
Very nice!
Thanks for the review Ilana. You have raised some points for us to consider before booking a Virgin Cruise (tiny pool, uncomfortable common area seating and the lack of a quick buffet option on port days). On port days speed at breakfast is very important to us. We are still “considering” Virgin but haven’t booked yet. I suspect that we will go on at least one or two more Carnival cruises before we try Virgin.
If you go, please let me know what you think:)
We loved the Galley for quick breakfast before leaving the ship for the Port. A variety and quick.
The food is SO SO SO much better than Royal or Norwegian. There are plenty of seating options, don't let this video stop you from trying it out. Love the hammocks, the crew, the no nickle and diming.
Norwegian food is terrible.
@@RedRoseSeptember22 You do see the IRONY in your reply right...LMAO :)
@@rebeccalewis4947I had TERRIFIC food on Norwegian! I'm going on VV end of October. I'm so excited about the food now!
I hate traditional cruising, so I cannot WAIT to go on my VV cruise in Jan. This is all I ever wanted in a cruise, PARTAY! No tipping. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks to avoid bringing my own cans/bottles. Body positive and LGBQT friendly staff. A dream!
I enjoy no kids, no up-charge restaurants, no alcohol packages (no binge drinkers!), and idk what she’s on about seating.. I will never sail with traditional lines again. Love VV way too much.
It’s not unlimited drinks.
I went on the Europe Barcelona Spanish obsession and loved every minute X I'm booking again this year !
@@timt976unlimited ESSENTIAL drinks
@@RedRoseSeptember22there are a TON of loungers and cushion seating
I follow your channel for your honest input. Never apologize for posting 'negatives' along with the positives. Seating, access to ocean views, etc., is among my main reasons for my enjoyment of cruising. Virgin seems great for many, but for me, it's a hard PASS.
Exactly! It's your channel, and we really are here for your opinion! Virgin is now my preferred cruise line. Nothing beats totally kid free! My MAIN dislike is something you didn't mention: no Virgin points of any kind: Virgin Red, Virgin Atlantic, etc.
Enjoyed your honest likes/dislikes. I don’t like that you need to reserve much of your dining times/ places. I keep hearing they book up quickly. Who needs that stress on a vacation? It’s why I almost have booked with Virgin, but after hearing about the app challenges, the small pool, restaurant reservation issues, esp. if you do not buy your cruise 45+ days in advance, it sounds frustrating. You have to try to reserve certain things as soon as you get on the cruise, when new slots may open up? It sounds like too many sailors & too few times of their shows & mean seatings; not relaxing. Solo cabins are always sold out in my experience. It’s become too much work to ensure reservations!
Thanks for the info Ilana; you've re-confirmed that Virgin is not the cruise line for us. We are in our mid-50s and have been cruising in the MSC Yacht Club exclusively since 2015 or so. Your review, along with others I've seen confirms that the whole Virgin cruise experience is not something we'd enjoy. But I always tell people that there is a cruise line out there that caters to everyone's desires and I'm glad Virgin is providing a cruise experience that appeals to so many.
The seating around the public areas looks very challenging for those with mobility issues!
I didn't even get to go in the pools. They were so crowded on sea days that it was just people soup and it was hard to find a chair in the late morning. If you came in the afternoon, some people were starting to open up some chairs from being there all day but you still had to hunt. Since I was by myself, I could easily just grab a single chair. Also Virgin has a 30 min policy on saving chairs, but I found it wasn't enforced unless you grabbed a staff member. I also thought almost every bar I went to was short about 1 bartender. I felt that I waited about 5 minutes for almost every drink, sometimes longer. Not a huge deal, but still when you just want to grab a drink and run back to the fun waiting wasn't fun. And there are plenty of small little bar areas throughout the ship. Last note, as a solo cruiser, I didn't book any advance dinner reservations because I hoped to make new friends. This did happen and some reservations were easily changed to accommodate. However other times this couldn't happen and I ended up with pizza or the galley. Not a huge deal, but because of this I missed out on Pink Agave and Razzle Dazzle.
Totally agree...we cruised on Scarlet Lady last September. The seating is a big negative; mainly all seating was low to the ground. Especially uncomfotable if you are tall. Ship layout was a bit confusing and public washrooms are hidden. The hammock was divine! I am not a napper, but 1st afternoon, fell asleep for 2 hours out on the balcony. Didn't care for the overall design elements - felt a bit like a battle ship with all the grey. Loved the entertainment!
We just spend 8 days on the Valiant Lady- I agree with most of your comments altho I wouldn't use "hate"- I thought the pool area was larger than other ships I've been on. We are cruising again on the new Virgin ship next year - 5 reasons: food, crew, all inclusive re tips and dining, entertainment and NO KIDS!
Yo! I love your reviews and I love THIS review. You are awesome. Hit the small things that I wouldn't think of, but are so important!!
What I’ve learned: if you want to be left alone and avoid crowds, cruise a family-heavy ship. The adult-only areas are much less crowded. We prefer Disney for this reason - with late dining and the Rainforest room, along with the adult pool area, we seldom even see children and don’t have to fight for deck chairs. 😂😂😂
That’s a very interesting point :)
You are the third adult that I’ve heard say that…😂 Glad that you found a cruise line that you love.
Wait.. Disney has an adult only area?
@@ouch65
@@ouch65 Absolutely. 😁😁😁
I just got off the Valiant Lady and... if you heard on the news, there was an issue. Virgin gave every paying customer a free cruise equal to what they paid for their cruise. Now some extra opinions Also, I wish I could hear announcements in the cabin. Better to read directories, maybe in elevators? They had great outlets in the cabins, loved the free toiletries. I hated that the reservations were gone before I got my WiFi set up- BUT restaurants fit us in. Also, as a disabled passenger, I felt that the staff went above and beyond for me and the ADA cabins are fantastic.
What a tragic situation. I’m glad to hear how Virgin handled it for other passengers too… sad. Thanks for your comments & feedback
I heard about that. Virgin definitely went above and beyond by offering a free cruise.
Went on The scarlet lady this year. We actually preferred the food in the common area to the restaurants. It was fantastic
I'm late to this thread, so you mind elaborating on what you meant? Did something happen during your cruise? Why did they give you credit for a cruise?
Very interesting and informative video, Ilana. I would love to see a video about Bimini! I wish other cruise lines would get those hammocks on the balconies 🤩.
Omg Bimini with Virgin is awesome
I know some people who recently cruised Scarlet Lady and LOVED IT!!! We may prefer the classy and more traditional cruise that a Celebrity Edge-class ship would offer (we're young 60-somethings) BUT one reason why we would seriously look at VV is not because it's an 18+ age requirement, it's because their entertainment and crew promote a very Diversity-rich atmosphere (Drag Queens hosting the entertainment? I'm in). I guess people who hate "Woke" would also hate VV. 🤷♂👨❤👨👩❤👩
I mean pretty easy to just not go to the drag show.
Really Steve? I thought it was the opposite in that don’t book a VV cruise if you are easily offended or overly sensitive?? I don’t like woke 🤷🏻♀️
People don't like drag being forced on kids. An adult only cruise is one of the places most people who are sick of being bullied by your religious zealots wouldn't care about it being there. The problem is the kids your church has sterilized. The youngest I personally know was only 11 when they sterilized him. You're in cult, you know that right?
@@msheartface5288 Most of the people we interacted with were proudly woke! I would say if you are anti LBGT or offended by drag queens, this would likely not be the cruise for you.
Woke?? I’m out!
Great review! My husband and I are big pool snobs and the fact that they have a tiny pool for all of those people….I don’t think we’ll be cruising with Virgin anytime soon.
It seems like Virgin is trying to appeal to 20-30 something’s.
It definitely had an appeal for that age demographic
When I went the age range was definitely late 20s-70s
The average age is mid 40s. And their target us 34-65
I Loved virgin voyages. Valiant lady was such a beautiful ship!! The crew was great!! The food was better than any other cruise line. They don’t make announcements unless they are absolutely necessary. No incessant cruise director and captain announcement. I Loved everything except some of the shows. I’m going again!!
Excellent review. It really helped me make up my mind
Great review! Congratulations on 160K! Well deserved and hope you get many many many more. ❤
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video review too :)
Thank you for this video. Going on their Greek Island Glow in October. I found this very helpful. I'm going to share your video with the rest of the folks we are traveling with. Looking forward to the cruise.
Awesome! Enjoy 🛳
Great review. As a true Virgin fan and multiple VV Sailor, I think you were fair and pointed out that a VV cruise experience is not for everyone and it's awesome that there is so much choice. For me, the one thing that sets Virgin apart is that this is a cruise were you never have to feel like an "Other." VV is about being your authentic self. It's evident in the Crew and passengers. For me, it's the Crew that make the real difference. And the hammock! I share your frustration with the Galley and the App can drive one crazy. But the hammock! I like the modern industrial vibe (but also enjoy Queens Grill on Cunard). I also like the lack of visible hierarchy on the ship. I was on the Valiant Lady with tragic accident and while the Ship's Officers may not have stripes on their shoulders, they are firmly in command. Thanks again for the review and did I mention the hammock?
The Wife & I did Virgin over last Thanksgiving. And We had a number of Issues. .
One Major point was the Seating both in the Cabin ,around the Pool and other areas.
But ALL in ALL We agree With You and We feel one Cruise on Virgin was enough for
Us .
Thanks for sharing your experience
In many sailors videos the pool
looks very overcrowded; quite unappealing. That fact & that it’s hard to get reservations, has me not interested anymore. I’m a huge fan of their airline though.
Virgin is my favorite cruise line hands down! I’m also 31 and it seems like they cater to my demographic.
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing
Cruise lines are like music, everyone has their own preferred vibe. I think Virgin would be perfect for some people, while it's not quite right for others. I'm older & prefer a more traditional surrounding, even if it's considered a bit dated. My adult kids would love Virgin.
Thanks for sharing :)
I really like the Virgin Voyages cruise over all. I love the bar tab. I feel i got a lot of bang for my buck. What i didnt like was not being able to get into classes. And having a reservation for some restaurant which filled up. I didnt know that i had to do. But considering i was a solo sailor i got to piggyback off others reservations.
I’m giving them a try in November. Actually I’m not a cruiser. I’ve only taken one cruise on Royal Caribbean over 15 years ago and didn’t really like it. I like that VV is different and that’s why I’m giving them a try. Plus no kids is a big plus.
One thing I loved was I met some great crew members. That actually learned my name. I got to eat breakfast with one of them at least twice and hopefully when I go back they will be on that ship
Hello Ilana! I was on the Valiant lady the week after you (as it would appear). I watched a lot of your videos prior to going, as this was my first cruise. One tip for Virgin that I picked up is that they actually stagger their releases for their workout classes, so the first sailors aboard cannot snatch them all up. I was determined to experience the Bungee workout class, so after asking Sailor services who sent me to the spa, they told me to keep checking my app and sure enough, the next morning more classes were released and I was able to book it. I saw a few more later in the week that I could have booked too. I got to go to every workout class on my list (5 or 6, which seems like a lot for a vacation! Ha!). If you clicked on the event, you could see all the times it was scheduled during the week, which made it easier to keep tabs on when they were happening. Thanks again for your videos!
This is good info. I don't think a lot of people this. I've watched a ton of Virgin videos and you're the first to mention it. My husband and I are going in July.
Loved virgin. Been on scarlet lady 3 times. Awesome food, best service
Thanks for the info as this firmly confirms that Virgin is not the cruise line for us. We're over 60 and much prefer a more traditional cruise experience.
Glad this was helpful. Although I did enjoy the ship, its not very traditional so it is good to know what you enjoy most in a cruise
I go with my 64 year old mother on virgin voyages and she loves it besides there being only one 70s disco night (she wants 70s music all the time). We loved doing the jane fonda work out aerobics class together
I think I agree with you. I want a bit more formality, more pools, and quick buffet service if I’m in a rush (though I’m an MDR fan mostly).
@@traceymarshall5886, My sister and I are cruising on Valiant Lady for my 80th. I hope these young things can keep up with me,
My wife and I had never been on a cruise before. After raising four kids, two change student kids and now three foster kids I don’t think I want to see a kid the whole cruise. We have a balcony room if we need to see the water. We are pretty much content on in each others company. We just looking for some down time and relaxation. Our cruise I just booked is on the Scarlet at the end of August. Short notice but then again I forgot about hurricane season September through November. Thanks for all of your reviews I have learned a lot about cruises from your reviews.
As someone who's never cruised this line, I really appreciate your "needs improvement" critique!!
Fantastic delivery of relevant information. Really learned a lot and see your points, both good, bad and in between. I'm not a pool person, so even sitting in the 1-foot deep section to cool off works for me. The whole booking thing seems stressful: you're told to book your dinner reservations 45 days prior to departure, once your Virgin app allows you too. Next, it's the entertainment and activities/classes you book once you arrive at the pier (apparently, you don't need to wait until you board, but can reserve once you get the Virgin WiFi connection at the pier). The uncomfortable seating around the ship and limited number of public washrooms are valid concerns whilst the cabins do look somewhat bland. A small sofa would be nice in the cabins so as not to always have to sit on the bed. The chair in the cabin also looks very basic. As I recall, other cruise lines sometimes add a small sofa, but the hammock is a brilliant signature addition. Of course, the food is one of the main attractions as is the entertainment. Not being a big drinker, it's nice to be able to choose the amount you'd like to purchase on your tab and finally, the inclusion of gratuities into the ticket price is the way to go. BTW, you can bring one bottle each of your own wine or champagne.
Except for the no kids part, I just don’t see Virgin being for us. I think we may be too old and too traditional for their vibe. However, I’m glad that it’s there to make cruising appeal to even more people!
The criticisms were valid and well deserved. I think anyone over 25 would agree that the seating was not well appointed or practical.
Great video, thanks! Our daughter is 22 as well, so I'm curious if your son would choose Virgin over the Celebrity Edge class ships/voyages. This will be all of our first cruise. Thanks for your help and happy cruising!
I truly agree about the officers' uniforms, and the seating, and visual issues the most. I wish all cruise lines did the hammocks!
Edit: also, the pool thing, that's tragic. Thanks for the review!
I was wondering about officer’s uniforms & if that was just me 😉
Going on virgin for the first time in June 24’! All I needed to hear before booking was kid free and tattoo shop on board.. im in! 🚢💃🏾
Going as well in June!
As someone that cruised on Disney Wish in January during bad weather (couldn't dock in Bahamas so had a sea day), i would take an adults only any day. Seeing kids everywhere did not bother me, but there were so mamy people everywhere, the buffet and all restaurants were very crowded. And that unexpected sea day we felt claustrophobic and although they did add more activities everything ended up packed. We ended up watching a movie in the movie theather and that even people sat on the floor because there wasnt enough to do on board to kill time while at sea. Finally, the specialty dining was ok. Nothing that I ate impressed me. The restaurant servers we had and our room stewart were amazing and the highlight of our trip on board.
I really enjoy your videos, they are so informative. We have been on 3 cruises, all different cruise lines and always learn something helpful in your videos. We love cruising. Have you been on an Alaskan cruise? Would love your take on those as that is what we are considering next.
We’re planning an Alaskan cruise next month. I’ll share more in an upcoming video :)
I am inquisitive about how your son liked the cruise. I am planning a cruise with my 18-year-old son and would like it to be a great experience for him, too.
I’m taking my young adult son for our first cruise on virgin voyage, I was excited to hear you also traveled with your son, I was wondering if it would be an odd vibe since it sounds like virgin does have a bit of a couples focus.
I think you'll both have fun!
I cruised on the Scarlet Lady in March after not cruising for 9 years. Overall I loved it but I do agree with you that The Galley experience, especially on port days, was not great. Finding a table was hard, getting service was slow, and they forgot items I’d ordered twice and I did not want to wait around for it to be remedied. I wish I could have walked up and gotten the food myself. I’d definitely go back though!
Thanks for sharing your experience! Hopefully they'll improve those minor things with time :-)
I sailed in December for my birthday and had a blast! The overall experience was amazing and I was able to upgrade my cabin on the ship for a great price. I do agree the pool was lack luster and was very surprised at the size👎🏾. The casino was a little smaller than expected. The shows were fun, the music could have been a little more diverse. But the food…the food was delicious. My daughter booked all the dinners in advance so we had no issues with RSVP and we ate pizza and ice cream everyday. As for the bar tab, my daughter and I shared the $600 and it worked out great for us. Overall, I will definitely book another cruise on Virgin.
I think that the biggest issues on Virgin have some what easy solutions.
Views, change out some of the Glass and move some of the furniture.
Seating, change out some of the seating that lacks back support, and comes off rudimentary and cheap.
Greatly increase the number of gym classes.
I hope so 🤞
Thank you for your review! It was very fair and constructive. My friends and I were considering cruising with virgin.
I was really looking forward to sailing my first cruise with Virgin & am now having serious second thoughts. The pool area actually looks terrible to me. Appreciate this very thorough review!
Truly enjoy your videos. I'm with you about the furniture on Virgin it's very uncomfortable. One thing that I didn't like about Virgin had to search to find things that were tucked away. Did not like the close in box feeling in different areas you went in. Food was on point and not having to have a drink package for soft drinks was a great touch. Love the bar tab enjoy sharing it with others.
I am soooo excited for my 1st VV cruise in October for my birthday.
As usual, a great and fair review. I would have been a bit more harsh about a couple of things. I will take issue with the fitness classes. Some classes can only handle 6 people (I think it is to look trendy because otherwise it makes no sense on a ship that holds over 2K), but other classes can handle 100 or more. There is always a standby line, so don't give up is you can't get a reservation. We liked the hammock so much that we bought one when we got home (they do sell then on the ship, but were sold out on our cruise; they provided the manufacturer's info).
I like the bar tab a lot. As you noted, you buy a bar tab in advance and get whatever the current bonus is. I"ve never purchased an alcohol package on another line because we are light drinkers....spending $70-130 per day plus tip makes no sense. On VV, you can share your bar tab with anyone you wish, whether in your cabin or not. On the last night, you can choose to buy a round for your new best friends or purchase a bottle of wine or other product FROM A BAR to take home. The thing that I really like is that I didn't encounter any drunk rowdy people on my cruise. No one is trying to max out the daily limit on their beverage package. I thought people were drinking much more responsibly. And remember, tips are already included in the posted prices....so your $300 bar tab got you $350 in paid beverages, not $350 less 18%! The Galley needs some improvement. They have made some changes, but the ideal would. be to be able to order on your phone or a tablet at the table, and then have it delivered.
You’re right and I loved that the bar tab can be shared. Thanks for your points
I’m sailing on Virgin next month. Haven’t been to Bimini since I was a kid. Would love to see your video on Bimini
Virgin is well worth the money. Compared to the other cruise lines I've sailed on, Virgin is top notch. The food is by far the best I've had on any cruise line and better than some sit down restaurants that we have visited. Looking forward to our next Virgin cruise!
There’s obviously a market for Virgin voyages but it’s not me! Love the view of the ocean and many ships have amazing views with infinity pools and comfy seating. Appreciate your thorough review!
As always, great video. I had never even though about taking a Virgin Cruise until you first talked about it. I have been waiting and waiting for you to go and review :). I have to say, a big plus for me is that the Crew were happy and themselves. A big negative is the pool and the lack of drink package. When you travel with your son, do you get different types of rooms? I travel with my 23 year old he likes for us to get a larger mini-suite, which has worked in the past but perhaps we may need to change for the future.
We really weren’t in our cabin much, so it was ok. I thought of the larger balcony cabin, but it really wasn’t much bigger. A suite would have been nice but price was 😬😂
The virgin bed can be set up in the sofa configuration so it is 2 "single" beds and they dress it up with the duvet/pillows. Ive not seen it like this. I share the room with my mom and we dont have issues. She watches netflix at night while i go to the manor nightclub etc. We had things to do together like yoga, zumba and then we could chill out, go to a show etc too.
Thank you for your comprehensive review of Virgin Cruises, so helpful. We have a cruise coming up soon and we are in the basic Rockstar Suite which has a fully stocked drinks cabinet in the room. Do you know if we are allowed to take drinks outside the room to a bar, restaurant or club? Guess I'm just an old cheapskate!! 😄
Thank so much. This helped alot. We never cruised before and a smash ho 1st time out and all the things u said was needed.
Such a helpful video! We'll be cruising with them in May and can't wait to try it out!
We went to that resort in Bimini in February with Royal and I LOVED it so much! Beautiful! Virgin Voyages is not in my sights as of right now but never say never!
Thank you so much for this video! I’m planning on possibly booking a cruise for my 30th birthday and I’m doing my research! I appreciate your feedback
Thank you Ilana. Your reviews are always diplomatic and leave room for personal interpretation.
This overview confirmed that Virgin isn’t the cruise for me. I must be a traditionalist too. I love seeing the Captain and ship officers in uniform. The Galley concept doesn’t appeal to me. Since a lot of the cruise experience is ambience, the stark hallways and the bed like seating doesn’t say “holiday” to me. And poor ocean views? Uh uh.
Thanks for watching & for your comments. I agree Virgin isn't for everyone. I am hoping they'll keep adapting & I may enjoy some aspects more in the future lol
That would be like seeing the Captain of an airline sitting in the cockpit in casual clothes; it would be very unsettling. I'm surprised Virgin does this, and really don't understand it.
There is an outdoor viewing point from the back of the galley on deck 15 (below deck 16). Deck 17 is also a better viewpoint where the yoga station is. However i did leave in their survey for future ships to be less military and more class to view out. However the food in general is great. For breakfast/lunch you can go to the wake or the razzle dazzle and in theory avoid the galley altogether. The toasted peanut butter jelly sandwich was always hot and quick to come and the salads too - they were surprisely good and tasty. I cant wait to go back in 2 weeks with my 64 yr old mom for a mother/daughter cruise.
@@Gardis72 i like this considering in my workplace (engineer at american tech company including the CEO) we all where tshirt and jeans/leggings and runners. So i like when people dress casual as in irish society we dont like to have a hierarchy of people.
@@traceymarshall5886 Where will you be sailing from Tracey? Hope you both enjoy the cruise.
We recently went on VV for the first time, and every point you mentioned was right on. We already booked 2 more back-to-back VV cruises even though we don't think VV is our cup of tea after our first cruise with them. Seems like the cruise is ideal for people who love to drink and party, which isn't what we enjoy doing. Couldn't book any shows because they filled up too quickly, and most of them overlap with the dinner reservations, which also filled up quickly (so we had very few choices).
Yes would love a video on Bimini! I am taking my daughter there in the fall. We are so excited to go there. It looks like a place we will feel comfortable to go by ourselves. I’d love to know if we should go to the beach club. I heard some people didn’t like it but it looks great to us. Thank you so much for all your great information 💜
So many great video's here about VV. Solo cruiser here almost 60 SWM. I gleaned lots of information before my trip, most was helpful. My big mistake was not bringing a small travel fan. My room was very warm even at the coldest setting but I couldn't fathom moving after getting settled in. Food was very good overall with some disappointments. Gunbae was a mess, I never got the meal I ordered and our chef was very hard to communicate with. If you ordered the wygu beef upgrade you got served first while the rest sat and waited so all my sides were cold when only part of my main course arrived. Room service steak, salad, soup and desert made up for it nicely. Also, I like to party and got sat at the fuddy duddy table!! My filet mignon at the Wake was fabulous but not hot.Did not care for razzle dazzle much either. For me the free wifi was terrible and so was the app. and lack of live TV, movies were good though.I love the room, and whoever said bring a bluetooth speaker was a life saver!! Although I could not steam YOu tube where my music is I had enough music on my laptop to survive!! I loved the Dock and dock room, service, food although limited, comfortable seating and views were fantastic! Highlight of my trip, morning sunrise over Key west and Bimini from deck 15 hot tub followed by some stretching under the moon before the YOGA crowd showed up. It was spiritual moment for me.
This was so interesting to hear your perspective on this ! Things like the no searing surprised me but I think I’d give it a go
All of the negatives you bright up were great. I have a serious back injury so I’ll be well prepared going on the brilliant lady.
We were on the Valiant Lady the first week of April 2023, and I agree with so many of the things in this video. The seating can be a little odd, men’s restrooms are a little tough to find in certain areas, and the service in The Galley was spotty. On 2 occasions the meal I ordered (or part of it) never arrived. Otherwise, it was the best cruise I’ve ever experienced. The food, crew and overall service experience were top notch! We’re going again in October and I can’t wait!
Thank you for the review. I have been considering a Virgin cruise. I think your view has pushed (us) into the ‘no’ category. We don’t dance, we do love to look at the ocean as we move, we do love comfortable seating, we do want ends to both sides of the bed, and we don’t want direct sunlight when near a pool, and we want a pool more than a place to be seen.
Actually folks, book restaurants before the cruise at home usually 2-3 wks before embarkation. And Book your shows and courses as soon as you have access to Ahoy wifi at Terminal V. Somewhat opposite to some of the pros and cons. I had been on both ships (the decor are slightly different). I actually don't like the crowded pools and chair hoards on RCI or NCL's. Also, unlike other ships, there are a lot more sitting choices around the ship that are away from crowds (Promenade anyone?) Where you can eat your pizza or gelato (the to inclusive) say at the pub for instance was great. Entertainment though was a bit too neo for my liking. But the fact I can just go read a book or plug my laptop in at the cafe surfing the internet for free was good enough. Courses like tequila tasting or learn to plate food for instagram were interesting as well. I am going back on to the Resilent Lady this year. Also food were all great (although food at the Galley could be delivered slow at times), except Test Kitchen. The experience was fun but food was just ok.
Thanks for sharing your impressions of Virgin. Further convinced us as in our 70’s that it’s not the cruise line for us.
Hello lllana, Thanks as always for sharing your experience and helpful tips. ❤ I've never been on Virgin voyage, but I will keep those things in mind. Planning a cruise for next year.
QHi is waQlqlqlapapPQpp. No lol lol
Loved the video. I will say Virgin is awesome for us and they take care of their customers. Example: we booked two cruises for Brilliant Lady mermaiden. They canceled the cruises because the ship was not ready. Instead they gave us 1,000 OBC, 800 bar tab for 2 cruises of our choice with the same cabin type. However they even gave us a free upgrade to a Oceanview Verandah. So I'll take Virgin any day.
I'll be on Valiant Lady in June, and I'm hoping I like it. This will only be my 2nd cruise. The 1st one was on Oasis of the Seas, which I absolutely loved! I'm a little anxious about this ship. I like buffets, comfortable seating around the ship, unobstructed views of the ocean, and the ability to take a gym class, so hopefully, the shows and food will make up for those things.
Your review of Virgin Voyages has been the best. Can't wait to see for myself.
Awesome!! Enjoy 🎉
Thanks for your review. Too many other good options for us to go Virgin. We are not either “heavy” or “light” drinkers. But prefer a more “all inclusive” feel - and keeping up with, and accounting for the “bar tab” sounds like kind of a hassle. We agree with you on the furniture - looks very uncomfortable. Thanks again.
What a great video. I wanted to put Virgin on my list of cruises, but the beautiful views of the ocean and comfy outdoor seating are important to me for e.g.watching the sunrise. I burst out laughing when I saw your photos of the round red kid's tables. Not something I want to sit on while being on an adult cruise, lol. The entertainment looks fun and innovative, and something I would be interested in, but the weird red inward-facing seating at the aft of the ship, wooden chairs, and some of the design and tables looking like a high school cafeteria are a turn-off for me.
AGREED!!
Thanks for the review. Between the bed loungers and poor pool space, no thanks. Just seems like it's too crowded in a small space.
I’m cruising next May for Virgin, will be a good experience, been in luxury cruise before, I think will be something different, I’ll let you know, with the spirit of fun of a different actitud I’ll hope.
Awesome! It’s definitely a fun vibe & that’s very enjoyable. Please let me know your thoughts
I agree that the Virgin Voyages vibe is not my style, but works for others. Overall great information
Having been on virgin voyages i agree with every thing you say on this video. Very balanced review. True about not having enough areas to look out and hard chairs. Still love it and going on my 5th and 6th week on valiant lady in 2 weeks. Then resilient lady in october
Lol, it shows it doesn’t have to be “perfect”, to still be really great
Great review 👏... definitely interested in trying Virgin Voyages soon.
We tried virgin recently and we loved it. never sailing carnival again. Zero ratchet activity on virgin.
I sailed on giant tankers. Thank goodness I was able to ditch my uniform after college and was able to wear normal clothing on the bridge and FR clothing on deck.
What is traditional cruising versus Virgin Voyages? Please describe, thank you.
What a great review! I can’t wait to sail VV one day. Keep up the great content Ilana!
A year ago (during the restart), our itinerary got changed from Grand Cayman to Bimini (on Celebrity). From what we could tell, the Virgin Beach Club is exclusive to Virgin (at least at the time). There was another (Hilton I think) resort on the island but we heard that they were unwelcoming toward cruise ship passengers. While we got lucky and met a really nice taxi driver who showed us around, our impression of Bimini was (shall I say) less than stellar.
The beds were originally designed to be a couch during the day and converted to a bed at night. They stopped that unless you ask because of bad reviews. Look at the video Emma cruises did back in 2019/20. She was around 25 years old at the time and hated the set up!! Is a great video
My son had 2 friends in a cabin & they didn't like that set up either :-)