Planning a Cruise on Virgin Voyages

Make sure to check out our other guides related to Virgin Voyages:

• Room Options Onboard Virgin Voyages
• Activities Onboard Virgin Voyages
• Dining Options Onboard Virgin Voyages
• Itineraries and Destinations for Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages Overview

Virgin Voyages is great for:

• Passengers that want peace & quiet
• Those that want a more exclusive experience
• Guests that are 30yo+
• Passengers without kids

Virgin Voyages might not be good for:

• Those that want to travel with their children
• If you want to save some money on your next cruise

Virgin Voyages (VV) is one of the most exclusive and niche cruise lines out there. Now, is that a good thing? Well, yeah. We already have a lot of cruise lines aimed at basically anyone out there, like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line, so why not have a company that is carefully crafted to serve a more specific demographic?

Let’s get the cat out of the bag and say some important things upfront, folks: Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line. Yep, that means you need to be 18+ to travel with them. Virgin Voyages is also a little more expensive than other cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. This actually makes sense. Do you know why? Let’s have just a bit of story time with Famvia.

Pre-pandemic, prices for Virgin Voyages used to be really low. Then COVID came, and a lot of cruise lines almost went bankrupt. Sure, most cruise lines nowadays want to make up for the lost money from 2-3 years ago, but Virgin was also attracting a lot of guests from companies like Carnival. Hey, nothing against Carnival, but it’s fair to say that Carnival is more suited for young adults who like to drink a lot and party a lot. This meant that Virgin cruises were becoming increasingly more crowded and chaotic, so they decided to raise the prices a bit and make the experience more exclusive in the process.

Virgin Voyages is a little more expensive than your typical cruise line, but it’s still not as expensive as Disney. That doesn’t mean that VV is elitist, oh no. They don’t even have a dress code! Or a main dining hall, by the way. At night, you can just head to any of the top free restaurants available and enjoy your time. Speaking of food, did you know that a lot of guests online say that Virgin has some of the best food across all cruise lines? That is always good to hear.

Virgin Voyages is more focused on the European market, but they do offer several trips from Miami aboard the Scarlet Lady. Good news for our American friends: Virgin Voyages plans to launch their fourth ship in 2025. The Brilliant Lady will have ports in Miami, New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles, doubling the company’s presence in North America.

Tl;DR: If you are looking for a cruise line that knows how to party, has good food, and isn’t as chaotic as Carnival, then you can’t go wrong with Virgin Voyages.

Reviews of Virgin Voyages

The Good Stuff

Niche & made for you: Being niche in a world full of cruise lines can be really, really good. You probably don’t want to be a jack of all trades and compete with huge, established names like Royal Caribbean and Disney, so why not make things a bit different? That’s the strategy with Virgin Voyages. They are just… different. They are adults-only, they don’t have a dress code, or even a main dining hall. They are for those who want a romantic night aboard, those in their 30s and 40s looking for the love of a lifetime, or just those who want to experience elegance across the sea.

Great food: if you make a quick online search, you will see that guests say Virgin Voyages has some of the best food across all cruise lines. Sure, VV increased their prices post-pandemic, but they also made sure to enhance the experience. Their restaurants have menus developed by Michelin-starred chefs (not actually made by them, by the way), and it’s hard to find a restaurant that offers something you’d call meh. Also, almost every restaurant on Virgin Voyages ships is free and included in your cruise fare, although some menu items may have an additional cost.

Peace & Quiet: sometimes, we just want to relax and enjoy the sound of the ocean. While Virgin Voyages has many great places for music shows and parties, the overall atmosphere is more quiet and chill compared to Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean. This is primarily because Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line, so you won’t have children running around the entire ship like the Minions from Despicable Me. Virgin Voyages is also more expensive than Carnival, so you’re less likely to find young adults looking for a short trip to drink all day. This is a great choice of a cruise if you want to relax and experience a romantic moment with the love of your life.

Fun parties: Virgin Voyages offers some very cool parties, including the iconic Scarlet Night and the PJ Party. They also host several additional parties at the Manor, their main nightclub. Every night features something exciting, making it a great choice for adults who want to party with their significant other - or those that are still looking for their soulmate.

Some good FREE perks: Virgin Voyages aims to make your vacation as cozy and hassle-free as possible, which means some services are included in your cruise fare. Gratuities are covered, so you don’t need to tip the crew unless you choose to. Additionally, basic Wi-Fi is included, allowing you to browse the web, check emails, and send messages. If you want to use streaming services or make video calls, you can upgrade to premium Wi-Fi. Sodas are also included in your cruise fare, even inside the restaurants.

The Bad Stuff

Limited departure ports (for now): It’s fair to say that Virgin Voyages is smaller than the most well-known cruise lines, which means they aren’t present across the entire country. PortMiami in Florida is their main base of operations, and a significant number of their cruises sail from there. They also have cruises departing from New York in 2025 and a few planned to depart from Los Angeles in 2026. While VV also has cruises departing from Europe, if you live in the United States, you will probably need to drive or fly to Florida to enjoy your trip with them.

Small bathrooms: One common complaint among guests about Virgin Voyages is that the bathrooms are quite small. The shower area is tiny, and there isn’t much drawer space for your belongings. If you’re traveling with 3-4 people, it might be a good idea to book two connecting rooms. Unfortunately, the bathrooms are small in both indoor rooms and balcony cabins, and only get larger if you book the more expensive RockStar Quarters.

Virgin Voyages Fleet

Virgin Voyages is like the little kid that grew up too fast in the cruise industry. They debuted only a few years ago, making waves in 2021 with the Scarlet Lady. Nowadays, they have three ships in their fleet, with a new one coming in 2025.

Their ships aren’t huge like the mega-resorts from Royal Caribbean. Most VV ships accommodate 2,700 passengers, while Royal’s Icon of the Seas can hold up to 5,610 passengers, not including the crew. This more focused, limited experience is what a lot of people love about the company. It also makes the entire trip less chaotic and more cozy.

Now please say hi to the Virgin Voyages ships:

• Scarlet Lady: Ah, I love that name, it sounds so badass. This is the main ship for the North American market (for now) that sails from Miami and debuted in 2021.
• Valiant Lady: This ship calls Barcelona home and is one of the two VV cruises in Europe.
• Resilient Lady: Another ship based in Europe, but this time in Athens, Greece. It’s also the newest Virgin Voyages ship, debuting in 2023.
• Brilliant Lady: This is a highly anticipated ship for the North American market, as it will have home ports in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The Brilliant Lady is expected to launch in 2025.

As you can see, Virgin Voyages is pretty young, with only three active ships. Just for comparison, Carnival and Royal Caribbean each have about thirty ships. But you know what? Virgin is getting to work. Since 2021, they have basically launched a new ship every year, which is a very promising and aggressive strategy. That’s good for us, by the way. Competition and new options are always great news for passengers.

Setting Sail with Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages Destinations

For the North American market, Virgin Voyages focuses on trips that last from 4 to 12 nights to the Caribbean. They offer trips to Grand Turk, Nassau, Costa Maya, Bimini and more. Starting in 2025, cruises will also sail from New York to explore the Eastern Coast of the United States and Canada.

The main destinations are:

• Caribbean
• Europe (Nederlands, Spain, Greece, more…)
• North America (starting 2025)
• Transatlantic (Barcelona to Miami; San Juan to Barcelona, more…)

Being a smaller and newer cruise line, it’s understandable that there aren’t many destinations to choose from. We did mention that Virgin Voyages is niche and aimed at a specific demographic, right? They offer a lot of cruises across Europe, and the Brilliant Lady will start exploring the Eastern Coast of the United States from New York all the way to Maine and Quebec City in 2025.

Virgin Voyages Departure Ports

In 2024, there is a single operating port in the United States: PortMiami, located in Miami, Florida. Good news, though. Starting in 2025, Virgin Voyages will double their presence in the United States, with the Brilliant Lady sailing from New York and new ports being introduced in Los Angeles as well.

Most Virgin Voyages cruises depart from the following locations:

• Miami (PortMiami)
• Barcelona (World Trade Centre)
• Piraeus (Athens)
• San Juan

Virgin Voyages also has ports in Australia and New Zealand, but all cruises to Oceania have been canceled for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Virgin Voyages blames the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea for this difficult decision.

Is Virgin Voyages for you?

It’s not hard to know if you are going to enjoy Virgin Voyages or not. Virgin Voyages is perfect for both young adults that don’t want anything too chaotic like you find at Carnival Cruises, and older guests that want to enjoy a nice trip and have some peaceful time.

Virgin Voyages is for those who want elegance with their cruise. This adults-only cruise company aims for luxury but also keeps things casual in a good way. It’s interesting that, even though they are adults-only and niche, they don’t have a dress code and let you wear anything you want at their restaurants. Sure, you can’t have dinner wearing your swimsuit, but it’s not uncommon to see someone in a dress shirt sharing the same restaurant as someone in a t-shirt and shorts. Most guests dress sharp at night, but you are free to wear something comfy and casual if you prefer.

Virgin Voyages, however, probably isn’t for those with small children, as you can't travel with them. In this case, there are several other options to choose from, like Disney, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean. Virgin Voyages also isn’t ideal for those looking to save money. They are a bit more expensive than most cruise lines, and you will likely need to fly to Miami to start your cruise, which can add to the cost, especially if you live on the West Coast.

Virgin Voyages Info & Packing List

The key requirement is your ID. Don’t forget to bring it! For U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that departs and returns to a U.S. port, you must have a valid passport or an official copy of your birth certificate along with a driver's license or another government-issued photo ID.

Passports should have at least six months of validity remaining. For cruises departing from international ports, a passport is mandatory. It's essential that the name on your reservation matches exactly with what appears on your passport or other official proof of nationality. My recommendation is to always bring your passport to avoid any kind of headaches, and it doesn’t matter the destination.

Here's what else you should know about Virgin Voyages:

• Some very good news about gratuities: they are covered by Virgin, meaning they are included in your cruise fare, so there's no need to tip. Of course, you can still tip your waiter or spa personnel if you wish, but it’s not required.
• Virgin also includes basic Wi-Fi in your cruise fare. There’s no charge for social media, email, web browsing, or messaging. Premium Wi-Fi costs $25 per day and is suitable for more intensive uses, including streaming services.
• Passengers may bring up to two 750 mL bottles of wine, sparkling wine, or Champagne per cabin in their carry-on bags when boarding the ship.
• There isn’t a traditional drink package, but Virgin Voyages offers what they call the Bar Tab. The Bar Tab is essentially a prepaid card that you load with money to use for premium drinks, such as beer, cocktails, and fresh-pressed juice. The advantage of this pre-paid system is that you receive a free $50 credit for every $300 you add to your Bar Tab.

Remember that guests 18 and older can travel with Virgin Voyages, but the drinking age in the United States is 21. In international waters, the drinking age is 18+.

Shake for Champagne

Did you know that you can use the Virgin Voyages App to call for a bottle of champagne anytime? Wait, whaaat? Yep, that’s true, it’s called… “Shake for Champagne!”. Just open the app, shake your phone three times and a crew member will deliver a bottle of champagne to you. You must be wearing your band so the crew member can find you. This costs about $105. Top tip: don’t shake your phone three times if you are in the bathroom.

Ship Eats

Similar to Shake for Champagne, VV offers something called Ship Eats. You can use the app to place orders, which will be delivered directly to you for a fee of $10. What’s cool is that this delivery fee is waived if you include a paid beverage or food item with your order. You know what that means, right? Always order something from the extra menu when using Ship Eats.

Dress Code

Good news! There isn’t any dress code aboard Virgin Voyages. Most guests dress in jeans and short sleeves at night, but you can also visit every restaurant wearing shorts and a simple t-shirt if you wish.

Virgin Voyages prides itself on allowing guests to be themselves, which is why there is no dress code or formal night. They describe their voyages as “casual, inclusive, come-as-you-are experiences where what you wear doesn’t matter nearly as much as how much fun you’re having.”

However, there is something called Scarlet Night, where everything turns… red. Even you, if you want! During Scarlet Night, make sure to wear something red and join in the fun with everyone else on board. That’s when the huge parties take place, and everyone jumps into the swimming pools together.

So, while there’s no dress code, it’s still a good idea to pack some formal and beautiful outfits, especially since this is an adults-only cruise with many opportunities for a romantic night.

Virgin Voyages Loyalty Program

Virgin Voyages’ loyalty program is called the Sailing Club, and it features just three tiers, making it very straightforward. You can reach the top tier after only five trips with them! What’s even better is that Virgin Voyages will match your status from most other cruise loyalty programs. So, let’s say that you are a mega-diamond-onyx-black-hole loyalty passenger on another cruise line, there is a chance that Virgin Voyages will just give you the Deep Blue Extras tier without you even sailing with them once!

Here are the three different tiers:

• Sailing Club: the first tier is achieved after just one completed voyage. As expected, it doesn’t give you much, just some exclusive offers and alerts to promos
• Blue Extras: After completing two voyages with Virgin Voyages, you’ll start receiving Blue Extras perks on your third and fourth trips. These perks include one complimentary specialty coffee per day, access to an exclusive cocktail event, and one bag of complimentary laundry service.
• Deep Blue Extras: This tier begins with your fifth voyage. Perks include two specialty coffees per day, a $100 Bar Tab credit, unlimited premium Wi-Fi, additional items in your complimentary laundry service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and more.

For a full list of perks, you can check out their official website here. I actually think that these perks are some of the best amongst all cruise lines. They are fast to obtain, easy to understand and very useful. Seriously, premium wi-fi? A $100 Bar Tab credit? Those are things that are very handy and that you almost always use.

Packing list for Virgin Voyages

Packing for a cruise isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. While you’ll need several swimsuits, don’t forget to pack at least a few nice outfits for romantic evenings, formal events, or special dinners that require you to dress sharp in the evening.

Also, bring essentials like sunscreen from home, as these items are usually much more expensive once you're on board. It’s always wise to come prepared and pack all the essentials instead of buying them at the last minute. Your wallet will thank you later.

Let’s see some of the things that you should bring to your cruise vacation:

Passport: You will need some form of ID to enter the ship. Most companies ask for a birth certificate and any form of ID (like a driver’s license) OR your Passport. It’s easier to just bring your passport, to be honest.

Red outfit: Don’t forget about Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Nights! These are special nights and parties where everything is themed in red, and passengers are encouraged to wear their favorite red outfits. So, wear something red out there, be it a t-shirt, an elegant dress, a pajama or a plate armor.

Fancy Pajamas: No, not just any pajamas for sleeping, but for the iconic PJ Party! Virgin Voyages has two amazing parties: Scarlet Night and the PJ Party. You'll want a brand new, awesome, beautiful, stunning, and cozy pair of pajamas to show off your dance moves.

At least 3-4 swimsuits: Since you're going to a cruise (and probably to a private island), swimsuits are essential. Think of it like going to Alaska without a warm coat. For a week-long trip, bring at least three swimsuits so you can change styles daily and have an extra in case one gets lost. They also will not dry hung up overnight, so make sure to bring more than two.

3-4 swim cover-ups: For the ladies, swim cover-ups are incredibly useful inside a cruise ship. They are great for transitioning from the pool to a nearby restaurant and provide warmth against the chilly wind after a swim.

Rash guard: It protects from the sun. It doesn’t let you burn. You do the simple math and quickly realize it’s a very good item to bring to a sunny vacation.

Shorts & t-shirts/skirts & casual dresses: Especially for the guys, shorts and t-shirts are essential. You'll wear them frequently, even pairing khaki shorts with a cozy shirt for lunch. This combo ensures comfort and relaxation during your beach stay.

Flip flops/comfortable sandals: you want to dress casual, especially when near the swimming pools on the top decks.

Nice outfits and jeans: Guys should pack jeans and polo shirts, and girls should bring dresses for the evening. Some restaurants will not allow entry if you're dressed as if you're heading to the beach. Additionally, bring at least two to three elegant outfits, such as trousers paired with a dress shirt and dress shoes, or an elegant dress. This will also give you a great reason to dress up and enjoy the night parties.

Sun hat: you know those big hats that almost make you look like a Samurai? Yeah, you are probably going to need one of those. They look stylish and they really protect from the sun. Remember, at a beach resort, the sun will be like a new member of your party for the duration of your vacation.

Beach bag: remember to pack a beach bag for the swimming pools. They're simple, lightweight, and perfect for carrying everything you need without any hassle. Just pack your essentials inside, and you're good to go!

Sunglasses: they protect your eyes from the sun. You only have two eyes, and you should love them, so keep them safe since you will be under the sun for a long time.

Sunscreen: Don't forget to pack your sunscreen! Bring your favorite one, and consider bringing more than one since you'll be using it a lot. While sunscreen is available inside every cruise, it's much more expensive than what you're used to.

Lip balm: sunscreen and lip balm are a perfect pair. Unfortunately you can’t slather sunscreen on your mouth (or maybe you can, I don't know) so it’s a good idea to pack a Lip balm to protect against cracked lips. They’re not expensive, they are very small and won’t occupy a lot of space, so let’s put them into the essential list.

After-sun lotion: Since you'll be spending days under the sun, it's important to take care of your skin. These lotions are perfect for moisturizing your skin after sun exposure and soothing any redness or inflammation.

Some cash: Remember, you might need some cash now and then. Cash is particularly useful for exploring land activities and excursions, and it's also necessary for tipping staff members at the ports.

Portable charger: this one is optional, but we all know that some of us will spend 25 hours a day on our cellphones, snapping Instagram-worthy pictures in front of the world's most beautiful vistas. Packing a portable charger might be a good idea if you plan to use your cellphone extensively while walking around the ship or during land excursions.

Embarkation & Debarkation Process

Embarkation with Virgin Voyages

First things first, complete the online check-in and select your embarkation time. Most of the time, you can do the online check in as soon as your cruise is paid in full.

If you’re driving to Miami and parking there, be aware that it costs around $22 per night.

As with most cruise lines, you’ll leave your main luggage with the porters (make sure to tip them!) and then head inside the terminal for check-in. Respect your embarkation time and aim to arrive about thirty minutes in advance.

Have your passport and travel documents ready. During the check-in process, you’ll receive "The Band" - a special wristband that you’ll use for everything on the ship, including accessing your room and making payments.

After check-in, you’ll go through security and join the boarding process. Groups will be called to board in order. If you’re staying in one of the more luxurious suites or have prioritized embarkation, you’ll board in a separate area before the rest of the passengers.

Disembarkation with Virgin Voyages

Disembarkation with Virgin Voyages is available until 10:45am. On the night before, use the Virgin Voyages app to select your disembarkation time. You can sign up for a time under "Shore Things," making it easy to find in the app.

You have the option to leave your luggage outside your room the night before for the crew to transport to the port, or you can take it with you if you prefer. You can also opt for Self-disembarkation, which begins around 7:15 - 7:30am for those who want to carry their bags themselves and leave before others.

Even if you don’t choose self-disembarkation, you can leave your baggage in your room until your selected disembarkation time. This allows you to avoid dragging your luggage to breakfast. So in theory you can wake up around 9am, leave your luggage in your room, enjoy breakfast, return to your room at 10:30am to collect your things, and then disembark.

Virgin Voyages will call guests to disembark according to their assigned times and groups. If you're flying out of Miami, it's best to book a flight for after 12pm to ensure you have plenty of time for customs and getting to the airport.

Book your dream vacation with Virgin Voyages!

Now that you know a lot about Virgin Voyages… why not learn even more!? Yeah, our guides do not end here. We have guides about almost anything you can think of. How about the room options at Virgin Voyages? Or the list of restaurants you can find there? We have those too. You want to know more about the activities offered? We got you covered. Wait, now you want to know about the specific pH levels of the swimming pools during June on a rainy night? We don't have that guide yet, but don't tempt us!

Feel free to message us anytime for the best deals, more information about room options, activities, or anything else you need. Virgin Voyages is known for offering a premium experience to guests, and the same can be said about Famvia. Truly, a match made in heaven.