Virgin Voyages Review: Is This Adults-Only Cruise Line Right for You? (An Advisor's Honest Guide)
- Jacqlyne
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As a certified Travel Advisor and First Mate specialist, all opinions, reviews, and insights shared here are entirely my honest, first-hand experiences.
When Virgin Voyages entered the cruise market, they promised to break every rule of traditional cruising—no kids, no buffets, no dress codes, and no hidden nickel-and-dime fees. But does the reality live up to the hype?
As a certified travel advisor and Virgin Voyages First Mate specialist, I don’t just book these sailings for clients—I experience them myself. I recently stepped aboard the Scarlet Lady for a 13-night repositioning cruise from Portsmouth (London) down to Barcelona, calling at incredible ports across Portugal, Morocco, and Spain.
Here is my honest, behind-the-scenes review of what it’s really like to sail with Virgin Voyages, how the adults-only vibe feels in real life, and how to decide if it’s the right fit for your next getaway.
🚢 Ready to Find Your Sailing Vibe? Whether you want to explore the Mediterranean, island-hop through the Caribbean, or celebrate a milestone birthday at sea, I can help you secure the best stateroom, extra loot (onboard credit), and perks. Explore Virgin Voyages Sailings & Rates or Schedule a Cruise Consultation with Journeys by Jacqy.
The Vibe: Boutique-Hotel-at-Sea Meets Adults-Only Relaxation
The first thing you'll notice on a Virgin ship is the complete absence of kids—and everything that usually comes with them. There are no screeching pool-deck water slides, no loudspeaker announcements interrupting your afternoon nap, and no long lines for traditional cruise trivia games.
Instead, Virgin Voyages creates a boutique-hotel-at-sea atmosphere.
By Day: Lounge on plush daybeds, take a wellness class at B-Complex, sip a fresh smoothie from The Daily Mix, or relax on the sun deck with an iced coffee.
By Night: The ship transforms with energetic music, sophisticated lighting, interactive pop-up shows, and vibrant nightlife—without feeling like an overwhelming frat party.
Torn between Virgin and a more traditional cruise line? Read my full breakdown on Virgin Voyages vs. Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity: How to Choose the Right Cruise Line.
Cabin Breakdown: Modern Tech, Clever Layouts & The Iconic Hammock
Virgin’s cabins are built around flexibility, high-tech comfort, and modern aesthetic choices. Every room features room controls via a custom tablet (lighting scenes, TV, curtains, and temperature) and smart storage solutions.
Cabin Categories Overview:
Insider Cabins: Cozy, budget-friendly interior rooms designed for active cruisers who just need a sleek place to sleep.
Sea Terrace Cabins: Virgin’s signature balcony rooms, featuring their famous red hand-woven hammock on the terrace, a transformable Seabed, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
RockStar & Mega RockStar Suites: The ultimate luxury tier offering private vinyl record players, dedicated agents ("RockStar Agents"), exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop, and complimentary bar setups.
Advisor Experience: Staying in the XL Sea Terrace
During my 13-night sailing aboard Scarlet Lady, I stayed in an XL Sea Terrace. If you are torn between a standard balcony and something a bit roomier, the XL Sea Terrace is worth every penny.
It provides noticeable extra square footage, a larger split-bathroom design with an upgraded, surprisingly spacious rainfall shower, and extra vanity space—making getting ready for dinner or evening shows completely seamless. Plus, ending every night reading in that hand-woven red hammock over the ocean was easily one of my favorite parts of the room!
Not sure which deck or stateroom position to choose on the ship? Check out my guide on How to Pick the Best Cabin Location on a Cruise Ship (And Which Ones to Avoid).
Entertainment & Nightlife: Immersive, Unexpected, and No Boring Shows
Forget standard Broadway revues or traditional ballroom dancing. Virgin Voyages turned cruise entertainment on its head by collaborating with world-class directors, choreographers, and producers.
What to Expect Onboard:
Interactive & Immersive Shows: From high-flying acrobatics in Duel Reality to immersive, boundary-pushing pop-up theater, you are often part of the experience.
The Red Room: The first transformable theater at sea. It shifts from a standard proscenium theater into a flat-floor rave or an alley stage depending on the production.
Scarlet Night: The flagship celebration of the entire cruise! Everyone wears red, the ship transforms with glowing red decor, and the party moves from dynamic indoor spaces to a wild pool-deck finale.
The Manor: A stunning, multi-level nightclub entered via an iconic, Instagram-famous mirrored light tunnel.
The Groupie: Private karaoke rooms you can reserve with friends for a private singing session.
Celebrating on Board: VIP Packages & Birthday Magic
Virgin Voyages is one of the best lines for celebrating milestones. I spent my own birthday on this sailing, and taking advantage of Virgin's add-on packages elevated the entire experience.
A Splash for Your Bash (My Birthday Highlight!)
If you are celebrating a birthday, promotion, or group trip, Virgin offers A Splash for Your Bash. I used this package for my birthday, and it added so much special treatment to the voyage!
What’s Included: A curated birthday brunch at Razzle Dazzle (complete with celebratory drinks and sweet treats), bottomless bubbles events, dedicated group dinner arrangements, and fun surprise perks throughout the sailing.
Between my birthday brunch at Razzle Dazzle, an elevated dinner at The Wake, and private room karaoke at The Groupie, it was easily one of the most memorable birthday celebrations I’ve ever had!
A Splash of Romance
Planning an anniversary, honeymoon, or romantic getaway? A Splash of Romance is an exclusive package limited to a small number of cabins per sailing.
What’s Included: Priority boarding, a champagne sail-away party, exclusive daily cold-pressed juices, access to the Thermal Suite at Redemption Spa for a day, curated aphrodisiac food pairings delivered to your room, and a special sunset hour event.
Food & Dining: Over 20 Specialty Eateries, Zero Buffets
Virgin Voyages has no main dining room with assigned seating times and zero buffets. Every restaurant is an included specialty eatery with meals cooked fresh to order.
Dining Highlights:
Gunbae: Interactive Korean BBQ where you sit at communal tables, play drinking games with your server, and enjoy grilled meats right at your table.
The Test Kitchen: An avant-garde multi-course tasting menu inspired by gastronomy—feels like dining in a high-end Michelin-starred lab!
Extra Virgin: Rich, handmade pasta and regional Italian classics.
Pink Agave: Elevated Mexican small plates paired with an extensive mezcal and tequila menu.
The Wake: Sophisticated steak-and-seafood dining located at the ship’s aft with sweeping ocean views.
The Galley: Virgin’s food hall replacing the buffet—order sushi, tacos, diner classics, or noodle bowls right from your table.
Unlike traditional lines with costly drink packages and dining upcharges, Virgin handles meals and Bar Tabs differently. Compare this to traditional cruise math in my article: Are Cruise Drink Packages & Specialty Dining Really Worth It?.
What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra
Virgin’s transparent pricing model makes budgeting for your cruise straightforward.
Included in Every Fare | What Costs Extra |
All 20+ Specialty Dining Spots (No upcharges) | Alcoholic Beverages & Specialty Coffee (Managed via flexible Bar Tabs) |
Essential Beverages (Water, drip coffee, teas, sodas, non-craft juices) | Shore Excursions ("Shore Things") |
Unlimited Basic Wi-Fi | Spa Treatments & Onboard Tattoo Parlor (Squid Ink) |
All Group Fitness Classes (Spin, HIIT, yoga, bungee class) | Add-On Packages (Splash of Romance / Splash for Your Bash) |
All Onboard Shows & Entertainment |
Port Highlights: Long Stays & Vibrant Shore Excursions
A cruise is only as good as the destinations it takes you to. During my itinerary, we sailed from Portsmouth to Lisbon, Casablanca, Málaga, Ibiza, and Barcelona. Virgin’s port schedules often include late-night stays or overnights, giving you far more time to immerse yourself in local culture.
Two absolute highlights from my port days were:
Málaga, Spain: I visited the historic Bullring and Alcazaba before heading to an intimate Flamenco & Gastronomy Show. Watching authentic flamenco dancers up close while tasting local dishes was an unforgettable cultural moment.
Ibiza, Spain: Ibiza isn’t just about the nightlife—though I definitely checked out the iconic clubs! During the day, I booked an exhilarating Quad/ATV Tour across the island's rugged countryside and coastal paths. It was easily one of the best shore excursions of the entire trip!
Deciding whether to book Virgin’s 'Shore Things' or plan private tours? See my advice on Shore Excursions: Should You Book Through the Cruise Line or an Independent Advisor?.
Is Virgin Voyages Right for You?
Perfect For:
Adults (18+) who want a sophisticated, kid-free vacation.
Food lovers who prefer cooked-to-order specialty meals over buffet lines.
Cruisers who hate hidden add-on costs like Wi-Fi fees and gratuities.
Might Not Be the Best Fit For:
Families traveling with guests under 18.
Cruisers who love formal nights, captain’s dinners, and classic cruise traditions.
Travelers looking for quiet, traditional ballroom dancing and bingo-centric days.
If this is your first time taking to the open ocean, start with my beginner guide to Cruising 101: Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Ocean Cruise.
🚢 Book Your Virgin Voyages Experience
As a Virgin Voyages First Mate specialist, I can help you pick the perfect stateroom deck location, add promotional Bar Tab credits, or set up milestone packages like Splash for Your Bash.
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