Hammocks, Parties, and Paper Straws: My Virgin Voyages Experience
We recently sailed Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady to see what all the excitement was about. Virgin is known for doing things differently with adults only, no open buffets, no formal nights, and a modern, party-loving vibe. I went partly to enjoy the trip with friends, and partly to see if this line would be a good fit for my clients. Along the way, I found some things I loved and a few that weren’t much of a match for me personally. Since every traveler is different, I thought I’d share my experience so you can decide if Virgin Voyages might be a fit for you.
Dining and Food Experience
One thing that really impressed me was how the crew handled my food allergy. From day one, they went above and beyond to guide me toward safe choices and to warn me away from foods that might cause an issue. That kind of attentiveness made the journey much smoother than I expected.
That said, I quickly discovered a surprise: almost everything onboard was cooked in soybean oil. Fried foods, sautéed dishes, even breakfast meats were made this way. As someone with a soy allergy, this became a big limitation. For most travelers, this wouldn’t be an issue at all, and many people onboard didn’t even notice. For me, though, it meant fewer options than I’m used to on other cruise lines.
The food itself, however, was creative, fresh, and beautifully presented. Virgin takes pride in offering a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian meals. Meat is available but not always as central as on other lines, which is a plus for some cruisers, but it left us with fewer menu options. That said, the meat options available were delicious. All of the specialty-style restaurants are included in the cruise fare, so there’s no need to pay extra for a fine-dining experience.
Atmosphere and Vibe
Virgin Voyages leans into its reputation as a modern, party-friendly cruise line. With themed events, lively nightlife, and no kids onboard, the ship has an energetic feel throughout the day and night.
For travelers who love music, you’ll be in your element as it plays nearly everywhere, from bars and cafés to pool decks. For me, the constant soundtrack felt overwhelming at times, and I found myself retreating to quieter corners when I needed a break. Unfortunately, those quiet corners were hard to find and after searching several decks, it appeared that the best were found at port or starboard on deck 7, away from the active areas. Some of those were near the lifeboats or other parts of the ship a person wouldn’t typically think to visit. The other location was aft on deck 15 behind the galley but more specifically, in the early morning hours before the bulk of passengers were active.
Public gathering areas tended to feel small and crowded, especially during events or games, and the ceilings in some of these spaces felt low compared to other cruise ships. That said, the ship’s décor is sleek and modern, and there’s a sense of energy that many of my fellow passengers really enjoyed.
What I Loved
- Crew went above and beyond with allergy support
- High-quality food, creative presentation
- Specialty restaurants included (no extra dining fees)
- Hammocks on every balcony
- Tips and Wi-Fi included in the cruise fare
- Bar Tab (drinks purchased are pulled from this & only as used)
- Adults-only atmosphere
- Wristband for stateroom access and onboard purchases
- Thermal spa
- Private beach club at Bimini
- Fun, energetic entertainment and events
- Two water jugs in each stateroom, refilled daily
What Wasn’t a Fit for Me
- Only one pool, often crowded and not ideal for swimming
- Some hot tubs are without jets, more of a warm bath feeling
- Most foods cooked in soybean oil (a big allergy limitation for me)
- Music playing nearly 24/7 with few quiet spaces
- Some quiet spaces are in paid areas (Cabanas, Richard’s Rooftop)
- Public event areas felt small and crowded
- Board game area crowded with other activities & loud music so can’t hear each other
- Paper straws (bring a reusable if that matters to you)
- Bar Tab – can’t pay tips to crew with leftover/extra money in the tab
Another Traveler’s Perspective
I wasn’t the only one taking notes during our sailing. One of my fellow travelers made her own list of highlights and drawbacks. For her, the positives really stood out. She raved about the energy of the crew and how friendly and fun they were, as well as the attentiveness of her cabin host. The balcony hammock quickly became a favorite (she called it addicting), and she appreciated touches like tips and Wi-Fi being included, waterproof wristbands for easy drink ordering even while in the pool, and the ever-filled water jugs in the stateroom. She also noted how much she enjoyed the shows and themed parties, the thermal spa (well worth the extra cost on a sea day), and Virgin’s private Beach Club at Bimini. Even one of the smaller pools, which had jets and cooler water, ended up being a highlight.
She did, however, point out a few things that didn’t quite meet her expectations. As a vegetarian, she found the food somewhat bland compared to what she had hoped for. The stateroom bathroom felt cramped to her and so small that she and her travel companion joked about needing to step out so the other could have space. She also mentioned the room’s lighting wasn’t great, the automatic curtains were overly sensitive, and some small design details in The Galley (like the doors to the back seating and the single-sided access) could have been more convenient. And like me, she wasn’t a fan of paper straws.
Overall, her impression echoed mine: Virgin Voyages delivers a lively, modern cruise experience with plenty of unique perks, though not every feature will appeal to every type of traveler.
Final Thoughts
Between my experience and hers, it’s clear that Virgin Voyages shines brightly for some travelers while leaving others wishing for a different style of cruise. Virgin is bold, modern, and unlike any other line I’ve sailed. If you love great food, energetic nightlife, and the ease of no kids, no tips, and no extra dining fees, you’ll probably love it. If you prefer more traditional cruising with quiet corners, larger pool decks, and classic experiences, it might not be the best fit.
The good news? There’s a cruise line out there for every type of traveler. My goal is to help you find the one that matches your style best; whether that’s Virgin Voyages or something more traditional.
Journeys By Jill 
This is a great review of this cruiseline and ship experience. Appreciate the sharing of your journey onboard!
LikeLike