A New Wave of Sailing is Here

Adults-by-Design Virgin Voyages has officially set sail and is making waves.

By Cynthia Drake

Forget everything you know about cruising. True to founder Richard Branson’s style, starting with its inaugural sailing of the Scarlet Lady last year, Virgin Voyages has upended most of the ideas people typically hold about cruising, and injected a new spirit of fun and adventure into the average cruise vacation.

Here are just a few of the totally unexpected ways you’re guaranteed to find your next good time on board a Virgin Voyages cruise.

Unique food options.

More than 20 eateries with no traditional main dining room means you can let your appetite guide you to your chosen cuisine, whether it’s the on-board vegetarian restaurant, Mexican, ramen, Korean barbecue and more. People are buzzing about The Test Kitchen, billed as part cooking school, part restaurant. And unlike many of the big cruise lines, your nonalcoholic beverages—and gratuities—are included in the price of your cruise vacation.

Shake for Champagne.^™

We’re guessing when you shake your cell phone on land, no one arrives with a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses ready for you to toast. That’s something else that’s a little different on board a Virgin ship.

Cool wellness options.

When you’re in the mood for some detox before you re-tox, you’ll find fun (yes, fun) group fitness classes on board for free, sunrise and sunset yoga, an on-board spa with a mudroom and Botox and other treatments and a fresh-pressed juice bar.

Reimagined staterooms.

The typical cruise stateroom gets a revamp on Virgin, with unique design elements like mood-lighting, touch-screen technology, uniquely configured guest beds and even hammocks on the balcony. Guaranteed to be the envy of other cruise ships on the high seas. Select rockstar-themed suites include a selection of electric guitars to play, bottomless in-room bars, record players and exclusive private rooftop lounge access.

Scintillating evening entertainment.

Say bon voyage to those chorus line shows of old—Virgin has made a big investment in its evening shows, from jaw dropping acrobatics to an absurdist dance party to an interactive and racy late-night cabaret. No one ever claimed these were family shows.

Upended itineraries.

No more early evening all-aboard while you’re in port, or bleary-eyed ship departures on your last day—Virgin plans to include late night and overnight stays in its itineraries. And late morning disembarkation means you can fully enjoy your last night on board.

Unusual excursions.

Shore excursions with Virgin go beyond the ordinary, with adventures like becoming a mermaid for the day (complete with custom-fit tail) or getting away from it all with a day at the exclusive Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas.