Virgin Voyages is unlike any other cruise line at sea. Not only are they the only mainstream adults-only cruise line, but they also revolutionized the cruise dining experience by getting rid of crowded buffets and noisy dining rooms.
For years, I've debated going on a Virgin cruise. I had heard mixed reviews about the ships, with some claiming the food wasn't good and the tiny pool deck was a nuisance. However, I had heard stellar things about Virgin's unique entertainment, ranging from murder mystery shows to bingo hosted by drag queens.
I decided it was finally time to give Virgin Voyages a try when I found a good price for Brilliant Lady's "MerMaiden" cruise out of New York City.
Having lived in Manhattan for two years, I'm always looking for an excuse to visit the Big Apple again, and what better way than to pair it with an inaugural cruise?
Considering Virgin Voyages is still a relatively new cruise line compared to giants like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, it's evident that they're still trying to work out some kinks.
For example, the food was disappointing. Although some meals were okay, most were lackluster and forgettable.
Still, being on an adults-only ship was a huge perk. We didn't have to deal with screaming children on the pool deck or running through the cabin hallways.
After 5 days onboard, I'm not convinced Virgin is my new favorite cruise line. However, I understand its appeal.
Here are my honest thoughts about my first-ever Virgin Voyages cruise, and why — even though it had its cons — I would book another sailing in the future.
Easy embarkation
Because my partner and I cruised out of NYC, we didn't embark from Virgin's terminal in Miami, Florida. Still, the process was seamless.
We arrived at Pier 90 around 3:40pm and were on board by 3:55pm. Because we were one of the last to board the ship, there weren't any lines.
As soon as we got out of the Uber, a porter greeted us and tagged our two suitcases. Then, we proceeded into the terminal and went through security, had our travel documentation checked, and received our cruise bands.
Stylish and functional stateroom
Interior staterooms aren't my favorite. However, I couldn't convince myself that spending the extra money on a balcony cabin was worth it for this particular cruise. Even still, we were impressed with our inside cabin.
Measuring around 177 square feet, it wasn't the smallest interior stateroom I've ever stayed in. In fact, it felt surprisingly spacious and was designed to maximize efficiency and functionality.
For example, the touch-screen tablet could be used to control the lighting, change the TV channels, and even order room service.
I also loved the other thoughtful touches to the stateroom, including the complimentary water that was refilled daily, the small towelettes for makeup removal, and the abundance of outlets.
For example, the vanity had two American, one European, and two USB plugs. One thing to note is that, while there are outlets on both sides of the bed (including USB-C ports), some aren't directly next to the headboard. As such, you may want to bring a longer charging cable if you plan on leaving your phone on the nightstand.
The stateroom was equipped with a mat for hot hairstyling tools, too. This meant we didn't have to worry about damaging the vanity with our straightener and curling iron while getting ready for dinner.
Although the bathroom was tiny, the shower was spacious. Plus, the rainfall showerhead and secondary handheld sprayer made it feel fancier than it was.
The most disappointing thing about the cabin was the lack of storage, particularly in the bathroom. Whereas most ships have some sort of wall shelving for toiletries and makeup products, the bathroom on Brilliant Lady had a small edge for our toothbrushes, one built-in cubby, and a single shelf underneath the sink.
Thankfully, I never travel without my hanging toiletries organizer. Having space to keep my products helped keep the vanity clutter-free.
Inclusive fares
For the 5-night "MerMaiden" voyage, it cost just over $2,010 for two people, breaking down to roughly $201 per person, per night.
Virgin Voyages isn't an all-inclusive cruise line; however, its base fares are more inclusive than those of other lines, such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises.
Although extras like shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, laundry, and spa treatments cost extra, the fare includes essential beverages (think soda, water, drip coffee, tea, etc.), gratuities, port fees, entertainment, and all dining.
Hit-or-miss food
Speaking of dining, there aren't any main dining rooms or buffets on any of Virgin's ships. Instead, there's a food hall with made-to-order dishes like ramen, tacos, salads, burgers, and more.
For dinner, guests can choose between six different restaurants that all focus on different cuisines — think Mexican, Italian, Korean BBQ, and more.
We loved the concept, but we were disappointed with a lot of the food. Some dishes left a lot to be desired, while others were inedible, like the pasta from Extra Virgin. Al dente pasta is one thing, but it shouldn't be on the verge of crunchy.
My partner also couldn't stomach the Tamal de Chocolate at Pink Agave. The texture and flavor left a lot to be desired, which was disappointing because everything else at the Mexican restaurant was good.
Additionally, the wait times for all the made-to-order food in The Galley were frustrating. It made grabbing a quick bite to eat difficult, as the grab-and-go options were limited to salads, wraps, and bento boxes.
After talking with other loyal Virgin fans, we chalked the fails up to the fact that it was Brilliant Lady's first revenue sailing. It's hard to get everything right on the first try, but it was obvious they were trying their hardest.
Still, the variety and creativity of Virgin’s dining options were intriguing, and not everything was a miss. For example, the guacamole and chicken enchiladas at Pink Agave were better than anything I ever had on a Royal Caribbean ship on Mexican night.
Moreover, we loved The Wake. The filet mignon wasn't necessarily the best cut of meat I've ever had, but it was well-seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium. My partner said her salmon was cooked well, too.
Gunbae was also a surprising favorite (the Dakgangjeong crispy chicken was one of the best things we had on the ship). However, I regret booking it so late in our sailing. Next time, I wouldn't make a late-night reservation.
Our meal started around 9:30 p.m., and we rushed through the icebreaker drinking game just to get to the food. Nobody stayed for dessert, either. After our table of six had finished our entrées, it was nearly 11:00 p.m.
Lively parties
If you're looking for a party cruise, Virgin Voyages will deliver, I promise. On the first night, there was a late-night PJ party, followed by an electric glow party on the second day.
However, Virgin's claim to fame is the iconic Scarlet Night party. It's more than your average deck party, too. Starting around 9:00pm, the entire ship transforms into a sea of red, with pop-up dance performances, themed cocktails, and more. And yes, you'll want to dress the part!
Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on our side, so the deck party was moved inside. However, despite the last-minute change of plans, the energy was off the charts. The official party began around 10:30 p.m., with the after-party continuing into the early hours of the morning.
Quirky entertainment
Murder in the Manor is a new show exclusive to Brilliant Lady. With only two show times on our 5-night cruise, it was overwhelmingly popular. Guests began lining up around two hours before showtime, which was frustrating.
As such, we didn't make it into the small venue on our first try, having arrived 30 minutes prior. To ensure we didn't miss Murder in the Manor, we joined the line close to the two-hour mark. Waiting paid off because we had great seats.
The show itself was worth the wait, too. It was a humorous blend of drama, mystery, and retro theatrical flair. If you want to figure out who was behind the untimely death of pop star Sheena, you'll have to see the show yourself!
As much as I loved Murder in the Manor, the drag events were a true highlight of sailing with Virgin Voyages. The resident Diva on our ship was Dixie Krystals, and she embodied everything you'd hope for in a headliner drag queen; she was sassy, witty, and hilarious.
Every event — from the late-night Bingo Blitz to a pop-up storytime in The Roundabout and the country-inspired Diva Goes West drag performance — made us appreciate being on an adults-only cruise ship, as she was able to be as uncensored and bold as she wanted to be.
The tattoo parlor is cool but not cheap
I got my first tattoo days after I turned 18. Back then, I would have never imagined I'd get a tattoo on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. Alas, when Scarlet Lady launched with the first-ever tattoo parlor at sea, getting a tattoo at sea quickly landed on my bucket list.
Knowing its popularity, we went to Squid Ink on embarkation day to place our deposits and make a reservation. Less than two hours after they began accepting appointments, they were nearly booked for the entire 5-day cruise.
I've paid upwards of $600 for some of my larger tattoos, especially the two on my right arm. Still, I was shocked when we were quoted $300 for a small fine line piece. I couldn't say no, though.
Was it overpriced? Absolutely. Would I have paid that much at a tattoo parlor on land? No way. However, being able to say I got a custom tattoo of my dog on a cruise ship is pretty cool, and maybe someday, I won't cringe at the price.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
