I’m an avid cruiser who has spent more than 100 weeks at sea on various lines. But until this past summer, I hadn’t tried the adults-only Virgin Voyages.
I sailed on Scarlet Lady for my first Virgin Voyage cruise. Lori A. May
I’m a seasoned cruiser and have sailed on many different lines, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.
But it wasn’t until this past summer that I sailed on the adults-only Virgin Voyages for the first time.
Their focus on wellness appealed to me, and I couldn’t resist their fun, relaxed vibe. So I paid $2,711, inclusive of taxes and port fees, for a 5-night sailing on the Scarlet Lady.
I booked an XL Sea Terrace balcony cabin and the price included gratuities, Wi-Fi, beverages like soda, and specialty dining.
During my sailing from Miami to the Dominican Republic and Bahamas, I swam in the pools, sampled nine different specialty eateries, and never felt overcrowded even though Scarlet Lady is only slightly above what Cruise Critic considers to be a mid-size ship. It can accommodate up to 2,770 passengers who are aged 18 and over, and 86% of guest cabins have a balcony.
As hoped, I enjoyed a relaxing getaway, but there were many things that surprised me, even as an experienced cruiser. Here’s a closer look, including why I plan to sail with Virgin Voyages again.