What To Expect From a Virgin Voyages Cruise in Europe 2023
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That's OK because the communal dining and drinking games (you don't get the full experience if you don't play) aren't as much fun without a group. You'll want to make your dinner reservations as soon as you get on board. One thing that surprised me was the ship requests you also make reservations for breakfast, brunch or lunch at sit-down restaurants, such as The Wake and Razzle Dazzle. Walk-ins are welcome at less busy times (such as right when the venue opens for breakfast), but I was lightly scolded for not booking in advance. It had one upright chair in the corner and a vegan leather stool under the table that doubled as desk and vanity. The table is next to a unit housing the mini-fridge and two small shelves, but there is no additional storage.
How can members get the deal?
30% transfer bonus from Capital One miles to Virgin Red - Frequent Miler
30% transfer bonus from Capital One miles to Virgin Red.
Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you sail from Miami, then your cruise will include a stop at The Beach Club. This is Virgin Voyages’ private destination on Bimini in The Bahamas. It features a huge pool area, plenty of spots to relax, and a wide stretch of white sand beach and electric blue water. If you’re used to traditional cruise lines, one thing that might catch you off-guard is the lack of announcements. There’s no cruise director on the ship, so there’s not someone coming over the intercom every few hours to tell you what’s happening. One hard part of creating a new cruise line is getting customers that are loyal to another line to give it a shot.
Hot Tubs at the Back of the Ship Rarely Get Full
I embarked on an itinerary in late May 2023 that included stops in some of Europe’s most idyllic summer holiday spots, from Ibiza to Cannes. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from a Virgin Voyages sailing and whether I thought it was worth it. Teetering the waters between a cruise enthusiast and a complete newbie, I was inclined to try one of Virgin Voyages’ European sailings this summer. If you’re a points and miles enthusiast like me, you’ll want to look out for stellar deals through Virgin Red where you can book one of Virgin Voyages’s weeklong European cruises for just 80,000 Virgin Points. Unlike some other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages also is eschewing buffets, dress codes and big Broadway-style theater shows.
From getting pampered to popping champagne, what’s happening on our adults only cruise ships.
I can see first-time and older cruisers being especially confounded by the lack of guidance on board. While more announcements aren't the answer, I'm sure Virgin Voyages could figure out unobtrusive ways to give sailors a helping hand. You'll also get all your meals included, as well as free Wi-Fi while on board, gratuities and entrance to all onboard shows. You also can get a four-night cruise for two out of Miami that normally costs around $2,000 or more for 110,000 points. While Virgin Voyages aims to appeal to millennials, there’s a wide range of guests onboard from 18 to 65+. From the hostess stand to the menus at the table, it felt like dining at a real restaurant every step of the way.
It can be a little annoying as it wears a bit loose, but it is also nice not to have to dig into your pocket every time you want to get into the room. If you want to stream video or music, then you’ll need to upgrade. The cost is $15 per day and you can do it by the day or the entire trip. When we upgraded we reached speeds of around 6 Mbps and had no issues streaming such as buffering or lagging. It did take a few minutes of watching before the picture turned to sharp HD. Many lines have hidden clues in cabin hallways to help you navigate.
The Dock and The Dock House are twin restaurants rocking the Mediterranean resort vibe. The Dock House is an indoor lounge where you and your sweetie can sip cocktails flavored with figs and anise while nibbling on mezze, like beet hummus and watermelon and feta salad, and pretending you're in Ibiza. The Wake also serves brunch and lunch, but I wouldn't recommend it for breakfast. The menu is tiny and fancy, mostly variants of eggs Benedict, a decadent brioche French toast, steak and eggs and a vegan dish.
Miami is the only US city that was founded by a woman — Julia Tuttle.
However, Virgin Voyages makes the meeting brief so you can go about and enjoy the rest of the cruise. Now, all left to do is clink your glasses for a Champagne toast as you watch the boat sail away. Once you’re on board, you can access the Virgin Voyages app by connecting to the onboard Wi-Fi — which serves as the hub for everything you need to know about the cruise. The luggage drop-off and security screening process was seamless and took under 15 minutes.
Sail from Barcelona or Athens
Instead of ordering at the counter, you find a seat, flag down a waiter and put in your order, which will be brought to you when ready. The 110,000-ton ship features 1,330 cabins and 78 suites and can carry 2,770 passengers at maximum capacity. That's a lot smaller than the newest ships from lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. The balance works well; the ship does not feel oppressively crowded, but there are plenty of restaurants, bars and attractions on board to keep you entertained at sea. You can still get in on this deal by using points from one of several major credit card programs. You can transfer points to the Virgin Red program from the American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou programs.
For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line uses the carpet design to point the way forward with fish swimming ahead or arrows pointing forward. Now you will need to have fairly high status on another cruise line to get a match (for example, Platinum or higher on Carnival) so not everyone will be able to take advantage. What you don’t want to do is feel out of the loop by leaving your red at home. In partnership with the Virgin Group, Virgin Voyages is jointly funded by Bain Capital, one of the world’s leading private multi-asset alternative investment firms.
Sometimes, those nooks were tucked-away bars, like the Dock House Bar, just slightly off the main thoroughfare. Or, perhaps they were cute seating areas, like the curtained-off tables at the Sip bar or day beds on the open-air decks. If you're someone who likes to go out – to dinner, a show, a bar or a party – this social ship will be for you. Many restaurants have communal tables designed to bring people together, such as Gunbae, where tables exclusively seat six and you're encouraged to join in a drinking game with your newly-met tablemates. The entertainment is top notch, but it's more experimental and modern than the traditional song-and-dance cruise ship shows. Each of these programs offers different credit cards that allow you to earn points on everyday spending, which can then be transferred to Virgin Atlantic.
Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts... There are 4 new deals available for Mediterranean all-inclusive cruises that are bookable using Virgin Red points. The bottom line is that everyone values their points differently, and not everyone likes cruises.
Its presence made a forgettable, utilitarian room desirable and memorable. The only storage is in the closet area, and as in a micro hotel, your clothes won't exactly be hanging behind closed doors. One tall cabinet with a door houses four not-that-deep drawers and shelves, many of which house the safe, life jackets and extra towels. But your clothes will hang from a rack behind a curtain that you likely won't bother to close.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, and your complimentary access covers two devices logged in at a time per passenger. If you wish to stream music and video, you can pay to upgrade to a Premium Wi-Fi plan, subject to availability. On Deck 6, men can get a shave at Stubble and Groom, while women can get blowouts for Scarlet Night at Dry Dock. Also here is Virgin Voyages' groundbreaking tattoo parlor, Squid Ink, where you can pay inflated rates for the bragging rights of having gotten a tattoo at sea. For your other bodily needs, The Tune Up offers medispa treatments, manicures and pedicures by the pool on Deck 15.
Other ports of call may include Key West; Cozumel/Playa del Carmen or Costa Maya, Mexico; or Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Virgin Voyages is known for its creative fitness classes, such as an '80s-themed workout where crew and guests don legwarmers and neon leotards to set the mood. As with the Grog Walk and prime dining times, group workouts also book up quickly, so reserve them as soon as you can. Also unlike the classes you may have tried on other cruise lines, Virgin's are aimed at active, younger adults, not seniors. Scarlet Lady succeeds in creating intimate spaces onboard a big ship, and I loved all the inviting nooks I found on board.
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