29 June 2022

I have finally been on my first ever cruise!! I was given the opportunity with Virgin Voyages, and I didn’t want to turn it down as I have been really intrigued by cruising since starting my business 2 years ago. Like many I had naively followed the stereotypical profile of a cruise passenger, and this was something that had previously played on my mind. How wrong I was to believe this myth but more about that later. My husband and I flew out to Barcelona in May to join Valiant Lady which like all Virgin Voyages is adult only. Our boarding time was a leisurely 13:30pm, Check-in was very organised, very little waiting time, covid passes, test etc shown and we were quickly on board this magnificent ship. First impressions make lasting impressions, and we were certainly not disappointed. Our Cabin We stayed in a Sea Terrace Cabin, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the space we had, the room was ultra-modern, very clean, great balcony space with a very comfy. The room had everything we needed and all the lights, tv etc were controlled via the iPad in the room with great ambience lighting. There was even a rain shower in the bathroom. There is a great selection of cabins available ranging from a few insider cabins all the way up to the Rock Star Suites which are very quirky, large terraces with hot tubs and lots of added extras. The Ship The ship holds 2700 passengers across 17 levels, we soon found our way around quickly and everything was clearly signposted. The ship décor was stunning and high quality and there was attention to detail with the usual Virgin flair we’ve come to expect. Restaurants Eating on Virgin Voyages is very different. You will not find a buffet anywhere on the ship, everything is made to order saving a huge amount of food waste. You can prebook your restaurants prior to the trip all on your Virgin Voyages app which was simple to navigate. With reservations available throughout each evening, you can pick & choice when & where you would like to eat, amending reservations whilst on board even on the day. There are 6 speciality restaurants which are all different and unique with Michelin starred chefs. They range from Italian, Mexican, Korean, Vegetarian and the Test Kitchen which offered a real twist by delivering a cuisine science experience. The galley is an open plan eating area with a vast variety of foods you can order from sushi, toasties, to burgers and is all waiter service. If after a day of exploring, you are too tired or fancy breakfast in bed you can order Ship Eats from your app where food is delivered to you anywhere on the ship and available 24/7. Bars and Entertainment There are lots of different themed bars all over the ship, the champagne bar called The Sip, my personal favourite was The Dock House at the rear of the ship which was perfect for chilled music and sunset views especially when we were leaving ports. Situated In the centre of the ship On The Rocks offers cocktails along with a full bar whilst you listen live music. Loose cannon offers you the chance to relive your youth with entertainment from Pac Man machines to air hockey. As the sun sets if dancing is your thing head to The Manor nightclub, the Groupie for karaoke, Casino for a bit of a gamble, Voyage Vinyl to spin some records and the Red Room for live performances where we saw the amazing dance show Dual Reality. One night of the sailing is the Scarlet Party where you are asked to wear a splash of red and the top deck comes alive for a pool party, an event not to be missed. Fitness & Wellness The ship has a great gym for sailors to keep up their fitness routines should they wish, they offer a variety fitness classes from yoga, bungee classes, HIIT and lots more. There is an outside running track on the top deck, boxing ring, gym, and basketball court. For wellness on the waves the spa offers a huge variety of treatments and spa facilities. A hair salon for a quick blow dry or a barber for a relaxing shave. There is even a tattoo parlour Squid Ink for those wanting a permanent reminder of their holiday. Virgin Voyages has really thought of everything when creating their cruise experience but what really stood out was the high standard of customer service from the crew. From the moment we boarded everyone was very friendly, helpful, and chatty. It was evident the crew were relaxed and enjoyed working on the ship which created a very positive customer experience. The ship is for adults only and on our cruise, we were accompanied by a real variety of passengers from across the age spectrum. Due to this I believe Virgin Voyages are dispelling some of the myths of sailing and making it a fashionable way to travel/holiday. I really enjoyed waking up in a new destination each day * and I will be booking another Virgin Voyage cruise in the near future. The worldwide cruise market has many options available to those looking to explore, Virgin Voyages will shortly be taking delivery of their third ship and offering cruises not only in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean but also in Australasia. *The cruise I travelled on was the French Daze and Ibiza Nights visiting Barcelona, Marseille, Cannes, Olbia and Ibiza