10/09/2024
I have recently returned from a 5 night trip on Virgin Voyages onboard Resilient Lady one of 4 ships Virgin currently have. The ship is 110,000 tonnes with less than 3000 passengers onboard.
We left from Portsmouth to visit Amsterdam and Bruges.
I must admit I wasn’t sure what to expect, I had heard a lot about this newish cruise brand, the opportunity to see for myself was well worth it.
To start with the process began with the Virgin Voyages App which you put on your phone, register your self, upload a photo and register a payment card, your booking will be there plus lots more pre cruise information including a plan of the ship and all the facilities onboard. You can pre book excursions and dining reservations and purchase a bar tab if you want to. If you prefer you can pay for drinks as you go. As you get closer to your sailing date more information comes through on the App. Nothing is on paper, bag tags are issued at the embarkation port.
Included in your fare will be gratuities, basic WiFi, tea, coffee and water. You can upgrade your WiFi onboard which I did for $20 a day.
At check in you are given a wrist band which stays on all the time, this is your ID to get onboard, you open your cabin door with the band and use the band to pay for anything onboard.
Virgin Voyages were always going to shake things up, for example no key cards, no dress code, come as you are, no set meal sittings, no formal nights. Passengers are sailors and onboard credit is sailor loot. Crew are all informally dressed. This creates a relaxed atmosphere onboard.
Multiple dining venues onboard, no cover charges for any venue, some you pre book via the app or when you are onboard, some you walk in.
Anything from Pizza, Burgers, food to grab and go, Ice Cream, The Galley with multiple areas to find what you want. Extra Virgin Italian, The Wake Mediterranean, Pink Agave Mexican, Gumbae table based Korean BBQ, The Test Kitchen (think Heston Blumental meets Science Lab) literally something for everyone whatever your tastes. All good is free of charge other than a few highlights items on any menu.
Outside deck space spreads across 2 decks, sun beds , cabanas and jacuzzis and pools along with bars just waiting for you. Don’t forget the sports deck for the runners and walkers or the sports courts.
Inside you can find numerous different areas and bars and areas to sit, some almost hidden, some have a few seats some have many more. A games area with board games and jigsaws, this place was always busy.
Not forgetting an extensive spa and gym area, yoga areas inside and outside.
Shops and more shops plus a tattoo place, very Virgin.
Happy smiley staff everywhere on hand to help.
Virgin are quite techy onboard, I have mentioned the wrist band (photo below) small tablet in the cabin controls the TV, room lighting and facilities, you can contact sailor services for help, contact your cabin steward. Quite easy to use.
The daily program A Hoy Sailor, can be found on the TV or the App or a paper copy is issued everyday to collect from various points around the ship.
Entertainment happened all over the the place, quizzes daytime and evening, later in the day a single guitarist playing, or a full on immersive performance in one of the multi use venues. Lot to chose from, or simply sit in one of the many bars, what you want to do.
As you would expect a range of cabins onboard, I was in a Sea Terrace with the red hammock on the balcony, all balcony cabins have their own hammock!
There are also Rock Star suites, the higher grade cabins get you exclusive access to Richard’s Roof Top, a retreat style area with key entry.
The big night on a Virgin Voyage is Scarlet Night, many onboard wear red, some all in red some just a splash of red. The atmosphere builds inside, then the party moves out on deck to be around the pool with a show from the singers and dancers.
Virgin want you to be relaxed and comfortable onboard, you being you they say. You can easily find quiet parts of the ship at any time of day or you take part in everything and party all day, if that is what you want.
Virgin do have some sailings from Portsmouth, during the summer fly cruising to the Mediterranean then winter in the Caribbean, Far East and Australia feature too, other destinations are planned along with a 5th ship in 2025.
If you would like to like to know more about a Virgin Voyage get in touch.
You can call me on 0800 093 1320 or 01425 639155.
