Travel: The Best of Virgin Voyages

Sir Richard Branson constructed a spaceship, however he’d by no means been on a cruise ship. Assigned seating in fundamental eating rooms, formal apparel nights and children golf equipment aren’t actually his velocity. So, like all issues underneath his scarlet Virgin banner, Branson smashed the mannequin and made a brand new mildew, nixing the buffet, the costume code and everybody underneath the age of 18. 

Meet completely grownup Virgin Voyages, whose second ship Valiant Woman sailed her first, aka “MerMaiden,” Caribbean voyage from the Port of Miami on October 30, 2022. Assume boutique resort on the Vegas strip, the place passengers snag dinner reservations on the shipboard app at any of six signature eating places, don a carnival masks and spill a sexual secret to a stranger at an interactive cabaret present, and circle again for scoops on the fashionable Lick Me Until Ice Cream Parlour (say it quick and blush). If Virgin Voyages had been a film, it could undoubtedly be rated NC-17 for mature audiences. 

The ship’s capability is 2,700 passengers but it surely’s designed like a towering Jenga of cozy, well-appointed areas—together with the cabins, the vast majority of which have a terrace—for lounging or enjoying, that fulfill introverts and extroverts alike. Utilizing the shipboard app’s meals supply characteristic ShipEats, you may order something from popcorn and cake pops to strip steak and chardonnay to be delivered to your cabin. “Shake for Champagne,” then again, finds you anyplace on the ship. Need a bottle of Moët to sip in your Deck 7 chaise? Shake your telephone whereas within the Virgin Voyages app, and a bottle on ice quickly seems, identical to magic. 

Actual magic pops up unexpectedly by the Happenings Forged who interact and entertain, whether or not dancing, juggling or performing magic tips. The headline evenings are intimate and creative. 

“UNTITLED DANCESHOW PARTYTHING” is an immersive efficiency artwork expertise that opens with a digitized cat setting the home guidelines, “Have enjoyable, however don’t be an @sshole.” The viewers stands all through till moved to bop. And everybody dances. In the event that they need to. At “Duel Actuality,” every half of the viewers cheers on one of many two feuding households on the middle of this theatrical acrobatic interpretation of “Romeo and Juliet.” You wouldn’t be the primary to squeeze in a second viewing. “By no means Sleep Alone” is a humorous sex-positive present that has the complete viewers singing Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” within the first 60 seconds and taking part to win a golden condom that may be traded in for a glass of champagne. Sexologist Dr. Anna could push some passengers a bit out of their consolation zone, however that’s the purpose of a Virgin cruise. 

Letting unfastened is best once you aren’t fascinated by what it prices, so let’s begin with the meals.  All 20-plus shops are included, as are fundamental drinks like soda, filtered water, contemporary juice, espresso and tea. Informal choices vary from ramen and midnight made-to-order pizzas to cheeseburgers and breakfast any time. Specialty eating covers Mexican, Italian, veggie-centered, a chef’s desk, steak home and Korean barbeque menus. Even showstopper dishes just like the salt-crusted entire dorade at The Wake are included. There are just a few “deal with your self” add-ons however truthfully, wouldn’t you slightly pay for a dollop of premium caviar together with your champagne or shaved white truffles over your pasta than not have the choice in any respect?  

From the best meals, electrifying leisure and thrilling actions, Virgin Voyages is the epitome of the posh cruise expertise. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF VIRGIN VOYAGES)

Additionally included are all suggestions, health courses (many have a Virgin twist, just like the ‘80s VHS exercise), leisure and fundamental Wi-Fi; although count on to pay for premium except your objective is to unplug fully. After all, there are many methods to spend cash, from getting inked by a top-talent tattoo artist, hitting the tables within the on line casino, indulging with spa remedies, or seamlessly snagging a spot on a shore tour to discover the Caribbean ports with a single faucet within the app. Roatán is new for Virgin, and passengers’ stories from the “MerMaiden” voyage had been across-the-board constructive: horseback driving on the seaside, ziplining by the jungle, and snorkeling on the second-largest barrier reef on the planet. 

Most passengers pre-pay for a bar tab to which Virgin provides a bonus. A faucet of your wristband (which can be your cabin key and ship ID) covers Intelligentsia espresso drinks, a Popcorn Outdated-Usual at Razzle Dazzle, paired wines together with your six-course tasting menu on the Check Kitchen, boozy milkshakes on the Social Membership—you get the image. The beverage program is numerous enjoyable and stacked for journey with out the sticker shock, which may additionally describe a Virgin Voyages cruise. 

If you happen to’ve wanted a nudge to get again out into the world, a Virgin cruise helps you keep in mind how one can have enjoyable. And for those who by no means forgot, then simply go and play. 

Discover the Ports

Virgin Voyages’ two ships cruise the Caribbean by April 22 with itineraries of 4 and 5 days on the Scarlet Woman; and 6 and eight days on the Valiant Woman. Itineraries combine and match from ports together with Key West, Bimini, Puerto Plata, San Juan, St. Croix, Roatán, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Sailings shift to Europe in Might; a brand new ship will add Australia and New Zealand.

Each passenger spends a day in Bimini at Virgin Voyages’ non-public seaside membership. Feeling adventurous? Renting a golf cart (Sue & Pleasure’s) is a sporty option to attempt contemporary conch salad (Stuart’s), Bimini Bread (Nate’s), lobster pizza (Edith’s) and go to the ever-evolving Dolphin Home Museum.

As a result of all of Virgin’s Caribbean cruises depart from Miami, begin your trip a day early. Keep in a bay-view room at InterContinental Miami to observe the cruise ships cross out and in of the harbor. See the compelling murals by famend road artists at Wynwood Partitions Museum then head to Bakan for regional Mexican dishes, the place the ceviche is divine. Within the morning, stroll by Bayfront Park or take the free Metro mover (proper subsequent to the InterContinental) to see the up to date assortment at Pérez Artwork Museum Miami, adopted by brunch on the terrace. From right here, you’ll see the Scarlet or Valiant Woman awaiting your arrival.