Virgin Voyages is the adults-only cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson — no kids, no buffet, no formal night, and a fleet of sleek ships led by Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady, with Brilliant Lady the newest addition to the fleet. I've sailed Virgin myself more than once, solo and with my best friend, and first-timers always have the same questions.
What's actually included in the fare?
More than you're used to if you've sailed the big mainstream lines. All of the restaurants are included — not just a main dining room, but the full spread: a steakhouse, a gorgeous Mexican spot, handmade Italian, Korean BBQ, a veggie-forward restaurant with a secret menu for meat eaters like me, and more. Gratuities are included. Wi-Fi is included. Group fitness classes are included. Soda, drip coffee, tea, and filtered water are included too.
What's not included: alcohol and fancy coffees, which are priced reasonably and paid as you go. Virgin also has a fun twist where you can add a "bar tab" before you sail — and the line frequently sweetens it with bonus credit, which is one of the things I watch for my clients.
How is dining different without a buffet?
This is the change people worry about and then immediately love. Instead of a buffet, The Galley is a food hall of individual stations where nearly everything is made to order — and the central areas are open around the clock. You order what you want, it's cooked when you order it, and you never carry a beige tray past a sneeze guard. Reservations for the main restaurants open in the app before you sail, and snagging those early is one of the first things I handle for my travelers.
What surprises first-timers most?
The energy, starting at the gangway — crew dancing, music playing, and a 6pm sail-away with free champagne. Instead of one cruise director, Virgin sails with a whole Happenings Cast, each with their own personality and events; I wrote a whole post about my own sailings and how much fun the Cast made them. Entertainment skews bold — acrobatic shows, live bands, late-night parties — and there's even a tattoo parlor at sea.
Cabins surprise people too: the sea terrace rooms come with a red hammock on the balcony, which is exactly as great as it sounds. And the vibe is welcoming in a way that's hard to oversell — solo travelers get planned meetups, celebrations get celebrated, and nobody is herding you to a photo station.
Who is it for? Couples, friend groups, solo travelers, and honeymooners who want a grown-up ship with great food. Who isn't it for? Families with kids — it's strictly adults — and travelers who want quiet, traditional cruising. If you're somewhere in between, that's what I'm for: I've sailed her, I book her constantly, and my planning is free. Ask me anything.