Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages: adults-only cruises with a yacht-inspired fleet

Virgin Voyages is a cruise line aimed exclusively at an adult audience. Its offering is built around a fleet of four ships — referred to in the company's own communications as "lady ships" — with a design inspired by luxury yachts. The company has been recognized by Travel + Leisure as the number one among the world's mega ships for four consecutive years, a distinction the cruise line itself highlights in its presentation.

Destinations and routes

The itinerary offering spans the Caribbean, Europe, North America, Alaska and transatlantic and repositioning crossings. Embarkation ports include Miami (Florida), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Athens (Piraeus, Greece), Barcelona (Spain), Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy), Los Angeles (California), Seattle (Washington) and New York. The company mentions more than 150 cruise destinations and includes stops such as the Beach Club at Bimini, in the Bahamas.

The catalog of voyages published on the site includes examples such as a 4-night cruise to Key West and Bimini Beach Club from Miami, a 5-night cruise to the Dominican Republic and Bimini Beach Club, a 7-night cruise through the Western Caribbean or the Southern Caribbean with nights in Aruba, an 8-night cruise through the Eastern Caribbean, a 7-night cruise through the Greek Isles with an overnight in Mykonos, a 7-night cruise through the French Riviera and Italy from Barcelona, a 10-night cruise through the Greek Isles and the Adriatic, a 12-night Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Athens, a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise from Los Angeles, a 7-night Alaska cruise with the Inside Passage and glacial fjords from Seattle, and crossings from New York such as the 12-night Bermuda and Caribbean cruise to San Juan. Themed itineraries are also listed, such as a true crime cruise or a Halloween-themed one, and a 5-night voyage called Stuff at Sea from New York.

Onboard experience

The cruise line structures its onboard offering around several pillars: accommodations, dining, bars and drinks, casino, entertainment, fitness and spa. In accommodations it distinguishes between cabins and suites; the latter, called RockStar, include brass finishes, marble bathrooms, spacious terraces for stargazing, champagne tables and exclusive service.

In dining, the site states that it has more than twenty dining venues with menus created by Michelin-starred chefs, including Italian cuisine, Korean barbecue, a Test Kitchen with an epicurean approach and comfort food options for the night. The drinks offering includes the Draught House for beer, cocktails such as the mojito by the pool and cold-pressed juices after exercise.

Entertainment ranges from mystery and murder dinner theater to 1990s-themed dance parties, with productions and performances by producers and artists the company describes as top-tier. In wellness, the ship has the B-Complex gym, group classes and the Redemption Spa, with plunge pools, sauna, heated marble benches and restorative treatments.

All-inclusive fares

Virgin Voyages sells its voyages under an all-inclusive pricing model that, according to the company, represents more than $1,000 in value. The fare includes onboard WiFi, access to all restaurants, soda and water, non-pressed juices, teas and filter coffee, fitness classes such as yoga, meditation, cycling or HIIT, and entertainment shows.

Programs and complementary services

The cruise line offers loyalty programs, cruise financing, packages, group cruises, onboard weddings and corporate cruises. It also sells shore excursions, and has specific rates for Florida residents. Among its promotions in effect at the time of the analysis were discounts such as 70% off for the second passenger and West Coast escapes from Los Angeles with a value of up to $1,400.

Operation and structure

The company operates under the entity Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited and offers telephone support Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It has a mobile app for iOS and Android, and publishes documentation on sustainability, accessibility, privacy policies and promotional terms, among other regulatory aspects.