Ultimate Guide to Virgin Voyages: Is It Worth It? (2024 Review)

If you're considering booking a Virgin Voyages cruise, you’ve probably heard about its adults-only experience, unique dining concept, and vibrant onboard atmosphere—but is it really worth it?

I (Jessica) sailed on Virgin Voyages' 5-night Dominican Daze itinerary last year (2024), and as someone who has cruised with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises, I was curious to see how this experience stacked up. My husband, Johnny, had never been on a cruise before, so this was a perfect first-time experience for him (though I may have accidentally spoiled him for future cruises).

This guide will break down what makes Virgin Voyages different, what to expect onboard, and tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

The Dock

What Makes Virgin Voyages Different?

I’ve been on my fair share of cruises, but Virgin Voyages feels completely different from the traditional cruise experience. Here’s why:

✔️ Adults-Only: No kids, no chaos—just a relaxing, elevated experience.
✔️ Food Focused: No buffets! Restaurants with chef-curated menus. Everything is made fresh, with restaurant-style dining included.
✔️ No Upcharges for Specialty Dining: On most cruises, you'd have to pay extra for high-end dining experiences—not here!
✔️ Choose Your Own Adventure: Whether you want a wellness retreat, a party weekend, or a foodie getaway, Virgin Voyages lets you craft your own vibe.
✔️ Tech-Driven Experience: Book dining, activities, and excursions through the Virgin Voyages app (a must-download!).

Now, let’s get into the details—from the rooms to the dining and everything in between.

Champagne bar. They also offer afternoon tea!

Who Is This Cruise For?

✔️ Couples – Perfect for a romantic getaway with incredible dining and nightlife.
✔️ Friends & Groups – Ideal for bachelorette parties, birthdays, or a fun getaway with friends.
✔️ Wellness Enthusiasts – Fitness classes, spas, and a health-focused food hall.
✔️ Solo Travelers – Lots of social activities and an inclusive atmosphere. We heard from another sailor that there’s even a solo traveler facebook group that you can join for each sailing!

Sea Terrace Room on Scarlet Lady

Staying in a Sea Terrace Room: Spacious & Smartly Designed

We stayed in a Sea Terrace room, which comes with a balcony and the iconic red hammock.

What We Loved About the Room:

✔️ Spacious Layout: The bed can convert into a couch, making the room feel bigger during the day.
✔️ Tech-Savvy Controls: Everything from the lights to the curtains can be adjusted with a tablet.
✔️ Relaxing Hammock: Perfect for lounging on sea days.
✔️ Great Service: The staff refilled water and amenities daily and were always available if we needed anything.

💡 Tip: If you're traveling in a group, the bed-to-couch feature is great for entertaining in your room.

The Food: Is It Really That Good?

One of the biggest reasons I was excited about Virgin Voyages was the food—no buffets, no mass-produced meals, just fresh, made-to-order food.

Best Restaurants on Virgin Voyages:

Favorite Restaurants Onboard:
✔️ Pink Agave – Mexican-inspired cuisine with bold flavors & perfectly cooked dishes. The mole was our favorite!
✔️The Wake – A classic American steakhouse (the lamb chops were chef’s kiss).
✔️Food Hall Burgers – We had one every single day.

What Makes Virgin Voyages Dining Different?

• No traditional cruise buffets—instead, a food hall concept with fresh-made dishes.

• Restaurant-quality meals are included in the fare (on other cruise lines, these would cost extra!).

• Reservations are required for sit-down restaurants (book through the app 60 days before departure).

🚨 Pro Tip: If you don’t pre-book, you can check for last-minute cancellations by walking in, but don’t count on it!

Tentacles take over the ship for Scarlet Night.

Activities & Entertainment: Choose Your Own Adventure

Virgin Voyages offers a mix of high-energy entertainment, relaxing wellness activities, and social experiences.

Our Favorite Onboard Experiences:

✔️ Scarlet Night: The entire ship transforms into a red-themed party with pop-up performances and DJ sets. A must-experience (and honestly, you can’t avoid it)
✔️ It's a Ship Show: A variety-style show featuring music, acrobatics, and comedy—PLUS, it comes with dinner!
✔️ Plenty of Space to Relax – The pools were never overcrowded, and there were tons of lounge chairs & day beds available.
✔️ Fitness Classes – Limited space & requires pre-booking (we missed out but will plan ahead next time).

🚨 Pro Tip: Use the Virgin Voyages app to book activities before sailing—things fill up FAST!

Shore Excursion in Puerto Plata

What We Did: A food tour booked through the Virgin Voyages app—seamless and well-organized.
Why Book Through Virgin?

• If anything happens, they handle communication with the ship.

• Guaranteed return before departure (no stress about missing the cruise!).

💡 You Don’t Need an Excursion! The cruise port itself is built for tourists with restaurants, shopping, and even a lazy river where you can relax all day.

What We Wish We Knew Before Sailing

✔️ Download the Virgin Voyages App: You can book dining, fitness classes, and activities in advance. The earlier you book, the better!
✔️ Don’t Skip Scarlet Night: It’s unlike anything I’ve seen on a cruise before. Make sure to bring a red outfit!
✔️ Be Open to a Different Cruise Style: No kids, no buffets—embrace the change!
✔️ Don’t Stress About Finding Food: Even if you don’t book restaurants, the food hall has plenty of options.

There are shuffle boards on board!

Final Verdict: Would I Sail Again?

YES, 100%! This was the most stress-free, food-filled, and fun cruise experience I’ve had. The adults-only atmosphere, delicious food, and great entertainment made it stand out from any other cruise I’ve been on.

Another huge perk? Later port departures! Unlike most cruise lines that have you rushing back by 3 or 4 PM, Virgin Voyages allows you to enjoy more time at each destination with later departures. This means you don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn just to squeeze in an excursion—you can take your time, explore, and truly experience the destination without feeling rushed.

If you’re looking for a modern, luxury-feel cruise with amazing food and a relaxed schedule, Virgin Voyages is definitely worth considering.