Thanks to Malika Bowling for sharing this story and her review of the Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady.
Photo credit: Malika Bowling
The cruising industry has opened up to a previously unaddressed market.
Introducing Virgin Voyages – a cruise line exclusively for adults focusing on fine dining, fitness enthusiasts, and entertaining experiences for grown-ups.
Virgin has tackled common criticisms of cruising and resolved many of these concerns.
Opting out of the typical Caribbean experience, I chose Virgin’s 7-day Adriatic Gems cruise, which stops in Croatia and Montenegro before returning to the Greek island of Corfu. On embarkation day, I expected a lengthy wait but was pleasantly surprised to board within just five minutes after arriving.
Stateroom: Unlike many other cruise lines, most cabins on Virgin Voyages feature balconies. A unique highlight is the signature red hammocks, which you’ll find yourself using more than anticipated. The room felt spacious after we stored our luggage under the bed. Additionally, the expansive counter, covering about half the room, was ideal for laying out laptops, books, and smaller items like jewelry. You’ll receive two large bottles of water daily in your room, and I particularly appreciated the electronic buttons for ‘Do Not Disturb’ or ‘Service Requested.’
Ship: Virgin launched its first vessel in 2021, making everything onboard quite new. The elevators are well-spaced and plentiful, ensuring minimal wait times no matter where you are on the ship. The pool is on the smaller side, perfect for lounging rather than swimming laps. A feature I loved is that chairs cannot be reserved indefinitely with towels; if left unattended for 40 minutes, they are cleared by staff.
On the top deck, you’ll find a basketball court, swings, see-saws, and additional quiet areas for relaxation away from the party atmosphere.
Shows: The ship offers several magic performances, including a comedic duo that had the audience in stitches and a solo performer who entertained with deduction tricks and humorous remarks. Since the venues are relatively compact (which actually enhances the viewing experience), many performances occur more than once during the cruise, allowing guests to attend later shows if they missed the first round.
Lola’s Library combines elements of cabaret, acrobatics, and theatre. Be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes early for good seating, as all spots are first-come, first-served. Pro Tip: for the best view, head upstairs.
Food:
The ship boasts several fine dining restaurants that function like standalone establishments, each with its own dedicated manager and staff. Although making reservations is recommended, walk-ins typically find easy seating.
Extra Virgin – This Italian restaurant offers a selection of steaks and pastas. While the meal was good, it didn’t wow us. The beef carpaccio was an excellent start, though our server seemed a bit inattentive.
Gunbae – This Korean barbecue venue provides an interactive dining experience, requiring you to share a table with other guests (we had six additional diners at ours). If you’re accustomed to Korean barbecue at home, you might consider dining elsewhere. A playful drinking game adds a twist, where losing participants must take a shot of sake.
Pink Agave – Here, elevated Mexican cuisine shines. Be sure to try the shrimp with chips and guacamole. The smoked pork and duck draped in mole sauce were highlights of the meal. In hindsight, I wish we had dined here another evening instead of Gunbae or Razzle Dazzle.
Razzle Dazzle – This restaurant is open for brunch and is a healthier dining option, particularly for brunch. At dinner, the menu switches to comforting fare like fried chicken. My snapper entree was more health-focused. If I had a do-over, I would choose this for brunch and skip dinner.
Test Kitchen – Adventurous eaters will appreciate Test Kitchen, resembling a food lab. Choose seats with a view of the meal preparation. The steak and elk were so tender they could be cut with a butter knife. The cocktails were creatively crafted, and dessert featured mandarin ice cream presented inside an orange. This is the go-to spot for innovative dishes with artistic flair, though it may not suit those who prefer standard fare.
The Wake – By far the best dining experience onboard. We dined here three times during our week-long trip. While I was disappointed that even with Rock Star status, we couldn’t secure a table by the port window, the experience was still exceptional. The decor exceeds that of Extra Virgin, and the quality of food, from lamb and steak to fish, is outstanding. An impressive ice display showcases fresh shellfish, and we opted for the premium option of meaty oysters to start both dinners. Brunch was equally fantastic, featuring clam chowder and poached shrimp.
The Galley – This is Virgin Voyages’ buffet alternative, featuring various food stations offering Asian, Mexican, all-day breakfast, paninis, and more.
Pizza Place – Multiple pizza options are available here, and you can indulge in pizza until 2 AM. The smaller pies (four slices each) make a great late-night snack.
Lick Me Til – This ice cream venue offers a wide variety of flavors, rotating them daily.
Ports:
The itinerary includes two days at sea, featuring plenty of activities to keep guests entertained, ranging from shows to events like a mezcal bingo game (yes, that’s actually held on the ship) and exercise classes.
Dubrovnik – In our first Croatian city, we wished we had skipped breakfast to explore one of the charming cafes. Strolling along the cobblestone streets, we enjoyed taking in the picturesque scenery.
Split – Although we booked a city tour, this port is also easily navigable on foot. Unless you are a history enthusiast seeking detailed insights, it might be worth saving your money for tours in Kotor.
Kotor – This charming city in Montenegro is ideal for shore excursions. There’s a stunning blue bay perfect for swimming, and tours allow you to see the unique waters up close. Another excursion offered a chance to enjoy freshly caught and prepared mussels.
Corfu – If you aim to check off a Greek island from your bucket list, Corfu is the destination for you. It’s also an excellent place for souvenir shopping, with plenty of shops offering gifts for friends and family. We picked up adorable kids’ outfits, jewelry, and playing cards.
Overall, Virgin Voyages cruises cater perfectly to food enthusiasts in search of a sophisticated experience. Although the brand might evoke images of scantily clad young adults, the reality is that most guests fall within the 30s to 50s age range. I look forward to cruising with them again!
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