r/VirginVoyages

Hello! Totally new to this scene, if you will, and I'm trying to get the best deal for a solo traveler (I really, really want a balcony/terrace, since I want to also feel closer to the ocean while on a cruise). I have a Delta Amex card, so I see there's a way to book via the Delta website, I think there's a way to do it via the Amex website, and obviously there's also the Virgin website, and then through a First Mate (?)/agent. Does anyone have tips on this, how to get the best deal out of all of these options? Thanks in advance!

I'm going to use a first mate for incentives, but...

1. how has the solo experience on the ship treated those of you with experience...

2. I need to work a bit (no streaming or video conferencing) - is the basic internet good enough for that?

3. any intel on a shared shuttle from my hotel in DTLA? (Not Uber)

4. I gather (incorrectly?) that solo cabins are somehow gathered in one area/deck?

I did this in Margaritaville so I was just curious

Greetings! I've decided on Valiant Lady out of San Juan next spring for my first Virgin Cruise. I'm combining a cruise with wanting to go back to San Juan for vacation as a bday trip. I'm going to fly in the day before and spend 3 nights in SJU after debarkation.

I need some helpful advice and recommendations on the following:

Hotel - Does anyone have a recommendation for upper mid-range hotels for the night before the cruise and anywhere else near a beach after the cruise? I'm a Hilton and Marriott person but for the night before embarkation I'm open to suggestions.

Restaurants and Bars - I didn't eat locally in Old San Juan on my last cruise there 3 years ago. Does anyone have a favorite place to eat and drink?

Sighting Seeing - I saw the Fort on my last cruise. I'm looking for a laid back experience, museums, touring group, or key points of interest would be helpful.

Travel Insurance - I'm going to get travel insurance for the first time. Does anyone have a recommendation on how to book it? I know I'll need to book it within 3 days of booking my whole trip. I was thinking of Travel Insured or Allianz with BCBS for medical? Or is that too much?

Places to avoid - Every city has that place where tourist shouldn't go. Are there any areas of near the port and overall that should be avoided?

Saw a post about all the new games Valiant will have. This one is where sailors each submit a secret and everyone has to guess whose it is. For anyone who has played, how dirty we talking here? Is it just a name, or are people submitting really salacious secrets?

My partner and I have a legacy booking still 149 days out, I decided to check yesterday and today on what the pricing is now with the new structure and the prices have come way down. $1300 to be exact on the fare itself, that includes adding the gratuities. That’s a lot….

So I’m just trying to get any advice before I give them a call when the call line opens.

Legacy booking is a Central sea Terrace, only add on right now is Splash of Romance.

If changing to the new structure, Essential is closest to having the same perks (45 days vs 60). What am I not thinking about? I think the price difference warrants any smaller changes. Also booked directly without a TA. Thank you for any help or advice before I call 🙏🏼

Update:
Call went fairly smoothly, call took approximately 28 min to get it repriced under the essential fare, total saved with this ended up being $1050, little less than what was showed but definitely worth it.

Hello Cruisers! Am looking to book a Virgin cruise in 2027 and want your input on the best approach to use: should I work with a travel agent or simply book through the Virgin website? Are there advantages or perks using one approach vs the other? There will be 5 or 6 of us traveling, so looking to book multiple rooms. Thanks in advance for your input.

The irony is that I’m currently on Scarlet Lady now and we just visited these places. And there’s a sizable gay contingent on this boat (including me). I guess we slipped under the radar. This, my friends, is why we still need a Pride month.

2nd VV cruise - this one on Casino offer. Same trip my wife and I took in December, '25. Miami - Turks - Bimini - Miami.

Another great trip. Overall vibe was really nice -- great amount of diversity of age, ethnicity, race, sexuality, etc. We really like this!

1st day - had 3:15 boarding time and arrived at port at 2:55. Went straight on and was in room by 3:10. So organized and fast.

Dinner at Extra Virgin -- so good! And make sure you get the affogato cart for dessert. Wish I could have this for dessert every night forever!

First big thing I learned that night - with casino offer I have all drinks in casino bar up to $25 for free. My wife loves champagne and a glass of Moet is exactly $25. Keep your wife happy and get glasses of Moet all trip long for free!

Whole process and first day shows how good VV is about boarding and planning for it.

Day 2 - Ocean day -- relax relax relax. I know people complain about the pools but we dont mind at all. Spent most of the day at the smaller pool and the closeness forces social interaction which my wife loves (and is good for me as otherwise I might just stay to myself all day). Dinner at the Wake which is always good. We left before dessert to go back to Extra Virgin for more affogato. We also enjoyed sitting at the bar on back of boat on 16th and watching the World Cup. Always a beautiful and quiet place. Went to the show "Lola's Library". Was fun and crazy. Great dancing, acrobatics, and singing.

Day 3 - Turks day. Last time we found this stop to be underwhelming and we love a quiet and mostly empty boat, so we got day passes for the spa and also massages. Spent quite a bit of time in sauna, mud room, etc. Great and quiet day. Pool time also of course (and hammock time). Had dinner at Pink Agave which we love. Guac is spectacular as is the shrimp. Always go for the chocolate tacos for dessert. Took a midnight walk on deck 17 -- around the track - so beautiful with a full moon -- also allows for some great pics in front of the huge VV lights.

Day 4 - Ocean day. Pool, gambling, soccer games, some drinking, etc. Was very tired and a hostess in the casino we had met brought us club soda with lemon juice and mint -- it worked! Get you some of that to rehydrate! Dinner at Test Kitchen with menu C. We were hoping for B but were very pleasantly surprised. Really good meal.

Day 5 - slept in and didnt go to beach until 1:30pm. We love this timing as some people are already leaving and chairs and loungers are turning over. Split time between ocean and pool. Both are almost bath water at this time of year so no issues with colder water like in December. One important lesson -- dont bring lunch food back to beach to eat. No exaggeration - more than 100 flies on our plate. Eat lunch where you get the food as they have fans set up for this issues.

Stayed until 6pm and purposefully did not make dinner res for last night. Also something we like so we can shower and take our time after the beach and then just get pizza, or go to the galley and then ice cream.

Today- LONG lines to get off the boat at 9:30am so we just relaxed in chairs and waited until line went down rather than standing that long. Finally decided to go about 10:10 and were off in about 25-30 mins.

Learned a new tip today - there were limos/town cars already dropping people off for the next cruise. They dont want to leave there without a fare. Asked about trip to airport and got a town car to MIA for only a little more than waiting in line for Taxi or an uber. We were out of there in less than 5 mins and on our way to airport in comfort - to us definitely worth it for the comfort and ease when we are so tired today.

Great trip - will definitely cruise again and it will be with VV.

Hey y'all. I'm planning on sailing with Virgin for the first time next year. Please feel free to share some helpful tips/advice. For example, what is the best bag to bring for carrying your items on and off the ship? If you have been on the Bob Marley tour, what are the best shoes to wear? Do I need to leave my passport on the ship or bring it with me, etc?

Port side of ship or starboard?

Hi, is the 10% Spain tax just applicable to drinks etc...when in Spanish waters or for the whole cruise?

Someone also said that The Booty Free shop can't sell alcohol or smokes on sailings out of Barcelona. I know this is the case when in port, but surely not when in international waters?

Anyone know the rules please? :)

Wife and are traveling on the voyage to Grand Turk and Bimini. My wife wants to make sure she has all the necessary outfits! What and when is Scarlet Night?

Recently won a Mega Rockstar bid departing Barcelona later this month!

I was wondering - I’ve seen posts explaining the VAT for voyages leaving from Spain - what does this mean for our MRS drink inclusions? Everything $25 and below is included.

A glass of Moet is $25, but will obviously be above that once you add on the VAT. Does anyone have experience of this as Mega and if it was waived anyway?

Guys, girls and theys...I'm a guy who's dedicated to his fashion and I'm curious what sorts of looks have you seen guys rock on board, both for the Scarlet night & PJ party, which I'm assuming (from what I've seen online) is also scarlet-colored.

Are the men pretty daring or is it sort of in a traditional mold?