An Introvert on Virgin Voyages?
I love cruising and travel, and I especially love my job as a Travel Advisor. I genuinely like people and I love making people smile and helping them get the best value and satisfaction for their trips. However, I am one of those awkward people. I don't like being in front of a camera or a crowd. I get nervous during social functions and often don't have a quick response in conversations. I am uncomfortable in party atmospheres. I don't drink alcohol and I get overstimulated by loud noises. So, why would I try a Virgin Voyages cruise?
Virgin Voyages was established by Sir Richard Branson as a distinct kind of cruise experience—bold, boutique, and exclusively for adults. Virgin provides a more inclusive package, where all dining venues are covered, along with soda and WiFi. Instead of a buffet, there's a Galley that resembles a food court or food truck area. There are several specialty restaurants included, but reservations are necessary. The Virgin fleet consists of four sister ships. We sailed on Brilliant Lady during her Pacific Coastal Itinerary. The cruise began in Vancouver, B.C., with stops in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, San Diego, and concluded in Los Angeles. It was an 8-night voyage with 2 sea days at the beginning. Being based in Oregon, the flights were convenient for us. Having honeymooned in San Diego, it seemed like a wonderful opportunity to try this innovative cruise line and revisit some cherished places. We paid in full for this cruise, I am not sponsored, and this review reflects my genuine opinion!
Embarkation is often a point of frustration for many cruise lines, but Virgin handles it differently. You can book your embarkation time, which is later in the day than usual for a cruise line. While this might seem unusual, we appreciated being able to drop off our bags at 9 a.m. and explore more in Vancouver! Our scheduled embarkation was at 3:15 p.m. We went through customs quickly and were onboard in about 14 minutes. We also had immediate access to our cabin upon boarding. Numerous Virgin employees were present in the terminal to guide us, and the same assistance was provided onboard as we were directed to our muster stations after watching the safety video in our cabin.
First impressions! Boarding the ship was fun, but a little overwhelming. We were greeted by a dancing crew member and fairly loud music. People were gathered in the main area taking it all in. The ship was bright, modern, and smelled good. I was a little nervous because it seemed to be crowded and loud. The lighting is different on Virgin. There are more neon colors and mood lighting. The hallways to our cabins had a cold bluish light and the carpets were a sort of striped pattern so the combination made me feel like I was in Wonderland or something and a smiling cat would swing down from the ceiling. During Scarlet night, the colors turn to red!
By sheer luck, we were upgraded to a Central Sea Terrace cabin on the 8th floor. The balcony overlooks the promenade-style deck below and the mechanical section of the lifeboat. Although our balcony wasn't officially classified as obstructed, you can see from the video that the lifeboat partially blocks the view. This is something to consider if booking on the 8th floor. The balcony was spacious, and we were thrilled to have one at all! It featured two metal chairs and a small round metal table, and best of all, a bright red hammock! The cabin was roomy with ample storage, though the storage setup was unlike any other cruise cabin we've encountered. The bed can convert into an L-shaped sofa during the day if desired, with a large, deep drawer beneath the platform. There was a fairly decent sized closet with easy access, shelves, small shallow drawers, and a safe. Additionally, there are low shelves with baskets for storage. The bathroom is compact but functional. However, there are no outlets in the bathroom, and the vanity lacks lighting, making hair and makeup tasks challenging on this ship. I suggest bringing a light-up magnifying mirror. The shower is equipped with both a wand and a rain shower head, which is nice, except you have to enter the shower and stand in the front corner to turn on the rain head without getting a blast of cold water.
The shower door lacks a latch and simply seals. It's crucial to ensure the door is sealed after use to prevent it from banging around in rough sea conditions, particularly at night when you're trying to sleep. Overall, the cabin was pleasant, clean, and efficient. However, we had a significant complaint that we reported to Sailor Services, but unfortunately, it was never resolved. The hydraulic motor outside our balcony would activate several times day and night. The noise was so loud it would shake our room and jolt us out of bed. This occurred at all hours, making me feel like I might have a heart attack as I jumped out of bed. It seemed to be an issue with that motor, but even after we reported it, no one appeared to inspect it. I've never encountered anything like this on any other cruise line.
We needed a bit of time to familiarize ourselves with the ship's layout, but once we did, we absolutely loved it. There are numerous quiet spots on board where you can relax and recharge. As everyone settled in and dispersed throughout the ship, the initial crowded feeling disappeared. Although there were still some crowds in the Galley, we never faced long lines for food. Everything operated efficiently, and there seemed to be ample places for everyone to eat and hang out. One feature I particularly enjoyed was that Gunbae was open for seating in the morning. Even though the restaurant wasn't serving meals, you could sit there and enjoy breakfast. They even offered their flip flag service there. Virgin provides many spots on board where you can place a red flag on your table card, and a crew member will come to take your order and bring you food and drinks! It might not be as fast as getting something yourself, but it's a pleasant service. We used it during Opa hour on the dock for Greek food. It was wonderful to relax and enjoy their Greek cuisine. There are countless places to explore on board. Virgin places a strong emphasis on fitness, and the gyms and spa were the largest and nicest I've ever seen on any ship. We attended a metabolism class on a sea day, and it was fantastic! The shops are upscale and enjoyable to browse through, offering nearly anything you might want or need. The outdoor decks are vast and impressive, with lookout spots for everyone. There are also fun outdoor features like swings, teeter-totters, workout areas, the perch jogging track, pickleball/tennis/basketball court, bars, and lounge areas. This ship truly has something for everyone.
When it comes to offering something for everyone, Virgin's food is the most innovative at sea. Since we initially booked a lower-class room, we only received reservation access right before our cruise, so I couldn't book all the specialty restaurants. However, the ones we did try were exceptional! Gunbae was incredibly fun! Although it was a bit of a stretch for me to dine with strangers, the food was amazing, and it was a great way to meet new people. You can choose to be as social or quiet as you wish. Extra Virgin offered a delightful Italian experience with delicious homemade pasta, and an affogato for dessert was the perfect ending. The best steak we had on board was at Pink Agave, which was flavorful and perfectly cooked! The specialty restaurants were definitely worth booking. In the Galley, there are numerous options, and most dishes are excellent. There were a few misses, but that's expected with such a vast variety. I must say, the fries on board are the BEST at sea. My only real disappointment was the pizza place, which was just okay. No matter where you dine, you will be served, except at the prepackaged "to go" coolers and the bento bar. At both places, food is packaged in neat reusable containers that you can take anywhere on the ship. There are boxes with charcuterie, salads, wraps, cakes, etc., perfect for a little picnic anywhere on the ship. They are constantly refreshed! There's so much to say about the food. It's truly unique and worth trying!
Virgin Voyages is often thought to have a somewhat daring reputation, but many Virgin clients have told me that's not the case. I can confirm that we didn't encounter anything different from what you'd find on other cruise lines. The Scarlet Night was a lively evening where everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the PJ party night was perfectly appropriate. Despite the vibrant, high-energy events, there are plenty of quiet spots to relax if you prefer. The shows are grand and bold, attracting large crowds, but they're definitely worth watching and are relatively brief. The performers throughout the ship were exceptionally talented. There's a wide variety of activities available, whether you're an introvert or a social butterfly. You can find areas to work on a puzzle or play a game if you'd like. We found lounges where we were the only two people present. There are opportunities for solo karaoke and cozy seating nooks perfect for reading a book or enjoying a coffee. Virgin has excelled in designing a cruise ship that caters to a diverse range of clients.
My overall impression of our time on Virgin's Brilliant Lady was positive. There are a few aspects that, after several sailings, I might wish were different, but I believe Virgin is on the right path with many of their ideas. Music was constantly playing in every venue and area, which is expected from Virgin, but sometimes it would be nice to have a quiet space outside of your cabin. The scent from the carpet cleaner or air freshener was a bit strong for me and caused a headache, but that's a personal preference. The ship was thankfully free of any unpleasant odors! It would be nice to have the option of a regular dining room for breakfast. I couldn't reserve any specialty restaurants for brunch, so all our early meals were in the Galley. Another point of frustration for many was that in Santa Barbara, we had an extremely long tender line back to the ship. We stood in the sun for about an hour and a half to re-board after a day in port. From what I understood from the port workers is that only 2 tenders are allowed in that port at a time and we had a fairly short time in town which compounded the issue. Several people were quite upset. Rock Stars and people with mobility issues were allowed to go to the front of the line as they should. I think Virgin might need to find alternate ways to work around the tender issues even if it means being scheduled by times to return to the ship. But there are so many positives with this cruise line including the food, the newness of the ship, and the service. My absolute favorite part of the ship was the hammock on our balcony. I never realized a hammock could enhance a cruise experience so much, and now I feel like I should advocate for every cruise line to install hammocks.
I want to point out as well that Virgin has what they call an Impact Squad. Virgin Voyages gives back to the communities and while we were out enjoying ports and having shore excursions, there were amazing crew members from Virgin Voyages working in the ports to improve the communities. The staff on board are all kind and hardworking. The crew makes the ship and the experience!
Who is Virgin best suited for? This ship is vibrant, energetic, and modern. We observed travelers ranging from young adults to those in their 90s, representing various nationalities and personalities. Virgin's all-inclusive package appeals to those who prefer a pre-planned vacation without unexpected extra charges. However, if you are accustomed to luxury ships with fewer than 1,000 passengers, Virgin might not meet your expectations. The crew-to-passenger ratio is higher, meaning you won't receive the personalized service or spaciousness found on premium luxury lines. Virgin lacks the cozy, homey atmosphere and the warm colors and textures of some other lines. The lighting is stark, and the furnishings are harder and more plastic-like, similar to Ikea. Virgin combines a nightclub vibe with a wellness ambiance. I must admit, it has inspired me to pack workout clothes for my next Virgin voyage. And yes, I would consider sailing with Virgin again on certain itineraries, ideally with some friends.
Comments