My husband and I just got back from our very first Virgin Voyages cruise, and I have a lot to say — in the best way.
As a travel agent and a pretty seasoned cruiser, I wanted to share an honest review of our experience aboard Scarlet Lady to help anyone wondering whether Virgin Voyages is right for them. If you’ve been researching things like “Is Virgin Voyages worth it?”, “What is the vibe on Virgin Voyages?”, or “Should I book Virgin Voyages for my first cruise?”, this post is for you.
Let me start with this: we had a fantastic time.
We sailed on a short 5-night Virgin Voyages cruise to Cozumel and Bimini Beach Club, and while the weather had other plans for us and we were unable to stop in Bimini, I completely understood why. The ocean was wild, and safety always comes first. Of course it was disappointing to miss a port, but I truly believe the captain made the right call.
That said, if you are trying to decide whether to book Virgin Voyages, I think it’s important to know this upfront: just because it’s adults only does not mean it’s automatically the right fit for every adult.
And honestly? That’s not a bad thing. It just means this cruise line has a very specific personality.
A Little About Us, Because It Matters
Before I dive in, I think it helps to know a little bit about who is writing this review.
My husband and I are both 39, and we are definitely not wild party people. We’re usually tired by 9 p.m. most nights at home, which I realize may not exactly scream “late-night cruise crowd.”
We also have completely opposite vacation styles.
My husband is a true vacationer in the purest sense of the word. He wants to relax, eat good food, enjoy the sunshine, listen to music, and not feel rushed from one activity to the next. When he’s on vacation, he can fully shut his brain off and just be. Honestly, I admire that.
Me? I’m different. I always feel like I need to be doing something. I don’t necessarily need high-energy activity every minute, but my brain does not naturally embrace relaxation. I like having options, experiences, entertainment, and little things to look forward to throughout the day. I don’t want to feel like I’m missing out.
So if you and your travel partner also have very different vacation personalities, I hope this review helps.
What Is the Overall Vibe on Virgin Voyages?
This is the question I get the most, and I also think it’s where a lot of people get Virgin Voyages wrong.
A lot of people assume that because it’s adults only, it must be a nonstop, over-the-top, high-energy party cruise. I’ve had people on my TikTok tell me they boarded expecting exactly that and ended up disappointed because it felt more relaxed than they expected.
So let me say this as clearly as possible:
Virgin Voyages is not a constant party cruise.
Can you find nightlife? Absolutely. Can you have fun? Of course. Can you dance, drink, and stay out late if you want to? Yes.
But in my experience, the ship’s overall vibe was much more of a cool, modern, relaxed adults-only getaway than a spring-break-at-sea kind of experience.
That distinction really matters.
If you go onboard expecting nonstop chaos, wild crowds, and something happening every second of the day, you may feel underwhelmed. But if you want a cruise that feels more elevated, more stylish, more laid-back, and more grown-up, Virgin Voyages really shines.
I think some marketing, social media content, and even some travel commentary have accidentally painted the wrong picture. Yes, there are fun parties and energetic moments, but the atmosphere overall felt more balanced than that. It was a mix of chill spaces, upbeat activities, great dining, wellness, entertainment, and pockets of nightlife.
In other words: you can make it a party if you want, but it does not force a party vibe on you 24/7.
Ready to cruise? Book Your Virgin Voyages Cruise Today: https://www.virginvoyages.com/book/voyage-planner/find-a-voyage
Is Virgin Voyages Only for Younger Adults?
Not at all.
In fact, one of the biggest misconceptions is that Virgin Voyages is only for younger cruisers. That just wasn’t what we saw onboard. There was a really nice mix of ages, and honestly, with both of us being close to 40, we felt right in the middle.
It didn’t feel like a ship full of college-age travelers, and it also didn’t feel like a cruise line catering only to retirees. It felt very mixed, which I actually appreciated. The adults-only environment gave the ship a more peaceful and polished feel without making it stuffy.
As a travel agent, I have multiple clients who have sailed with Virgin Voyages at least once and have sailed or are scheduled to sail additional itineraries with them with ages ranging from 30s to 70s!
Things I Loved About Scarlet Lady
Our Sea Terrace Cabin
We stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin, and I really loved it.
The room felt spacious and thoughtfully designed. One of my favorite little features was the hammock on the balcony, which I used a lot. It became one of my favorite spots to just sit, breathe, and stare at the ocean for a while. The cabin also has a doorbell, which is oddly charming and kind of fun.
I personally liked the firmer mattress, although my husband was not as impressed with that part. So if you’re picky about beds, that may be one of those very personal preference things.
Overall though, the cabin felt modern, comfortable, and efficient without feeling cramped.
The Social Club
This was one of the most fun hangout spaces on the ship.
The Social Club has games, trivia, casual snacks, and a fun retro feel. You can play all kinds of board games and card games, and there’s also an arcade with classics like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Nintendo games — all free to play, which was such a nice touch.
They also serve comfort-food-style snacks like popcorn, soft pretzels with cheese, hot dogs, and root beer floats. It’s just a fun, easygoing place to spend time.
The Dock
The Dock was another favorite area for me. It has both indoor and outdoor seating, and the outdoor area is absolutely beautiful. It felt peaceful, comfortable, and scenic — one of those places that makes you want to slow down a little.
There’s a bar there, good food, and a really nice atmosphere. We also enjoyed the little food offerings there throughout the day, and the whole space just felt very “this is what adults-only cruising should feel like.”
The Gym, Walking Track, And Fitness / Wellness Classes
We also loved that there were options to stay active without feeling pressured into a packed schedule.
I really enjoyed walking the track to get my steps in, and Kyle thought the gym onboard was awesome. If fitness matters to you at all while traveling, I think Virgin Voyages does a good job giving you appealing spaces for that.
They offer a number of fitness and wellness activities and classes as well! Think yoga, pilates, VHS Workout (80s themed aerobics workout, so bring your leg warmers and neon spandex), a spa with a big list of services, and more.
What We Did Onboard
One thing I appreciated about Virgin Voyages entertainment is that it felt different from the usual cruise experience. Some things were quirky, some were hilarious, and some were more hit than miss depending on your personal preferences.
Here are some of the activities and entertainment we did onboard:
- 90s Boy Band Dance Class
- Pop Princess Dance Class
- 90s trivia
- Scarlet Night
- It’s a Rock Show-ke
- Persephone show
- Y2K party
- magic show
- comedy show
- walking the track
- gym time
- Opa Hour at The Dock
- Arcade games
Some of these were absolute highlights. We really enjoyed Scarlet Night, which is probably one of the most well-known Virgin Voyages experiences for a reason. It felt immersive, fun, and uniquely Virgin without being overwhelming.
We also had fun at the 90s Boy Band Dance Class and Pop Princess Dance Class, which were playful and different from the standard cruise programming you often see elsewhere. The 90s trivia was also fun.
The Persephone show was entertaining, and we really enjoyed the comedy show. The magic show was another standout — the magician was hilarious and genuinely impressive, which made it even more memorable.
The Y2K party was probably not my personal favorite, but that had more to do with me than the event itself. I just didn’t know enough of the songs to really get into it, so I wasn’t singing along the way I wanted to, but Kyle enjoyed the music. That’s a good example of how much entertainment is based on personal taste.
*Some of the things that we wanted to do but missed due to not being able to stay awake past 9 or 10 on a few nights: The Pajama Party, the Scarlet Night Pool Party (after the regular Scarlet Night activities), a salsa and bachata dance class I was interested in, 80s night theme party, and we also missed the show called "Booked" which was at the same time as our dinner reservation so we missed it.
My Honest Take: Was There Enough to Do?
Here’s where I want to be honest, because I think honesty is what actually helps people decide if a cruise line is right for them.
There were definitely times when I felt like there could have been more activities or entertainment throughout the day. I also felt like there may be a little room for improvement in that area.
That doesn’t mean I was bored the whole time — not at all. But because I’m someone who struggles to fully relax, I personally found myself wishing for a little more structure, more options, or more things to pop into here and there.
My husband, on the other hand, had zero complaints whatsoever.
He loved the slower pace, the ability to relax, the food, the ship, and the balance of doing some activities without feeling overscheduled. So this really goes back to personality and travel style.
If you’re someone who wants to constantly be moving from one event to the next, I think it’s fair to say Virgin Voyages may feel quieter at times than you expect.
But if you like a more relaxed rhythm with stylish surroundings, good food, adults-only atmosphere, and enough entertainment to keep things interesting without overwhelming your day, it may be a great fit.
So, Is Virgin Voyages Worth It?
For us, yes.
I think Virgin Voyages is absolutely worth it for the right traveler.
It offers a fresh, modern cruise experience with beautiful design, great adults-only spaces, fun entertainment, strong dining, and a vibe that feels more relaxed and elevated than party-heavy. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone, and I actually respect that.
Would I recommend it? Yes. Would I book it again? Yes. Would I recommend it to every single person? No — and that’s me being honest.
If you’re looking for a cruise that is nonstop high-energy party from morning to midnight, you may want to go in with adjusted expectations. But if you want a fun, modern, adults-only cruise with a unique personality, Virgin Voyages is definitely worth considering.
Thinking About Booking Your First Virgin Voyages Cruise?
If you’ve been curious about booking your first Virgin Voyages cruise, I’d love to help.
As a travel agent, I love helping clients figure out whether a cruise line is truly the right fit for their personality, vacation style, and expectations — not just what looks good in an ad. If you want honest guidance, help comparing itineraries, or someone to walk you through the process of planning your first Virgin Voyages sailing, I’m here for that.
Because the truth is, the best cruise isn’t just the one with the flashiest marketing — it’s the one that fits you.
If you’re thinking about sailing with Virgin Voyages, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you plan a cruise that feels exciting, stress-free, and perfectly matched to your travel style.