Virgin Voyages Anmeldelser 

Seven days sailing through the Greek Islands on Scarlet Lady and I can honestly say this trip was everything I didn’t know I needed. From Athens to Santorini, Rhodes, Bodrum, and Mykonos, every stop felt magical in its own way with beautiful views, warm weather, great food, and the kind of ease that settles into your spirit.

The ship was stunning, the service was amazing, and the energy onboard was pure joy - sunsets on deck, sea days that felt like therapy, laughter, new friends, and memories I’ll hold onto for a long time.

Me gustó por haber adoptado cambios con respecto a los demás cruceros como son eliminar las fotos. Las noches formales, las comidas en un mismo restaurante o las cenas todos los días, la organización por horario en el checking para evitar el tumulto y también el desembarco fue bastante rápido eso me sorprendió.

So much fun! The food was epic. Only thing could’ve been a little more
Lively is entertainment. But cleanliness, drinks, food, comfort all 20/10!

Virgin was definitely an experience. Very modern ship. All adult guests. Great adult food options. Very adult content shows. Very diverse and gender inclusive.

Overall it was just OK. We had a "Rockstar" room which was nice. Compared to NCL's Heavan it's not as good at all. Food was not good. The Galley is a glorified buffet, but frankly if I was going to eat that style I prefer buffet. They serve to you, but the people are like robots, only slower and it forces a tone of lines at each station. The shows were not great and the constant LGBTQ Diva stuff was too over the top to the point of annoying if you are not gay.

I have only ever cruised NCL before. If you are a middle aged heterosexual - it's a no brainer - go NCL.

Scammed. That is the honest summary of my experience.

I care about the quality of my drinks and cocktails, and what I experienced fell far below the standard I expected from Virgin Voyages. This is not only about the type or brand of alcohol used. It is about the overall quality, taste, presentation, and finishing details of the drinks.

Champagne, prosecco, and several cocktails were served in plastic flutes or plastic cups across many bars. I fully understand and appreciate the need for safety around the pool area. However, serving drinks this way in venues such as Sip Lounge, the Casino Bar, The Red Room, and The Manor does not feel like a safety measure. It feels like laziness, cost-cutting, or a lack of care for the guest experience.

The cocktail execution was also disappointing. Espresso martinis tasted like they were made with cheap, artificial coffee, no coffee beans on top at times. Mojitos were served with mint that was not muddled. Margaritas came without salt rims, Tajín, or any thoughtful finishing touch.

These may sound like small details, but they are exactly the details that separate a premium experience from an average one. I chose Virgin Voyages, not Carnival or MSC.

The service culture also felt off. At times, it felt as though some staff members forgot that they were at work and that we were the ones on vacation. One example was the closure of the Athletic Club Bar and jacuzzis during popular port days, seemingly so staff could go ashore. We had chosen to stay on board, only to find facilities closed. I had to make a scene just to have them reopened, which should never have been necessary.

Another serious concern occurred while I was jogging on The Runway. The ship’s exhaust released soot, which landed on me and ruined my clothing. More importantly, I am concerned about the health implications of inhaling or ingesting concentrated carbon soot. This is not a minor inconvenience. It is a potential health and safety issue that should be investigated properly.

Room service was also poor, with many items unavailable. The Happenings Cast felt uninspiring and boring. The mattresses around the pool were extremely uncomfortable, visibly dented from overuse, and clearly in need of replacement. Housekeeping was below standard and lacked the consistency and polish expected from a brand positioning itself as premium.

Overall, the brand has lost its glow. Virgin Voyages entered the industry with strength, personality, and a promise to disrupt cruising for the better. Sadly, it now feels like it is becoming similar to the cheaper cruise lines, while still charging a premium price.

That gap between promise and reality is exactly what made this experience so disappointing.

- The entertainment onboard was underwhelming. The performers appeared to do their best given the material. Virgin's performances are written in house (though none of the music is original), and they should rethink this method. We tried to go to every show scheduled. However, both the Red Room and The Manor venues do not have adequate capacities. This resulted in many standing in the back, if they were allowed in at all. Most performances were not worth the hassle and felt like older people were forced to write for a younger target audience but had no idea what younger people like, so they used ChatGPT to compensate. We managed to see the following performances: Out of Time (a bad time travel story), Red Hot (This was by far the worst show, a weird cult-like love for Richard Branson coupled with seemingly AI generated background images. I could go on about how terrible this show is and how much it irked me, but I digress), Murder in the Mansion (Also a meh show, suffered from poor writing), Dual Reality (the best show, but the acrobatic performances were poorly executed and required more rehearsal), and Love, Love, Love with the Hostess (This lady sexually harassed people for an hour, and it was extremely cringy.).
- Virgin Voyages needs to do a test run of an itinerary before having guests sail on it. When we booked the cruise, I was under the assumption that this was not the inaugural cruise to Alaska. They didn’t seem to have any forethought, resulting in a lot of headaches for the guests. First, they botched the glacier talk with the naturalist, where they had it scheduled for noon on the Hubbard Glacier day. However, we had already departed the glacier before noon. The onboard naturalist informed us that the talk was at 9 am. When we mentioned it wasn’t on the schedule, the naturalist told us that she discussed this with the entertainment staff the night before, requesting an earlier talk while at the glacier. This should have been communicated to guests. Simply, add a 9 am talk to the schedule and/or notify us through the app; they notified us about buying a spa package several times a day and were able to broadcast last minute updates about performance schedule changes, so they were capable of sending this notification. Well, friends, that is not the case. They refused to add it and said better luck next time when we brought the issue up to Sailor Services.

The second major issue that arose with their itinerary was tendering in Juneau. The crew seemed ill-prepared for operations in every aspect from lack of cold weather gear to lack of boat handling. The app notified us to book tendering reservations during the cruise, two days prior to the Juneau in port. If you didn’t see the notification as soon as it was sent out, you missed almost half the day in Juneau and possibly missed your excursion. To remedy this, there was an unannounced standby line that was sheer chaos and frankly a safety concern with the trampling. There was a family we sat next to on the tender that wasn’t able to get a reservation because they wanted to have less phone time while on vacation. It took about 45 minutes to make it to shore, when Sailor Services told us it would be less than 10 minutes. After this mishap, I jokingly commented that there was absolutely no plan to get everyone tendered back to the ship. Unfortunately, I was right. The last tender was supposed to leave the dock at 4 pm, but this was delayed due to no plan to address peak hours. Only two tenders ran the entire day. This resulted in an hour wait in the pouring rain. Additionally, Virgin didn’t have enough umbrellas for everyone, and they didn’t bring out another box until the line was mostly gone. They had all day to unbox the umbrellas, but the crew was extremely reactive rather than proactive, resulting in a miserable time. Sailor Services was not willing to admit any wrongdoing, and even gaslit me and claimed that it only took 10 minutes for tendering. They used the time I boarded the tender, NOT the time we got to shore. I asked for compensation but Sailor Services refused and could not provide any policy documentation that Virgin does not allow partial refunds. They offered free admission into the spa but no treatment, an offensive offer.

- Lastly, the food was good but it became repetitive quickly. My significant other is vegan, and it really limited the variety of food that she could eat. With this being said, we picked Virgin Voyages based on the fact that they supposedly had a great variety of vegan options available. Even for me, the food got old really fast because the menus never changed in The Galley or in the restaurants (with the exception of Test Kitchen who rotates the menu once at the halfway point of the cruise).

While the service around the ship was great (especially Monique in Extra Virgin, Wawan in The Wake, Pernanda in Rojo and Kodak in Pink Agave) the food in The Galley was all cold and the venue needs to be redesigned. There was also never anything different on the various menus. While we went to 4 different restaraunts, we went to 3 of them for more than one dinner and each time the choices were the same. The cabin was small - I had to turn sideways to get to my side of the bed - with hardly any storage and a LOT of wasted space. There was no storage room in the bathroom at all. And while a rainhead shower seems like a great idea, it doesn't work too good for someone like me (who is 6'4") and the shower head is about an inch from the top of my my head.

Feedback: Brilliant Lady 11-Day Alaska Cruise from Vancouver
The Positives
We truly appreciated several aspects of the cruise. The no kids or teens policy was a huge bonus and created a more relaxed, adult-oriented atmosphere. The ship itself is beautiful, with vast, spacious decks and fast, uncrowded elevators. Sodas were included at no charge, and water was provided in the room. The hammocks were great when the weather cooperated.
Food was above average and very good overall. The Galley (buffet) had excellent selection, and the restaurants were also very good.
Staff performance was exceptional overall — the crew clearly enjoyed working for Virgin and it showed. The musicians and bands were genuinely great. We loved the star-gazing event on the dock area (fantastic atmosphere and storytelling, even with cloudy skies). The ship felt uncrowded, which was very pleasant.
The Negatives
Unfortunately, the entertainment and dancing offerings were major disappointments, especially given Virgin’s music heritage.
• Dancing Opportunities: There were almost no good dancing options. Venues with live bands had carpeted floors and were crowded with limited viewing space. The Manor (the main dance venue) was frequently reserved for paid dinner/production shows before 11 p.m., leaving little else for regular guests. When dancing was available, the DJ mostly played hip-hop that didn’t appeal to the crowd, resulting in an empty dance floor. Music was often painfully loud (even with earplugs). The dance floor was frequently sticky and dirty from spilled drinks.
• Unused Spaces: The Dockyard (near Wake restaurant) had a perfect smooth floor and music equipment set up but was never used for bands or dancing — a huge missed opportunity.
• Entertainment Issues: No cruise director on board. Production shows were turned into paid, limited-space events in the Manor, leaving repetitive or lower-quality shows (e.g., the Richard Branson show) in the Red Room. Overall entertainment felt disorganized and amateurish. There was very little to do before 11 p.m.
• Cabin Noise: Deck 14 was extremely noisy due to the galley/food court above — constant banging and dragging sounds day and night. Many guests complained. We had to be moved to Deck 10 to sleep properly. Strongly recommend avoiding Deck 14 and Deck 8.
• Deck Usability: The vast, spacious decks were largely unusable on this Alaska sailing due to cold weather and rain, highlighting that the ship is much better suited for warmer climates.
While the ship, staff, food, and certain experiences were enjoyable, the lack of proper dancing venues, poor music programming for dancers, underutilized spaces, and unresponsive management left us disappointed. With 30+ cruises behind us, we go for the ship experience as much as the ports, and this one fell short of expectations for a Virgin sailing.
We wanted to love it and hoped for something refreshingly different, but we cannot recommend the Brilliant Lady for anyone who prioritizes dancing and evening entertainment. Happy to get off the ship at the end.

I don't understand the hype with Virgin Voyages. they are just one step above Carnival Cruise line. the entertainment was pathetic at best. Food lines were long. The App was hideous to work with. Was not impressed at all with cruse line

I’ve been trying to get Virgin Voyages to step in on a dispute regarding a booking made with a travel agent.

It’s been a month. Aside from a brief email asking me to be patient after my first follow up, I got no answer from VV.

This is really bad. It looks like this might be the end of the great service we knew, and as far as I’m concerned, quite likely the end of my journey with VV.

Dear Virgin team, if you are reading this, could you please man your inbox? Kind regards.

We just returned from a 7-night Mediterranean cruise on Scarlet Lady (Barcelona to Athens) and it was the perfect way to celebrate my 50th birthday with my girlfriend.
From the moment we boarded with our Splash of Romance package, everything felt special. Priority boarding was smooth, the daily juices were refreshing, and the Thermal Suite (especially the salt room and mud room) was a highlight — we used our passes multiple times and loved it. The Shake for Champagne was such a fun surprise, and Virgin even delivered an extra bottle for my birthday!
The ship itself is stunning — modern, stylish, and full of personality (we loved the cruising ducks, the butterflies on deck, and the retro arcade). Food was excellent, especially at Extra Virgin and The Wake. Scarlet Night was an absolute blast!
The itinerary was beautiful (Rome, Amalfi Coast, Catania/Sicily, Mykonos), and even with a delayed flight from Manchester, we still made it onboard comfortably.
Overall this was one of the best cruises we’ve ever been on. The adults-only vibe, amazing crew, and relaxed yet fun atmosphere made it truly memorable.
Would we sail with Virgin Voyages again? Absolutely — we’ve already put a deposit down on our next one!
Highly recommend, especially for couples or milestone celebrations. 5/5

absolute blast.
Everything was clean
staff was friendly
restaurants food was great
the eateries food was great

the ice cream was okay not amazing.

Room service was amazing.
entertainment was also amazing

all in all - absolute blast

My husband and I love virgin everything was perfect food , vibes , staff and especially djiconocbz best dj had we dancing we will definitely be there soon

Overall, I was excited to experience this cruise line and kept an open mind during my entire trip. I loved the concept represented and would recommend cruising to anyone. However, there were some things that I would like to bring to the attention of the company.
Welcome/Ship/Cabin/Staff:
I was greeted warmly with a Champagne toast, friendly greetings from the staff. By the time I explored the main level of the ship my luggage had been delivered to my cabin door. The ship, overall, looked to be in good clean condition and very inviting. Upon entering my cabin (14134 Z) I was amazed at the size of the cabin and how accessible everything was. I loved the translucent mirror and all the décor. Many don’t bother to look at TV while on vacation, but I did and saw 3 good movies and a documentary that I would not have had time to see at home. So, I applaud the variety and selection. I will say Virgin pays attention to requests in their Sailor’s profile. I requested Distilled water for my medication and an extra set of towel sets be in the room daily during this trip. All my needs were met, and my cabin steward was the best. I appreciated the cleanliness of the cabin and if extra hangers were needed, he provided. I also appreciated the daily newsletter that was slipped under the door which although some days was not accurate but was a good reference to a “Virgin” Sailor like me. No matter where you go or what time of day on the ship I was greeted warmly with a smile. Thank you for the easy to read guides on each floor letting you know what was on each deck.
I was thoroughly impressed with the Band (Fresh Play and Dj Tash). I was a staple at every set time. They both played updated hits and made the day or evening a hit for all. Just a party throughout the entire trip. I understand there were some complaints about the volume of Dj Tash’s set every time she played. I found this very unfair. She is a skilled, widely sought after Dj, and if you are in a club setting, this is what you will experience. Some complained that she didn’t play the right music. Well, she did take requests, but she also needed to stick to a certain programmed set and schedule. For those on the ship that wanted a quiet environment they should have retreated to their cabin balcony or another part of the ship like the Atrium area. I know there was this one lady who constantly complained to the Entertainment Supervisor (Matthew) about Dj Tash but her complaints really had no merit when she could have moved to another part of the ship! Every time Dj Tash was scheduled people gathered, danced, laughed and sang along. She became so popular, people started asking for her schedule so they could be in the area to enjoy her talent. On numerous times management would change her set location, but people still found her, gathered and had a good time. Some of the older Sailors said they hadn’t danced like they did when she played in years. She is a very skilled, warm interactive approachable professional and people found her talent of mixing old, new, reggae and other genres amazing for her to be so young. I hope Virgin Voyages recognizes her talent. I got to know the band members of Fresh Play also. They were very professional and although they had a certain program to stick to, they really knew how to read the room, take requests and get the party going. People started following them around to see where their next set would be. Their music covered a wide variety of genres made for everyone and they can really play, especially, the bass man named, Gotti! I was happy to have won an autographed T-shirt because I guessed a song. I plan to follow this band on social media. All the members always greeted you with a smile and hug and were willing to take multiple pictures with the Sailors. They would even sit and eat with you in the Galley and have conversations when they probably should have been getting some rest. Very approachable.
The Galley was always clean, tables refreshed and inviting for good meals. The variety of foods in the Galley was appreciated also, something for everyone. Although I never ate breakfast, I heard it was always good. Many complained about the temperature of the food from all the restaurants needing to be hotter. The longer the line, the better the food! The table service for drinks was appreciated and served with a smile and promptly. I give props to the Diner & Dash, Burger Bar and the Salad Bar.

The food, best ever on a cruise. We have been on more then 40 cruises. The service was fantastic from our room steward and our Agent.

In December of 2025, I booked a cruise for my husband and myself. It was scheduled for 3/14/26 - 3/21/26. My husband has been a contractor with the US govt assisting in operations overseas in the Middle East since 2020. He is a USMC vet and has been proudly serving with our country since 2015. His most deployment rotation began November of 2025 and he was scheduled to return home early March before the cruise. Out of every year, he is gone for around 9 months. We were very excited to go on this vacation, and he has a high-stress job and we are rarely able to go on vacation. On 2/28/26, the war began. We didn’t know how long it would last, but inevitably, airspace at his location closed and his flight was cancelled. We held out hope for a little bit hoping he would still be able to make it home, but it didn’t work out. On 3/4/26, I cancelled the flights and cruise and contacted Virgin to cancel the trip, as my husband was stuck in conflict and there were riots happening at his location. I was asked if I wanted to credit the amount toward a future cruise, but I had to decline, as we had no idea when he would be home. I had also contacted travel insurance, but they told me to kick rocks. My husband came home less than a week ago, so I contacted Virgin to see if we could rebook now. I was told since I had my taxes refunded, I can only rebook with a 50% credit. I understand they have their policies for cancellation, but it is asinine that that have $3200 of my money and refuse to rebook me<+} the full amount, considering my husband was sacrificing his life defending a compound and getting hit by rockets. We had absolutely no idea when he’s was going to be able to come home, and It feels immoral and it’s excruciatingly disheartening that they lack any moral compass to support him. At this point, I’m incredibly turned off by this company, as they do not support our military and government workers. This event could not have been prevented in any way, shape, or form, and now we have to suffer even more than we already are.

Virgin is my absolute favorite cruise line.
The entertainment, night life, casino, and overall vibe is fantastic!
My 6th cruise with them is upcoming and I can't wait ❣️

This pains me because my first Virgin Voyage 3 years ago (Athens-Greek Islands) was entirely different than the most recent (New York to Barcelona).

First of all, Jo the room attendant is amazing, 5 Stars, on the current cruise. Sailor services, food quality & redemption spa has been an utter disappointment. The company complaints and morale from many others we have currently met on this cruise mirrors my same sentiment.

The redemption spa is in disrepair with many areas not working properly….paint peeling, steam rooms not heating consistently, heated lounge area with beds not warming, salt room inconsistent, shower heads non-functioning……(we were told the ship is headed for dry docking for needed repairs in Barcelona) We were also told the package we bought reflected a discount due to such malfunctions…..absolutely NOT true. ****Get the free redemption spa tour and make sure all is working prior to purchasing a package.

We were also told spa bookings first day of cruise would be 15% off but after completing the services we found in reality the discount was actually $50.

Do not waste your time….massages, facials, cool sculpting etc….much over priced and comes with high pressure product sales tactic (Elemis) at the end!!!! Make it clear at the conclusion-NO INTEREST IN OVER PRICED PRODUCTS.

The eats…..on our Greek & Spain/Italy Virgin Voyage the food was amazing. On the NY to Barcelona tour….absolutely a let down. The best food on the ship has been a burger in the ship cafeteria!! Otherwise has truly been mediocre at best. Poor Quality overall….even the Test Kitchen & The Manor have been let down.

My nice sunglasses were damaged in security machine reboarding ship in Azores, Demain head of security sent us to Sailor Services, which we went….absolutely useless, we were told they will “investigate”
Other passengers have already warned us that is Virgins go to phrase when they decide NOTHING will be done. All I asked is for the sunglasses to be repaired, they have retail shop on ship which is fully capable….hours later crickets.

Not sure what has happened in the last several years to Virgin Voyages brand but with good conscience I would never recommend to anyone.

Do your homework! Read a large variety of current reviews…..Better price points for actual product elsewhere!

The Ship was very nice and the Staff was great. Food wasn't good for me lost five pounds. Music on the ship not good either. Bimini Beach Club was great food was delicious.