Introduction
In this final blog post in my series about, Virgin Voyages, I will provide my final input on my experiences on the 6 day cruise from Miami to Puerto Rico. This blog series was specifically to discuss Virgin Voyages and not to discuss the Ports in great detail. I will break this into several categories, the ship, the service, the food and the entertainment/nightlife. So here we go on the final conclusion.
The Ship
Ship Overall Layout
In a continuation from my previous blog post, “Virgin Voyages – Join Me as the Great Adventure Continues – Everything Travel (everythingtravel67.com)“. I must highlight the compartmentalized nature of the ship. It lacks the spacious, centralized hubs found on other cruise lines, which would house the main bar, coffee shops, stores, and entertainment over several stories. Despite gradually adapting to this layout, it remained a drawback for me and fellow passengers, contributing to a shortage of windows and natural light. On the deck there was a lot of wasted space with more gimmicky ideas that at the end of the day only took up space and no use to most passengers.
The Stateroom
While my balcony stateroom provided a pleasant experience, the furnishings left something to be desired. Virgin Voyages opted for a modern aesthetic, achieved at the cost of quality. The stateroom’s technological features, controlled by a tablet, felt gimmicky, with scenes playing music while adjusting lighting based on selected categories. Notably, a large wooden block in the room seemed impractical, occupying space without a clear function. The bathroom lacked storage space and convenient outlets. On a positive note, the balcony with a hammock proved enjoyable.
The Restaurants and Food
The variety of cuisines offered by the restaurants was commendable, featuring options from steakhouses to Mexican and Italian fare. The chefs showcased creativity in their dishes, resulting in a generally positive dining experience. However, the restaurant furnishings, with a mix of couch seating and individual chairs, lacked comfort and functionality, leaning towards a modern but inexpensive design. While the staff was friendly, they fell short of going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction, a departure from the service standard observed on other cruise lines.
Virgin Voyages deviated from the norm by eschewing a main grand dining room in favor of individual restaurants and a buffet-style area similar to a shopping mall food court. This led to pre-cruise booking challenges, with limited dining slots available. Many passengers faced inconvenient dining times due to high demand, setting a suboptimal tone at the beginning of the cruise.
Venues and Entertainment
The ship’s venues were comparatively small, resulting in sold-out shows and frustrated passengers unable to attend. Unlike other cruise lines offering multiple show seatings, Virgin Voyages stuck to a single seating, causing dissatisfaction among guests. Despite these challenges, the entertainment quality was commendable, with the Manor nightclub standing out. In addition, the parties Virgin provided were outstanding, to those on the pool deck to those in the Manor night club, they were excellent and full of energy with top-notch DJs. Here is a short video of the pool deck party, Virgin Silhouette Pool Deck Party.
The Mobile App/Technology
Universally disliked, the mobile app garnered criticism from both passengers and staff. Issues included difficulties in booking reservations due to early booking constraints and occasional app failures. One redeeming feature was the app’s ability to display bills promptly, aiding in expense tracking. The best feature, in regard to technology, was the wrist bracelet Virgin provided that was used for everything. The bracelet would open you room and would be used for all charges throughout the cruise from the bar to haircuts. This removed any worry about forgetting or losing your room key/card.
Final Conclusion
Regrettably, my overall experience with Virgin Voyages leaves me hesitant to consider future travel with them. The ship’s layout, coupled with a lack of proactive crew assistance and pre-booked shows and restaurants, influenced my decision. Comparatively, other cruise lines offer grand meeting spaces and a higher level of passenger care. While recognizing individual preferences, I hope these insights will provide some guidance in making informed decisions about Virgin Voyages. For those of you that have traveled on Virgin Voyages I would love to hear your comments.
As I conclude this adventure, my next destination is the Dominican Republic. In the upcoming weeks, I will share my experiences exploring the North Coast, including Puerto Plata, Sosua, and Cabarete. Stay tuned by subscribing to follow along!
