Marcy Discovers Virgin Voyages Is Not What She Expected

When I heard about Virgin Voyages, I'll admit I had some assumptions. An adults-only cruise line with late-night parties and a reputation for fun? As someone who doesn't drink much, I was apprehensive. But when the opportunity came to experience it firsthand at my first big TravelOnly corporate event, I knew I had to see for myself what this cruise line was really about.

I booked a five-night sailing round trip from Miami, with port stops in Grand Turks (Turks and Caicos) and Virgin Voyages' private beach club on Bimini in the Bahamas. And I'm so glad I did, because this cruise surprised me in the best possible ways.

A Relaxed Vibe That Works for Everyone

What I keep telling people about this trip is the atmosphere. The whole cruise had this relaxed, chilled-out vibe where everyone had a positive attitude. Yes, there were late-night parties if you wanted them. But here's what I didn't expect: you could always find a quiet area on the ship to just decompress and relax. The pool areas can get lively, especially on sea days, but there are quieter spaces if you need them. This isn't a retreat-at-sea kind of cruise, but you absolutely can find quiet on the boat.

Another thing that surprised me was the complete lack of upselling. No photographers pushing sales. No art auctions. The company didn't try to nickel and dime you for every little thing. Basic Wi-Fi was included. All basic non-alcoholic drinks were included. Coming from experience with other cruise lines, this was incredibly refreshing and something I really appreciated.

Food That Made a Non-Foodie Take Notice

I am not a foodie, but I know without a doubt that foodies would drool over the dishes being served on this ship. The level of food was out of this world. My personal favorite of the restaurants was Gun Bae, the Korean restaurant. I also loved The Wake, a classy steakhouse with an incredible view of the back of the ship. Here's a tip I learned: book your dining times and excursions as soon as possible because they do sell out.

Port Days Done Right

One thing I now understand that I couldn't have known otherwise is how smooth everything runs when you stick to your embarkation time. Getting on and off the ship took less than five minutes both ways, even coming back through customs. That efficiency was so appreciated.

Grand Turks was phenomenal because you don't need to do an excursion. You get off and you're right there at the beach. The water was warm and swimmable, there's Margaritaville where you can swim in their pool at no cost, and you're literally steps away from the boat. The Bimini Beach Club was incredible. There's a party pool and a quieter pool, and a lot of people just spend most of their time at the beach. Food is included, your bar tab works there. It was a really, really great day.

Who This Cruise Is For

This trip is for any adult who wants to get away and have a chilled, relaxing, positive experience away from kids. It's particularly suited to couples, friends, and food-focused travelers who want something social and upscale without a traditional cruise feel. If you do need streaming or need to handle business, I'd recommend upgrading the Wi-Fi package.

I would say this isn't the cruise for someone who is easily offended by crude humor. Some of the entertainment on the ship can be edgy, but if you don't take yourself too seriously, or you simply skip those shows, you'll have an amazing time. As someone who doesn't drink myself, I still had an absolutely fabulous experience just soaking in the positive atmosphere.

There is no doubt in my mind I will be back on a Virgin Voyages ship. In fact, I'm already looking forward to planning a travel girls group to go on a sailing. Stay tuned for details on that. This experience showed me that Virgin Voyages truly has something for everyone, and I can't wait to share it with my clients who are looking for an adults-only escape that's so worth it.