Once you’re booked, download the Virgin Voyages app: This is where you can book excursions, make reservations, etc. The app is seamless and easy to use! After boarding, each sailor is given a wristband that can be used for in-ship purchases which I really loved because it meant I didn’t need to carry a purse. COVID policies: My trip in May 2022 required that every passenger be fully vaccinated and present a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of boarding. Their policies have recently changed in accordance with CDC guidelines — 90% of passengers will be fully vaccinated (no pre-boarding testing required), and 10% can be unvaccinated and can only board if they present a negative test taken within 24 hours. Unvaccinated travelers need to call or email to book. All crew remains fully vaccinated. The Insider room is your most basic accommodation; there are no windows, but soothing lighting and funky decor make up for it. The Sea View and Sea Terrace rooms are both ocean-facing, with the former having a window and the latter having a private terrace and hammock. I stayed in the Sea Terrace room, and ’twas lovely! There’s also ~lock it in~ rates which are $1,299. They’re non-refundable but guarantee you a sea terrace room (you just won’t know the exact cabin until closer to your sail date). It’s very similar to a Hot Rate hotel in that way. My favorite spots were Pink Agave (for tacos and an impressive mezcal selection) and The Wake (fancy schmancy with lobster, steak, and crab on the menu). I also loved Razzle Dazzle, a veggie-forward spot with inventive selections: Think a banana blossom “fish” dish and green tea cheesecake for desert. The cocktails were also unique — I drank bourbon from a popcorn box, for reference. Reservations can be made on the Virgin Voyages app. You can start booking once your cruise departs; you won’t have trouble getting reservations per se, but if you want primetime dinner (7:30 p.m., etc.), then definitely make them in advance! If you’re not in the mood for fancy sit-down grub, there’s a food hall on the upper deck that’s opened 24/7 and is packed with options from pho and sushi to burgers and pizza. You can come here for breakfast, too. So, while you’ll have to pay per drink aboard the Valiant Lady, it’s evident that a lot of tender love and care has been put into menus, ingredients, and bartender training. Drink prices vary based on where you are on the cruise ship — I paid $16 for two glasses of champagne in The Manor club and $13 for a frozen watermelon cocktail at the pool on Richard’s Rooftop. One caveat with Shore Things: They’re pricey. The Prunelli tour was $90 per person, and the private Fiat tour was nearly $290 per person. Gratuity is baked into that price as well as transportation — after docking, there’s an organized system that gets all sailors to the proper bus. The buses take you to and from each excursion, which can be an hour and a half away depending on which one you’ve chosen. Are they expensive? Yes. But they’re super fun, very well organized, and worth the money if you can swing it. I attended a sex comedy show called Never Sleep Alone, a popular NYC-based performance that had me doubled over in laughter. There was an impressive acrobatic performance inspired by Romeo & Juliet. I nearly jumped out of my seat multiple times because of how intricate the stunts were (think Cirque du Soleil vibes), and the man next to me cried because of how beautiful it was. In additional to scheduled performances, there was constantly live music, and it felt like every corridor you walked through had something fun to offer. All performances are included in your price, and you can make reservations for each show in the app. We kept the party going by moving to The Manor, the on-site club. Important note: The Scarlet Night party was cleverly scheduled for when we wouldn’t dock until the following evening, aka you could give yourself permission to really rest up the morning after. Pictured above is the gorgeous coastal town of Toulon, France.
- a pizza parlor
- an ice cream shop
- a tattoo parlor (I chickened out)
- a million and one lounge areas and cozy corners
- an old time-y dinner serving up hot dogs and boozy milkshakes
- a salon for manicures, pedicures, and blowouts
- a casino
- a nightclub with a cool Instagram-ready entrance (see sparkly gif above)
- a rooftop pool
- a vintage arcade room
- cool art murals galore
- outdoor workout areas and a rooftop running track (NOTE: I did not partake)
- multiple shops with boutique-y clothing, toiletries, designer handbags, etc.
