Setting Sail with
Virgin Voyages
A Caribbean Adventure to Remember
Table of Contents
Introduction
Ahoy, fellow wanderers and travel enthusiasts! We recently embarked on an unforgettable Virgin Voyages cruise to the Bahamas and Key West, and we’re thrilled to share our adventure with you. Whether you’re planning your own tropical getaway or simply love living vicariously through travel stories, we’ve got you covered with all the juicy details.
Day 1 – Miami, FL: Embarking on The Scarlet Lady
Our journey kicked off in the vibrant city of Miami, Florida. The excitement was palpable as we arrived at the port, ready to board The Scarlet Lady. We’d decided to pack light with carry-on luggage, which turned out to be a brilliant move. No baggage hassles for us! What’s more, Virgin Voyages has a nifty policy—your room is ready when you board. After a quick check-in process, we boarded the ship quickly, with no lines to wait in. We were able to drop our bags and freshen up in our cabins and then headed to our muster station for a crucial safety procedure demonstration. Once we got the green light to explore the ship, we were blown away by the sheer elegance of The Scarlet Lady. The ship had a distinct vibe that instantly put us in vacation mode.
Virgin Voyages has a treasure trove of dining options, more than 20 in fact, and trust me, you won’t come across a standard buffet on this cruise. Making reservations is a piece of cake with their handy app, but here’s a little secret: book early because these spots fill up in the blink of an eye!
On our first night, we opted for Pink Agave, the ship’s Mexican restaurant. The dining experience at Pink Agave was a culinary delight from start to finish. It all kicked off with watermelon appetizers soaked in Port wine and crowned with a luscious whipped goat cheese topping. And that was just the beginning! We sipped on margaritas, indulged in fresh guacamole, and savored mouthwatering enchiladas that set the stage for a dining experience that was nothing short of spectacular. The steak, topped with melted cheese and herbs, was a true highlight.
But, hold on, there’s more! We couldn’t say farewell without diving into a delectable dessert – a chocolate taco. It was the cherry on top of an already extraordinary dining adventure on The Scarlet Lady!
We wrapped up the evening with a bit of fun at the onboard casino and a memorable visit to The Manor, Virgin’s onboard nightclub. The intriguing cocktails throughout the ship kept our taste buds entertained. And don’t even get us started on the late-night burgers at the 24/7 diner—light snack? More like a full meal!
Day 2 – Key West, FL: Island Exploration and Unexpected Delights
Our Key West adventure began with a twist—the weather had other plans for our snorkeling excursion, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We opted for a bit of extra rest, which came as a welcome surprise, as there were no morning announcements to jolt us from our slumber. If you’ve been on a Carnival Cruise, you know what we’re talking about!
With no set agenda, we decided to explore Key West at our leisure. We serendipitously found a golf cart for rent, making our island adventure all the more exciting. We cruised around the island, taking in the sights, from the iconic Southernmost point in the continental United States to picturesque beaches.
A beach pit stop allowed us to dip our toes in the clear waters, a refreshing respite. Roaming down the main street, we embraced the island’s quirky charm and made sure to sample the local delights. Frozen drinks at Fat Tuesday and root beer shots at the Smallest Bar were just the tip of the iceberg.
With rooster shirts in tow (a nod to Key West’s ubiquitous roosters), we returned to the ship, where trivia awaited. We reconnected with our newfound friends, and before we knew it, we were making plans to meet at their cabana in Bimini the next day.
After a fun round of trivia, we stopped by the Social Club to try the boozy milkshakes we read about. They did not disappoint!! We scurried back to our room to get dolled up in our most vibrant red attire for Scarlet Night. But before diving into the evening’s festivities, we decided to take a walk on the wild side and get tattoos on board. With our fair share of ink already, the prospect of getting one on a cruise ship was thrilling.
Following our brief ink adventure, we wove through the ship’s vibrant energy to keep the good times rolling. Our next stop was the casino, where we whiled away the time while awaiting the uproarious drag show. The show was a hoot, and we couldn’t resist sipping on “YASSSSS queen,” the drink of the night, which turned out to be a delightful champagne-based concoction.
Dinner reservations were at Extra Virgin, the Italian restaurant on board, and it didn’t disappoint. The food was simply delish, and we reveled in the flavors of the Italian cuisine. After a scrumptious meal, we embarked on an exploration of decks 6 and 7, in the spirit of Scarlet Night. Unfortunately, our dinner ran late, so we didn’t catch much of the action. We overheard a lot about “activations” on deck 7 and were quite intrigued, but it turns out these were Virgin’s lingo for onboard events, all neatly listed in the schedule.
Later in the evening, we made our way to the Red Party, which had been moved from the pool deck to the Red Room due to weather conditions. To our surprise, the party left us somewhat underwhelmed. We had expected a more elaborate show, but it turned out to be a dance party with everyone decked out in red attire. Despite our initial expectations, it ended up being a night of people-watching before we eventually called it a night and headed to bed, ready for another day of adventure.
Day 3 – Bimini, Bahamas: Fun in the Sun
Our voyage continued with a stop in Bimini, Bahamas. This island paradise greeted us with an array of thrilling activities and the promise of a sun-soaked day. Before setting out to explore, we fueled up with brunch at Razzle Dazzle onboard, a great starting point for the day although the food left much to be desired.
We disembarked and found a convenient golf cart shuttle to Bimini Beach Club, an oasis operated by Virgin Voyages. Our new friends had been upgraded to a Rockstar cabana and graciously invited us to join them. What a fantastic invitation!
In our cabana, we indulged in tropical drinks and delicious lunches, all while enjoying the sparkling ocean views. The crystal-clear waters beckoned us for a refreshing swim, and the beach games hosted by the happening cast provided hours of entertainment. We took on challenges like sandcastle building (yes, we made a giant penis sand castle, because why not?), a spirited red light-green light game, and a chain and hula hoop team race. And guess what? We emerged victorious, earning a free drink as our reward.
We wrapped up our day with a lively pool party, where we attempted (unsuccessfully) to conquer a giant banana float. Back on the ship, we reunited with our new friends and indulged in more trivia. The evening brought us to Gunbae, an unforgettable dining experience and a fantastic way to celebrate Beth’s birthday. It was hands down the best dinner on the ship. The themed party of the night was a 1970s show in the nightclub, which we enjoyed before calling it a night.
Day 4 – A Relaxing Sea Day
Day four was a welcomed day of relaxation. We savored a leisurely start, sleeping in until 10. We commenced the day with Mind Benders trivia, and then we headed for brunch.
We opted for the Bottomless Brunch, a delightful option that we wholeheartedly recommend, but keep an eye on your server’s pace. Our server was a tad slow for our liking but still managed to keep our glasses refilled. With full bellies we headed to a 90s boyband dance class, where we learned “Bye Bye Bye” and even performed it in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
After a pitcher of Sangria, A visit to the “Taste of the Galley” event revealed a delightful sampling of small bites from the ship’s various food places in the Galley. It was a fun way to explore the culinary options on board.
We headed back to Dock House, where we decided to keep the good times flowing by ordering another pitcher of our favorite drink and to play a board game while we waited for our dinner reservation.
The highlight of the evening was supposed to be our long-anticipated reservation at the Test Kitchen on our final night. An interesting departure from the usual dining experiences on board, the Test Kitchen offers a fixed menu. To our disappointment, the culinary offerings didn’t quite align with our tastes, so we decided to leave in search of a more satisfying meal.
Our culinary journey led us back to Gunbae, where we found ourselves dining with a group of older patrons who initially seemed a bit reserved. We wondered if the evening might take a boring and awkward turn. However, as the night unfolded, we managed to coax them into loosening up and joining in on the fun. They were initially hesitant, but with a bit of effort, we turned the mood around.
Our evening culminated with some thrilling casino action, as we tried our luck at blackjack with our favorite dealer, Albert, karaoke, and an attempt to find a hot tub. We had a stroke of luck as we witnessed a SpaceX rocket launch from a hot tub and made new friends from Washington. Late-night pizza was the perfect ending to a fabulous day and an even better trip.
Day 5 – Homeward Bound
As all good things must come to an end, it was time to disembark. Virgin Voyages made this process incredibly easy, with no lines or delays. We literally walked right off the ship and right through customs. We couldn’t believe how easy it was compared to other cruises we have done. We opted for an affordable airport ride, and within moments, we were on our way back home, cherishing the memories of this unforgettable voyage.
Overall Notes:
- Virgin Voyages doesn’t allow smoking inside, even in the casino. Your clothes won’t carry the scent of smoke.
- If you’re a trivia enthusiast, you might find that there are fewer trivia options compared to other cruise lines.
- Don’t forget to book your show reservations in advance to secure your spot for the popular performances.
- Take advantage of Virgin’s onboard next cruise deal for future travel savings.
- The use of bracelets, rather than lanyards, is a convenient way to access various ship amenities.
- Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer professional photos like other cruise lines.
- The cabins are equipped with high-tech amenities, including automatic curtains and mood lighting. The bathroom, however, could use more storage space.
- The ship’s tablet-controlled features, from lighting to TV and room service, add a modern touch to your cruise experience.
- The “Do Not Disturb” buttons on the doors are more convenient than traditional door hangers.
- Virgin Voyages is a foodie’s paradise, offering a wide range of culinary experiences. HOWEVER, while it may be a foodie’s paradise, it is definitely not paradise for a picky eater!
And there you have it, our Virgin Voyages adventure in a nutshell! We hope this detailed overview, complete with reviews and recommendations, has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration for your future travel plans. Until our next journey, happy travels!
Thanks for such a great, detailed blog about your adventure on Virgin. I’m ready to go! I love all the detail you provided.