We’ve traveled to 60+ countries but this was our first time sailing Virgin Voyages. After 3 nights on the Scarlet Lady, here’s what’s actually included, what costs extra, and the things that genuinely surprised us. Plus everything you need to know before you book.
Disclosure: We sailed on Virgin Voyages’ inaugural Creator Voyage in partnership with TikTok. We were not paid and have zero obligations. This is our honest take. For this trip, we went from ChewsToExplore to ChewsToCruise, and we might be keeping that one.
We’ve traveled to over 60 countries. Backpacked, hosteled, Airbnb’d, overwater bungalowed, all-inclusive resort-ed.
The one thing that wasn’t a high priority? A cruise.
We pictured buffet lines, forced fun, and barely touching the destination before getting shuffled back on board.
Then we spent 3 nights on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, and now we’re actively planning the next one.
So if you’re on the fence, especially if you’re deciding between a cruise and just booking a regular trip, here’s everything we wish someone had told us.
Our Favorite Thing to Hear on the Ship: “Yes, It’s Included”
You know our motto: sea the world, save a dollar! So this matters to us.
Virgin Voyages includes a lot of what other cruise lines charge extra for: all restaurants (over 20 dining concepts with Michelin-star chefs), group fitness classes, tips and gratuities, Wi-Fi, soft drinks and drip coffee, and the Bimini Beach Club with food (do not miss out on this food, okay!).
That changes how you budget entirely. You’re not getting nickel-and-dimed the whole trip.
What does cost extra: alcohol, spa treatments, shore excursions, and specialty items.
But even here there are workarounds. Ship Eats (room service) is included, and if you order $10+ in premium items, the delivery fee is waived.
The popsicle spot, Pops & Bubs, gives you popsicles that are included, or you can add champagne for a small upcharge. Worth it, if you ask me.
There’s also a secret menu at the restaurants, so ask about it.
If you book your next cruise while still on board (called MNVV. My Next Virgin Voyage), a deposit holds your spot for 2 years and comes with on-board credits included.
The best time to book your next trip is while you’re still on your current one, and they know it.
What You Can Realistically Do in 3 Nights
Three nights is short. We want to be upfront about that.
There are over 20 dining concepts and we only got to three sit-down dinners. Pink Agave, Razzle Dazzle, and Gunbae. All incredible, but I do wish we had more time to try some of the others like Extra Virgin and Test Kitchen.
Gunbae is Korean BBQ and works great even for vegetarians, plus there’s a fun drinking game that involves the whole table. You’re bound to make friends here.
My husband could not stop talking about the ribs at Razzle Dazzle.
Our friends did brunch at The Wake (which is actually the steakhouse with gorgeous views) and loved it.
Between restaurants, The Galley is your everyday spot. Think elevated food court, floor-to-ceiling windows, everything made to order.
I personally, had to get the miso soup from Noodle Around everyday. Couldn’t resist.
Menus rotate between breakfast and lunch, and there’s a spot with all-day breakfast where you can order a french toast burger if that’s where your heart takes you.
The desserts were exquisite and you can order one of everything. Nobody’s judging you. There’s also a gourmet salad station. Because, balance.
The nightlife is real. Scarlet Night is an entire themed event (wear red for this), there’s a PJ party, full-production shows, and karaoke rooms on Deck 7.
There are also slot machines and table games in the casino.
There’s even a tattoo parlor on board, Squid Ink, if you want a permanent souvenir.
You can find basketball, pickleball, and dodgeball in the sports center.
For calmer vibes, the dock area on Deck 7 is quieter and away from the pools, and the hot tubs on Deck 16 were usually empty.
Don’t forget to hit up the shops on the ship. They have great ones. From clothing to jewelry to travel essentials. I made sure to buy a few of my favorites.
Three nights gave us a taste of all of this, but we’re already looking at longer sailings because there’s so much we didn’t get to try.
That’s our honest take. 3 nights is perfect if you’re short on PTO or just testing the waters (literally), but if you can book for longer, you’ll be glad you did.
The Trade-Offs: Cruise vs. Booking a Trip on Your Own
This was our third time in the Bahamas. First was Nassau in an Airbnb, second was Freeport at an all-inclusive resort, and this time sailing to Bimini on the Scarlet Lady.
All completely different experiences, and all worth doing, but here’s how I’d break down the trade-offs.
What you gain with the cruise: Built-in entertainment, a ridiculous variety of exceptional food, no packing and unpacking between locations, themed nights that actually create a social atmosphere, and the Bimini Beach Club, which is included and was a highlight. The food there was hittinggg. Rum cake we’re still thinking about. Coconut-crusted corn on the cob, a combo we never knew we needed. Curry pumpkin, jerk chicken, plenty of vegetarian options.
What you trade: Time at the destination is limited. We had one day at Bimini, and shore excursions (like snorkeling) are weather-dependent. Ours got cancelled because of choppy water. If deep destination immersion is your priority, a cruise gives you a taste but not a deep dive. You also get a smaller living space. The bathroom in the cabin is compact (standard for cruise ships, but still). I wore my hair naturally curly on this trip and when the frizz started creeping in, I debated whether to just commit to the look or re-wet my hair. Well basically, the small size of the shower with the rainfall shower head made it so that keeping your hair dry is unrealistic. There’s a handheld option too, but overall, the shower quarters are tight. At least in the sea terrace that we stayed in. Just something to know going in.
Bimini Beach Club shuttle is included. All food and soft drinks there are included. Just show up and eat your weight in rum cake. I have no regrets. Hop in the pool, lounge by the beach, dance to the DJ. All viable options. You will want to stay longer though!
If you booked a 3-night hotel in Miami and flew to Bimini separately, you’d get more destination time but also more logistics, more meal planning, and none of the onboard experience (which surpassed all of my cruise expectations).
For a short getaway, the cruise packages everything together in a way that’s very hard to beat on value.
Who This Is Actually Built For
Virgin Voyages is adults-only, and you feel it.
The design is sleek, the vibe is social but not rowdy, and everything from the mood lighting in your room (controlled by an iPad with settings like “Zen” and “Hangover”) to the restaurants feels intentional.
But “adults-only” doesn’t mean one-note.
Whether you’re a foodie who wants to eat at 20+ restaurants without paying extra, someone who wants to party at Scarlet Night and close out The Manor at 2 AM, or the type who’d rather post up at the Deck 16 hot tubs with a book, it all works.
There’s a spa if you want to fully decompress, fitness classes if you need to move, karaoke rooms if you’re feeling bold, and a whole tattoo shop if you’re feeling really bold. The ship meets your energy wherever it’s at.
If you love to travel but wrote off cruises as not your thing, this is the one that might surprise you.
It surprised us.
Before You Board: The Non-Negotiables
Download the app early. You’ll need it to upload passport info, fill out a health form, and select your check-in time before you arrive. This is also where you reserve dining, shore things, and spa treatments. You’ll get helpful notifications and can even get a full look at all things going on and add them to your day.
Reserve restaurants the second you get that email. Book dinner after 7 PM for the first night so you’re not rushing from Sail Away to your table.
Pack for the themed nights. PJs for the PJ party, red for Scarlet Night, and something a little dressy if there’s a formal evening. If you’re sailing outside of summer weather, bring layers because deck evenings can get chilly.
Once You’re On Board
After you check in and get your wristband, a crew member walks you to your room and shows you how everything works, and there’s more to figure out than you’d expect.
The Sea Terrace room comes with a balcony, button-controlled curtains (fancyyy), and Virgin Voyage’s signature red hammock.
Lay in it lengthwise with your feet pointing toward the water.
We Okay, it was just me who tried getting in horizontally the first time and quickly learned that’s not how it works.
After boarding, a crew member walks you through the room and iPad controls, you watch a quick safety briefing on the TV, and then you’re free.
Head to The Galley, grab food, explore the ship, and catch the Sail Away party around 5-6 PM. There’s free champagne for everybody for this one.
My husband doesn’t drink so his free champagne also became my free champagne 🙂
About the Creator Voyage
We sailed on the inaugural Creator Voyage, so we want to be transparent about what was specific to that experience.
There were Q&A sessions with Sir Richard Branson (founder of the Virgin group), sponsored pop-ups from brands like Fabletics (two free outfits), Insta360 demos, Moët & Chandon tastings, and Don Julio 1942 tastings. All sign-up based with limited spots.
Also, the Bimini Beach Club was sponsored by Heineken and Provocativo, so there were some additional complementary drinks available.
The energy was unmatched.
Everyone respected each other’s content, and Virgin Voyages curated an incredibly diverse group of creators across travel, fashion, lifestyle, parenting, comedy, sports, genders, abilities, ages, and more.
The representation and inclusivity was clearly a priority.
But here’s what matters if you’re reading this as a regular traveler: everything else above about the food, entertainment, beach club, and rooms, that’s your experience too.
The Creator Voyage was a layer on top of an already excellent cruise.
If you’re a creator, keep an eye out for future ones. If you’re not, you’re still getting an incredible trip.
So… Are We Cruise People Now?
Apparently, yes.
Three nights was enough to know that Virgin Voyages does this differently, and enough to know we need a longer sailing to do it justice.
The crew was warm, fun, and made us feel welcome from the moment we stepped on board.
More restaurants to try, more shore excursions to explore, more time in that red hammock. We’re coming back for all of it.
ChewsToCruise Pt. 2, loading….
I haven’t been on a cruise in a very long time! I had a one day cruise to Bahamas to Freeport and the food was amazing but the cruise was not and then I had a 3 day cruise to Nassau which was fun but definitely not the same energy or vibes that I see Virgin Voyages is giving! I’m definitely thinking I want to bring the cousins out the group trip for this one for sure!!
Yes Virgin Voyages is a completely different energy from those older cruise experiences! The vibe is so much more elevated and fun. It honestly doesn’t even feel like a traditional cruise. A cousins group trip on this would be SO good, especially with Scarlet Night and the restaurants being such social experiences. Do it and come back and tell me everything!!