The Virgin Voyages fleet is small, but it is making waves in the cruise industry. With a sleek design and unique approach to how travelers experience their cruise, it’s no wonder the brand is quickly becoming a favorite among cruisers.
Unlike other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian, Virgin Voyages doesn’t have a ton of massive ships. Instead, the current Virgin Voyages fleet consists of four somewhat smaller ships: Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady.
But is there a difference between these ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet that should sway your decision when it comes to booking a cruise? Not really. The main difference is the itineraries the various “Lady Ships” sail to.
In this article we will give you an inside look at the Virgin Voyages fleet and what makes this cruise line unique.
What Ships Are in the Virgin Voyages Fleet?
Originally, Richard Branson and his team at Virgin Voyages had a plan to launch their first ship, the Scarlet Lady, in 2020. But due to the international pandemic and travel restrictions, the introduction of the Virgin Voyages cruise line was delayed until 2021.
Virgin Voyages had a mission to offer a different experience than any of its competitors, and the Scarlet Lady was their first example. Not only are all of the cruises adult-only, but there is also a big focus on environmental sustainability. In fact, they are working towards a goal of being Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050.
However, being eco-friendly isn’t the only thing that makes Virgin Voyages different from other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian. When aboard one of the ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet, you will be able to experience a unique take on luxury cruising.
Instead of opting for a traditional cruise design, Virgin Voyages had luxury hotel and restaurant designers create the layout and decor of the ships. Each cabin has mood-lighting and modern interiors, with some cabins featuring a hand-woven hammock on a private balcony.
When wandering any of the ships, you will find a big focus on music, relaxation, and wellness. Each ship is equipped with a large spa, impressive fitness center, and wide range of restaurants and lounges. Not to mention, the entertainment is second to none, with live performances, PJ parties, and a festival-like lineup.
Truth be told, if you didn’t know which ship you were on, it would be difficult to tell the Lady Ships apart. However, where they sail varies from ship to ship.
Virgin Voyages Fleet Size
Compared to other vessels in the cruise industry, Virgin Voyages’ fleet isn’t huge. For example, some of the Royal Caribbean ships can accommodate over 6,000 passengers. In comparison, each of the Virgin Voyages ships accommodates 2,700 passengers.
With that said, you can consider the “Lady Ships” to be medium-sized superyachts. They are 110,000 gross tonnages and 909 feet long. The smaller ship size could be due to the cruise line only catering to adults. Cruise lines that are more family-friendly will need more space for children and the activities such as waterparks, ziplines, bumper cars, and surf simulators.
If you were hoping for those things, then a Virgin Voyages cruise isn’t for you. Instead, expect one large swimming pool with lounge chairs in the middle of the ship. There is a smaller dipping pool at the rear and a topless area for those who don’t believe in tan lines.
Virgin Voyages Fleet Itineraries
Virgin Voyages’ fleet may be young, but they are quickly expanding their itineraries. Currently, travelers can book cruises to various destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South Pacific. There are plans to add more destinations in the future.
Caribbean Routes
For now, every Caribbean cruise departs from Miami. In the future, Virgin Voyages will launch departures from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands.
Typically, these itineraries are short four to five-night trips traveling through Key West, Puerto Plata, and Bimini. There are other cruise itineraries that extend to six to eight nights that travel through the Eastern and Western Caribbean. These voyages will visit ports such as Roatan, Costa Maya, San Juan, St. Croix, and more.
Mediterranean Routes
Beauty, romance, and adventure await you when you take a cruise through the Mediterranean. Virgin Voyages offers 7-night voyages from the home ports of Barcelona, Spain, and Athens, Greece.
These itineraries are for those wanting to roam the iconic local areas while enjoying the luxury of a Virgin Voyages ship. During the ports of call, you can explore historical sites, book excursions, and bask in the Mediterranean sun.
Australia & New Zealand Routes
The itineraries down under are the newest adventures for Virgin Voyages. These voyages range from 5 to 14 nights and leave out of Melbourne, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. Some itineraries are round trips, while others are one-way trips.
Travelers will also soon have the opportunity to book cruises that stop in the city-state of Singapore or the popular digital nomad hub, Bali. It won’t be a surprise if Virgin Voyages continues to expand its itineraries in the near future.
Virgin Voyages Cabins & Suites
During a cruise, you probably won’t spend a ton of time in your cabin or suite. However, that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice comfort and luxury. The Virgin Voyages fleet offers a variety of cabins and suites.
For cabins, choose from the Sea Terrace, the Sea View, and the Insider. For solo travelers, the Insider is small but offers what you need for a comfortable stay. The Sea View is a spacious cabin with a porthole view of the sea.
If you want a combination of privacy, luxury, and a good view, the Sea Terrace is your best option. The Sea Terrance features a private terrace with a hand-woven hammock for you to relax and take in the views.
For those wanting more space, there are suites available. The Rockstar and Mega Rockstar suites feature VIP perks when you are in and off the ship. You will get a stocked in-room bar, exclusive access to the Richard’s Rooftop deck and lounge, and priority boarding. If you want to be a “mega rockstar,” then you will get a bottomless mini-bar, premium Wifi, a complimentary bar tab, a dedicated concierge, and more.
Virgin Voyages Fleet: Food & Drink
You will find that each Virgin Voyages ship has a different approach when it comes to food and drinks. All food, essential drinks, and gratuities are included in your fare. There are no restaurants that cost extra or mandatory drink packages.
There are also no buffets on any of the four Lady Ships. Instead, passengers can go to more than 20 restaurants that offer a variety of casual and fine-dining experiences. Popular onboard restaurants like Pink Agave, Wake, and Razzle Dazzle offer flavors from Mexico to the Mediterranean, including healthy and vegan dishes.
While basic drinks such as coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and juices are included with your fare, alcohol is not. Guests who want to drink can choose to either pay as they go or buy a $300 bar tab ahead of time. If you choose to buy the $300 bar tab, you will get a bonus credit of $50 to use onboard.
Even if you go over your bar tab, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the drinks on Virgin Voyages ships aren’t as expensive as other cruise lines. You can find beers, wines, and cocktails ranging from $5-$10. If it’s a special occasion or just because you can choose to indulge in an expensive bottle of wine or champagne.
Virgin Voyages Fleet: Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that the Virgin Voyages fleet is creating a buzz in the cruising industry. The sleek design, unique experiences, and luxury accommodations make it a top adult-only cruise line. Don’t be surprised if the cruise line continues to expand its itineraries and offerings in the coming years.
