Thinking about sailing with Virgin Voyagesβor already booked and counting down the days? This post is packed with everything I wish I had known before my first Virgin Voyages cruise. From canβt-miss restaurants and entertainment to what to pack and how to make the most of your time onboard, this guide has you covered. Whether you're still deciding or getting ready to board, I hope it helps you plan an unforgettable, stress-free escape at sea!
One of the absolute highlights of any Virgin Voyages cruise is the foodβitβs seriously next-level. Every restaurant is included in your fare (no upcharges!), and the variety, quality, and creativity are phenomenal. These were my favorites, and Iβve included a few personal ordering tips for your next Virgin Voyages dining experience.
π Important dining tip: Youβll want to make your dinner and brunch reservations as soon as they open in the Virgin Voyages appβ45 days before your sailing. Popular restaurants like The Wake, Pink Agave, and Extra Virgin book up quickly, especially for prime times. If you donβt get the exact time you want, donβt worryβitβs still possible to snag better times once youβre onboard.
Extra Virgin β A cozy, elevated Italian eatery with house-made pastas and an impressive wine list. Each ship has a little different menu. Donβt skip the Oxtail Agnolottiβitβs rich, savory, and unforgettable. I also loved the Carbonara both of these are offered on Resilient Lady. If you are sailing on Scarlet Lady make sure to get the Cacio e Pepe and the Corn Tortellini and the Burrata is a must!
Pink Agave β A moody, upscale Mexican restaurant perfect for date night. The guacamole is a mustβask for extra pomegranate seeds for that perfect sweet crunch. Try the Cochinita Pibil with achiote-smoked porkβitβs incredibly flavorful and tender.
The Wake β A classic steakhouse with panoramic ocean views. This was my top pick for dinner (and brunch too!). The Wedge Salad, porterhouse rolls, and Filet Mignon are all fantastic. Pro tip: mix the green sauce with the American sauceβitβs a game changer.
The Test Kitchen β An experimental tasting menu concept thatβs both interactive and adventurous. I tried Menu A and C and had a blastβitβs great if youβre open to trying new things.
Razzle Dazzle β Virgin Voyages has quietly evolved the Razzle Dazzle concept, and itβs no longer the same menu across every ship. While it is still known for its playful vibe and vegetarian-forward roots, some ships now feature themed dinner concepts under the Razzle Dazzle umbrella. For example, Scarlet Lady has introduced Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle, an Asian-inspired dinner menu, and I would highly recommend ordering Pan Roasted Vegetable Dumplings and the Szechuan Hot & Sour Noodles. If you are sailing on Valiant & Resilient Lady donβt miss the Old Bay wings, Nashville hot cauliflower, and βVβ fried chicken. The brunch here is also one of the best on Virgin Voyagesβthe smoked (candied) bacon is unforgettable!
Gunbae β A lively Korean BBQ where you grill at your table and play drinking games with other sailors (non-alcoholic options included!). Try the Kalbi-marinated beef and crispy chicken.
The Galley β Virginβs version of a chic food hall with sushi, tacos, noodle bowls, burgers, and all-day breakfast. I ate here almost every day for breakfast or lunchβitβs fresh, fast, and delicious.
The Dock House β Mediterranean-inspired small plates and relaxing ocean views. Ideal for an afternoon snack and a sea breeze. This is a hidden gem on the boat. Get the mezze plates: pomegranate walnut dip with the homemade crackers, the watermelon feta mint salad, and the lemon cream dessert.
The Pizza Place β Build-your-own pizzas and creative options, open late. Perfect for lunch or a post-party bite.
Lick Me Till Ice Cream β Rotating flavors of artisanal ice cream and vegan sorbets. A fun, must-try treat!
The Social Club β Carnival snacks, games, and old-school fun. Think hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and air hockeyβgreat between activities.
One of the most iconic nights on a Virgin Voyages cruise is Scarlet Night. Almost everyone dresses in red, and the vibe is electric. Wear whatever feels funβthereβs no dress codeβbut wearing red helps you get into the spirit.
Virgin Voyages also hosts a PJ Partyβa pajama dance party at sea! You can wear silk pajamas, onesies, or whatever feels comfy and fun.
Entertainment is bold, edgy, and unlike traditional cruises. Reserve paid shows in the app, but youβll also find plenty of free pop-ups and live music throughout your Virgin Voyages ship.
The Manor β The shipβs glittery nightclub and post-Scarlet Night hotspot. The mirror tunnel entrance is iconic for photos!
Keep an eye on the Virgin Voyages app for spontaneous shows and live entertainment throughout the ship.
The Redemption Spa on Virgin Voyages is a total must-do. The thermal suite includes a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, plunge pools, and heated marble hammam benchesβlike a mini wellness retreat at sea.
Pro tip: Book treatments (massages or facials) on port days for lower prices. You can reserve spa services in the app before your cruise or once onboard and I'd recommend the latest slot so you will have less people to deal with in the spa.
Basic Wi-Fi is included on every Virgin Voyages cruise, and I found it perfectly fine for messaging, browsing, and using the app.
Virgin also surprises guests with great in-room entertainmentβtons of shows, movies, and binge-worthy series. Itβs perfect for a relaxing night in.
Documents & Must-Haves
Passport, app check-in, travel insurance, credit card, meds, charger, portable charger
Clothing Tips
Daywear for excursions, resort-chic dinner outfits, red for Scarlet Night, PJs for the pajama party, and a light jacket for evenings.
Extras Youβll Love
No lanyardsβVirgin uses wristbands! Bring a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, magnetic hooks, and white noise machine.
What Not to Pack
No irons, surge protectors, candles, or heating devices.
β’ Shore Things (excursions)
β’ Spa appointments
β’ Bar Tab (Virgin Voyagesβ drink credit system)
β’ Photo packages and wellness services
Pack a small carry-on with essentialsβyour luggage might take a few hours to arrive.
Youβre going to fall in love with the Virgin Voyages cruise experience. Bon voyage! π’β¨
Once youβve got your packing list handled, donβt forget to bookmark my Virgin drinks to order guide for when youβre onboard. Whether youβre going alcohol-free or just want a good mocktail moment, youβll find plenty of creative options to try.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
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