Thinking about sailing with Virgin Voyages—or 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 can’t-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 food—it’s 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 I’ve included a few personal ordering tips for your next Virgin Voyages dining experience.
👉 Important dining tip: You’ll want to make your dinner and brunch reservations as soon as they open in the Virgin Voyages app—45 days before your sailing. Popular restaurants like The Wake, Pink Agave, and Extra Virgin book up quickly, especially for prime times. If you don’t get the exact time you want, don’t worry—it’s still possible to snag better times once you’re onboard.
Extra Virgin – A cozy, elevated Italian eatery with house-made pastas and an impressive wine list. Each ship has a little different menu. Don’t skip the Oxtail Agnolotti—it’s 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 – A moody, upscale Mexican restaurant perfect for date night. The guacamole is a must—ask for extra pomegranate seeds for that perfect sweet crunch. Try the Cochinita Pibil with achiote-smoked pork—it’s incredibly flavorful and tender.
The Wake – 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 sauce—it’s a game changer.
The Test Kitchen – An experimental tasting menu concept that’s both interactive and adventurous. I tried Menu A and C and had a blast—it’s great if you’re open to trying new things.
Razzle Dazzle – Virgin Voyages has quietly evolved the Razzle Dazzle concept, and it’s 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 don’t miss the Old Bay wings, Nashville hot cauliflower, and ‘V’ fried chicken. The brunch here is also one of the best on Virgin Voyages—the smoked (candied) bacon is unforgettable!
Gunbae – 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 – Virgin’s 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 lunch—it’s fresh, fast, and delicious.
The Dock House – 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 – Build-your-own pizzas and creative options, open late. Perfect for lunch or a post-party bite.
Lick Me Till Ice Cream – Rotating flavors of artisanal ice cream and vegan sorbets. A fun, must-try treat!
The Social Club – Carnival snacks, games, and old-school fun. Think hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, and air hockey—great 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 fun—there’s no dress code—but wearing red helps you get into the spirit.
Virgin Voyages also hosts a PJ Party—a 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 you’ll also find plenty of free pop-ups and live music throughout your Virgin Voyages ship.
The Manor – The ship’s 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 benches—like 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 entertainment—tons of shows, movies, and binge-worthy series. It’s 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 You’ll Love
No lanyards—Virgin 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.
• Shore Things (excursions)
• Spa appointments
• Bar Tab (Virgin Voyages’ drink credit system)
• Photo packages and wellness services
Pack a small carry-on with essentials—your luggage might take a few hours to arrive.
You’re going to fall in love with the Virgin Voyages cruise experience. Bon voyage! 🚢✨
Once you’ve got your packing list handled, don’t forget to bookmark my Virgin drinks to order guide for when you’re onboard. Whether you’re going alcohol-free or just want a good mocktail moment, you’ll find plenty of creative options to try.
Yes, it’s only July. Start planning anyway. Fall books faster than people expect, and a few of these destinations are worth getting ahead of. Here are five places worth putting on your radar right now.
Ireland: Cooler temps, moody skies, dramatic coastline fall was made for it. Tourist crowds drop, the green stays, and the whole country feels a little more like itself.
Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC: Fall foliage in the Smokies is the real thing. The color peaks mid-October and the views from the ridgelines are hard to argue with. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the country, so going on a weekday makes a real difference.
New York City: Fall is NYC at its best comfortable temps, the energy of the city shifting into a new season, and every neighborhood doing something worth showing up for. It’s also just a great walking city when it’s not brutally hot.
Japan: Fall foliage season is as good as spring cherry blossoms and somehow less talked about. The colors are dramatic, the temples and gardens are stunning, and it’s worth planning around peak dates by region.
Mystic, Connecticut: Small, walkable, genuinely charming Mystic in fall feels like exactly what a New England autumn is supposed to look like. Easy to pair with a broader New England road trip if you want to extend it.
Full guides linked in bio 🍂
There are two kinds of travelers: people who plan a trip and then figure out where to eat, and people who book a restaurant and then build the rest of the itinerary around it.I am the second kind. I will not apologize for this.
The reservation gets locked in first. The hotel search happens within the same 24 hours. The flights get compared around the restaurant’s hours of operation. The rest of the trip exists to fill the days before and after the table I actually came for.
If this sounds unhinged, I completely understand. It has also resulted in some of the best meals of my life, so I’m going to keep doing it.
Drop a 🍽️ if you plan your trips around food too.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
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