OMG! Get your ship started with Virgin Voyages! It’s truly awesome what they have to offer!
Pair them with the incredible departure port of Barcelona, along with the beautiful Mediterranean, and you simply can’t go wrong!
Seeing is believing on a Virgin Voyage Cruise and we were completely blown away by all the ‘seeing’. What the brand offers is fantastic - a real game changer in cruising, that’s for sure.
Boarding is a breeze. Staff are genuine, helpful and happy. A real example of job love, the staff are a pillar for the brand. Virgin thoroughly vets but also really look after their staff with pay and conditions, and it absolutely shows!
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Virgin Voyages' Sea Terrace cabins are a dream! Automated iPad curtain, lights, TV control, right through to in cabin space and amenities. And yes, that signature red hammock is standard on almost every balcony. Double bedding may greet you at the door but can easily and promptly be changed to twin with a smile.
The phone app continues its brilliance on board, as it does for all your pre-departure info and requirements. Great for booking and/or changing dining reservations and times, plus knowing about all the ship happenings at any one time.
There are so many inclusions that are standard with every sail, unlike other cruise company offerings. Tipping is included, as are 20 restaurants and eateries (even specialty restaurants), WIFI, basic drinks, gym and fitness classes, entertainment and shows. All the necessities when sailing the high seas.
When released on the app (closer to sailing), we recommend selecting your boarding time and reserving your spot for the six specialty dining experiences immediately, all scrumptious and all adding to your journey and experience. Not tech savvy? Then, don’t worry, just visit guest services after check-in and they will have you sorted in no time.
Our favourite dining experience was hard to pick!
Virgin Voyages cater for all hungers, right across the ship. ‘The Wake’ has tasty steaks, ‘Gunbae’ is a fantastic Korean BBQ at sea - a really fun experience with fellow sailors, ‘Extra Virgin’ for al dente pasta and Italian food. ‘Test Kitchen’ is a unique choice, ‘Pink Agave’ for fantastic Mexican cuisine and desserts to die for. ‘Razzle Dazzle’ offers up the best vegetarian menu, but has a cheeky ‘naughty’ menu if so inclined. Cute!
There are also so many other delicious eateries on board. Pizza, Noodles, and more. Oh, and you have to try the ice cream! Make sure you have a giggle at the name/s.
The Breakfast range in ‘The Galley’ has everything you will ever want and more.
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Virgin Voyages brand themselves on wellness, so activities (to burn off all those calories, perhaps?), range in everything from spiritual pearls like yoga and meditation, to acupuncture, right through to social wellness and engaging entertainment.
Gym classes are very popular, especially with the young. There’s a basketball court onboard, along with a boxing ring and punching bags all dotted around the ship, and of course that famous RED running track at the top of the deck. Tip: the best vantage point for sunset.
Fitness not your thing? Then listen to live music, pure laughter and chitter chatter of ‘sailors’ enjoying every part of the vessel, all with the same consistent layout across the fleet.
There’s a heap of bars on board and a casino too, proving a real hive of activity. A place many a sailor end up, not so much to play or bet, but for the social element. A meeting point of sorts.
So what’s the crowd like? Personally, that was the biggest thrill for us. Our Med cruise had a huge mix. Differing age groups and nationalities. Sailors from Europe, Africa, UK, USA and of course, a few Aussies too. The span of ages and nationalities makes for interesting conversation.
There’s no dress code on board but many sailors do dress up, especially on ‘Scarlet Night’. Wearing a touch of RED is encouraged. It’s such a fantastic night with loads of excitement around the ship, said to be a standard feature on every cruise voyage.
The dance party in the Red Room later comes alive with fantastic strobe lighting and DJ.
A real feast for the eyes and a party atmosphere, no matter how much or little you immerse. Just walking around the ship on a night like this is an experience, visually, all the way back to the cabin with lights overhead. It’s one of the many things done so well by Virgin.
All sailors must be 18 years or over. That’s right, no kids! So ages range from the 20s right through to more mature, even the ‘young at heart’ are welcome, in our case, my Mum at 82, she just loved it.
The itinerary? Our Irresistible Med cruise included visits to Toulon, France, Ajaccio Corsica, Cagliari, Sardinia and Ibiza (as an overnight port).
Sardinia is hilly in parts but worth the climb if you can manage it. Otherwise, plonk yourself in a cafe and watch the world go by. Plan ahead for a visit to the flamingos or simply buy one they are everywhere! Just be prepared to take it home with you as hand luggage. You’ll likely get a few looks! We did!
The island of Ibiza was a favourite; just ‘delightful’. At night, a ‘delight’ for a whole raft of other reasons, but during the day, a town that presents just as lovely.
Lots of little side streets and laneways, beautiful coloured buildings, rustic doorways and many a shop with souvenirs and quality clothing, all with that coastal feel.
Some bars were open during the day, the perfect choice when tired feet came to call for that quick pit stop and a cold drink, alcoholic or not.
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Make sure you make time for a cruise sunrise - a must for any cruiser! It never disappoints and is something we aim to do every cruise, every holiday, in fact! It’s also the perfect time to explore the ship in the quietness of the morning. Consider watching the sun's wake via one of the spa baths on board. Just magical.
On our last day, we got tattooed at ‘Squid Ink’, marking memories and our fabulous time together. Be sure to book your appointment straight after embarkation. It’s a popular choice in getting ‘inked’ on the last day due to not being able to ‘wet the work’ for a while.
The pools are fantastic. Some funky ones with relaxing lounges positioned in the water. Having very handy pool bars close by and modern music playing makes for that relaxing, stress-free, feel-good vibe.
At the end of our cruise, we were sorry to leave and were very jealous that many a sailor was about to embark on their ‘back to back’ cruise (another cruise departure on the same ship, and if you book early, in the same cabin), a pure testament to the company and wonderful offerings of their cruise lifestyle.
So Virgin Voyages, we tip our hat to you!
Well done! We will certainly be back. In fact, only another 268 days to go until we meet your beautiful sister, Resilient Lady, right here when she arrives in Melbourne on 11 December 2023 and when we happily sail with her on 21st December 2023. Cannot wait!
Back on land, we had a short 1-2 min walk and checked in to the Eurostar Marina Grand, next to the port. A quick drop off of our luggage soon saw us board the Barcelona City hop-on hop-off bus. A great mode of transit to get around on your last day and to round out your adventure seeing the sights in this cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, Spain.
We recommend you ‘hop off’ at Port Vell and wander around, be sure to include a stop at the city lookout and sports stadium (in the same stop).
After the ‘orange route’, perhaps consider a break in the journey at the main square and walk around Las Ramblas for some lunch and any last-minute shopping before boarding the ‘green route’ to La Sagrada Familia.
WOW! What an incredible place! Structures dot the whole city, but the Familia would have to be the pinnacle. It’s a stunning build at every angle, even from an outside vantage.
We spent our last night atop the roof of Grand Eurostars, before packing. We waved the Lady off. New ‘sailors’ on the pool deck brimming with excitement and anticipation of what lies ahead over the next 8 days. You could almost see the smiles on their faces. You could definitely hear their joy!
Thanks Virgin Voyages and thanks Barcelona! 
As accredited ‘First Mates’ with Virgin Voyages (certified specialists in Virgin Voyages cruise line) and being CLIA-accredited Cruise Masters, we’ve got you covered for either your next (or first) sail with Virgin.
We highly recommend adding them to any European journey.
More time in Europe? Then maybe commence in Madrid and sojourn through Andalusia before getting to Barcelona and boarding the Virgin ship. We can help you with all that too.
Not cruised before? Then don’t worry, we can help with some sample cruise ideas. Resilient Lady’s mer-maiden season down under is Nov/Dec 23’ with return port right here in ‘resilient’ Melbourne.
So many cruise options both here and across the ditch. Wonderful options fill that holiday cup, and then some!
Check out our trip review video below, and contact us anytime to get your RED on!
