Virgin Voyages Tips

Virgin Voyages is the new cruise kid on the block. With shiny new ships, they’re now cruising the regular haunts. If you’re thinking of booking a voyage take a look at these cruise tips to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.

Before Booking Virgin Voyages

To get the best value for money take a look at my thoughts before you make your booking.

1. The Early Bird gets the Best Deal

Book early! As with most cruise lines the earlier you book the better the value for money you will receive. So once you know you want to travel try and commit to the room, and book ASAP.

2. Splash out now or later?

Is there a chance you may be tempted to upgrade your cabin later? Purchase the best room you can afford at the outset. You will be offered the chance to bid for upgrades later but they will cost more down the track. Check out the benefits of being a Rockstar now. Rockstar status is granted to certain suites and comes with valuable perks!

3. App-y Daze!

Download the Virgin Voyages app and get yourself logged in. Add your booking and keep track of notifications. The app will be vital to everything you do from now until the end of the cruise. You need to check regularly to ensure you have supplied the information required such as check-in information and health status. You will also get the opportunity to book your dining reservations and “shore things.” This is Virgin Voyages “speak” for shore excursions.

4. Time to Dine!

Restaurant bookings can be made 45 days before sailing or earlier if you have rockstar status. Reservations are made via the app. Try to book your dining preferences as soon as you’re able! Virgin Voyages restaurants are all included in the fare price so the favourite venues and times get booked early. If you miss out, (like me) don’t worry, more times become available on the day of sailing.

Reservation slots also become available on the app as people change their plans throughout the cruise.

Again first in, first served, so those with an earlier boarding time will be able to log in and book earlier.  If all else fails there is also the option to try your luck at just walking up to the restaurant when you want to dine.

5. Check-In Early

Your check-in is done completely online via the app. This procedure must be finished for everyone in your cabin before you can request a boarding time. So make sure it is done as soon as possible.

Your boarding time determines how early you can access the ships’ onboard reservations system via the app. The app opens up the ability to book exercise classes, entertainment and activities once you have boarded. So getting an earlier boarding time is an advantage.

Virgin Voyages Cruise Packing Tips

OK, so I’m not going to tell you how to pack your bag. If you want to know some of my bag-packing tips I will share them in a separate story. These are the items you really should know about when you are packing for a Virgin Voyage.

6. “Take 2”

Unlike most cruise ships, Virgin allows each person to bring a very civilized provision of 2 bottles of wine onboard. So go ahead and pack a couple of bottles of your favourite vino. You will find a fridge in your room where your wine can chill out until you a ready to say “Cheers!”

But don’t expect to be allowed to use this provision later on a shore excursion. The wine allowance is only available at the port of embarkment.

7. “I’ve got the power”

Onboard the ship all power sockets are EU, so a power adapter will be needed for any electrical device. In your cabin, you will also find additional USB ports for charging phones and devices.

Don’t bring a power board. They are not permitted.

8. Sexy in red

Check the itinerary in the app for themed party nights. Each event will have a dress suggestion. Scarlet Night is a standard on Virgin cruises, and everyone wears RED. It can be as glittery and as flashy as you like. Make sure to check what other party nights are taking place when you cruise.

9. “Carried Away”

Pack your swimwear and your pool area clothes in your carry-on bag so you can get changed and enjoy the pool or spa without having to wait for your luggage to arrive.

10. Knock Knock can I come in?

Can you check in and board early? Nope! Virgin Voyages has a very organized boarding system. As such, there is no point in arriving early and trying to jump the queue. You will not be able to board the ship before the time shown in your Virgin app. The exception is if you have Rockstar Status. Rockstar’s board at any time via a separate entrance.

11. Lighten Your Load

If you would like to spend the day sightseeing at the embarkation port before your boarding time you are permitted to drop your bags as soon as the ship boarding opens. For example, my boarding time was 4 pm, but I arrived in Sydney early to meet a friend for lunch. The app showed the ship would commence boarding passengers at 12.00. I checked my bags at noon and went to lunch without luggage. Having dropped my bags early I found them already in my room when I boarded.

Onboard your virgin cruise

So the big day has arrived and as Virgin says, “Ships got real!” It must be time to relax… right? Nope! There are a few more things you need to do to get the most from your cruise experience.

12. before EVERYTHING!

As soon as you get on the ship you can access the reservations system through the Virgin Voyages app. You need to book EVERYTHING for the whole trip ASAP.  The first step is to turn your phone to airplane mode and force your device to find the ship’s WIFI. Connect to the WIFI and access the Virgin Voyage app.

I had made barely any reservations before boarding so I was keen to get on and start booking exercise classes, entertainment, activities, and dining.

13. Safety First!

Don’t forget to watch the safety video in your room before you go exploring. It is part of International Maritime Law that the briefing is watched. If you don’t, the video will pop up on your app and block you from doing anything else. The Virgin app is essential, so best to watch the video on your cabin television while you make your bookings on the app.

14. Dining Vs Sail Away Party

When you’re making dinner reservations for the night you embark, consider a later time. Reserve seating for 7.00 pm onwards and you can enjoy the Sail Away Party before dinner. The party has such a great vibe and really sets you up for a fabulous cruise.

15. Have a Sail Away Tipple

No drinks package? No problem! Don’t miss the Sail Away Party up on the deck. There is music, dancing, hot tubs, and a pool. So dance, swim, party, or do a mix of all three. A complimentary glass of sparkling wine will be available on arrival, and as with everything Virgin, the staff members are generous, you will find they are liberal with the top ups.!

16. Exercise at Dawn

what do you do if you miss out on booking your favorite Virgin Voyage exercise class? If you want to do an exercise class and it’s fully booked, check for cancelations before you go to bed and when you get up in the morning. People sometimes choose to party over the previous day’s good intentions and cancel to avoid the “no show” fee. You can often get lucky.

17. be a star!

Audience participation is encouraged at the various shows on board. If you are a good sport or a star in the making, make sure you sit up the front so you can join in the act! If you’re a little bit shy may wish to find a seat closer to the back.

18. Spoilt for Choice

Treat yourself to something a little extra. Make sure you save room for a bowl of ice cream or two from the ice creamery. The flavours are absolutely delicious and with a bit of diligence, I think it would be possible to work your way through the lot on a week-long cruise! Go on… you know you want to!

Personally, I made it my mission to undertake quality control on all cakes, tarts, macarons, and sweet treats. You can rest assured that they were all amazing. I was trying to choose a favorite and had to go back for some of the tarts multiple times! #sorrynotsorry

These tarts are in addition to the dessert served at each of the 25 restaurants.

19. There’s a stranger at my table!

I love how much fun the Virgin Voyages Cruise makes even regular activities such as eating. Gunbae Korean Restaurant is a dining experience not to be missed. All the meals are cooked at the table by your waiter. You will be entertained throughout the evening by the waiter and the place is buzzing with music and shouts of “Gunbae” periodically.

We were offered complimentary rice wine with dinner and the opportunity to play a drinking game at no charge. Best of all we sat with four strangers. By the end of the evening, we had made four new friends.

20. Loyalty PLUS!

Do you have cruise loyalty status with another brand? Virgin recognizes certain other brand’s cruise status and offers a status match.  Here are the Virgin Voyage rewards or “perks” as Virgin calls them. Check with Virgin Voyages when you book if your cruise loyalty program is recognized.

21. Come Again!

The best deal you are likely to be offered is the deal before you disembark the boat.

To secure a future booking Virgin offers an incentive that is like purchasing a Virgin Voyages Cruise credit. It involves paying a small deposit. In return, you receive a cruise discount on booking, onboard credit, and a second person at a reduced rate. The cruise doesn’t need to be booked immediately. Passengers have 2 years to use the credit. The cruise can be used as a Virgin Voyages Australia cruise or you could take an international cruise. Can you imagine yourself sailing the Greek Islands? I certainly can!

Virgin Cruise Review

Would you like to know more about Virgin Cruises? We have recently completed a four-day cruise on the Resilient Lady and I would love to tell you more about the experience. Here you will find more information about the specifics of restaurants and food on offer and the atmosphere and demographic of the ship so you can better establish if a Virgin cruise would be for you. Read the Virgin Cruises.

Virgin Voyages Australia FAQ