“Am I too old for Virgin Voyages”? This was the top hesitation my mom had about this cruise line. She’s 67 years young (not old), but she doesn’t drink, is very conservative, and avoids the party scene.
Despite this, with an open mind she joined me as a “virgin” Virgin Voyages sailor while I was on my ninth sailing with Virgin Voyages.
Read on for a FULL review (with LOTS of videos in which she speaks very honestly about what she loved and DID NOT love). Spoiler: there were a lot of things she loved, but there were a few aspects that were not for her.
Mom’s Review of the Food on Virgin Voyages
My mom is permanently on a cruise. She’s cruised somewhere in the 50-75 times range. Let’s be honest, she’s lost track, but she was ON a Royal Caribbean cruise (going through the Panama Canal) when she booked her flight to meet me for Virgin Voyages and as soon as she got off board she got on Princess (to go to Alaska).
She has opinions about cruise food.
Virgin Voyages has received accolades for its exceptional food, and my mom was eager to see if it lived up to her high expectations.
She wasn’t disappointed.
From the quality and presentation to the exquisite taste, every meal was a hit. Despite being only 4’11” and 98 lbs, my mom ended up eating twice as much as I did at every meal. It was literally impressive.
Among over 20 food experiences onboard, my mom’s favorite was the Test Kitchen—an experimental dining venue that transformed a medium steak into something as delicious as filet mignon.
Her second favorite was the Wake, a classic steak and seafood restaurant that felt like a high-end specialty dining experience included in our package.
Want to see it? Watch my mom go to town with the food in the full video below (lol)!
Was Virgin Voyages’ Entertainment “Too Modern” for My Mom?
Virgin Voyages offers a unique approach to entertainment. While not all shows resonated with my mom (she had no clue what was happening in UNTITLED DANCE SHOW PARTY THING), especially the more dance-oriented ones, she thoroughly enjoyed the smaller, intimate venues.
The acapella group and the acrobatic show “Duel Reality” were among her favorites – for both of these, I made sure we lined up early (entertainment is first come first serve) so she could get front-row enjoyment.
Watch this 10 second video in which I embarrass my mom by asking one of the singers from the show to take a photo with her. She loves his muscles.
Get TOP TIPS in the Printable Virgin Voyages Pocket Guide
Want all the MUST-KNOW tips in in a PRINTABLE GUIDE to have with you while sailing?
Don’t miss out on the Virgin Voyages pocket guide which summarizes all the KEY things to know and serves as your go-to while you’re on the ship.
My Mom Loved the Workout Options on Virgin Voyages
Fitness is a big part of my mom’s life, and Virgin Voyages didn’t disappoint. With all fitness classes included, she explored everything from Zumba to foam roller classes.
Note that she’s not great at dancing. In fact, she’s bad at dancing and NEVER went the right way. She had a GREAT TIME!
The diverse offerings allowed her to maintain her fitness routine even while indulging in the cruise’s culinary delights.
I made a Mother’s Day video capturing my mom attempting to dance in Zumba class amongst other highlights of our trip. Catch the 1 minute video below!
Mom and I Shared a Sea Terrace Room and She Loved It
We shared a balcony room with split beds, which provided both comfort and privacy.
My mom appreciated the modern design, ample storage, and thoughtful touches like charcoal soap and a fridge stocked with our drinks.
She also found the room to be “roomy enough”. We both (literally) packed the house and had HUGE luggages as big as we are.
Don’t forget to pack THIS!
Virgin Voyages has reimagined sailing and what you need to pack on for this trip is DIFFERENT than a normal cruise line. There are many items I wish I knew to bring (that I didn’t have with me on my first sailing).
Get a free printable pack list and save yourself the headache!
OR if you’re just looking for some inspo! See the curated list of Amazon items I’ve put together (and use!) for Virgin Voyages.
My Mom Loved Interacting and Meeting People
There’s something unique about Virgin Voyages – they’ve created a FUN environment where it’s VERY easy to interact and meet other sailors. It’s an inclusive environment and things like dining with strangers and playing a drinking game at Gunbae makes it SO fun.
One of my mom’s initial hesitations was whether she’d fit in on a cruise known for its modern and somewhat unconventional approach. However, the diversity of passengers and the inclusive atmosphere quickly put her at ease.
We attended the social sailor meetups and hung out a ton with The Happenings Cast. She found Virgin Voyages to be a welcoming community for all ages.
But the real question is: will the MOST difficult person (in my life and her life) like Virgin Voyages? My DAD is very difficult to please. My mom thinks so, but tbh, I’m not sure. We talk about it more in the video below!
My Mom Was VERY Exhausted by SO MANY OPTIONS
A top misperception on Virgin Voyages is there isn’t enough to do. It’s quite the opposite. My mom wanted to do EVERYTHING, so if she did, she was on a VERY tight schedule. I literally (literally) had her running around the ship.
Want to see what her FIRST day on the ship looks like? Check out this vlog of her embarkation day!
Grab a Deal on Virgin Voyages!
Be a smart traveler and PRICE COMPARE.
Whether you’ve picked your sailing, or already booked your sailing, or aren’t sure which one is right for you – I recommend reaching out to my travel agent JC. He’ll help you to get a price quote and make the right choice for you.
Bottom Line
My mom already booked her next voyage. I think that says it all. AND – my dad is sailing, too.
From the food and fitness to entertainment and accommodations, my mom rated nearly every aspect of her Virgin Voyages experience a 9 or 10 out of 10. This cruise proved that even the most conservative travelers could find joy and excitement on a modern cruise line like Virgin Voyages.
So, if you’re considering a cruise that combines modern luxury with diverse experiences, Virgin Voyages might just be your perfect match!