Are Senior Travelers Welcome on Virgin?
I was hesitant to sail on Virgin because, mistakenly, I thought it was for a younger crowd. I might feel out of place. But I’m glad I overcame my misgivings because that cruise became one of my favorites. I took the plunge on a 5-night round-trip cruise out of Miami on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady. After years of traditional cruises, it completely won me over. If you’re a senior traveler looking for a cruise with a different, relaxed, fun atmosphere, Virgin is worth serious consideration.
Embarkation and the Ship: We took an Uber from the airport straight to the port, and the boarding was smooth and stress-free. The ship is smaller, with a passenger capacity of 2770, and it didn’t feel overcrowded. It is beautifully designed, with a modern, vibrant feel. I immediately fell in love with the hammock on the balcony and the mood lighting in the cabin. The tablet in the cabin is very cool. You can open and close the curtains, set the mood lighting, order food, and check out the day’s schedule. Be sure to download the app before boarding to get the best experience. You can check in on the app, view the entire itinerary, plan your daily activities, and if you shake it, you’ll get free champagne!
Dining (The Highlight): Virgin nails this. No buffets or rigid main dining rooms; instead, you book reservations at 8+ specialty restaurants, all included in the fare. Standouts included the Korean-inspired Gunbae (fun, interactive grilling), the elegant French-Italian Razzle Dazzle, and great Mexican at the Pink Agave. My favorite was the Test Kitchen, a “culinary lab”, featuring a six-course tasting menu. Everything was high-quality, flavorful, and beautifully presented. No upcharges for the core dining experience, and the service felt personal and unhurried.
The only drawback that I could see is that you must make your first reservation on the first day you are on the ship. You must head over to deck 5 to the Razzle Dazzle restaurant. Thereafter, you can reserve directly on the app. For late night eating, head over to The Pizza Place, serving customizable, delicious pizzas. Need something on the go? Grab a sandwich or fresh fruit, always available in The Galley.
Entertainment and Atmosphere: The shows were creative and high-energy, with nerve-wracking acrobatics, music, and witty performances. There are a couple of shows that could be considered “racy”, but I found them tasteful and great comedy. Scarlet Night was a fun, red-themed deck party with music and dancing. The Pajama Night was also a hoot! The ship has a playful, inclusive vibe. The music ranged from bluesy to 80’s pop, depending on the band playing, and everyone was having a fantastic time. No kids means a sophisticated, relaxed adult energy, with people of all ages mingling comfortably. People as young as their 20’s and into their 80’s having a great time together.
Ports and Bimini Club: Port stops are a couple of hours longer than most, up to 7 pm. In Puerto Rico, the ship docks right in town. We were able to do two shore excursions, including zip-lining in Puerto Plata, and buses took us to the Beach Club at Bimini, their private beach. Your bar tab can be used to purchase drinks, and food is plentiful and readily available. We rented a golf cart on Bimini for independent exploration and snorkeling. Excursions felt well-organized without being overly crowded.
Overall Pros:
- Adults-only (18+) environment:
- All dining included. The food was outstanding, and although there was no dress requirement, it was fun to dress up on some nights.
- Outstanding service from a genuinely friendly crew.
- Modern, beautiful ship with great wellness options (yoga, spa, fitness).
- I loved that a drink package wasn’t forced on both guests. Each guest can fund their “bar tab” separately. If you run out of your “bar tab”, you can add more to your account.
- The modern happy vibe and entertainment were fun, energizing, and I never felt “old” or out of place.
A Few Cons:
- The shore excursions are a bit pricier than most, but they are exclusive and curated just for Virgin.
- Booking the restaurant reservations was a bit confusing the first day, but once I understood the app, it was just fine. If you don’t find your time slot available, keep checking back because they open as people cancel or change.
Feeling happy, refreshed, and dare I say it – maybe a little cool, I disembarked the ship and headed towards the airport. Will I recommend Virgin Voyages for anyone wanting to sail solo? Yes, absolutely. I met several women my age traveling solo and having a great time. If you’re not sure about Virgin Voyages, try one of their short getaways out of Miami. I am sure you’ll be more than happy you did. Their forte is really the Mediterranean, where they shine with their small port voyages and longer stays.
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