Sunrises in San Juan, Dreams in the Dominican
Travelling on Virgin Voyages really is a vibe unto itself, a carefully curated one. Their ships and sailing experience differ from every other cruise experience available. They have modernized sailing and made luxury fun and more attainable by considering what their sailors really want and need. Adults only, no buffets, included (and pre-bookable) à la carte restaurants, included non-alcoholic beverages (i.e. pop, juice, coffee, and tea), and a bar tab drink system that can be shared with cabin mates are just a few of the differences you will experience with Virgin Voyages.
I sailed on Resilient Lady with my husband in November 2025 on “San Juan Sunrises & Dominican Dreams,” which started in Miami and featured three sea days, with stops in San Juan, Puerto Plata, and Bimini Beach Club (Bahamas), on a seven-day sailing.
While their ships aren’t the biggest out there (they accommodate up to 2,700 guests), their design—and the mermaids located on the bow—are hard to miss. From using their app to pre-book à la carte dinners and excursions, to the check-in and boarding process, all the way through to sadly having to disembark, the entire experience was seamless, thoughtful, and fun.
We were lucky enough to stay in a balcony stateroom, which is the only way to sail on a Virgin Voyages cruise. The star of the cabin is the red hammock on the balcony.
The cabin was lovely, and the cabin stewards were very friendly and efficient. Mood lighting, TV, and curtains were controlled by a tablet, which was fun and easy to use. The size was adequate, as was the storage.
Most people would agree that food onboard cruise ships is usually a standout, and this is definitely the case with Virgin Voyages. I had high expectations when it came to the quality of food, variety, and presentation—and my expectations were exceeded. Every meal we had was better than the last. Sailors can pre-book à la carte restaurants for dinner (and brunch) 45 days prior to the sailing date, and I strongly suggest making this a priority. We successfully booked all our restaurants and enjoyed dinner at Extra Virgin (Italian), Pink Agave (upscale Mexican), The Wake (steakhouse), and Gunbae (Korean BBQ, interactive shared table). My personal favourites were Pink Agave and The Wake. Next time, I will try Razzle Dazzle.
One consistent review I heard onboard was to avoid The Test Kitchen. It’s an interactive and experimental cooking experience, and I heard the menus were odd and that it’s a very lengthy experience. It would be more in line with true foodies or food photographers.
Photos: Virgin Voyages
This cruise is a very social and interactive experience. This is reflected in how the ship is set up, with a large number of lounge spaces, including the Social Club, which features the biggest collection of board games I’ve ever seen—along with candy, popcorn to go, and boozy ice cream floats. There’s also a wide range of activities, including trivia nights, shuffleboard tournaments, bubbles, tequila and whiskey tastings, the Grog Walk (pub crawl), themed parties, and interactive dining experiences (The Test Kitchen and Gunbae). Everyone—staff and sailors alike—was very friendly, and it truly felt like everyone was there for a good time.
Photos: AMANDA MORRISON-HILL
Another highlight for me was the spa and its amenities. I booked one of the “Journey to Wellness” tours through the app. It’s five minutes long and offered several times a day, providing a tour of the facilities. The main benefit of attending is a brief sales pitch, where staff offer promotions not available on the app. My visit resulted in a booking for $79 USD, which included a skincare lesson with self-application, a mini 20-minute neck and shoulder massage, and three hours of access to the thermal cycle areas.
I would happily travel with Virgin Voyages again. It’s a great option for people of any age, as well as couples and groups. If you’re celebrating a milestone birthday or special event, it’s a super fun way to relax and let go with friends and family. Anyone sailing with Virgin should participate in as many experiences as possible. I especially loved yoga in the studio and on The Perch, their themed workout classes, the ice cream parlour, and the overall service.
I’m available in the Oshawa office if you’d like to chat more about Virgin Voyages and why you should give it a try for your next cruise holiday.
