A very excited crowd awaited us at the port in Barcelona, but the check-in was streamlined. Virgin don't have paper tickets or boarding passes - everything is done via their app. Drop your bags in one queue then off to the next to show your confirmation on your phone and away you go. You get a wristband which lets you into your cabin and for any purchases onboard. You can swim and shower with it so no need to be taking it off and on. Thank goodness because it was an anchor clasp and fiddly.
We both had Sea Terrace cabins, which were quite spacious with a queen bed, large open space hanging and lots of drawers. Instead of the traditional bedside table, it was like a blanket box with plenty of space to put things on. You need instructions to put the TV on as everything is electronic on an ipad. The bathroom was large so you could actually spend time in there. Each balcony had a table and chairs and a red hammock. Novel idea and great to relax in.
Red is the Virgin colour and there was a lot of it around the ship but it blended in so well with other bright colours. Very chic and modern furniture. Lots of pouffes and extra large lounges to relax on.
Around the pool and on the deck overlooking the pool were sun lounges and double cabanas. Great for soaking up the sun or just chilling out with a book. There is also another private section where you can hire cabanas. Apart from the normal swimming pool was another pool the same size but with spa jets and seats so you could relax and have a cocktail at the same time.
The dining options are amazing and the food extraordinary. All the restaurants are included and you just have to try them all. We did. Razzle Dazzle , KoreanBBQ, Pink Agave Mexican, Extra Virgin Italian, The Wake and the Test Kitchen. It is advisable to pre-book so you don't miss out. Breakfast and lunch in the Galley / Buffet. A great selection of food there with fresh fruit, bagels made to order, the big brekky cook up and more. The last morning we tried out The Wake again so we could have the restaurant breakfast experience.
There was a selection of entertainment, a lot of it adult themed. e.g. the drag queen show in the Manor Supper Club which was very lively. The Red Room, The Manor, Casino, Karaoke, The Social Club and a board game area for the quiet ones. The Duel Reality Show was based on street gangs fighting acrobatic style. Very exhausting just watching.
As the cruise itinerary was port intensive and we didn't sail until after dinner, most of the entertainment started late. But there was always live music in one of the bars to finish off the day. Shore excursions on offer were affordable and they had a good coverage of the ports we visited. In Marina Di Carrara we opted for the day trip to Pisa and Lucca.
In Ibiza, we had the best day on a Jeep tour to Hidden Caves and Beaches then finished off with a late lunch in a local restaurant in a little side street off the beaten track with the locals. Toulon and Ajaccio you could walk off the ship into the town centre.
We are both thankful to have had the opportunity to experience Virgin Voyages and would highly recommend them.
