Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line backed by Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Bain Capital. Its four mid-sized ships sail from Miami, San Juan, Europe and the US West Coast, every guest must be 18 or older, and the fare covers all of the restaurants, basic Wi-Fi, group fitness classes and tips.
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About Virgin Voyages
The company was announced in December 2014 as Virgin Cruises, took the Virgin Voyages name in 2016 when it signed for three ships from Fincantieri, and is based in Plantation, Florida. The pandemic delayed its start: Scarlet Lady carried her first paying guests from Portsmouth, England, in August 2021 and opened the line's Miami program that October. Valiant Lady followed in 2022, Resilient Lady in 2023 and Brilliant Lady in 2025, the only one of the four able to transit the Panama Canal. Virgin has its own Terminal V at PortMiami and a private Beach Club on Bimini in the Bahamas.
Each ship carries about 2,770 guests and replaces the usual main dining room and buffet with some 20 venues, among them an Italian restaurant, a steakhouse, a Mexican restaurant and a vegetable-forward restaurant, plus The Galley food hall. Entertainment mixes stage shows and acrobatics with themed late-night parties, there is a tattoo studio aboard, and many balcony cabins come with a hammock. Alcohol and shore excursions cost extra; instead of a drinks package, guests can prepay a Bar Tab.
What Virgin Voyages is known for
Virgin Voyages has collected strong reviews and awards since its 2021 launch, including Travel + Leisure's top ranking among mega ships in 2025 and Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice awards for best large-ship line and best dining in 2024. Reviewers most often praise the food, with a wide choice of included restaurants in place of a set dining room, along with the adults-only atmosphere, the design and fares that already cover tips and basic Wi-Fi. The most consistent criticism concerns cabins, especially very small standard bathrooms and limited storage. Fares sit in the premium range, there is no unlimited drinks package, casual food can take time to prepare, and pool decks fill up on sea days. Some guests miss the big-ship attractions, such as water slides and climbing walls, found on larger mainstream lines.
Who it's for
Premium · smaller crowds, better food and service than mainstream
- Adults only
- Couples
- Food lovers
- Friends and groups
Virgin Voyages suits adults who want a sociable, design-conscious cruise with no children aboard: couples, groups of friends and food-focused travelers who like choosing among many included restaurants rather than eating in a set dining room. The four- and five-night trips from Miami are an easy first cruise for people who have avoided traditional lines, while Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and Alaska voyages suit more experienced cruisers. Families with anyone under 18 cannot sail. Travelers who want a classic cruise with a buffet, an unlimited drinks package or big-ship attractions, and those who spend a lot of time in their cabin and want a roomy bathroom, may prefer another line.
How it rates
- Cabins
- 5/5
- Dining
- 5/5
- Entertainment
- 4/5
- Service
- 4/5
- Pools & decks
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
The fleet's average on each metric, across 4 rated ships in service. Each ship is scored 1 to 5 by Cruise Frog's editors; these are not reader reviews.
Rankings and comparisons
Where Virgin Voyages sails
Ships
Best rated
#24.3 ★Resilient Lady2023 · 108,232 GT · 2,770 guests · Caribbean · BahamasResilient Lady is Virgin Voyages' third ship, an adults-only sister of Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady at about 108,000 gross tons and 278 meters. She began sailing in May 2023 in…
#34.3 ★Scarlet Lady2021 · 108,192 GT · 2,770 guests · Caribbean · BahamasScarlet Lady is Virgin Voyages' first ship, an adults-only vessel of about 108,000 gross tons built by Fincantieri at Sestri Ponente and delivered in February 2020. The pandemic…Every ship
Where to fly in
- Miami International (MIA)3 Virgin Voyages ships sail from Miami, Florida10 lounges on Lounge Frog
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)1 Virgin Voyages ship sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico4 lounges on Lounge Frog
Quick answers
What is Virgin Voyages known for?
Virgin Voyages has collected strong reviews and awards since its 2021 launch, including Travel + Leisure's top ranking among mega ships in 2025 and Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice awards for best large-ship line and best dining in 2024. Reviewers most often praise the food, with a wide choice of included restaurants in place of a set dining room, along with the adults-only atmosphere, the design and fares that already cover tips and basic Wi-Fi. The most consistent criticism concerns cabins, especially very small standard bathrooms and limited storage. Fares sit in the premium range, there is no unlimited drinks package, casual food can take time to prepare, and pool decks fill up on sea days. Some guests miss the big-ship attractions, such as water slides and climbing walls, found on larger mainstream lines.
Who is Virgin Voyages best for?
Virgin Voyages suits adults who want a sociable, design-conscious cruise with no children aboard: couples, groups of friends and food-focused travelers who like choosing among many included restaurants rather than eating in a set dining room. The four- and five-night trips from Miami are an easy first cruise for people who have avoided traditional lines, while Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean and Alaska voyages suit more experienced cruisers. Families with anyone under 18 cannot sail. Travelers who want a classic cruise with a buffet, an unlimited drinks package or big-ship attractions, and those who spend a lot of time in their cabin and want a roomy bathroom, may prefer another line.
Where does Virgin Voyages sail?
Virgin Voyages's ships in service sail Caribbean (4 ships), Bahamas (3 ships), Mediterranean (3 ships), Transatlantic (2 ships), Alaska (1 ship), Northern Europe (1 ship), Mexican Riviera (1 ship), Bermuda (1 ship), Canada and New England (1 ship) and Panama Canal (1 ship).
How is Virgin Voyages rated?
Virgin Voyages's fleet averages 4.3 out of 5 on Cruise Frog, across 4 rated ships. Its best-rated ship is Brilliant Lady at 4.3.
How many ships does Virgin Voyages have?
Virgin Voyages has 4 ships in service on Cruise Frog: Brilliant Lady, Resilient Lady, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady.
Who owns Virgin Voyages?
Virgin Voyages is part of Virgin Group and Bain Capital (joint venture).
Where is Virgin Voyages based?
Virgin Voyages is headquartered in Plantation, Florida, United States. It has operated since 2014.
What is Virgin Voyages's loyalty program called?
Virgin Voyages's past-guest loyalty program is Virgin Voyages Sailing Club.
What is the largest Virgin Voyages ship?
Brilliant Lady is Virgin Voyages's largest ship at 108,232 gross tons, carrying 2,770 guests.
Cruising with children
Virgin Voyages welcomes families travelling with grown-up children, but not minors. Its adult focus applies to all guests, even on a trip organized by their parents.
Read the Virgin Voyages family guide →Is a drinks package worth it?
Thinking about a drinks package on Virgin Voyages? The average drink starts at what a glass of house wine costs on board, about $9; change it to what you usually order, and enter the package price Virgin Voyages quotes.
A glass of house wine costs about $9. Virgin Voyages menu (via VV Insider, 2026) ↗
Per person, a day, as the line quotes it.
A glass of house wine on Virgin Voyages.
Optional. Count coffees and sodas if the package covers them.
The days the package is charged for.
To make the drinks package pay for itself
9drinks a day
A $75-a-day package costs the same as 8.3 drinks at $9. Over 7 days that's $525, or 59 drinks for the cruise.
Pay as you go
At 5 drinks a day, buying drinks one at a time costs about $210 less than the package.
- Drinks package, 7 days
- $525
- Drink by drink, 5 drinks a day
- $315
Break-even is a target for your wallet, not a dare for your liver.
Traveller reviews
What people who've been say. One review each; you can update yours.
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