Virgin Voyages Tips

If you're cruising into Ketchikan, Alaska, here's everything I wish I had known before I got off the ship. I came in twice on Virgin Voyages back to back, so I got to experience the port in very different ways and with very different weather. In this video, I'm walking you through how disembarkation actually works at Front Street, the two shore things I did (one was a Knudson Cove fish...

If you're sailing Virgin Voyages Alaska, this is the video I wish I had before my back-to-back 14 nights on Brilliant Lady. There were so many things I didn't expect, and some of them you'll want to act on the second you book. I'm walking you through the shore things you need to book ASAP (some sell out fast), what the outdoor spaces are actually like (spoiler: people are outside w...

If you're staying in downtown Seattle and considering the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, here's my honest review after staying there before my Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise. The property just went through a full renovation in August 2025, so a lot has changed. I'm walking you through the location, the on-site Marin restaurant (those Turkish eggs are unreal), the gym, the lobby's daily social...

Packing for a Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise is NOT like packing for any other sailing, and I learned a few things the hard way after spending 14 nights back to back on the ship. In this video, I'm walking you through everything you actually need for Alaska, both ON and OFF the ship. We're covering the outside the ship essentials (think waterproof + layers), Alaska specific items that saved...

Things I wish I knew about Seattle embarkation for Virgin Voyages cruise! This video is members-only first! In this video, I’m sharing what it was actually like boarding Brilliant Lady from Seattle’s Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, including which Seattle cruise port Virgin uses, when to arrive, luggage drop-off, printed luggage tags, Rockstar vs non-Rockstar check-in, and what to keep with...

In this video I'm walking you through the actual daily schedule so you know exactly what to expect: the food, the entertainment, the Alaska-specific events, what's new on the ship and so much more. What's different from the Mermaiden sailing video? THIS is the normal programming. No Sir Richard Branson, no special guests. Just the real Virgin Voyages Alaska experience, and tbh, it'...

Virgin Voyages is going to Alaska for the FIRST time ever, and I board tomorrow. So the night before, I opened the app and went through the entire itinerary with you: what's new, what's different, and exactly what to expect on this sailing. This is Brilliant Lady's first-ever Alaska voyage out of Seattle, a 7-night roundtrip through the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord...

If you're cruising in or out of Barcelona with Virgin Voyages, there are a couple things I wish I knew before arriving. What surprised me the most is that Virgin Voyages can use two different cruise terminals in Barcelona, and they are not right next to each other. That alone can completely change your experience getting to or from the port, so it’s really important to check your app closer to...

Planning your Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise? In this video, I’m walking you through exactly how I’m planning my trip step by step using the website instead of the app. You’ll see how I review my itinerary day by day, check port times, and decide what to do in each destination. I’ll also show you how I’m browsing and booking shore excursions, what I chose, what sold out, and my strategy for getting...

Helpful tips for planning your Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise so you can book smarter, pack better, and know exactly what to expect. In this video, I’m breaking down everything you need to know before you go, including the best time to sail from May through September and what the weather is really like. I’ll walk you through pricing, what surprised me most, and how to decide if Alaska is actually wo...

Grand Turk is one of those cruise ports where you can step off the ship and be on a beautiful beach in minutes. In this video, I share what the Grand Turk cruise port looks like, the top things people do here, and how to plan your day, whether you book an excursion or explore on your own. From snorkeling and boat tours to renting a golf cart and finding quieter beaches, there are several ways to e...

Thinking about booking a Virgin Voyages transatlantic cruise? In this video, we break down the real experience. The good, the bad, and the unexpected. From long sea days, unique ports like the Azores, and meeting other sailors, to things like weather, seasickness, and itinerary changes, we’re sharing our honest take after a 14-night crossing on Brilliant Lady. We also talk about who these cruises...

What is a Virgin Voyages transatlantic cruise really like from the crew’s perspective? In this video, I sit down with Jake the Foodie from the Happenings Cast to talk about what actually happens on these longer sailings, from sea days and ship movement, to how the crew adjusts programming, activities, and even showtimes for transatlantic guests. We also talk about whether people really get bored,...

Thinking about booking a Virgin Voyages transatlantic cruise? These sailings can offer incredible value, but they’re also very different from typical Caribbean cruises. In this video, I share the most important things to know before booking, including long sea days, weather, seasickness, cabin choice, and hidden costs that many travelers don’t think about. Transatlantic cruises can be an amazing e...

Virgin Voyages deals used to look very different, especially back in 2023. In this video, we break down what deals looked like before vs what they look like now, including Sailor Loot, Bar Tab, and current onboard credit offers. We also talk about why the deals changed, how pricing compares today, and what the “up to” language really means when you see promotions. If you're wondering whether now i...

The Virgin Voyages Lock It In rate has an amazing price tag, but it comes with strings attached. In this episode, we break down exactly what “Lock It In” (aka the base fare) really means under Virgin’s new pricing tiers and why it’s making some sailors frustrated. From mystery cabin assignments and noise surprises to late dining windows and zero flexibility, we’re covering the real pros and cons....

Filming today from the cheapest (and tiniest!) cabin on Virgin Voyages... the itty bitty Solo Insider. 😅 In this video, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about Insider cabins. ALL OF THEM. From the pros (hello, lower price!) to the cons (no window = zero clue what time it is). I’ll start with my real, lived-in Solo Insider experience after a full back-to-back sailing, then tour the re...

Virgin Voyages is heading into 2026 with big changes. Some exciting, some controversial. In this video, I break down what’s new (and what’s honestly frustrating), starting with the new airline-style pricing tiers and why they’re confusing so many Sailors. We’ll also cover the gratuities update, why ships feel busier than ever, and what that means for dining, shows, and planning onboard. Plus: the...

Virgin Voyages tipping and gratuities in 2026 can look totally different than what you’re used to... and that’s exactly why there’s so much confusion right now. In this episode, we break down what’s actually changed (and what hasn’t) so you know what to expect before you sail. We cover how the gratuities line item works, the $20 vs $22 per day difference, and why it often feels like a “new fee” ev...

An updated Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady review in 2026! Scarlet Lady feels familiar… but definitely not the same ship you remember. In this honest review, I’m breaking down what’s changed since her glow-up. New spaces, new vibes, and the reality of sailing at near-full capacity. We’re talking food upgrades like Lucky Lotus, refreshed dining details, and what’s actually worth your time now. I’ll als...

Costa Maya is one of Mexico’s most convenient cruise ports and one of the easiest places to just step off the ship and start having fun. In this video, I’m breaking down where Costa Maya is located (spoiler: way farther south than most people think) and what the port area is really like. We’ll cover the best things to do, from hanging out at the built-out cruise port to taxis, beach clubs, spas, a...

Virgin Voyages’ loyalty program got a shake-up in 2026, and a lot of sailors are confused. In this episode, we break down exactly what the current Sailing Club loyalty program looks like, including the three tiers and when perks actually kick in. We clear up common misunderstandings around Blue Extras and Deep Blue Extras, what’s per person vs. per cabin, and why some sailings don’t count at all....

If you’re brand new to Virgin Voyages, this is the video you need to watch before you sail. I’m breaking down the most common mistakes first-timers make and I admit, I made these mistakes, too. We’ll cover why getting lost is normal, how to actually open your cabin door, and what Virgin does very differently from other cruise lines. From adults-only vibes to no specialty dining fees, there are a l...

Helpful tips for bidding on a room upgrade on Virgin Voyages! Bidding on a Virgin Voyages room upgrade can feel confusing.. and today we break it all down. In this episode, we answer the biggest questions sailors ask: when you can bid, how much to bid, and what your chances really are. We compare bidding on Rockstar suites versus regular cabins and explain which options tend to make the most sense...

Weddings have officially launched on Virgin Voyages, and this is your updated guide to the questions everyone keeps asking. In this episode, Chris and I walk through what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what real couples are choosing now that ceremonies are actually happening onboard. We cover photographers, cocktail hours, scheduling your sailing, and when it makes sense to go Rockstar. Th...