virgin voyages resilient lady tattoo

Squid Ink Tattoo Parlor

You can find Squid Ink Tattoo Parlor on board: Scarlet Lady , Valiant Lady , Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady

This page was last updated on 4 June 2024 by David Todd . If you spot any errors or missing information, please let us know .

Squid Ink: A Unique At-Sea Tattoo Parlor

Virgin Voyages offers the unique experience of receiving fresh ink while sailing the seas, the first for any cruise line. Squid Ink on Deck 6 , the onboard tattoo parlour, has quickly gained popularity for its distinct and innovative service since opening in 2021. Teaming up with renowned artists from around the globe, Squid Ink brings a blend of talent, creativity, and professionalism to the waves.

Renowned Artists Onboard

Squid Ink takes pride in attracting celebrated tattoo artists from all corners of the world. This diversity ensures guests receive tattoos of the highest quality, no matter their design preference. From intricate designs to simplistic line work, the artists at Squid Ink have the skills and creativity to turn your tattoo dreams into reality.

The parlor will post which artist is on your sailing ahead of time via their Facebook :

Scarlet Lady Calendar

Valiant Lady Calendar

Resilient Lady Calendar

Book Early for the Best Slots

With its rising popularity and limited slots, it’s recommended to secure your Squid Ink appointment as early as possible. Queue up around half an hour before opening time (typically 7pm) on the first day of your voyage to ensure you get an ideal slot.

A pro-tip for planning your session is to aim for a slot towards the end of your voyage. This allows for optimal aftercare and reduces the risk of pool water contamination or sunburn on your fresh tattoo. Your fresh ink will be covered in a specific wrap that is designed to reduce exposure but is no fully resistant.

Piercing Services & Pricing

Beyond tattoos, the parlor also offers piercing services, although it has a limited jewelry selection. Squid Ink source all jewelry from a partner brand, ensuring the same high standard of quality that characterizes Squid Ink’s services. Piercing starts at $95 and do not require booking, keep in mind you must be in international waters (12 miles out at sea) to get pierced.

Tattoo Pricing

Pricing at Squid Ink ranges widely to accommodate various designs, sizes, and complexity levels. Rates start from $200 for a flash tattoo and from $250 for custom designs, this can extend into the thousands for larger, more intricate tattoos. The prices will be higher than your typical land-based parlor so come prepared, however you can use Sailor Loot on your tattoo.

Flash Tattoo Sheet

Can’t decide? The Squid Team and artists have expertly crafted a selection of nautical and Virgin themed tattoos that you can choose from, find out more information about the artists here .  

Custom Tattoo Consultation

Fancy something custom? The Squid Ink team will work with your ideas directly and can design something on the fly for your appointment, a rough estimate of the tattoo will be given at the time of booking.

A Nautical Partnership

In a fitting partnership pairing the nautical roots of modern tattoo culture, Virgin Voyages has teamed up with World Famous Tattoo Ink . This collaboration ensures that they treat sailors with the finest cruelty-free, vegan tattoo inks, enhancing designs with a bolder, brighter appearance.

Squid Ink offers a one-of-a-kind experience on the high seas, combining your voyage with exceptional tattoo and piercing services. Featuring world-renowned artists, top-notch hygiene practices, and a significant maritime collaboration. Whilst prices can be high it is an experience particularly on Scarlet Lady & Valiant Lady which have sea views! Whether you’re a tattoo enthusiast or simply looking for a keepsake from your journey it’s worth visiting the team at Squid Ink.

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Review: Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady

--> BY Quentin Long

Last updated . 19 March 2024

Resilient Lady, the third (of four) Virgin Voyages ships, is heading to Australia in November 2023. Quentin Long jumped aboard the inaugural sailing, a seven-day Greek Island cruise from Athens , to give you the lowdown.

Typical of the Virgin brand, Virgin Voyages is setting out to ‘disrupt’ the cruise industry, bringing its sexy, provocative Branson-esque freedom and fun to the high seas.

Is that possible in an industry with so many brands? How can you really disrupt offering a room at sea with meals and entertainment?

Hop aboard the Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady.

I spent seven nights onboard Resilient Lady, cruising through the Greek isles , to give you the best possible overview of Virgin Voyages.

This review, like all our extensive cruise reviews, is divided into several posts. Below is an overview to give you a relatively quick but comprehensive understanding of whether Virgin Voyages is for you.

There are several more detailed posts that break down every… single… aspect… of the ship to help you make really informed decisions (you can thank me later). Find all the links below.

Restaurants and bars | Wellness | Cabins | RockStar Suites | Entertainment

Sail through the Greek isles aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady.

Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady verdict

Virgin ships are cruise ships at heart; you’ll find rooms, suites , restaurants, bars and entertainment.

But there’s no other cruise brand that’s an easy comparison, so I can’t say “if you like X cruise brand, you’ll like Virgin Voyages”.

That’s because the Virgin experience is undoubtedly unique. It comes from the Virgin brand essence, which is a dedication to anything-goes, open-minded fun; being provocative without being offensive.

The Groupie is a Japanese-style karaoke room at the Virgin Voyages.

Virgin Voyages simply do most things with a very different attitude. The attitude starts and ends with the staff, who are fun and easygoing and bring that energy. It is impressive.

To achieve this differentiation, Virgin Voyages eschews some of the more conservative elements of cruising. There’s a lot of swearing, camp entertainment and festival high-energy performances that transform into parties with a big dose of dance music.

I was torn between staying on the ship and exploring our destinations, which tells you a lot about the attraction of the Virgin Voyages experience. In future, I would look for more sea days to enjoy the adults-only experience.

You’ll love the cool grunge vibe if you’re a partygoer.

Who will love Resilient Lady and Virgin Voyages

Some avid cruisers won’t enjoy the Resilient Lady experience (and may even hate it), while guests who have never cruised before will have their preconceived ideas dismantled.

I’ve never sailed with such an eclectic group of Sailors (that’s how the Virgin Voyages team refer to guests) who all universally loved the experience. I met 30-year-old honeymooners at the blackjack tables and enjoyed a long lunch at a Santorini winery with great female friends who’d left their partners and children behind for a girls’ getaway.

A cruise getaway is perfect for single ladies.

And at 11pm, at the Scarlet Night party on the pool deck, I met a 70-year-old with face gems dancing up a storm with his wife (who’d opted out of the face jewellery). In short, a Virgin Sailor is young at heart.

If you love a party, a nightclub, energetic entertainment and a joyous celebration, and have thought that a cruise is just a floating RSL or for games of trivia and adapted theatre productions, then this may be your cruise.

By not allowing children the focus is on adult entertainment options with a Virgin sensibility; risqué, carefree and fun.

Have fun with your girlfriends onboard. (Image: Gina Joy Photo)

What makes Virgin Voyages and Resilient Lady different

It’s all in the attitude. By leaving children at the pier and setting out to deliver a celebratory atmosphere for the young at heart, the onboard experiences are perfectly tailored for carefree fun.

It starts with a tattoo parlour

Virgin Voyages’ Squid Ink is the first tattoo parlour at sea. That says a lot.

It’s not the centre of attention but is a small space with two chairs. Even more interestingly, it’s almost fully booked for the entire seven days. When I finally decided ‘ hell yeah’ , I would mark the voyage with my first ever tattoo (OK, a few negronis were involved), I was too late.

Pop into Squid Ink, the first tattoo parlour at sea.

Virgin Voyages has a casual, energetic and fun service culture

The crew uniforms are relaxed. The staff are always enthusiastic and happy, and there’s a lot of smiling and laughing with themselves and Sailors. It’s an infectious energy that creates a sense of joy that penetrates all aspects of the experience.

For example, in Gunbae, the Korean BBQ restaurant , the service staff orchestrate raucous drinking games with the diners. That is certainly different.

It’s also worth noting that the crew’s own ‘ink’ is very visible (something that would be unheard of on other cruise lines). I’d estimate that a third of the crew have tattoos and piercings of their own.

Dine at Extra Virgin if you’re craving some meat.

Risqué entertainment onboard Resilient Lady

The Resilient Lady entertainment is not standard cruise fare.

“What the fuck fucking just happened,” screamed a character on one of the huge onstage LCD screens in the middle of the signature show, Persephone. That is different.

The show itself is a dance party/acrobatics show based on the eponymous Greek myth.

The final number of the show is Icona Pop’s I Love It, erupting into a massive dance party, with the performers and audience all laughing and cheering.

Don’t miss out on the elevated bar crawl experience onboard.

The Miss Behave Game Show is a riotous hour of fun that would sit easily on any fringe festival program. The audience is divided into two teams to win points that don’t matter. Sometimes it may be a question like “What’s the opposite of Ellen Degeneres?”; the team that shouts the answer loudest and fastest gets the irrelevant points. (The answer, in case you were wondering: Ellen De-selfish.)

Another way to win points is to confess. For example, at one stage the crowd is asked for “porn confessions” – let’s just leave it at that and agree that it’s different.

The Another Rose dinner show is risqué with homoerotic acrobatics and a ménage á troi storyline. It needs work, and while I would rush back to the other performances, one Another Rose viewing is probably enough for this Sailor.

Resilient Lady does have a casino onboard.

Virgin Voyages App takes cruising into the future

Another differentiator is the Virgin Voyages app. You’ll find everything on it: you can make dinner reservations and find all the activities and experiences there too (and not on the typical daily newsletter slipped under the cabin door).

The claim is that you can open the app, shake it and confirm your order and a bottle of Moët will be delivered to you wherever you are in 10 minutes, at any time. Gimmick? Maybe, but it is a statement of intent.

Virgin Voyages are serious about health and wellbeing

There’s a real focus on health and wellbeing on Virgin Voyage ships. The gym is split across two areas on the upper deck: the traditional gym with weight machines and a yoga studio, then treadmills and rowing machines with a spin gym on the other side. But there’s also meditation, sunrise yoga and a host of other seminars and information sessions.

The greatest hit is the VHS Workout (videos, headbands and Simmons). Think ’80s fluoro leg warmers and headbands all inspired by the legendary Richard Simmons, with a camp instructor who brings the fun.

Bask in transformational wellness at sea.

Virgin Voyages itineraries give more time on shore

Some tweaking has gone into the traditional itineraries and timings. In Santorini the departure is at 9pm; this not only enables a dinner on the island in a local restaurant, but as the rest of the cruise ships depart at 5pm, you get a good four hours when the island is far less crowded and more enjoyable.

Set foot on the tranquil shores of Mykonos.

We spent a night docked at Mykonos. When I returned to the ship at 11pm after a sumptuous onshore dinner, the tender was being filled with Sailors ready to hit the famous clubs of Mykonos.

That’s the summary of the experience; very different and for the young at heart.

Get a quick buzz at Principote Beach Club.

Virgin Voyages and sustainability

Without the legacy of 30 or 150 years of operation, Virgin Voyages has been able to start with a relatively clean slate.

All single-use plastics have been banned from the beginning. Guests are only served sustainable seafood onboard, the sunscreen is reef safe, and there’s a stated commitment to net zero by 2050.

The ships are new and therefore fuel efficient, however, they aren’t LPG or battery powered; the brand seems to have come in at the tail end of the era when these options weren’t viable. There’s no commentary on the waste in the documentation we’ve viewed, and we didn’t have an opportunity for a back-of-house waste management tour (oh they are fun!).

The rustic wooden decor of the Dock House evokes sustainability.

Virgin Voyages itineraries and pricing

Resilient Lady will arrive in Australia for her “MerMaiden” five-night return from Melbourne to Tasmania on 11 December. Current pricing starts at $1306 per cabin (that’s for two people).

Other voyages are currently selling at far cheaper daily rates, with some as little as $135 per day.

The itineraries are being finalised, with predominantly short trips from Melbourne. The shortest cruise is a two-night dash across the Bass Straight to Burnie and back.

Admire the breathtaking views of Santorini, Greece.

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Review: Resilient Lady

What is the line? Virgin Voyages

Name of ship? Resilient Lady

Passenger occupancy? 2,762 passengers

Itinerary? The Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems starts and ends in Athens with stops in Split, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; and Corfu, Greece.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line that offers premium, yet casual, sailings. Expect thoughtful, modern design and upscale touches throughout. On board, you’ll find a fun-loving social environment complete with theme night parties and pickle ball courts. The line's “always included” pricing model also means WiFi, basic beverages, workout classes, onboard entertainment, and food from 20+ eateries are included in the fare.

Tell us about the ship in general:

Resilient Lady is Virgin Voyages' newest ship with sailings in Australia, the South Pacific, and Europe. The 2,762-passenger, 17-deck vessel was built in 2022 and first set sail in spring 2023. While all three ships in Virgin’s “lady ships” share nearly identical designs, the Resilient Lady features updated onboard entertainment and exciting new ports of call, including the Greek Islands, Bali, Croatia, and Mumbai. With seemingly limitless onboard activities for passengers to get back in touch with their youthful spirit (including my personal favorite, a nostalgic arcade room), the ship feels like a giant playground for adults with plenty of room to relax.

Who is on board?

Since the cruise line only allows adults on board, the youngest passengers you’ll find on a Virgin Voyages cruise are 18 years old. The brand has often been referred to as the “cruise line for millennials''—and while there are a good amount of young adults on board, the average passenger age is actually closer to the upper 40s. Overall, the guest atmosphere is diverse and welcoming: the cruises are LGBTQ+ friendly and are popular among veteran sailors as well as first-time cruisers. A large share of passengers enjoy partaking in the ship’s many activities, creating an energetic atmosphere. For instance, during theme nights (including the beloved Scarlet Night) a good majority of the ship dresses up and attends.

Describe the cabins.

There are 1,404 staterooms on the Resilient Lady —78 of them are suites, divided into Rockstar and Mega Rockstar categories. During my time on board, I stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin (the ship’s most common room) featuring a thoughtfully designed space. All the rooms prioritize ocean views and have a neutral color palette with pops of the line’s signature scarlet hue.

The higher-end rooms come with a fully stocked bar, turntable, and specifically curated Virgin records. Marble details, coordinated mood lighting, and large balconies are also standout features of the swanky suites. Those staying in the suites have access to exclusive spaces, including Richard’s Rooftop, a secluded outdoor deck area.

Tell us about the crew.

Virgin Voyages stands out among competitors thanks to their incredibly attentive and active staff. You’ll find crew to be extremely friendly, willing to help with whatever you need, or to just have a chat.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Dining options are abundant on the ship, and all of them are included with every sailing. Of the 20+ on board, six of the eateries require reservations. Reservations open up 45 days before the ship’s departure, so it’s best to book them in advance. However, if you can’t snag one, some reservations will become available throughout the voyage, in addition to walk-ins.

Among the dining options, a highlight is The Galley–a popular venue modeled after a food hall—which features everything from a sushi bar and burger grill to a dedicated bakery and pastry shop. While it acts as a buffet in practice, everything from each of the ship’s dedicated restaurants is made to order, so all the food is fresh. I also loved Pink Agave, a Mexican spot, and Extra Virgin, an Italian restaurant with incredible pasta options. Overall, the food was easily some of the best I’ve had compared to most other cruise ships.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

During your time on board, a visit to the Thermal Suite in the onboard spa is a must. It features several different sauna experiences, ranging from salt steams to a mud room. There are also three pools to enjoy, each offering different temperatures. For a relaxing break in between dips, lounge on the spa’s heated marble slabs and take in the vast ocean views. The spa also offers a wide menu of treatments, including wraps and massages, along with a nail and hair salon, barber, and tattoo parlor.

What about activities and entertainment?

While Resilient Lady may look like other ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet, it boasts brand-new onboard entertainment that truly sets this cruise apart. Most of the shows on this specific ship are new to the line, including Persephone. The show was developed in collaboration with iconic spots like the famed Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes and featured a mix of acrobatics, catchy musical numbers, and eye-catching costumes.

Also new for this sailing is Another Rose, an immersive dinner experience. Performers dance on the tables, interact with audience members, and surprise you when you least expect it. One thing is for certain: the audience is encouraged to participate in every performance in some way or another. While every show was unique, favorites of mine included the Miss Behave Show, an interactive comedy show, and the immersive cabaret, dubbed Lola’s Library. Beyond the live performances, there are also swimming pools, basketball courts, an arcade, a game room, and more.

How was the experience for families?

Since the line is adults only, there were no kids onboard, nor kid-related services.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

During my time aboard, we sailed on the itinerary dubbed the Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems, which stops in Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece. All the land-based tours were informative and hosted by local guides. For our stop in Dubrovnik, we had a late port departure, which allowed us to spend the entire day exploring the coastal city. The ship also sails a Greek Island Glow itinerary, which takes guests to Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Athens, and Bodrum, Turkey.

Are there any stand-out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Virgin Voyages aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For now, the brand is testing innovative technologies that turn heat from the ship’s engines into clean energy and researching ways to purify wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. The line reduces food waste by replacing the traditional cruise buffet with made-to-order meals. In addition, single-use plastics, including water bottles, straws, shopping bags, and takeaway cups, are banned on board.

Anything we missed?

Some of my favorite parts of the onboard experience were the ship's theme nights. From the Scarlet Night festivities to the sail away party, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more lively. It was exciting to see everyone participate and was easily one of the best parts of the cruise. During sea days (or any day on board), passengers can take advantage of the ship’s expansive fitness center, which featured TechnoGym machines and a bevy of fitness classes including a bungee class and a VHS dance workout—complete with 80s music and sweatbands.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

If you’re someone who wouldn’t typically consider a vacation at sea, Virgin Voyages is the cruise line for you. With abundant dining options, creative entertainment, and a fun-loving social atmosphere, Resilient Lady is the perfect ship for just about anyone.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

BAB ABOUT TOWN

Your lipstick smudged guide to birmingham.

REVIEW: VIRGIN VOYAGES RESILIENT LADY CRUISE

I have to be honest – cruises have never really been my thing. For me, the idea of cruising always felt a bit… well, old-fashioned. I pictured cruises as something for a more mature crowd, where you barely get time to explore destinations and are stuck in claustrophobic cabins. So, when Virgin Voyages invited me aboard, I was intrigued. Their marketing promised something different – an energetic vibe, people smiling and dancing the night away, and a younger, fun-loving crowd. I thought, why not? With an open mind and a little scepticism, I decided to give it a shot. After all, this wasn’t just any cruise line; it was Virgin Voyages, one of the most talked-about cruise lines out there!

PLEASE NOTE: THIS WAS AN INVITE; however, my views are my own.

Adults-Only Bliss and All-Inclusive Goodness

One of the biggest selling points for me was that Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise – guests must be at least 18 years old. Don’t get me wrong, kids are great, but on holiday, they can be a lot…so this really sold it for me. Another big win? Virgin Voyages follows an all-inclusive model, meaning no hidden fees or surprises. Gratuities, Wi-Fi, food, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and fitness classes are all included. You can add an alcohol package in advance or pay as you go – everything is designed to be easy-going with a “we’ve got you covered” attitude.

We opted for the “Starry Nights in Greece and Croatia” itinerary, a 10-night round-trip sailing from Athens. This cruise was a dream come true, ticking off so many destinations from my bucket list. And the price? Starting at £3,831.24 for two people.

The App: A Lifesaver (Mostly)

Before setting sail, I downloaded the Virgin Voyages app, which turned out to be an absolute lifesaver throughout the trip. The app lets you explore restaurant options, check the entertainment schedule, and receive important updates like excursion reminders. Virgin offers a variety of port excursions called Shore Things, including winery tours, cooking classes, and adventurous boat and kayak expeditions plus more!

But, as with most tech, it wasn’t flawless. We encountered a few technical glitches – slow restaurant bookings, messaging errors, and loading delays. Despite these hiccups, the app was incredibly helpful overall.

Smooth Sailing: embarkation and disembarkation

Embarkation and disembarkation at each destination was seamless. The app notified us when the ship had arrived, embarking times, and whether we needed to book a slot for a charter boat (which is required at some destinations). Booking a day in advance is highly recommended, as slots can fill up quickly. We forgot to book a charter boat for one destination but managed to get on one without much hassle. Virgin also provides free shuttle buses or boats to city centres in most destinations, saving you money on taxis – a thoughtful touch, especially when we saw other cruise passengers haggling for cabs!

First Impressions: Jaw-Dropping

Arriving in Athens and seeing the Resilient Lady for the first time was, quite frankly, jaw-dropping- a bit of a surreal moment. I’ve never been near a cruise ship before, and honestly, it was like seeing the Titanic—massive and imposing! The ship can carry up to 2,700 Sailors (guests/passengers) in 1,408 cabins. With over 20 restaurants, numerous bars and lounges, a mega-nightclub, performance spaces, a pool with chic loungers, a giant whirlpool, a karaoke bar, the luxurious Redemption Spa, high-end shops, and even a tattoo parlour—this ship had it all!

Checking in was a breeze. We had selected our check-in time before arriving in Athens, and when we got there, there were no queues in sight. We received wristbands that acted as our identity cards and payment method, making it super easy to check in and out of the cruise and pay for drinks. The staff welcomed us with warm smiles, and our bags were already in our room by the time we got there—now that’s first-class service! Although we only caught the tail end of the arrival party, I recommend heading straight to the top deck when you board to join the fun and grab a glass of bubbly.

Accessibility: Thoughtfully Designed for Everyone

One thing that really stood out to me was how thoughtfully designed the Resilient Lady is when it comes to accessibility. Every floor had accessible toilets, making it easy to find facilities wherever you were on the ship. The elevators were abundant, ensuring that guests with mobility needs could navigate the ship without any issues. From the pool areas to the lounges, everything felt inclusive and accessible.

Top Deck: Fun in the Sun and More

The top deck was a paradise of activities and relaxation. There were two swimming pools—one large pool with a bar and a smaller, more intimate pool also with its own bar, making it easy to grab a drink while you lounged. And if you’re a fan of soaking in a hot tub, you’re in luck – there were several Jacuzzis scattered around the deck, perfect for unwinding with a view of the open sea.

For those who like to stay active, the top deck featured a running track and a basketball court, so you can keep up with your fitness routine even while on vacation. There were also fun activities like seesaws, ball games and various lounge areas throughout the ship, offering plenty of spots to relax, socialise, or just take in the stunning views.

The Room: Cosy and Functional

As we wandered around the ship, we were in awe of its sheer size. We found our floor and accessed it via one of the many elevators (the ship is very accessible with plenty of elevators and stairs). When we opened the door to our Sea Terrace room, we were greeted with a spotless space complete with a balcony and a cosy hammock. Everything was neatly arranged—towels, information booklets, mini fridge, fresh water, and a tablet to control the room’s lights, blinds, TV, and more. There was ample storage for our clothes and toiletries, making the room very comfortable for two people. The bathroom was compact, as you’d expect on a cruise, but it was functional and well-designed for our needs. The balcony quickly became our favourite spot, where we enjoyed many sunsets and breakfasts.

Room service was available, and an electronic system outside the door allowed us to request room cleaning. Additional services like laundry and “Ship Eats” were offered, though they came at an extra cost. Unfortunately, we had a minor hiccup with “Ship Eats.” Some menu items were missing, and the quality wasn’t great. However, the issue was resolved within 10 minutes of reporting it, so we were satisfied with the quick response.

As a British gal, my only complaint was the lack of in-room tea-making facilities. I do love my tea, and while you can get as much as you like from The Galley (which I certainly did—about seven cups a day!) it would have been nice to have a kettle in the room. But I understand that Virgin wants you to get out and explore the ship.

Now, the most common question that flooded my inbox was: Can you hear the sea at night? And can you feel the boat rock? It wasn’t until the second night, during a storm, that I felt the ship rock a little, which made me slightly dizzy for about 30 minutes. But other than that, I didn’t hear or feel a thing—unless, of course, you leave the balcony door open (which I strongly advise against!). Overall, my sleep was peaceful every night.

Restaurants: The Choice Is Yours!

When it comes to dining on Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, you’re truly spoiled for choice. With 20 dining options onboard—all included in your ticket price—you’ll never have to worry about extra costs piling up. It’s all covered! You can even revisit your favorite eateries as many times as you like, thanks to Virgin’s refreshingly laid-back booking system. We met a few seasoned cruise-goers who couldn’t stop praising the flexibility Virgin offers, especially compared to other cruise lines that often impose restrictions on restaurant bookings.

As for my personal favorites, I couldn’t get enough of Pink Agave, Test Kitchen, The Wake, and Gunbae. Each offered a unique culinary experience that kept us coming back for more.

I recommend booking your dining spots as soon as possible since they do tend to fill up quickly. The food quality and variety onboard were nothing short of impressive. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, Japanese, Mexican, or something entirely different, there’s always something new and delicious to discover. The ice cream parlor was a real treat, especially on those warm, sunny days at sea. I was particularly smitten with the Butter Pecan—a must-try!

For breakfast, The Galley became our go-to spot. It’s the perfect place to start your day, and we couldn’t get enough of their fluffy pancakes and mouth-watering breakfast burrito. The variety of options at The Galley is extensive, and because it’s open all day, you can pop in whenever hunger strikes. It was a bit surreal to just help yourself to whatever you wanted without ever reaching for your credit card, but that’s one of the many joys of this cruise—no hidden costs to worry about.

And here’s something you’ll appreciate: No Buffet Lines! That’s right—there are no buffet restaurants onboard Virgin Voyages ships. Instead, food is prepared fresh and to order at each food station. You won’t find any extra-cost specialty dining venues on Resilient Lady either—they’re all special, and they’re all included in the price. Virgin Voyages has done away with the typical cruising clichés, but rest assured, with so many fabulous eateries on the ship, you’ll never go hungry.

If you’re looking for a cool spot to hang out during the day or in the evening, the Social Club is where it’s at. With bar games, indoor shuffleboard, quizzes, and more, it’s the perfect place to relax and have some fun. And let’s not forget the snacks—hotdogs, pretzels, sweets, shakes, popcorn – you name it! You can stuff your face 24 hours a day if your mood (or appetite) can take it. While restaurants have set dining times, The Galley and “Ship Eats” (room service) are available 24/7. Order as much food as you want, whenever you want. Just keep in mind that Test Kitchen does have a set menu.

Vegetarians and vegans, rejoice! While most of the restaurant menus have clearly marked options for you, Resilient Lady’s dedicated Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant, Razzle Dazzle, takes plant-based dining to the next level. With an exciting and innovative menu, it’s a treat for everyone—even the carnivores in your group will find something to love!

Bars: Where Do You Start?!

Virgin Voyages takes a different approach when it comes to drink packages. Instead of the traditional all-you-can-drink packages found on many other cruise lines, they offer “Bar Tabs.” This system allows you to preload a set amount of money onto your tab, which you can use at any of the bars during your trip. Just keep in mind that the Bar Tab is specifically for alcoholic drinks—you won’t be able to use it for coffee, water, or sodas.

The essentials, like filtered still and sparkling water, sodas, teas, and drip coffee, are included in your fare, so you won’t need to worry about those. You can easily keep track of your spending via the Virgin Voyages app. If you’re in the mood for something more premium, barista-made coffees, fresh juices, specialty cocktails, premium beers, and top-shelf spirits like Ketel One, Hendrick’s, Patrón Silver, and of course, Moët, are available at an extra cost.

With so many bars on board, there’s something to suit every taste. SIP, the champagne bar, and The Manor are standouts, but my personal favorite has to be The Dock House. The cocktails there were incredible, and we loved the lively atmosphere, especially when they had live music or karaoke nights. Another hidden gem for cocktail lovers is the Red Bar in Razzle Dazzle. Tucked away inside the restaurant, it offers unusual but very cool cocktails that we thoroughly enjoyed.

As for coffee, while you can get free coffee throughout the cruise, if you’re after something a bit more special, I highly recommend Grounds Club. They make a fantastic flat white, and the pastries are absolutely delicious too!

Entertainment: No Boredom Here!

Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, Virgin Voyages has entertainment options that will blow your mind. From epic pool parties and live music to jaw-dropping shows and immersive experiences, there was never a dull moment on board. I was particularly impressed by the quality and variety of performances—each one was nothing short of spectacular. The Red Room is the ship’s entertainment hub, hosting everything from Broadway-style productions to intimate live music sessions. The Miss Behave Show, a hilarious and interactive sing-along game show, was a definite highlight. The acrobats and dancers who took centre stage were mesmerizing, and even a round of bingo was unexpectedly thrilling!

One of the standout experiences was Scarlet Night, Virgin’s signature event where everyone dresses in red, and the ship transforms into a pulsating sea of crimson. It’s the kind of night where you leave your inhibitions behind and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy—it’s an absolute blast!

And if dancing the night away isn’t your thing, there’s no shortage of other activities. From invigorating fitness classes to unwinding in the luxurious Redemption Spa, where you can treat yourself to a massage or facial, there’s something for everyone. The ship also features a range of high-end shopping options, with designer brands like Chanel, Marc Jacobs, and Rolex as well as high street brands such as Sephora. There was also a shop for essentials such as sun cream, medical products, merchandise and more. If you’re already thinking ahead, you can even book your next cruise right on board. Their Virgin Voyage shop offers enticing incentives such as discounts on future voyages and onboard credit—a fantastic way to keep the excitement going and ensure you come back for more!

 If you’re in the mood for something more unique, you can even get a tattoo at the onboard tattoo parlour or spruce up at the barbers, hairdressers, or salon. Virgin really has thought of everything!

For those who enjoy a bit of gambling, the casino is a cool spot to test your luck – I was thrilled when I instantly won $100 with just one press of a button. Maybe it was just my lucky night! The casino is also where you’ll find the entrance to The Manor – the nightclub with that iconic disco-tech crystal backdrop where everyone snaps a picture. On the first night, I was worried about getting a photo there, but don’t fret – there’s plenty of time to grab that perfect shot when it’s quieter. The Manor itself is a fantastic club where we spent a couple of nights dancing our shoes off – literally! One night, my shoe somehow flew to the other side of the dance floor! Oh, and don’t miss out on their wicked espresso martinis—they’re a must-try!

Shore Things: Adventures Ashore

Our itinerary took us to some incredible destinations, each with its own unique charm. We explored ancient ruins, lounged on beautiful beaches, and soaked in the vibrant local cultures. Virgin Voyages offers a wide range of shore excursions, aptly named Shore Things, which can be conveniently booked in advance through the app. Whether you’re into adrenaline-pumping ATV rides, scenic boat tours, or cultural experiences like wine tasting and cooking classes, there’s a Shore Thing to match every interest.

What I appreciated most was how easy Virgin made it to explore on our own as well. The ship often docks close to major attractions, and there are shuttle services available if needed. This approach struck the perfect balance between guided exploration and independent adventure.

Who Is This Cruise For?

This cruise experience really depends on the destination. We made friends with a group from Manchester who had previously sailed with Virgin in Miami and noted that the crowd there was younger. On our cruise, the demographic was mixed – young professional couples, groups in their mid-40s, and mature guests looking for a relaxing getaway all found their place. The ship caters to everyone, with lively bars for those who want to party and sophisticated champagne lounges for those who prefer a quieter vibe. We even saw some older guests partying harder than we did!

Is It Value for Money?

When you consider that you’re visiting 10 incredible destinations and enjoying top-notch service, the price feels like a steal. Some might argue that the time at each destination is short, but I found it more than sufficient. As we disembarked for the last time, I couldn’t believe the value for money. One of the destinations we visited was £1000 just for one day! Another destination was £900, so I believe we got incredible value for money – Virgin really nailed it, possibly even being a bit too generous.

Final Thoughts

After 10 unforgettable nights aboard Resilient Lady, would I cruise again? Absolutely! Virgin Voyages shattered my preconceived notions of cruising, offering an experience that was vibrant, thrilling, and just plain fun. The service was exceptional, the food was delicious, and the entertainment was top-notch. I particularly loved the all-inclusive model, which made everything feel seamless and stress-free.

If you’ve been hesitant about cruising or are seeking a contemporary, adult-focused escape, Virgin Voyages is the answer. This isn’t just a cruise; it’s an unparalleled adventure at sea that promises to create unforgettable memories. With its vibrant atmosphere, top-notch service, and diverse range of experiences, you’ll find yourself immersed in a journey that goes beyond your wildest expectations. Virgin Voyages redefines cruising with a fresh, exhilarating approach that makes every moment count. Trust me, you’ll be counting the days until your next voyage – because once you’ve experienced this, there’s no going back!

BOOK YOUR VIRGIN VOYAGE CRUISE HERE

Tips to Know

• Wine Policy : You’re welcome to bring two 750ml bottles of wine per cabin in your carry-on luggage. Spirits and beer aren’t allowed. Enjoy the wine in your cabin to avoid a $25 corkage fee if you take it elsewhere on the ship BTW your cabin should have a bottle opener ready for use.
• Scarlet Night : Virgin Voyages skips the formal nights. Instead, embrace the vibrant Scarlet Night, where red is the theme and the ship transforms into a sea of crimson. While there’s no strict dress code, expect some guests to bring their A-game fashion-wise – GO ALL OUT!
• Dress Code Freedom : Forget about formal dress codes—Virgin Voyages is all about relaxed elegance. Feel free to dress up or down as you please, with no set expectations.
• Drink Packages : Consider opting for one of the drink packages. They’re designed to save you money and enhance your experience. It’s a great way to enjoy your favorite beverages without a second thought.
• Tender Bookings : Book your tenders early—they can fill up fast. If you’ve booked a Shore Thing (excursion), you’re guaranteed a spot. Otherwise, use the app to secure your place or visit Sailor Services for last-minute availability.
• Scarlet Night Tip : Engage with the crew! Each member has a unique role and may invite you to exclusive events and performances. Just bring your party spirit and be ready for some fun!
• Dining Recommendations : While The Galley is open late and offers a great variety of food, I highly recommend booking reservations at the specialty restaurants for even more delectable options. You can book as many restaurants as you like and cancel if your plans change.

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Introducing Resilient Lady: Virgin Voyages’ third ship is an ode to womankind

It’s International Women’s Day today (8 March) and Virgin Voyages is introducing a very special new lady to its fleet. Resilient Lady is the cruise line's third ship and is due to set sail in 2022.

The past year has been filled with adversity and adaptation for everyone – but it’s no secret that women have been challenged to rise up more than ever during the pandemic. Virgin Voyages is announcing Resilient Lady on International Women’s Day to symbolise the spirit of its Lady Ships, and to celebrate women and their achievements, strength, leadership and resilience.

Resilient Lady has a bright future ahead of her, as Virgin Voyages’ second ship to sail the Mediterranean (after her sister ship Valiant Lady).

“Sailing in the Med is such an extraordinary experience, and we’re so excited to bring the adventure of a Virgin Voyage to this beautiful place,” said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. “I’m so proud of the incredible work the team has accomplished to introduce Resilient Lady.”

Virgin Voyages will offer two different voyages on Resilient Lady in the Med:

Greek Isles Itinerary: Sailors will get the opportunity to immerse themselves in Greek history and culture in Athens before island-hopping to Santorini, Rhodes, Crete and Mykonos. The Greek Isles itinerary will feature an overnight stay in Mykonos, offering Sailors a premier location and access to the picturesque promenade

Adriatic (with Greek Isles) Itinerary: Sailing out of Athens, Sailors will spend their second day at sea before docking in Dubrovnik the following morning. With a 2am departure from Dubrovnik, Sailors will have plenty of time to experience the rich history of Croatia during the day and take part in the active nightlife along the Adriatic Sea, before scenic sailing to Kotor, Corfu and Argostoli

“Welcoming Resilient Lady to our fleet and revealing these amazing itineraries sets the tone for the most memorable summer voyage,”  said Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages. “We know the time to travel is on the horizon, and Virgin Voyages is here so that we can keep dreaming of irresistible vacations ahead.”

Resilient Lady is due to set sail in summer 2022. Head over to Virgin Voyages to find out more and sign up for updates.

Check out some of Virgin Voyages’ onboard restaurants

Five dreamy destinations to visit with Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages reveals second ship and destinations

Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady review: A look at Virgin's third cruise ship

Resilient Lady, the third ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, debuted in May 2023, and it's a doozy — in a good way. With nearly all-new entertainment and an adults-only vibe that's equal parts nostalgic, stylish and engaging, the ship offers a lot for fun-loving adults .

It's rare for me to enjoy any ship so much that I struggle to come up with things to dislike, especially with brand-new vessels, which almost always have kinks to work out. But here I am, stretching to find even minor niggles and reflecting on what makes Resilient Lady so special.

On the surface, it's not much different from its two older sisters, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady . Some of what sets it apart are little details like the artwork, the location of the onboard tattoo parlor — yes, you read that correctly — and the destination-specific offerings like Opa Hour, which includes Mediterranean fare at the onboard mezze venue as a nod to the ship's Greece itineraries.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

But the main differentiator is the entertainment, most of which is brand new to the fleet. The shows have been developed in partnership with well-known brands like famed Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes and Weiner Entertainment Group, whose owner helped to bring the popular experiential show "Sleep No More" to New York City.

There's a lot to love about this intriguing new ship. Follow along while I share my experience with its bars, lounges, shows, cabins, restaurants, activities and more.

Overview of Resilient Lady

Capable of carrying up to 2,770 passengers at max capacity, the 110,000-ton vessel rises 17 decks. To put that in perspective, Resilient Lady is only slightly more than one-third of the size of the largest cruise ships afloat.

That means it's big enough to house several restaurants with delicious food, quirky bars and lounges, outdoor sunning and workout areas, and groundbreaking performance spaces while managing to maintain a somewhat intimate feel that's not overwhelming.

Virgin Voyages is considered a premium cruise line, which means that, although it's not completely price-inclusive, it does roll certain amenities — basic Wi-Fi, gratuities and alternative dining, which cost extra on mainstream lines — into its fares.

Like other companies within the Virgin family of brands, Virgin Voyages is trendy and chic, bringing passengers a perfect balance of over-the-top fun that doesn't veer into tacky. Its ships only allow cruisers who are 18 and older, and they attract a wealthier crowd. They also have a large contingent of LGBTQI+ regulars.

Resilient Lady's ethos can best be described as "come-as-you-are classy." There are no dress codes, but most passengers prefer to be comfortable yet never sloppy, casual while also stylish.

Besides food and entertainment, which are both superb, Resilient Lady's standout features are likely to make you say, "Well, I've never seen that on a cruise ship before!" They include elements like drag shows, secret pub crawls, coffee tastings and more childhood-favorite board games than you could possibly play in a single sailing.

What I loved about Resilient Lady

Entertainment.

Virgin Voyages is no stranger to entertainment. With roots in the music industry, the brand, backed by business mogul Richard Branson, had a lot to live up to when it decided to launch a cruise line. It started strong with Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, but it had a few kinks to work out.

Thankfully, it broke the mold on Resilient Lady with a host of next-level new shows that, I feel, have put the line squarely at the top of the list when it comes to performances. My general feeling about each one I saw was "I don't know what the heck is going on, but I'm here for it."

Related: Here's why Virgin Voyages' entertainment is now the best on any cruise

Entertainment is not an afterthought on this ship. The line sought out — or, in several cases, created — the best shows possible, sprinkled in a ton of innuendo and built a ship around it.

Inclusivity

Virgin Voyages prides itself on pushing boundaries, and it has a history of offering progressive products that are ahead of their time. Fittingly, the line is exceptionally inclusive of all shapes, sizes, colors and lifestyles, earning it a loyal fan base of repeat passengers, particularly within the LGBTQI+ community.

Resilient Lady has its own resident drag queen, known as The Diva, and she pulls no punches. She does, however, pull off some incredible high kicks and enough off-color jokes to fill several shows' worth of material. Watch for her to host bingo and a couple of other gatherings throughout each cruise.

You'll also notice a far more diverse group of professional singers and dancers than you're likely to find anywhere else at sea. It's refreshing that they aren't all tall, thin and white — although those members of the cast are fantastic, too.

But it isn't just about skin color, body size or sexual orientation. No matter who you are, the ship has a generally accepting air. Your fellow passengers won't blink if you have rainbow hair, are covered in tattoos, decide to dress as a mermaid, wear a tutu to dinner or show up to Scarlet Night in nothing but a Speedo. Differences and quirkiness are welcomed in this judgment-free zone.

What's better than a ship that makes you feel like a kid again? A ship that lets you do it without constantly reminding you that you're actually an adult.

Resilient Lady is packed with fun activities that let you play like a kid during the day and stay up late to enjoy more adult-themed entertainment by night. On the schedule, you'll find pastimes like '80s-themed aerobic workouts, '90s boy band dance classes, dodgeball tournaments and summer camp arts and crafts. You can also indulge in free candy, popcorn, pretzels and ice cream, as well as board games like Candy Land, Mouse Trap and Hungry Hungry Hippos.

At night, toss in some glam face art (sticky, music festival-style jewels), a trip to the arcade (or casino) and selfies with carousel-style sea creatures, and you've got the makings of an adult playground. (No, seriously. There are even swings, seesaws, a Twister board and a jungle gym-like structure on the outdoor decks.)

The best part, though, is that Virgin Voyages is exclusively for adults. (You can't sail if you're younger than 18.) On an adults-only vessel, you're not an adult who's reduced to sheepishly taking part in activities meant for kids. Instead, everything on board is meant for you, which reduces some of the stigma associated with cutting loose.

Around every corner, I found things that not only were fun but also helped me reconnect with my childhood self. I enjoyed several "I forgot all about this" and "I haven't done this in years" moments.

What I didn't love about Resilient Lady

I do like Virgin's accommodations for their simple-yet-funky decor and technological advancements (temperature, lighting and curtains are controlled by a tablet, which is also what passengers use to request fresh towels and order room service). However, there are some design choices I still don't entirely understand.

Despite some improvements that were made due to customer feedback, cabins still have curtains instead of closet doors and beds that are less than comfortable, thanks to their convertible sofa-to-bed setup.

At night, two twin beds can be set up in an L shape or pushed together to form a single queen bed. During the day, the beds can be converted into a sofa to provide extra seating and more floor space. I found the system so cumbersome to request that I kept my bed as a bed for the duration of the sailing, with the exception of one day when I asked for it to be changed over so I could take a photo.

Bathrooms are also painfully small in standard rooms. In fact, the one in my Sea Terrace (balcony) cabin felt about the size of an airplane bathroom with a shower added. I ended up with several bruises on my elbows after banging my arms on the shower door while trying to do my hair or makeup. (There was a vanity in the main cabin space, but the lighting was horrible, which meant I applied my makeup in the bathroom.)

It's difficult to make sense of what's happening throughout the ship each day without investing significant time into using the cruise line's app . Printed schedules are available at the Sailor Services desk or at The Grounds Club cafe; otherwise, you can find everything on your phone.

The number of activities is dizzying, and they often overlap, which means you'll likely have to pick and choose. Be warned that chances are good you won't be able to see and do everything you want to in a single sailing, but that's by design. Virgin Voyages has a high rate of repeat cruisers, and it's easy to understand why. The line's ships are fantastic, and people want to come back to check out the things they weren't able to do the first time around.

So, why is this a bad thing? If you don't schedule yourself quickly, you could miss out on snagging slots at popular shows or activities — like coffee tastings, arts and crafts, and pub crawls — that require you to sign up in advance.

Dinner reservations are even worse, particularly at some of the most popular restaurants and the dinner theater experience. If you don't reserve times as soon as you board the vessel, you could find yourself relegated to the food court or eating at less desirable times that cut into the nightly entertainment.

While I understand the need for scheduling, I find that having to pick what you want to do ahead of time can severely take the spontaneity out of your vacation.

Food service

Before I address this as something I didn't love, I want to make it clear that the Resilient Lady crew was exceptionally friendly, helpful and approachable when I sailed.

Still, I was frustrated by service issues during the voyage. Perhaps these could be chalked up to the fact that it was an inaugural cruise where workers were still acclimating to the flow and timing of things like food prep and delivery. My biggest complaint was that it consistently took way too long to receive food throughout my sailing.

One night, when I ate at Razzle Dazzle, the ship's vegetarian-forward restaurant, I waited nearly 30 minutes to receive my main course after I had finished my starter. That meant I had time to take exactly two bites before I had to rush off to the show. I asked my apologetic waitress if I could have the food wrapped up to take to my room or have it delivered, but she told me that wasn't possible. Not only did I leave hungry and disappointed, but I wasted food I would have otherwise consumed.

Another day, I ate at The Wake, Resilient Lady's take on a 1960s upscale steakhouse. The woman next to me ordered a steak, which arrived in a reasonable amount of time. When another woman at a nearby table saw it show up, she walked over to ask how it was. She said she had ordered her steak more than 40 minutes prior and still hadn't received it. She was so angry that, not long after she returned to her table, she and her companion got up and left without eating.

Toward the end of the voyage, I made my way into The Galley — a food court-style setup with several varieties of cuisine — and ordered an open-faced banana Nutella sandwich and a drink for lunch. The drink arrived with no issues, but after a half-hour wait for my meal, I flagged down a waitress who informed me my order had been lost. I had to place it again and wait another 15 minutes.

Resilient Lady cabins and suites

Resilient Lady offers a standard selection of accommodations, albeit with cutesy names. They include the Insider (105 inside cabins with no window), the Sea View (95 outside cabins with windows), the Sea Terrace (1,130 balcony rooms) and a variety of RockStar Quarters (78 suites) with names like the Sweet Aft Suite, the Seriously Suite, the Cheeky Corner Suite and the ship's two TPG Award-winning, 2,147-square-foot Massive Suites , plus a few others in between.

The Massive Suites each offer two bedrooms, a standard one with a king-size bed and another with a pullout couch, as well as a variety of real working guitars and an amp, in case you feel like a jam session. They also have record players with an extensive music library; private sun decks with dining tables, hot tubs, loungers and outdoor showers; premium linens; butler service for things like express swimsuit drying and stocking the complimentary minibar; luxury toiletries; mood lighting; two full-size closets; and priority embarkation and disembarkation, plus transfers.

The vessel's 78 RockStar Quarters, including the Massive Suite, give their occupants access to the exclusive keycard-protected Richard's Rooftop. The chic but fun outdoor bar and lounge area offers a free daily Champagne happy hour, as well as private hot tubs and comfy couches for lounging.

Of the ship's cabins, 93% have ocean views (meaning only 7% are insides), and 86% have balconies. That's an impressive number. There are also 46 solo cabins spread across the inside (40) and outside (six) categories.

As far as accessible staterooms, there are 29 spread across nearly all categories. They are divided into two types: fully accessible cabins (for users of wheelchairs) and ambulatory accessible cabins (for users of canes, walkers and scooters).

Each FAC offers wider doorways, extra space for turning, emergency pull cords, transfer space next to beds and lowered cabin elements, such as closet bars, light switches and thermostats. AACs have the same amount of space as their standard counterparts, but they are outfitted with grab bars in the shower and near the toilet, shower seating and lowered room features like light switches and coat hooks.

Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant hoists are available for use on request at the ship's pools and select hot tubs. The spa's plunge pools also have hoists.

My cabin was a 185-square-foot Central Sea Terrace balcony room, and although it had everything I needed, it was pleasantly spartan. The line dialed back the purple, blue, pink and red decor found in previous cabin iterations, instead opting for neutrals with pops of the brand's trademark red here and there.

I kept my bed as a queen setup and skipped the daily sofa configuration. The room also had a small wire and leather chair that mainly served to hold my purse when I wasn't using it, as well as a nightstand that doubled as a lap desk, a vanity/desk combo with an ottoman stool, a metal and wicker desk lamp, a house phone, a TV with a limited selection of channels and free on-demand movies, a minibar (unstocked except in RockStar and Mega RockStar suites) and two carafes of free drinking water (with glasses) replenished as needed.

Bathrooms in standard cabins on Resilient Lady are painfully small. Mine was bare-bones but functional. It featured a white counter, a single bowl sink, a mirror, a toilet, a glass-walled shower with both rainfall and hand-held showerheads and fluffy, white towels. (The only washcloths provided said "makeup" on them, indicating they were face cloths. I travel with my own body cloths since European entities often don't provide them, but I'm unsure what other passengers did.)

Toiletries consisted of a single bar of soap for handwashing and wall-mounted shower gel, shampoo and conditioner from the Red Flower brand, which was originally developed for Virgin Hotels.

When you shower, make sure the hand-held head is facing away from you and the shower door before you turn the water on. I ended up spraying myself in the face at least once when I forgot to check.

Outside, the balcony was tiny but pleasant, featuring two metal chairs, a small drinks table and — my absolute favorite feature of the entire room — a red hammock from Yellow Leaf Hammocks. Their products are handwoven by women of the Mlabri ethnic group in Thailand, allowing them to support their families and end the poverty cycle.

Storage, especially in the teeny-tiny bathroom, would have been difficult with two people sharing the room. Because of the weird furniture setup, under-bed storage for luggage is a no-go if you're planning to convert the bed to a sofa each day. If you don't put your suitcases under the bed, they take up valuable closet real estate.

In the closet, a wide hanging bar was impressively high, meaning my long dresses didn't bunch on the ground like they do on most other ships, so that was a win. However, the hangers were cheap wire ones coated in what appeared to be shiny black rubber, and they left bumps in the shoulders of my shirts.

Drawers and shelving were available in the closet, too, but a couple of storage baskets — which I found to be an odd choice — took up some of the space. I didn't find them useful. Other closet accoutrements included a code-operate safe and life jackets, as well as an order form for laundry services.

One of the most impressive aspects of Virgin Voyages' rooms is that they're techy. Instead of a keycard, you'll have a fairly nondescript wearable that adjusts to fit your wrist like a friendship bracelet. It allows you to unlock your cabin door, charge purchases to your onboard account and scan yourself on and off of the ship in port.

When you open the door to your room, the system is alerted to turn on certain lights and even to open the curtains at certain times of the day. I never did figure out how to set all of that, though, and I often found the curtains opening when I didn't want them to. Anyone who wants to control them can grab the in-room tablet, which also allows you to turn lights on and off, control the TV, order room service, connect with the front desk and even request things like fresh towels from your room steward.

Speaking of room stewards, both of mine were lovely, but I hardly saw them. I discovered by day three that, if I wanted them to straighten my room, I had to specifically turn on the "make up room" indicator — a black button with a spilled drink on it that turns blue when you push it — to request it. Above it was the "do not disturb" button, which turns red when it's on. Both are, oddly, found inside the closet.

Cabin numbers can be confusing since they exist on both sides of the ship. They are numbered according to the deck they're on and the frame line on which they're located. (Frame lines are the beams used in ship construction, and they're all numbered.)

Tacked onto the end of each cabin number is a letter — either A for port (left when facing the front of the ship) or Z for starboard (right when facing the front). So, for example, my cabin was 10166A; that meant I was on Deck 10 at frame line 166 on the port side. I had to be careful because there was also a 10166Z — the same cabin number but on the opposite side of the vessel.

One other note: There are three sets of elevators on Resilient Lady, which are located forward (at the front of the ship), mid and aft (at the back). If you're trying to figure out where you are, just look at the interior color of the elevator you're in. Forward is purple, mid is red and aft is blue.

Resilient Lady restaurants and bars

As is the case with most of its cruise-related endeavors, Virgin Voyages doesn't do food and drinks like the other lines do. First, it scrapped the idea of an onboard buffet and replaced it with a complimentary food court. Then, instead of a main dining room, it developed more than a dozen free restaurants featuring all types of cuisine, as well as a for-fee dinner theater — all of which are absolutely expert at catering to dietary restrictions like vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

Think of Resilient Lady's dining venues like restaurants ashore. The ambience and theme are different at each, and they all serve different specialties. One other similarity: You'll need reservations, and you'll want to make them ASAP. Otherwise, you could miss out, as popular times tend to fill up quickly.

When it comes to alcohol, gone are the days of drink packages. On Virgin sailings, you prepay your bar tab before you set sail, and the amount is debited from your final onboard bill. If you go over it, you pay per beverage like at any shoreside bar. Although you don't have to prepay, the line will often give you extra funds if you do.

Restaurants

If you're in the mood for a multicourse meal, there are several eateries to choose from. Seven offer a traditional "sit down and take your time" atmosphere, but the vibe in each is far from ordinary.

Extra Virgin, Resilient Lady's Italian restaurant, is a cozy space with a slightly upscale feel. Make sure to show up hungry because, in true Italian style, there are five menu sections: antipasto, affettati misti (an Italian cured meat platter), secondo, pasta and dessert.

To start, I ordered an Aperol spritz and braised miniature meatballs; they were fantastic, complemented by smoked mozzarella, tomato sauce and pancetta. I followed them up with the affettati misti cheese board of Parmesan, Romano and Gorgonzola and an order of vegetarian Brussels sprouts with polenta, chiles and hazelnuts. I wasn't a fan of the latter, but you can never go wrong with cheese. For my pasta, I selected potato gnocchi with mushrooms, spinach and truffle butter sauce; it was magical.

I was stuffed, so I skipped dessert, but the affogato cart the waiters brought around to each table had me wishing I had room for more. There's also an extensive wine list, but I didn't partake.

Gunbae, a Korean barbecue restaurant created by renowned New York City chef Sohui Kim, can accommodate six to eight people per table, depending on the group size, with seating in a circular booth that surrounds a central grill where waiters cook your food right in front of you.

Options include small bites like nori rice crisps, seaweed salad, kimchi and mung bean pancakes and a mixed seafood corndog; bowls that feature rice or noodles mixed with vegetables or kimchi stew with pork belly; and mains that consist of grilled items like a mushroom and seasonal veggie combo, squid and octopus with shrimp, marinated beef short ribs or a chef's combo of short ribs, pork belly and shrimp. Soft serve in sikhye (a sweet flavor made with malt and rice) and black sesame varieties is also offered with black sesame granola, miniature marshmallows and miso caramel for dessert.

While you enjoy your starters — a series of small bowls of seaweed-style salad that everyone receives — your waiter will lead you in drinking games, complete with complimentary sake. Other specialty drinks are available for a fee; I chose (and loved) the K-Pop Disco Water, which features Jinro grapefruit, watermelon juice and Pop Rocks served in a disco ball cup.

Gunbae surprised the heck out of me, breaking me of my usual "I don't like most meat, and I'm stingy with my food" habits. Not only did I spring for the Wagyu beef option, which comes with Miyazaki ribeye and tenderloin for a $45 surcharge, but it was so delicious I ended up ordering a second helping. The meat was rich and filling, leading me to share it with the table. The crispy chicken small plate was also phenomenal.

What would a trendy ship be without a Mexican restaurant? Enter Pink Agave through a lit-glass archway, and you'll find a dark and swanky space that feels a bit like something out of old Miami. The eatery offers upscale Mexican fare with a mezcal-heavy drink menu, all designed by famed chef and Phoenix food scene legend Silvana Salcido Esparza of the Barrio Cafe.

The selections are divided into three sizes: small plates, medium plates and large plates. Start simple, and try the absolutely out-of-this-world guacamole. Then, move on to the black bean soup and chicken enchiladas while you wait for the cochinita pibil (marinated smoked pork with sour orange habanero pico de gallo). Or, instead opt for dishes like grilled corn with spicy aioli and lime, seared shrimp with mole and new potatoes, a vegan roasted corn- and russet potato-stuffed poblano pepper or roasted duck with mole and smoked yam puree.

Vegetarians, rejoice. Razzle Dazzle — named for the confusing black-and-white paint style found on World War I ships — is the veggie-forward brainchild of Eric Kim Haugen, a judge on Food Network's "Big Restaurant Bet." Offering brunch and dinner, the restaurant's menus have creative choices for cruisers who stay away from meat.

For brunch, I loved the avocado toast with sriracha, watermelon radish, finger lime and toasted seeds; the nutty gazpacho with cucumbers, peppers, marcona almonds and roasted garlic croutons; and the Impossible burger with poblano salsa, paprika veganaise, avocado and fries. (You can substitute a salad, but the fries are delicious and cutely served in a vessel designed to look like a crushed black Solo cup.) I also ordered a for-fee smoothie, but in line with some of the poor service I mentioned above, it never arrived.

Razzle Dazzle is the only restaurant on the ship that was so intriguing I ate there twice. For dinner, I had the avocado green goddess salad and the fried green tomatoes and okra with chili lime spice and chili herb sauce as starters.

I also selected two mains: Nashville hot cauliflower with plant-based ranch sauce and beet-stuffed pierogi, both vegan. I'm Polish and grew up on pierogi filled with just about every type of fruit, vegetable and starch imaginable, but I had never tried them with beets. I was so disappointed when the dish took forever to arrive, as it meant I didn't have time to fully enjoy it before I had to dash to a show.

Feeling naughty? There are not-so-secret meat dishes on the menu, including snapper, slow-cooked lamb shank and an extra-charge seafood boil for $50. This restaurant is also home to the Red Bar, which mixes drinks created in partnership with Cocktail Cartel.

For a perfect Instagram opportunity (and a tasty tipple), order A Pop of Attraction — tequila, ginger, grapefruit, lime and bitters topped with a handful of popcorn and served in a small popcorn bucket.

I have an extremely unsophisticated palate, so fancy food is often lost on me. However, I was truly impressed by Test Kitchen, a lab-like restaurant that focuses on presentation with some molecular gastronomy elements mixed in. The original menus, which alternate to provide different experiences on each voyage, were designed by chef Matt Lambert of New York City's The Musket Room.

When I ate there, our menu consisted of just six items — corn, salmon, beetroot, choice of shrimp or lamb, asparagus and strawberry — with a dish prepared around each. What came out was the following: cornbread with spreadable garlic and onion corn custard; sugar-marinated salmon with cucumbers; beetroot ravioli with pesto and cashews; lamb and eggplant with zucchini or shrimp tagliatelle pasta with jumbo shrimp and tomatoes in lobster broth; asparagus sorbet with a sauce made of egg yolk, cream and Champagne, topped with ginger; and a strawberry dessert.

Vegetarian options are also available. A fellow traveler at my table doesn't eat meat or fish, so she was presented with pumpkin jus with pumpkin and carrot risotto instead of the lamb or shrimp selection.

To me, Test Kitchen is the most impressive free option on board, especially given that there were six courses, the ingredients were high quality and anything this frou-frou normally costs a bunch of extra money on other cruise lines. It's only open for dinner, but during the day, it also hosts mixology classes for a fee; they not only teach you how to make drinks but also how to photograph them for social media. #Millennial.

For seasoned cruisers missing a more traditional main dining room experience, The Wake hits closest to the mark, offering a 1960s steakhouse vibe. Meat and seafood are on the menus for both brunch and dinner, although some dishes carry an extra charge.

I didn't have enough time to eat at The Wake for dinner, but for brunch, I enjoyed the brioche French toast with caramelized bananas, toasted pecans and whipped creme fraiche. I also ordered the avocado Benedict, which didn't impress me, but that's likely due to my aversion to certain textures rather than the quality of the dish. Other menu options included clam chowder, fennel and citrus salad, poached shrimp, steak and eggs, and Benedicts featuring soft-shell crab and crispy pork belly.

Resilient Lady's only for-fee dining option is a dinner theater show called "Another Rose," which takes up residence in The Manor nightclub on a couple of nights each cruise. For $50 per person, passengers can choose from one of three seating options: balcony, floor or floor near the stage. For that price, they receive a 90-minute show that unfolds all around them as they indulge in a four-course set meal (including three drinks) that was absolutely my favorite of the whole trip — not too bland, not too spicy and with just the right amount of flavor.

The menu offers cruisers two appetizers (sweet potato chaat with tamarind, cilantro-mint chutney, yogurt and pomegranate seeds; and a tuna bomb with avocado green goddess dressing, spicy soy and semolina puri), a main course (a choice of pan-roasted sea bass with moilee sauce, basmati rice grit and roasted okra; or braised short rib with Kashmir chili-coconut sauce, basmati rice grit and scallions) and a dessert.

I left feeling just the right amount of full, although I only took one bite of the dessert — the world's tiniest piece of cheesecake. There's also a vegetarian menu available. (I don't eat raw tuna, so I ordered the vegetarian celery apple bomb for my second appetizer, and it was fantastic.) The timing of the service was also impeccable, coinciding flawlessly with the show. There wasn't too much time between courses; instead, there was just enough for attendees to watch a bit of the performance without constantly being distracted by food.

Another of my favorite food experiences on Resilient Lady was The Pizza Place. This late-night haunt was perfect for ordering a pie or two after some dancing and drinks. The pies are slightly larger than a personal size, and they come in varieties like a classic pie with tomato sauce and mozzarella, chicken pesto with red onions and fresh tomatoes, a white pie with three kinds of cheese, pepperoni and a vegan option with "cheese," black pepper and arugula. However, the best by a mile was the white truffle with egg — a pie with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, cracked black pepper and truffle oil topped with a runny egg.

If you're looking for other casual options or grab-and-go fare, The Galley is for you. Designed to mimic a food court, The Galley is the closest thing the ship has to a buffet minus the self-serve setup (excluding the prepackaged grab-and-go items). You'll either belly up to one of several counters preparing selections like sushi from Bento Baby, salads from The Daily Mix and tacos from Let's Taco Bout It, or sit down so a member of the waitstaff can come to you to take your order.

Want breakfast all day? Your go-to will be Diner & Dash, which will cook up made-to-order eggs and omelets with bacon and other trimmings. Craving a noodle bowl, burgers, a panini, a for-fee specialty coffee or a dessert that's as gorgeous as it is delectable? You'll find all of that, respectively, in The Galley's Noodle Around, Burger Bar, Hot Off the Press, Grounds Club Too and The Sweet Side.

Speaking of sweets, the ship's Lick Me Till ... Ice Cream offers free scoops in flavors like espresso chip, butter pecan, key lime pie, raspberry beet and, of course, vanilla. Cones include classic, as well as chocolate and red velvet options.

If that's not enough, The Social Club doles out free popcorn, soft pretzels, hot dogs, fudge, cake pops, cereal bars, Swedish fish, gummy bears, saltwater taffy and other candy that's enough to keep you on a carb high for days. (I speak from experience.)

Other great options for between-meal snacks include Opa Hour at The Dock House, where you can snag a drink and complimentary evening mezze plates with a Greek theme that ties into the ship's itineraries, and afternoon tea, hosted at Sip, the ship's Champagne bar, for an extra fee a couple of times per sailing.

Virgin Voyages has partnered with experts in the mixology business to create some of the best bars at sea, with menus to match.

Found along The Roundabout on the second deck of Resilient Lady's atrium, Draught House pours pints of beer in a location that's equal parts central and tucked away. On-tap options include Heineken, Strongbow Hard Cider and Lagunitas IPA. Among the sizeable selection of bottled brews are Amstel Light, Corona, Dos Equis, Newcastle Brown Ale, Goose Island IPA, Duvel Belgian Strong Blond, Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale, Miller High Life, Guinness, Berry Noir Sour Ale and Rekorderlig hard ciders, as well as hard seltzers and canned mixed drinks from Quirk and Ketel One.

One of two pool bars (the other being the Aquatic Club Bar), Gym & Tonic serves the smaller of the ship's two pools. Found next to the Muscle Beach-style outdoor fitness equipment, it's a great place to seek an added-fee smoothie after your daily workout. If you don't know quite what to order, ask the bartender to surprise you. Mine did, and the result — a mixture including spinach, berries and peanut butter — was excellent.

Hidden two turns off the main drag between The Roundabout and The Dock House on Deck 7, Loose Cannon is a nautically themed bar accented by vintage diving helmets, rope accents and a jukebox. It's light and airy and often the site of multiple trivia challenges hosted by the entertainment staff. Be sure to poke around, or you could miss it entirely.

The ship's main spot for coffee is The Grounds Club on Deck 7, and a morning stop there quickly became part of my daily routine. It sells hot and iced specialty coffee beverages, made with Intelligentsia Coffee, that run the gamut from espressos, lattes and cappuccinos to macchiatos, mochas and flat whites.

There are also more interesting concoctions, such as the Black Cat Fizz — a blend of Black Cat espresso, tonic and orange served over ice. The taste wasn't my favorite, but overall, it was an oddly refreshing drink. Tea and hot chocolate are also on the menu. A second coffee outpost, Grounds Club Too, is positioned in The Galley food court on Deck 15. Both have nondairy milk alternatives on hand.

Inside The Manor, the ship's den-like nightclub, there's a central bar on the first floor that serves beer, wine and cocktails. It can be crowded on nights when there's an event in the space, but if you head to the upper deck, you'll find a second bar that's often less mobbed. Plenty of seating facing the stage and dance floor area is available on both levels, so you won't miss a minute of the action.

On your way in, stop to take a selfie in what the crew calls the most Instagrammed space on board — a mirrored hallway inlaid with thousands of glowing white lights.

One of the most central and, therefore, busy bars and lounge areas on the vessel, On the Rocks serves as the atrium bar. Located at the bottom of The Roundabout, it hosts live music performances and has plenty of large-group, alcove-style seating for passengers to enjoy. It's also where the crew hosts a wedding between passengers on Scarlet Night. (You'll see; just go with it.)

Feeling bubbly? Head to Sip, the ship's elegant but highly trafficked Champagne bar, which is also a common spot for nightly live music. It serves up bottles, as well as afternoon tea for an extra cost.

Want Champagne but don't feel like venturing to Sip? Just open the Virgin Voyages app and shake your phone to have a bottle delivered to wherever you are on board.

Not quite a traditional bar, The Social Club is a diner-style space that serves up spiked milkshakes alongside free nibbles like hot dogs, soft pretzels and candy. It's ideally positioned near Resilient Lady's massive board game collection, the arcade and The Loose Cannon bar, making it the hub for activities like gaming, karaoke and trivia. (Note that there's also a dedicated karaoke lounge called The Groupie, which has private rooms you can reserve for free for parties of different sizes.)

In addition to these stand-alone bars, most restaurants also have their own dedicated bars and drink menus. Notable ones include the Pink Agave bar, which features a host of mezcal-based drinks, and Razzle Dazzle's Red Bar, which whips up some of the ship's prettiest beverages, engineered by Cocktail Cartel.

Also worth mentioning are Test Kitchen's mixology classes, where you'll learn how to create a social media-worthy cocktail, and the Grog Walk, a hosted bar crawl that will take you to the vessel's most popular watering holes.

Note: There is no drinking allowed in The Red Room theater. You will have to finish all beverages or dump them before you are allowed to enter.

Resilient Lady activities

Resilient Lady puts its own spin on typical cruise ship activities. Trivia is scheduled several times a day, but it goes for more than an hour, and participants spin a wheel to determine the topic. Bingo is hosted by a drag queen. Afternoon tea is offered for a fee and comes with a side of Champagne.

More unique pastimes available on board include bar crawls, coffee tastings and mixology classes (all for a fee). Free activities range from board game play, dodgeball and summer camp arts and crafts to karaoke, '90s boy band dance classes and stargazing.

Of course, there's always the option to perfect your glow in one of the ship's two pools or on the open sun decks. Trying to avoid those pesky tan lines? Deck 17's The Perch allows topless sunbathing.

Oddly, there are no hot tubs by the main pool. However, there are two at the nearby Gym & Tonic pool, two on Deck 16 aft near The Net (a lounge net that lets you lie above the water) and two at Richard's Rooftop outdoor lounge, which is exclusive to suite passengers.

If you're willing to pay for fun, you can also visit the onboard casino, which has 115 slot machines and 10 tables for games like blackjack, roulette and poker. Or, make an appointment for a service at the spa, nail salon, hairdresser or barber. (The last two are located near The Roundabout in the ship's High Street shopping area, which has stores selling high-end jewelry, clothing, alcohol and Virgin Voyages branded items.)

Feeling extra bold? Schedule a tattoo or piercing session at the onboard Squid Ink body art parlor.

One thing you won't pay extra for on Resilient Lady is fitness classes. Not only does Virgin Voyages differ from other lines in that its sweat sessions are free, but it hosts a larger variety of options than other lines do (think: yoga, bungee classes, spin and HIIT, complete with a dedicated HIIT area that's outfitted with rowers, jump boxes, kettlebells, battle ropes and other equipment, including some that are outdoors). A Muscle Beach-style bodyweight class utilizes jungle gym equipment on the pool deck, and an '80s-themed aerobics class features Shake Weights and encourages cruisers to dress up.

B-Complex is a sizeable fitness center where passengers can do their own workouts. It's split into two parts: Deck 15 port is Bike and Burn, which focuses on cardio (exercise bikes, treadmills, ellipticals and rowers), while Deck 15 starboard is Build and Balance, which provides weight machines, free weights and spaces for yoga (complete with mats).

A jogging track is located on Deck 17. Besides The Perch, which sometimes offers outdoor yoga classes, there's nothing else up there, so you won't have to dodge unwitting fellow passengers or rogue deck chairs.

It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: Virgin Voyages' ships are for travelers who are 18 and older. As such, there are no children's facilities on board.

Resilient Lady shows

On the first night of my sailing, I found myself in The Red Room, the ship's two-deck theater that can be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate several types of shows. On this particular occasion, I saw "Persephone," a story about the Greek goddess' torrid love affair with Hades, the Greek god of the underworld.

To mesh with Resilient Lady's Greece itineraries, Virgin's entertainment executives worked with House of Yes and Kaleidoscope to create the show, which has passengers bellying right up to several stages, with performances taking place all around the room. They're cohesive, though. As a team of phenomenal singers and dancers takes to the main stage, you might find aerialists and pole dancers performing to either side while a group of demons climbs the walls of "hell" near the back of the room.

No matter where you look, there's something that will drop your jaw. In fact, the show was so good that I went back to see it again on the final night of the voyage. If you want to attend, it's best to reserve a spot ahead of time on the Virgin Voyages app.

Then there's "Lola's Library," a cabaret-style variety show created by Ceilings Entertainment, which runs the Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Join sexy librarian Lola, her assistant Dewey and cleaning lady Mary, who keep the library open after hours for some off-color fun while they try to foil a book bandit who keeps stealing tomes. Along the way, you'll encounter pole dancers, aerialists, Jack the Stripper and a band of gay dwarfs.

Held in The Manor, this three-hour nightclub activation is divided into three consecutive one-hour chunks offered a few times per sailing so passengers can come and go as they please.

A third new option is "Another Rose," a dinner theater experience where passengers might be whisked away to enjoy one of four courses in a private room, as designed by one of the creators of the New York version of "Sleep No More." Resilient Lady's only for-fee meal option, the show offers a superb performance and delicious food. In true love-triangle fashion, a young woman is forced to choose between two men she loves. After she marries, her husband falls in love with the other guy, resulting in a steamy (metaphorical) throuple — with sides of chaat and braised short rib.

The fourth and final new resident show, "Mind Mangler," blends magic with comedy, drawing from a character developed by Mischief Comedy, the company responsible for "The Play That Goes Wrong" and "Magic Goes Wrong." This is one of the few shows Virgin Voyages has licensed, rather than creating something new. The result is that the Mind Mangler, a character from a land-based show, can now be found on board Resilient Lady. Although he's a magician, the performance is more about comedy than magic, playing on tropes like magicians' planting of audience members to help them with their tricks.

Cruiser-favorite holdovers from the line's first two ships include drag shows and bingo hosted by resident drag queen Miss Titty Kaka; the "Miss Behave" show, a chaotic reminder that nothing really matters unless we say it does; and signature theme parties like the first-night PJ Party, '80s-themed Klub Rubiks and red-focused Scarlet Night, where a totally made-up love story about a sailor and an octopus goddess leads to rave-style debauchery on the pool deck.

As part of a new concept called Festival Stage, the vessel also has a series of limited-time engagements that, on my voyage, included shows by Irish performer Abandoman. This musician and comedian chose audience members to interview and then created freestyle raps about their lives, on the spot, which had everyone in stitches. Upcoming acts include comedy-magic hybrids, acapella singing groups and Tape Face — an "America's Got Talent" finalist who does an entire comedy routine with his mouth taped shut.

Since the line retired controversial show "Never Sleep Alone," which debuted on Scarlet Lady and had live music, there's now room for live music performances elsewhere throughout Resilient Lady. A talented duo and trio are found in various bars and lounge spaces to provide nightly tunes.

Resilient Lady itineraries and pricing

At the time of publication, Resilient Lady was sailing a variety of seven- and 10-night cruises from Athens, Greece, through December 2023, calling on the Greek Isles, as well as ports in Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro. Prices start from $157 per person, per night ($1,099 per person for a seven-night sailing) for an inside cabin, not including taxes and fees.

Starting in December, the ship will reposition to Australia, offering two- to 14-night voyages from Sydney throughout Australia and New Zealand. Prices for those cruises start at $120 per person, per night for an inside cabin.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

If you're a Resilient Lady passenger who's also a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport that's valid for at least six months from disembarkation day in order to cruise due to the ship's international departures.

Green card holders and non-U.S. citizens will need to check requirements based on destinations visited.

You will also have to do some online prep ahead of time in order to check in and select a time to arrive at the embarkation port on the day of your sailing.

Virgin Voyages' fares include gratuities. That means you won't see a daily service charge on your onboard bill, nor should you have to feel you need to tip the crew extra unless someone has truly gone above and beyond.

You might want to come prepared with some small bills to tip porters at the pier when they take your suitcases. It's also appropriate to tip anyone who delivers room service (or Champagne), as well as tour guides on shore excursions.

Basic Wi-Fi access for two devices per person is free for Resilient Lady passengers. The connection speeds are decent, but if you'd like to do more than just go to websites and check your e-mails (think: streaming and video calling), you'll need to pay to upgrade to the ship's premium Wi-Fi option.

I had the premium version on my sailing, and it was fast enough for me to stream TV shows and movies and upload photos and videos.

Carry-on drinks policy

Each passenger sailing on Resilient Lady is permitted to bring up to 12 sealed 12-ounce (or smaller) cartons or cans of nonalcoholic beverages, such as soda, water, juice and sports drinks. Each person of legal drinking age (see below) may also bring two 750-milliliter bottles of wine. Cruisers are not allowed to bring their own liquor or beer on board.

You must transport any drinks in your carry-on luggage. Beverages detected in your checked bags will be confiscated and returned at the end of your sailing.

Any liquor purchases made ashore will also be held for you until the conclusion of your voyage. Pay special attention to customs limits if you plan to purchase large quantities.

Smoking policy

Passengers may only smoke or vape in the Deck 6 smoking room outside the Red Room and in a designated outdoor area on the starboard side of Deck 16 by the entrance to Richard's Rooftop.

Smoking is not permitted in passenger cabins or on stateroom balconies; anyone who doesn't adhere to that policy will receive a $500 fine and could be subject to early disembarkation without a refund.

Virgin Voyages' ships do not have self-service laundry rooms. However, passengers can send clothing out for pressing, washing and folding, or washing and pressing. Individual items cost $4 each for press only, $5 each for wash and fold, and $6 each for wash and press. Or, you can do an entire bag of washing and folding for $30.

Eco-cleaning (wet washing but with less water and eco-friendly detergent that's easier on fabrics) is also available for $7 per piece. Express turnaround (returned by 5:30 p.m. the same day when picked up before 11 a.m.) is $20 extra for both regular washing and dry-cleaning. Non-express items will be returned the following day by 5:30 p.m.

Electrical outlets

All cabins are outfitted with a mix of outlets, including North American, USB and universal (for European destinations, the United Kingdom and many other countries).

In my balcony cabin, I had two USB ports near the bed, along with a North American outlet. The desk and vanity area added two more USB ports (one of which was taken up by the charging cable for the cabin's tablet, which controls the TV, curtains and temperature), two additional North American outlets and one universal outlet.

The bathrooms have no outlets, so you'll have to use electric razors and style your hair at the vanity.

It's also worth mentioning that if, like me, you find yourself working remotely from the ship, many of the public spaces — including The Grounds Club coffee bar and The Galley food court — have tons of outlets available for charging.

The currency on all Virgin Voyages ships is the dollar. Before you board, you'll link a credit card to your account (which you can do via the app prior to embarkation day) or put up a cash amount from which you can debit for purchases made on board.

Passengers will not receive keycards unless they have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive sun deck reserved for cruisers booked in Rockstar Suites. The Band — an adjustable cord bracelet with a scannable device attached — serves as your room key and charge "card" when you sail. It's also used to scan you on and off the ship when you go ashore, and it allows the crew to locate you when you use the shake for Champagne delivery service.

Drinking age

Although Virgin Voyages' ships allow anyone 18 and older to sail, the drinking age on board is 21 years when ships are docked in the U.S. In international waters and in places like Europe, where the drinking age is 18, the onboard drinking age is 18.

Virgin Voyages has no official dress code and advises passengers to come as they are, whether it's a sparkly dress or jeans and a T-shirt. However, the average passenger enjoys looking chic and trendy, even when dressed down. There are no formal nights on board, but most people do change into something a little nicer for dinner.

Be sure to bring something red for Scarlet Night — a combination atrium spectacle, pool party and nightclub rave that happens once per sailing. Other themed nights include a pajama party and an '80s bash, so pack accordingly.

Bottom line

Although Resilient Lady is nearly identical to its sister ships in layout, inclusivity and quirkiness, it has found ways to differentiate itself with fresh, new entertainment. From jaw-dropping acrobatics and side-splitting comedy to performances that will have you singing and dancing along with the cast, you won't be disappointed with the offerings while sailing on this vessel.

In addition to stellar entertainment, you can expect comfortable accommodations, top-notch food and drinks, unique daily activities — seriously, pack your legwarmers and scrunchies for the '80s workout — and a feeling of nostalgia that will render you unable to do anything but have a great time.

Have more cruise questions? TPG has answers:

• Banned items: What not to pack for a cruise
• Man overboard: Why do people fall off cruise ships?
• What is baked Alaska, and why is it paraded around cruise ships?
• What are the largest cruise ships in the world?
• What is a gentleman host on a cruise?
• What is the Jones Act, and how does it affect cruise ships?
• What is a lido deck on a cruise ship?
• What's a cruise cabin guarantee, and will it save you money?
• What's the difference between a cruise concierge and a butler?

• Virgin Voyages

Tattoo artist on Valiant Lady

By AtSeaWithChris , January 12, 2023 in Virgin Voyages

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AtSeaWithChris

I know that VV partnered with  https://www.worldfamoustattooink.com  for their Squid Ink onboard. Does anyone know if they use the artists from the company? Any idea who it may be? I’m considering getting a tattoo on my cruise and would like to know their work before I go. 

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Fogcityca13

If you follow Squid Ink on Facebook or instagram they’ll post the artist and the dates they be on the one of the ships. It’s pricey but they are wonderful people and take care of you after your session. My wife’s new skin cover came off and they sat her down, cleaned the area and reapplied a new cover. 

https://instagram.com/squid.ink.official?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

2 hours ago, Fogcityca13 said: If you follow Squid Ink on Facebook or instagram they’ll post the artist and the dates they be on the one of the ships. It’s pricey but they are wonderful people and take care of you after your session. My wife’s new skin cover came off and they sat her down, cleaned the area and reapplied a new cover.  https://instagram.com/squid.ink.official?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Thanks, I just found their Facebook page and found the artists on our sailing and I’m commenting with one of them now. 

14 hours ago, AtSeaWithChris said: Thanks, I just found their Facebook page and found the artists on our sailing and I’m commenting with one of them now. 

They book up fast!  My cruise only had 800 people and Squid Ink has the busiest place on the ship - for sure 😉

 (the gifts shops were dead)

4 hours ago, raphael360 said: They book up fast!  My cruise only had 800 people and Squid Ink has the busiest place on the ship - for sure 😉  (the gifts shops were dead)

Yeah, appointments usually open around 7pm the first night. We dropped by just after 8 and appointments were scarce. We only 1,100 and ended up with an appointment during Scarlet Night. 

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The Virgin Voyages Weekend w/ Sam Feldt

2-NIGHT ROUND-TRIP SAILING FROM MIAMI

A “Magic City” where relaxation and cultural exploration effortlessly collide

This first-ever, two-night weekend getaway is the perfect way to decompress before the holidays — without taking any PTO. Departing from Miami, if you’ve been yearning to try our most award-winning, newest lady ship — this is the time. Featuring extra-special programming, soak up the sun by day, and dance under the stars at night as internationally famed DJ Sam Feldt spins an epic set by the pool!

The Virgin Voyages Weekend w/ Sam Feldt • 2 Nights

Sailing on Resilient Lady

  Day 1

Miami, Florida

Departs at 06:00 PM. All aboard 2 hrs before departure

  Day 2

  Day 3

Arrives at 06:30 AM. Please allow up to an hour for the Gangway to open to disembark

The Virgin Voyages Experience

From captivating coasts to laid-back island vibes, the exclusively adult cruise vacation of your dreams is here.

Terminal V at PortMiami

Uniting the energy of Miami with nautical nods to the history of sailing, we’re infusing our own terminal with the same incredible ethos as our ships.

Hassle-free embarkation

Pre-upload your travel docs to the Virgin Voyages app, get Ready to Sail before leaving home, and make boarding a (sea)breeze in just a few minutes.

The places you'll go

From the Wynwood art scene to the world-renowned shores of Miami Beach, the Magic City is a perfect collision of relaxation and cultural exploration.

More Shore Things for your wishlist...

We have even more in our curated catalog.

Let’s make waves

An ocean of opportunities calling your name.

WANDERLUST SATISFIED

With a melting pot of cultures, ever-evolving food scene, the best bars and nightclubs in the country, stunning beaches as far as the eye can see, incredible Art Deco architecture and a storied history that can be seen in every nook and cranny, Miami is truly paradise. Whether you peruse the art scene in Wynwood, lounge on a yacht in Biscayne Bay or take an adventure through captivating Little Havana – no matter what you do in Miami you’ll soon realize why it’s our beloved original home port.

Ready to Book?

We’re making waves from the Caribbean to the Med, the Adriatic to the Red, and everywhere in between across 4 continents. Join us on an unparalleled journey of relaxation and indulgence, and discover the things — and the people — that make each destination so special. Because we didn’t build a cruise, we created a voyage.   Get a delicious taste of the modern romance of sailing that only a Virgin brand could pull off.

Limited-time cruise deals

You deserve a vacation. And you deserve a deal. So we’re making both of those things happen. Wave goodbye to your routine and start planning an exclusively adult experience at sea.

A flexible, pay-over-time solution

• Book Now, Pay Later
• Low Monthly Payments
• Easy Application
• Autopay on Autopilot

Add a Splash for Your Bash

• Bottomless brunch event
• Revelrous dinner party
• Lock it in for $250 per cabin

Rest Your Head

These are the spots you might be calling home. Whether you prefer coffee (or cocktails) overlooking the waves, or waking up late in your own cocoon, we're holding space for you.

Always Included Luxury

Over $1000 in value. The luxury you deserve — without the nickel & diming from the others. Look (far) beyond the headline rate.

Browse, post, and stay connected with WiFi — whenever you want, and wherever you are on the ship.

Tips & Gratuities

We've taken care of (taking care of) your servers, so we handle the gratuities for your onboard experiences. You just enjoy.

From refined dining to relaxed casual, all of our 20+ eateries — featuring menus curated by Michelin star chefs — are yours to savor.

Soda & Water

Stay hydrated with still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas, and drip coffee.

Fitness Classes

Yoga, meditation, cycling, HIIT classes, and more — all your group fitness classes are covered.

Entertainment

Developed by the world’s most-talked-about producers and artists, our awe-inspiring shows are all included in your voyage.

Ready to claim your spot?

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Ahoy and welcome to an overview of our current offers and promotions designed to #RaiseYourSales as your clients Set Sail the Virgin Way.

Rates from $169 per night

For us, summer is a state of mind and one we believe should go way past Labor Day. So we’re making that possible — giving you the opportunity to book Sailors on one of our 6-11 night Long Caribbean Escapes (plus other epic getaways!) for as low as $169 per Sailor per night (upgrades start at $208).  But don't wait — because like this long weekend, this end of season offer ends September 3rd! After which, you can still plan your Sailor’s voyage activities (and earn 10% commission per add-on).

70% off 2nd Sailor + $500 off

For a limited time, your Sailors can sail to new captivating coasts with 70% off a 2nd Sailor on all voyages, and up to $500 instant savings when they book and pay in full on voyages in 2025-2026. This includes new Caribbean itineraries that sail to the Virgin Islands and St. Maarten this winter, new Mediterranean itineraries next summer, plus Brilliant Lady’s first voyages to the best spots around North America — extra savings on top of the lowest rates just for planning ahead.

Up to 15% off in extra savings

Florida rates are better than ever — up to 15% off in extra savings (on top of any current, running promos) on select Caribbean Weekenders and longer winter getaways from Miami. Visit our new Florida Resident Rate page to view the select dates. Make sure to add RESIDENTRATE on the cabin selection page on FirstMates.com, or use your LetsGoBook link where the discount will be automatically applied — and remind your Sailors to bring their Florida ID to the port. Itinerary dates/rates may change (quickly), so secure these extra savings before they sail away.

Add in A Splash of Romance

When it comes to romance, we want your Sailors to feel the spark (or reignite it) on board. So we’re offering our new A Splash of Romance experience package for an incredible introductory rate. And when your Sailors feel the love, you’ll feel it too — because when you sell this $250 add-on to them, you’ll earn an extra 10% in commission. ELEVATED EXTRAS - Priority Check-in & Boarding - Daily curated cold-pressed juices at the Gym & Tonic Bar each morning - 3-Hour Thermal Spa Pass per Sailor - A Shake for Champagne (charge removed from folio at the end of the sailing) - Exclusive Sail Away Hour - Aphrodisiac bites to keep the romance flowings Need to Know:  Love is in the (sea) air— and with packages available for $250 (though valued at $350!).  To place a request on their behalf, fill out our online form asap, and we’ll send you a booking confirmation within 72hrs.   Please note: form submissions do not guarantee purchase. Sailors have up to 24hrs upon receiving confirmation to access their VirginVoyages.com account and complete payment. When every new booking earns you a 16% commission, adding this experience even to an existing booking means you’ll add incredible value to their voyage. So help your Sailors elevate their experience with A Splash of Romance, and we’ll elevate your commission with an extra 10%.

Virgin Voyages Room Service Menu

Virgin Voyages room service menu is a set menu. You can order whatever you want. All you need to pay is a $5 delivery fee.

Here are all the menus:

Please note prices and items can change so please check with your cruise line when ordering.

Ship Eats No Stomach Left Unturned (Breakfast Menu)

You can order through the SAILOR APP or Dial EXT 604271 or 604272

Ship Eats No Stomach Left Unturned (Food Menu)

11am – 5am

Mini Bar & Retail Menu

Drinks menu.

Morning or eve up to you

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