Experienced Norwegian cruisers compare first Virgin Voyage

[MNcruisingcouple]

As experienced cruisers, we wanted to share our first experience on Virgin Voyages and provide some comparisons.  For reference, my husband (53) and I (48) have been on 15-ish Norwegian and 4 Royal Caribbean cruises, including Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and the Caribbean.  We’ve seen Norwegian’s quality and selection decrease over the years and so we’ve been wanting to try something different.  Clearly this is just our experience on one VV ship, your experience may vary.

 

Pre-cruise planning- The app is definitely glitchy for planning & scheduling.  Also, I find it very annoying that there isn’t a clear schedule of where you are going to be on each date.  Online check in was simple.  If you have enough loyalty status with other cruise lines, be sure to take advantage of Virgin’s loyalty match while it’s still available.  That will get you what they call the Deep Blue Extras (DBE) which includes an extra amount of bar tab, priority embarkation, $10 value each day at the coffee shop, one bag of laundry.

 

Embarkation- Because we had the DBE, we had priority embarkation, so we arrived at the port at about 12pm.  We entered the port building and waited in a holding area for a while.  Then we were asked to check-in, we got our wrist bands, and we went back to the same holding area.  At the time I was confused but when boarding actually opened we were able to walk right on whereas those that arrived later still had to do their check in.  While we waited before boarding I went to the windows closest to the ship and was able to access the wifi, which allowed me to book or reschedule reservations.  It worked really well for me, but I did have to be right up to the window.  Once I was using the ship’s wifi, the app wasn’t glitchy at all and I didn’t lose signal.  It did seem like they were enforcing the arrival time that you chose at check-in because we saw people waiting in the plaza.  This seemed to make embarkation go more smoothly because people were more spread out.  Norwegian asks you to choose an arrival time, but I’ve never seen it enforced.

 

Food/Beverages- This is hands-down the biggest reason we tried VV and the biggest reason we’ll go back.  Far and away better food and beverage quality and variety.  Norwegian has consistently gone down hill in both areas.  We are used to having a beverage package with Norwegian and were worried about missing that.  However, we took advantage of the VV bar tab offer(s) and had to work to use up our tab.  The last two days we splurged on some nice champagne and Scotch.  The quality of cocktails and the variety of both liquor and wine was a huge step up from Norwegian. 

Also, the food quality was outstanding.  The included food venues were better than most the specialty restaurants on Norwegian.  People sometimes complain about not having a main dining room, but we didn’t see the issue at all.  We made the reservations that we could ahead of time.  We made additional or changed reservations as soon as we got the ship’s wifi.  And we were able to walk into The Wake one evening right at opening time without having a reservation.  We’ve also heard complaints that the food is too fussy or pretentious, but we didn’t find that the case at all.  You do have to understand what you are getting into at Test Kitchen but we love tasting menus.  If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of other options.

Bar staff was fabulous!  We primarily went to On The Rocks, with a few detours to Sip and the pool bars during the day.  At On The Rocks, the bartenders were engaging and talented; able to customize drinks to our taste and make good recommendations.  They also were very quick to remember your favorites.  All this despite being completely swamped with guests.  The servers in the seating area were also really good.  Similar experiences with the staff at other bars, too. 

 

Stateroom- We booked an obstructed view sea terrace because of the fabulous price and we bid for an upgrade to a non-obstructed view for a very reasonable amount.  Yes, the room is minimalist but it’s modern, instead of the outdated rooms on many Norwegian ships.  We loved the hammock on the balcony.  We appreciated always having water in the room, whereas on Norwegian you either have to get it yourself or pay for the water package.  The bathroom is small but has adequate storage, and a larger shower.  There is a good amount of storage, we didn’t use it all.  The laundry bag is fabric and large, which contrasts with Norwegian’s shrinking paper bag.  We used the laundry service but definitely didn’t fill the bag.  On both lines we’ve been very happy with the stateroom attendants.  Obviously, we’ve had more experience on Norwegian so we’ve had ones that are better and worse.  But overall it’s been good service.  We liked the ability on VV to make a request (for towels, water, ice, etc) through the stateroom iPad.

 

Entertainment- The sail away party was high energy and they offered complimentary sparkling wine.  The entertainment staff seemed to have much more energy and be more engaged than on Norwegian.  Our entertainment preference is listening to live music in the evenings, and this is one area we found a little lacking.  Obviously, it will vary as guest musicians change and it definitely varies on Norwegian as well.  Sometimes we find musicians we love and sometimes it’s a struggle.  Our genre of choice is classic rock, and we didn’t really find a group to fit that.  Dustin & his band were much more blues and felt a little flat (like all the songs had a similar energy).  Kennedi & the Groove had great energy, very engaging, and we enjoyed the song choices.  Sophie(?) was a very sweet girl with great story telling.  I feel like every group did their same set every time we watched them.  They could benefit from variety in sets. 

We didn’t go to any shows in the Manor or the Red Room.  Group participation isn’t really our thing.  In the future we may do the PJ party and more of the Scarlet night events.  Just how we were feeling this time, we didn’t.

Overall, we’ve been happier with Norwegian’s entertainment, both musicians and shows, but again we have a much larger experience with them.  And some of this can be attributed to our demographic, in comparison to VV’s target market. 

 

Onboard account- Absolutely loved having our account update real time in the app.  It was so easy to see just how much credit/bar tab we had left; how much we used each day & where we used it.   Norwegian’s way of calculating and updating the account can be confusing, not always accurate, and it not up to the minute. 

 

Internet- VV had unlimited premium wifi on multiple devices versus NCL having one device and a limited number of minutes per person.  We also found VV’s wifi to be faster.

 

Overall pricing- Factoring everything in (daily service charge, tips, specialty dining) and comparing similar itineraries, the pricing is not much different; plus, food and beverage quality is so much better on VV.  We love the inclusive nature of VV’s pricing and that there are much fewer sales pitches.  Also, no photographers taking pictures and trying to sell them on VV.

Honestly, we would be happy to cruise either line in the future, as it meets our needs.  We currently have both lines planned for the future. 

 

I know this got long!  If you're still here, thanks for reading.

Let us know if you have any questions or would like more information!  We’re happy to help fellow cruise lovers.

[PhillyTravelBug]

Thank you so much for this review. Appreciate the details I have always wondered about VV. . As someone loyal to NCL, I have been thinking about Virgin Voyages and Celebrity. 

[laudergayle]

I found your review enlightening.  We avoid summer cruises overrun with kids…so VV could be a consideration.  Thanks for the loyalty match tip…but I think it has ended☹️

Edited February 9 by laudergayle

[MNcruisingcouple]

2 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

I found your review enlightening.  We avoid summer cruises overrun with kids…so VV could be a consideration.  Thanks for the loyalty match tip.  

No kids was definitely a plus for us!

[MNcruisingcouple]

22 minutes ago, PhillyTravelBug said:

Thank you so much for this review. Appreciate the details I have always wondered about VV. . As someone loyal to NCL, I have been thinking about Virgin Voyages and Celebrity. 

We'd been thinking about trying another line for a long time and finally pulled the trigger!

[PATRLR]

@MNcruisingcouple thanks for posting.  We agree with you on NCL's slipping quality so have been trying other lines lately (while still sailing NCL too). RCCL last summer, Princess this summer.

Can you speak to the overall "vibe"  and clientele of your VV cruise compared to what you typically experience on Norwegian?  

Edited February 9 by PATRLR

[spethstation]

Loved reading your experience! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I love NCL but I also I can't wait to try Virgin - I'm dying to go to Bimini and experience their private island! 

Did you ever press the champagne button?? 🍾

[Panhandle Couple]

I didn't catch which ship you were on.

[ZsaZsa2019]

Appreciate your details review.  We aren't big cruisers, and I've always completely dismissed Virgin because of the pricing, but I am learning to look closer at their offers.

[LisaLisa87]

Thanks for posting this! We've been toying with the idea of booking VV so the comparisons are very helpful. You mentioned not being their target demographic. DH and I are both in our early 50s, so we're in the same boat. Did you find that most passengers were younger? What was the overall vibe like? I know that's kind of a vague question, but I'm still having a hard time determining whether a VV cruise would be a good fit for us. Thank you!

 

ETA: I notice that a PP asked about the vibe as well!

Edited February 9 by LisaLisa87

[MNcruisingcouple]

35 minutes ago, PATRLR said:

@MNcruisingcouple thanks for posting.  We agree with you on NCL's slipping quality so have been trying other lines lately (while still sailing NCL too). RCCL last summer, Princess this summer.

Can you speak to the overall "vibe"  and clientele of your VV cruise compared to what you typically experience on Norwegian?  

 

I'll address what I think you mean by vibe & clientele.  If this isn't what you were looking for, just let me know.

People are sometimes concerned about "adults only" or that you have to be party people to enjoy VV.  Adults only literally just means no one under 18.  The only things we noticed were smaller bathing suits and freer language, even with staff.  If you want a party, it's definitely there, especially at night.  But it wasn't like the whole ship was always a party.  Honestly, during the day the pool deck felt quieter than NCL because there weren't all the pool games.  As it got to late afternoon, the music got louder, and the party atmosphere started to ramp up.  But it was easy to find quiet areas too, The Dock House, Athletic Club.

Ages ranged from high 20's to mid 50's, generally.  We saw some that were older than that, but they were in the minority.  

[MNcruisingcouple]

17 minutes ago, Panhandle Couple said:

I didn't catch which ship you were on.

Wow, that should have been included!!  We were on Valiant Lady.

[MNcruisingcouple]

7 minutes ago, LisaLisa87 said:

Thanks for posting this! We've been toying with the idea of booking VV so the comparisons are very helpful. You mentioned not being their target demographic. DH and I are both in our early 50s, so we're in the same boat. Did you find that most passengers were younger? What was the overall vibe like? I know that's kind of a vague question, but I'm still having a hard time determining whether a VV cruise would be a good fit for us. Thank you!

 

ETA: I notice that a PP asked about the vibe as well!

 

Did my response above answer your vibe question?  I do think they are targeting younger people but if you are open and flexible, you should be fine.  I feel like people who really want the traditional cruise experience may be frustrated.  Honestly, we really liked it and didn't feel "too old".

[MNcruisingcouple]

21 minutes ago, ZsaZsa2019 said:

Appreciate your details review.  We aren't big cruisers, and I've always completely dismissed Virgin because of the pricing, but I am learning to look closer at their offers.

 

The thing that you have to do, no matter what cruises you are comparing, is price everything out to the final cost.  With Virgin, the price you see literally includes everything except alcohol, specialty coffee, shore excursions, and paid onboard activities.  No additional DSC, no added 20% to everything, no specialty restaurant charges.  So don't just dismiss it when you see the initial price.

Plus, if you do the loyalty match & take advantage of their promos, you can get bar tab/onboard credit.

[LisaLisa87]

12 minutes ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

 

Did my response above answer your vibe question?  I do think they are targeting younger people but if you are open and flexible, you should be fine.  I feel like people who really want the traditional cruise experience may be frustrated.  Honestly, we really liked it and didn't feel "too old".

 

Yes, it did. Thanks so much! The only other thing making me hesitate is the nonrefundable deposit. We tend to plan pretty far in advance and sometimes need to adjust our dates if things come up. In any case, I think a VV cruise is in our future.

[MNcruisingcouple]

9 minutes ago, LisaLisa87 said:

 

Yes, it did. Thanks so much! The only other thing making me hesitate is the nonrefundable deposit. We tend to plan pretty far in advance and sometimes need to adjust our dates if things come up. In any case, I think a VV cruise is in our future.

 

I would check if they allow you to adjust your dates if you need to.  They may not refund your deposit, but they may let you change your sailing.  

[schmoopie17]

I fondly remember my virgin voyage.

Oh, wait...you're talking about cruising.

Never mind.

[back-at-it]

23 minutes ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

 

The thing that you have to do, no matter what cruises you are comparing, is price everything out to the final cost.  With Virgin, the price you see literally includes everything except alcohol, specialty coffee, shore excursions, and paid onboard activities.  No additional DSC, no added 20% to everything, no specialty restaurant charges.  So don't just dismiss it when you see the initial price.

Plus, if you do the loyalty match & take advantage of their promos, you can get bar tab/onboard credit.

I just contacted Virgin and the Loyalty Match is over.  They said stay tuned because they are coming out with a revamped Loyalty program.

 

We also want to try Virgin.

[MNcruisingcouple]

12 minutes ago, back-at-it said:

I just contacted Virgin and the Loyalty Match is over.  They said stay tuned because they are coming out with a revamped Loyalty program.

 

We also want to try Virgin.

 

Good to know!  Glad we took advantage when we did. 

[Turtles06]

OP: I appreciate your taking the time to post the detailed comparisons, and I'm glad you enjoyed your VV cruise.

 

I haven't sailed on Virgin, but I just want to mention for those not aware of it that there's a "documentary" called "The Cruise" streaming on Prime Video that follows several voyages of the Scarlet Lady out of Miami.  Might be helpful in determining whether VV is a good fit for you. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/The-Cruise/dp/B0CHG2GPGJ 

[wolft927]

My wife and I (44 and 41) want to try Virgin, but the only thing that is holding us back honestly is the open bar we get with NCL. When we cruise the wife and I take full advantage of the open bar. This would increase our cruise price dramaticlly with Virgin. If they had an unlimited drink package that would help alot. 

[MNcruisingcouple]

41 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

My wife and I (44 and 41) want to try Virgin, but the only thing that is holding us back honestly is the open bar we get with NCL. When we cruise the wife and I take full advantage of the open bar. This would increase our cruise price dramaticlly with Virgin. If they had an unlimited drink package that would help alot. 

 

For some, I can totally see this being an issue.  We were concerned too.  We had $900 in bar tab/onboard credit for the 7 days and had to work to spend it.  If craft cocktails, better variety in liquor & wine are important to you, VV is miles ahead of NCL.

[IrieBajan54]

I would love to try VV but the Caribbean cruises are too short. I only do 10 days or more complete cruises. I don't care for B2B (5/7 or 7/7 days).

[detroitlions]

Can you let us know what the prices were on drinks like beer wine mixed drinks? This would be helpfull for those that are worried about there final bill.

[wolft927]

18 minutes ago, MNcruisingcouple said:

 

For some, I can totally see this being an issue.  We were concerned too.  We had $900 in bar tab/onboard credit for the 7 days and had to work to spend it.  If craft cocktails, better variety in liquor & wine are important to you, VV is miles ahead of NCL.

Honestly My wife and I are pretty much michelpbe ultra drinkers. Would love to know the average price of Beer on board. Also how did you obtain $900 bar tab, for a 7 day voyage looks like you only get $300 per cabin