Virgin Voyages has announced that its fourth upcoming ship, Brilliant Lady, will debut a whole host of new entertainment offerings for guests when it debuts in New York City this fall.

The vessel will debut seven original productions and a variety of new Happenings entertainment, a move heavily influenced by the brand’s high proportion of repeat cruisers — up to over 60 percent on some sailings. The line also said that its new entertainment has been shaped by travel agent and guest feedback with more comedy, live music, and storytelling.

Brilliant Lady will also feature fleet favorites, all designed to complement the ship’s longer itineraries and diverse destinations. Sailings aboard the ship will range from five to 16 nights, including voyages to Bermuda, the Caribbean, Alaska, and more.

“Brilliant Lady has so much in store for our Sailors and travel advisors. The new incredible additions to our entertainment is just the first reveal in a series of imaginative experiences we’re unveiling for our fourth and final ship,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages.

“Our brand has come so far since our launch in ‘21, and we’re grateful to our travel advisor community for being such an important part of our journey. Thanks to their valuable feedback, we’re constantly challenging ourselves to raise the bar by offering more entertainment and never-before-seen experiences. Not only will Brilliant’s entertainment take us to the next level, but it will also answer the areas where we needed to grow.” 

Red Room shows

Red Hot

Red Hot is a high-energy musical revue tracing Virgin’s 50-year legacy through five decades of iconic hits from Virgin Records’ musical catalogue. Featuring archival clips and inspired by the rebellious spirit of Sir Richard Branson, there is something for everyone with this jukebox.

Out of Time

A creative collaboration between Virgin Voyages and No Ceilings, this time-traveling comedy is a wild ride through history thanks to Dr. Victoria Vortex’s time machine. When things go off-track, the road back makes its way through a cavalcade of music, fashion, dazzling flappers, and a few acrobatic cavemen.

The Manor shows

Up With a Twist

Inspired by the roaring 20s is this decadent new installment of Virgin Voyages’ Supper Club Series. Sailors find themselves at Lady Valentina’s Emporium of Excess, which offers both elevated dining and high-concept characters on the menu. Alongside a live band, vintage numbers from yesteryear and summer soundtrack favorites are given a modern twist with audience members even having a say in the show’s ending.

Murder in the Manor

Heavily influenced by today’s true crime fascination and 1980s murder mystery novels, this immersive theater performance blends spectacle, spooky mystery, and incredible dancing. Created by No Ceilings, this show puts guests front and center. They’ll be tasked with assisting the hapless investigators who seem to keep missing the most obvious clues. Together, they’ll help a plain-Jane figure out who killed her rockstar twin sister.

Duets

A showcase of soulful duets across generations and genres, this stage show features Motown, classic rock and contemporary ballads, all performed with jazz-infused arrangements.

Electric

Dive into the depths of Brilliant Lady’s immersive UV wonderland. Teeming with fluorescent accents, UV reactive ‘fits,’ neon face paint, and even a jellyfish parade, this electric dance party is pure luminous joy. Of course, this epic glow party wouldn’t be complete without the Electric Slide.

Disco Reimagined

Studio 72 is getting a major upgrade in this reimagined take on a disco party. Dance breaks and circus moments take hold in a 90-minute explosion of sequins, flared pants, and acrobatics.

Reimagined fleet favorites

Scarlet Night Red Room Glow Up

The night that celebrates the octopus goddess and reigns supreme above all others will be getting an indoor glow-up when Brilliant Lady makes her way to Alaska. On nights too cool for an under-the-stars, poolside affair, the Red Room will come alive with specialized programming designed to keep the energy as high as it would be outdoors.

Duel Reality

The fleet’s acrobatic flagship will return to Brilliant Lady with its high-flying acrobatics and breathtaking aerial feats. A modern take on Romeo and Juliet, Duel Reality made history as the first cruise ship production to go from sea to land, debuting in Boston last year.

Caribbean takeover

For the first time ever, the entire Virgin Voyages fleet will sail in the Caribbean this fall. Voyages will feature late night port stays and overnights, with 44 unique itineraries available that sail to 28 different ports.

Longer 10+ night itineraries explore the hidden gems of the southern Caribbean, while five to eight-night sailings often include a stop at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club in Bimini.

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Virgin Voyages has announced its Caribbean schedule for winter 2026-2027, as well as some new menu items and entertainment on its ships.

Winter Caribbean Cruises

Next year, Virgin Voyages’ four-night Fire & Sunset Soirees to Key West and Bimini will be adjusting schedules. The sailings will now depart on Thursdays and return on Mondays, allowing guests to take a long weekend and take less time off from work.

The line is adding Panama City, Panama and the island of St. Thomas to its growing list of international ports of call. Winter 2026-2027 also adds fresh five-night itineraries such as the Jamaican Daze & Bimini Breeze to Ocho Rios and the Cayman Isles & Bimini Beach Miles with a call to George Town, Grand Cayman.

Menu Refreshes

Two restaurants on board — Gunbae and Extra Virgin — will soon be debuting refreshed menus. At Extra Virgin, the ship’s Italian restaurant, new pastas, arancini, seafood risotto, and roasted monkfish are just a few of the additions coming to the fleet in May.

Gunbae, a Korean BBQ venue, will keep a few guest favorites while refreshing the menu with the addition of shrimp kimbap rolls, bulgogi fire meat, and bo ssam (whole roasted pork butt with oysters and caviar), starting this July.

Additional culinary announcements for Brilliant Lady‘s inaugural season will be shared over the coming months.

New Entertainment

Scarlet Lady‘s recent renovation — complete with new suites, VIP poolside cabanas, and a new mermaid — also brought the addition of two eclectic new shows in the ship’s theater. Bringing it back to New Year’s Eve of 1999 is an interactive Y2K party. The epic, concert-style “It’s a Rock Show-ke” will have passengers belting out the entirety of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” and other 80s or 90s classics alongside a live band.

Brilliant Lady, the fourth vessel in the Virgin Voyages fleet, is scheduled to make her debut in September and premiere several new shows. Among them is an all-out production inspired by Virgin Records’ musical catalogue from the past five decades that celebrates the history, entrepreneurial attitude, and rebellious spirit that is Sir Richard Branson.

In March, Virgin Voyages will also unveil other entertainment currently in the works for Brilliant Lady’s inaugural North American season.

Comedy Cruises

Last year, Virgin Voyages introduced its onboard Comedy Fest in the UK to overwhelmingly positive reception. This year, Comedy Fest is back and returning to British Shores.

Setting sail on August 30th from Portsmouth, the six-night UK edition features headliner Jack Whitehall, host of The BRIT Awards. Known for his hilarious Netflix series, sold-out stand-up tours, and starring roles in films like the Jungle Cruise alongside Dwyane Johnson and Emily Blunt, Jack Whitehall is bringing his laugh-out-loud comedy to the Virgin Voyages stage.

Virgin Voyages isn’t leaving Americans out of the fun! New for 2025 is a U.S.-based comedy festival. Guests are invited to set sail aboard a five-night comedy cruise from Miami, departing August 10th. The voyage will visit Bimini and Costa Maya and feature a stacked lineup of can’t-miss comedians.

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Virgin Voyages has announced that its Annual Pass will be returning for 2026.

After debuting its 2025 Annual Pass on Travel Tuesday last year, the cruise line has decided to make available its 2026 version early, giving travelers plenty of time to plan. The 2026 pass is even better than the 2025 version, and will include:

• A complimentary one-week stay on Necker Island, Richard Branson’s 74-acre retreat in the British Virgin Islands
• Roundtrip business class flights and ferry transfers from anywhere in the continental US to Necker Island
• Daily opportunities for Shake for Champagne with Moët delivered anywhere on-demand
• Virgin Voyages’ signature red hammock to take home
• Special birthday upgrade to a RockStar Quarters suite
• A $10,000 shopping spree in the High Street shops featuring brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, MAC, and more
• One curated and privately hosted Shore Thing (shore excursion) every quarter (or four per year)
• A beach, grove, or poolside cabana at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club in Bimini (limited to 10 times per year)
• Personalized RockStar robes

The 2026 Annual Pass costs $199,000 USD.

“After Richard Branson went on Good Morning America to talk about our Annual Pass, there was so much excitement and buzz,” said Nicole Huang, Virgin Voyages’ Senior VP of Sailor Experiences. “It’s truly an industry first and there were long queues to learn more. Our voyage planners shared feedback of Sailors inquiring about 2026 now, so we thought ‘why wait?’ and added a few elements to make the package a little suite-r.”

Pass holders can choose a start date of January 1st, February 1st, March 1st, or April 1st, and the pass will be valid for one year from the desired start date. Sailors must book between now and March 31, 2026.

Annual Pass 2026 includes options to sail aboard the line’s newest ship, Brilliant Lady, which is set to make her Alaskan debut in May 2026 from Seattle. It’s available on a first-come, first-served basis. But guests aren’t limited to Brilliant Lady. The pass allows them to sail on any ship, on any cruise, valid for one year from the selected date.

Travel advisors who sell Annual Pass will earn a commission of $10,000. Annual Pass is not combinable with other offers or Bar Tab. Guests will earn Deep Blue Extras upon booking.

To book the Annual Pass, inquire via Virgin Voyages’ Contact Us page.

For information about the 2025 Annual Pass and more info on the Annual Pass in general, head over to here.

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With the excitement of a new year comes anticipation of brand-new cruise ships. As with most other years, there’s a slew of exciting new vessels coming in 2025. These include Celebrity’s final Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel, Disney’s first purpose-built vessel for Asia, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, and more. To help with your vacation planning, here are our picks for the 11 most exciting new cruise ships debuting in 2025.

11 New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025

Allura

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Oceania Cruises / Allura Class
Size: 67,000 gross tons / 1,200 guests

Allura is the second ship in Oceania Cruises’ Allura class, following the debut of Vista in 2023. Part of a culinary-focused cruise line, Allura will feature many of the same restaurants as Vista. These include Ember serving reimagined American classics, Terrace Cafe, the new Crêperie, and Aquamar Kitchen — which features a menu of healthier options. The vessel will also house an expansive Culinary Center, which will include the new Chef’s Studio where onboard chef instructors will share their expertise.

All 612 of the staterooms on Allura will feature balconies, including six brand-new Concierge Level Solo Veranda staterooms. A variety of suite categories will also be available on the ship, as well as both Veranda and French Veranda cabins.

Other features of Allura include the Artist Loft where guests can take art classes, the Aquamar Spa with a spa sundeck, the Vitality fitness center with complimentary exercise classes, and multiple bars and lounges.

Allura is scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean for her inaugural season. The ship will then head to the Caribbean for the winter 2025-2026 season.

Brilliant Lady

Scheduled debut date: September 2025
Line: Virgin Voyages
Size: 110,000 gross tons / 2,770 guests

The fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady has been patiently waiting for her debut since delivery earlier this year. While most aspects of Brilliant Lady will be similar to her predecessors, some will be different. Notably, she is the first Virgin ship built to be able to transit the Panama Canal. This is due to her width ( the ‘beam’ in maritime terms) and ability to move the lifeboats inward during transit. She will also be the first Virgin Voyages ship to sail in Alaska.

The ship will feature the cabins that guests have come to know and love, including interior (Insider), oceanview (Sea View), and balcony (Sea Terrace) staterooms that feature a hammock. However, new to Brilliant Lady will be a new Sea Terrace category that features two hammocks on the balcony. The suite categories RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar Quarters will also be available.

Specific details on how similar (or different) dining on board Brilliant Lady will be compared to her sister ships has not yet been announced. The line has said that concepts from its Eat and Drink Festival will be found on board, which included an Asian Night Market and a cocktail treasure hunt across several bars on board. Otherwise, it’s safe to assume that the ship will feature the same restaurants including Razzle Dazzle, Gunbae Korean BBQ, The Galley fast-casual fare, The Wake steakhouse, and more.

Virgin Voyages has also said that it will be introducing new music, comedy, and entertainment options aboard Brilliant Lady. Other features of the vessel will include The Dock aft sundeck and bar complete with daybeds, as well as the adjacent indoor Dock House with comfy seating and a laid-back atmosphere. Virgin’s iconic Scarlet Night and Pajama Party will also be found on Brilliant Lady. Additionally, guests can enoy The Manor nightclub, Redemption Spa, and The Red Room — a transformational entertainment venue.

Brilliant Lady will debut in NYC, offering Canada/New England and Bermuda voyages before homeporting in Miami to operate Caribbean cruises through the winter. In spring 2026, the ship will sail to Mexico and California from Los Angeles before heading up to Seattle to offer Alaska cruises through the summer.

Celebrity Xcel

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Celebrity Cruises / Edge Class
Size: 141,420 gross tons / 3,260 guests

Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth and final ship in Celebrity’s Edge class. It will feature many of the same venues and experiences as the other Edge-class ships, with some slight changes. One such change will be a larger Rooftop Garden, including an expansion over the side of the ship. The Grand Plaza (atrium) has been redesigned to let in more natural light as well. Celebrity has also hinted that there will be more entertainment options and parties on Xcel.

Favorite spots on board will include the multi-level aft Sunset Bar, the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, a spa with SEA Thermal Suite, and The Retreat ship-within-a-ship complex. Like the two latest Edge-class ships (Beyond and Ascent), it will feature a fine dining restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, in addition to all the other favorites. The plant and light-filled multi-purpose venue Eden, complete with a bar, restaurant, and lounge, will also be found on Xcel.

When she sets sail, Celebrity Xcel will cruise from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Adventure

Scheduled debut date: 2025 (month TBA)
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Global Class
Size: 208,000 gross tons / ~ 6,000 guests

Another one of the new cruise ships debuting in 2025, Disney Adventure will be the first mega ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. It’s also the line’s first purpose-built ship for the Asian market. The vessel will feature Disney Imagination Garden, a central open-air garden complete with Disney character topiaries, interior-facing balcony cabins, an Avengers-themed stage show, and a three-story storybook castle art piece. The space will also include two casual restaurants: Mowgli’s Eatery serving Indian cuisine and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, offering up dishes inspired by the flavors of the Pacific and Asia.

The ship will also feature Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, and Wayfinder Bay where guests can shop, dine, and be entertained in areas inspired by their favorite Disney characters. Not to mention, there’s Marvel Landing with all-new super hero experiences and Toy Story Place with interactive play areas.

Disney Adventure will sail from Singapore, offering three and four-night cruises to nowhere. These voyages will spend the entire cruise at sea with no ports. As part of this collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board, the ship will sail from Marina Bay Cruise Center for at least five years.

Disney Destiny

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Wish Class
Size: 144,000 gross tons / ~ 2,508 guests

Following the launch of Disney Treasure in late 2024, Disney Destiny will be the third vessel in the Triton class along with Disney Wish. These three new DCL ships will bring the total Disney Cruise Line fleet up to 8 vesels. The theme for many spaces on the ship will be heroes and villains, including classic Disney heroes and villains as well as characters from the Marvel Universe. It will feature a Black Panther-inspired Grand Hall (atrium) as well as an all-new lounge inspired by Doctor Strange.

Staterooms on the ship will include the exclusive Destiny Tower Suite — a one-of-a-kind accommodation in the funnel themed to Iron Man. Disney Destiny will also offer Hero Suites inspired by Hercules as well as Incredibles-themed IncrediSuites. Other staterooms will be similar to what Disney guests are used to, with most featuring Disney’s signature split-bathroom concept.

The three rotational main dining rooms on Destiny will feature two returning venues: Worlds of Marvel and 1923. The third restaurant will be the line’s first Lion King-themed dining room, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. As guests eat, they’ll enjoy a musical journey through the movie’s soundtrack. Disney Destiny’s confectionery will be themed to Edna Mode from Incredibles, and the ship will also feature two cafes inspired by Megara from Hercules and Merida from Brave.

Other features will include a Haunted Mansion bar and a Pirates of the Caribbean themed bar. The ship’s two upscale specialty restaurants will be Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The AquaMouse water attraction will be on board with a brand-new villains-themed storyline, and an immersive Oceaneer Club for kids with themes including Marvel Super Heroes, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and more.

Disney Destiny will sail from Fort Lauderdale, offering an inaugural season of four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

A Bit More on Disney Treasure

While technically launching in December 2024, most guests likely won’t get the chance to sail on Disney Treasure until 2025. This second ship in the Triton class is themed for adventure and exploration. Disney Treasure will tell stories of adventure not only from classic Disney movies but (for the first time ever) also from widely popular theme park attractions.

Disney Treasure showcases Captain Hook and Peter Pan at the stern. Aladdin and Jasmine on a magic carpet adorn the Grand Hall. The three main dining rooms will include Worlds of Marvel with a second show “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix”, the all-new Plaza de Coco, and 1923. The Haunted Mansion Parlor will replace Hyperspace Lounge and the Skipper Society lounge themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction will replace The Bayou. This ship will also debut a brand-new Moana-inspired show called The Tale of Moana.

Disney Treasure will sail 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral.

Luminara

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Size: 46,750 gross tons / 452 guests

Luminara will be the third vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet, following Evrima and Ilma. Design for the all-suite, all-balcony cabins has been inspired by a private yacht. It will feature five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa. An expanded marina will provide guests direct access to the sea.

Among the upper-suite categories will be new accommodations called The Residential Suites. They feature a separate living and dining area, a double vanity bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower, and a walk-in closet. Other suite categories on the ship include the Terrace Suites (the lowest category with its own seating area), the Signature Suites with a small separate living and dining area and a soaking tub, and the large Concierge Suites with a separate living and dining area, double vanity bathroom with soaking tub, and a balcony with al fresco dining area, outdoor shower, and hot tub.

Luminara will spend summer 2025 operating mostly seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. The ship will spend winter 2025-2026 sailing in Asia.

MSC World America

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: MSC Cruises / World Class
Size: 215,863 gross tons / 5,200 guests

MSC World America will be the second World-class ship for MSC Cruises, following MSC World Europa. Like its name implies, MSC World America will homeport in the U.S., sailing seven-day cruises from Miami to the eastern and western Caribbean. This class of ships is a completey new design for the cruise line.

The mega ship will feature seven districts, including Family Aventura featuring The Harbour outdoor park with a ropes course, an 11-story slide, and a new swinging attraction called the Cliffhanger. Other districts are Aqua Deck with the ship’s two main pools and The Terraces featuring nine restaurants and bars and a comedy club, among others.

MSC World America will also feature a massive MSC Yacht Club. This luxurious ship-within-a-ship is dedicated to guests in Yacht Club accommodations and includes its own sundeck, lounge, and restaurant.

Restaurant and bar highlights on MSC World America will include The Gin Project, Italian restaurant Eataly, Paxos Greek restaurant, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, Emporium coffee bar, Hola! Tacos and Cantina, and the Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Shop and Café.

Accommodation options on MSC World America will be extensive, including the standard interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins; a number of non-Yacht Club suite categories (including one with a hot tub); and Yacht Club accommodations ranging from interiors to Owner’s Suites.

Norwegian Aqua

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: Norwegian Cruise Line / Prima Plus Class
Size: 156,300 gross tons / 3,571 guests

Norwegian Aqua, the third in NCL’s Prima class, will be 10 percent larger than her predecessors — Norwegian Prima and Viva — and feature some slight differences. Notably, this ship will not feature a go-kart racetrack. Instead, it will include a new thrill ride, the Aqua Slidecoaster. This part hybrid roller coaster and waterslide wraps around the funnel and can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Aqua will also include the line’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai (which is replacing Food Republic from the sister ships). The vessel’s adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club, the main pool deck, and the Ocean Boulevard waterfront promenade will be much larger and offer even more outdoor space. The teppanyaki restaurant, Hasuki, and the Metropolitan cocktail bar are also enlarged, the latter of which will now feature a grand piano and entertainment space.

Other highlights of Norwegian Aqua will include The Drop dry slide, an expanded Stadium, and a new Glow Court. Additional dining options include the Indulge Food Hall with its various stations offering a variety of cuisine as well as favorites like Cagney’s and Le Bistro. The ship will also feature Syd Norman’s Pour House, Improv at Sea (with a larger space), and a new production show themed to Prince and his music.

Norwegian Aqua will also feature The Haven, a luxury ship-within-a-ship complex. Alongside the same suite categories on other ships in the NCL fleet, The Haven will also include a brand-new three-bedroom duplex suite. Also on the ship are NCL’s famous studio staterooms for solo travelers, complete with an exclusive lounge.

When she sets sail, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August through October of 2025, the ship will position to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she will sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 2026.

Star of the Seas

Scheduled debut date: August 2025
Line / ship class: Royal Caribbean International / Icon Class
Size: 250,800 gross tons / 5,610 guests

Royal Caribbean is continuing its Icon class with the debut of Star of the Seas. This ship will now be the largest cruise ship in the world upon its debut. Like Icon of the Seas, the vessel will feature eight neighborhoods. It will feature many of the same venues and amenities including Category 6 waterpark, Crown’s Edge thrill ride, Absolute Zero ice skating rink, the AquaDome with indoor AquaTheater, and The Hideaway adults-only deck with suspended infinity pool. Star will also feature the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood complete with The Lemon Post family bar and the plant-filled Central Park area.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas won’t feature a New York City-themed supper club. Instead, the Chicago-themed Lincoln Park Supper Club will replace the Empire Supper Club. Other returning dining spots will include Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, AquaDome Market food hall, and the casual Basecamp.

Further, the ship will have a huge variety of staterooms, including the Surfside Family Suites with a separate room for the kids. Both traditional and infinite balcony cabins will also be available. The massive three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is complete with an in-suite slide and “backyard” with direct access to the Surfside neighborhood.

While there haven’t been any entertainment announcements yet, the Back to the Future Musical is rumored to be the new signature show.

Star of the Seas will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Star Princess

Scheduled debut date: October 2025
Line / ship class: Princess Cruises / Sphere Class
Size: 178,000 gross tons / 4,300 guests

The second ship in Princess’ Sphere class, Star Princess will offer many of the same features aboard Sun Princess. It will include The Dome, a glass-paneled venue that serves as both a solarium and entertainment space. The ship’s piazza will also feature a glass spherical shape that is visible from the outside of the ship. What Princess calls the “most technically advanced theater at sea,” the Arena, will also be on Star Princess.

Restaurants found on board will include The Butcher’s Block steakhouse, Umai Teppanyaki, Makato Ocean, and returning favorites like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. Spellbound by Magic Castle — a part-dining, part-entertainment experience is also part of the entertainment lineup on Star Princess.

Suites on the ship will include the new Cabana Mini-Suites with private cabanas for the first time in the Princess fleet, Sky Suites which feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a separate seating area, and more. All suites are part of the Sanctuary Collection, which includes access to an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and sundeck with pool. Other accommodations include multiple balcony categories — including one with access to The Sanctuary amenities — plus standard oceanview and interior cabins.

Star Princess will offer two Mediterranean voyages in October 2025 before setting sail for Fort Lauderdale. From Florida, the ship will operate seven and 14-night Caribbean voyages through the winter. It will then reposition to Seattle for a 2026 summer season of sailings to Alaska.

Viking Vesta

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Viking / Ocean ship
Size: 54,300 gross tons / 998 guests

Viking Vesta is a continuation of Viking’s now-large fleet of ocean ships. Though, it will be a bit larger than the others that are currently sailing. For reference, Viking’s current ocean ships are just under 48,000 gross tons and carry 930 guests each. Despite the slightly larger size, Viking Vesta will still be nearly identical to the other vessels on the guest-facing side. The larger size is to accommodate new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Features will include The Nordic Spa with thermal suite and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Also on board are the Torshavn bar and music lounge and World Cafe buffet. The outdoor Aquavit Terrace features al fresco dining and an aft infinity pool. The light-filled Wintergarden near the main pool is the venue for daily afternoon tea. The cozy Explorer’s Lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows, and Mamsen’s serves waffles and split pea soup. Viking Vesta also includes a sports deck.

Like all Viking ocean ships, Viking Vesta will offer a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience. Besides accommodations, all dining and non-alcoholic beverages like water and specialty coffee are part of the cruise fare. Other drink inclusions are beer, wine, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. A shore excursion in each port of call, basic WiFi, access to the thermal suite, and room service are also complimentary.

Viking Vesta will sail in the Mediterranean, offering a variety of mostly seven to 21-day voyages. She will sail from various homeports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Piraeus (Athens).

Note: Passenger capacity figures are based on double occupancy.

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Do you have plans to sail on any of these new cruise ships debuting in 2025? Which of these ships are you most excited to check out? Drop us an anchor below to share your cruise plans for the new year.

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One of the newest cruise lines on the market, Virgin Voyages ships splashed onto the scene when the first vessel, Scarlet Lady, began sailing in 2021. Building onto the Virgin brand, Virgin Voyages set out to be a unique adults-only cruise line that turned the concept of cruising on its head. Indeed, the line nixed the usual way of doing dining at sea, has more inclusions than mainstream lines, included hammocks on nearly all of its cabin balconies, and introduced the world’s first tattoo shop on a cruise ship.

If you’re considering a cruise on Virgin Voyages or are just looking to learn more about this unique brand, here’s our guide to Virgin Voyages ships from newest to oldest.

Complete Guide to Virgin Voyages Ships

Who owns Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages is a joint venture between the Virgin Group and Bain Capital. Virgin Group is a venture capital company founded by Richard Branson and Nik Powell; the current owner of the company is Richard Branson. The company is headquartered in Plantation, Florida.

How many Virgin Voyages cruise ships are there?

There are currently three Virgin Voyages ships in service: Scarlet, Valiant, and Resilient Lady. The first ship, Scarlet Lady, set sail on her maiden voyage in fall 2021. A fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, is set to begin sailing in summer 2025.

How big are the Virgin Voyages ships?

All of the Virgin Voyages ships are the same size, coming in at 110,000 gross tons. By modern standards, they are considered medium to large sized cruise ships. The vessels are about 900 feet long, have 17 decks, and hold 2,770 guests and 1,160 crew members.

What is the newest Virgin Voyages ship?

The newest Virgin Voyages cruise ship that’s currently sailing with guests is Resilient Lady, which operated its maiden voyage in May 2023. The next ship in the fleet to debut will be Brilliant Lady in 2025.

Virgin Voyages Cruise Ships By Age: Newest to Oldest

• Resilient Lady — 2023
• Valiant Lady — 2022
• Scarlet Lady — 2021

How are the Virgin Voyages ships the same?

All three ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet are nearly identical, with minimal differences between them. For example, the ships all offer the same restaurants, including The Wake steakhouse, Razzle Dazzle, modern Mexican fare at Pink Agave, casual fare at The Galley, a pizzeria open from morning to late at night, and more. Menus may vary slightly between ships, especially if new menus are being rolled out for a particular venue, but they will largely be the same.

One thing that’s different is that each ship has its own signature dessert, so be sure to keep an eye out for it (or ask a crew member about it!).

Bars on the ships are also the same, with watering holes including the Mediterranean inspired Dock House, The Loose Cannon inspired by seaside bars in Brighton, Sip champagne lounge, and On the Rocks right in the middle of the action in the evenings — among several others. You’ll also find The Grounds Club, Virgin Voyages’ café serving Intelligentsia coffee and baked goods.

The gym, fitness equipment, and spa are other areas where the Virgin Voyages ships are all essentially the same. They all offer a traditional indoor fitness center; outdoor Training Camp equipment like a boxing ring, punching bags, and monkey bars; and a running track at the top of the ship. The spa features a thermal suite as well as a beauty salon, barber shop, and many treatment options.

All three Virgin Voyages ships also feature the line’s popular Scarlet Night celebration that culminates in a high-energy deck party as well as the evening pajama party towards the beginning of the cruise.

RELATED POST: What You Need to Know Before Cruising on Virgin Voyages

How are the Virgin Voyages ships different?

The two main ways that Virgin Voyages’ ships are different is in their entertainment offerings and their cabins. They also operate different itineraries.

Is the entertainment the same on Virgin Voyages ships?

While some shows cross over between vessels, the entertainment offerings are perhaps the area where Virgin Voyages’ ships differ the most. Scarlet and Valiant Lady both feature Duel Reality — a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a circus twist — as well as Untitled DanceShowPartyThing, a music-video-meets-club-scene dance party.

Scarlet Lady has a unique show called Ships in the Night. This technology and dance-infused production explores the significance of incidental connection in our lives. Valiant Lady has a unique show called It’s a Ship Show! Where The Manor turns into a supper club in an old-school variety hour meets late-night talk show experience.

Resilient Lady has the most unique entertainment of the fleet, debuting several shows that are brand-new to Virgin Voyages. Lola’s Library is part cocktail soirée and part immersive cabaret; Persephone is classic Greek history meets modern theater; Another Rose is an acrobatic love story; and Miss Behave is a never-the-same-show-twice game show.

Are the cabins the same on Virgin Voyages cruise ships?

One of the most obvious ways that the Virgin Voyages ships are different — specifically Resilient Lady vs. Scarlet and Valiant Lady — is in the staterooms.

While the same categories are available, the décor on Resilient Lady boasts a more Mediterranean, organic type of feel than the first two ships. For example, instead of having an ombré curtain that’s red and blue, the curtain in front of the windows on Resilient Lady is a natural rattan. Instead of having a sleek, shiny white lamp on the desk, the lampshade is wicker. Functionally, though, the cabins are essentially the same across all three ships.

Other Differences Between the Virgin Voyages Vessels

The Roundabout (Virgin Voyages’ word for the ship’s central atrium) is a bit different on each ship. You will find slightly different shops or venues in different locations, including the popular tattoo parlor Squid Ink. There are also very slight interior design differences, like in décor around the ship, or the fact that under the Roundabout stairs on Scarlet Lady there’s a bench, but it contains a statue on Valiant and Resilient Lady.

On one of the main walkways next to The Grounds Club on Scarlet Lady, you’ll find small swings in front of fake portholes for a photo op. On Valiant and Resilient Lady, the swings have been replaced with carousel animals that you can pose on for a photo instead.

The Social Club and Social Club Diner is a spot where you can grab a casual bite to eat at the counter, play board games, and participate in activities throughout the cruise. This space is largely the same on Scarlet and Valiant Lady, but has been expanded on Resilient Lady.

The furniture setup is also a bit different. On Scarlet Lady, there’s a tabletop shuffleboard game located in the walkway next to the venue. On Resilient Lady, shuffleboard is located in the main dining area and tables for playing board games are located in the through-way.

2024 Scarlet Lady Itineraries

In summer 2024 and into the fall, Scarlet Lady is operating seven-night western Mediterranean voyages out of Barcelona, Spain. There are two main itineraries; the first calls on Marseille, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, and Ibiza. The second calls on Toulon, Carrara, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Ibiza. In November, the ship will head across the Atlantic to Miami. Here, she’ll offer six-day western Caribbean and eight-day eastern Caribbean itineraries for the winter.

2024 Valiant Lady Itineraries

Valiant Lady is currently operating a year-round schedule of mostly four and five-night cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Miami. There are several itineraries to choose from, with some being the four-night Fire & Sunset Soirées with calls to Key West and Bimini, which is where Virgin Voyages’ beach club is located. Five-night itineraries with calls to Amber Cove and Bimini or Cozumel and Bimini are also available.

2024 Resilient Lady Itineraries

Through July 2024, Resilient Lady is operating seven-night Greek Islands cruises roundtrip from Piraeus, which is the port for Athens. There are two itineraries to choose from. The first, Greek Island Glow, visits Santorini, Rhodes, and Mykonos in Greece, as well as Bodrum, Turkey. The second, Adriatic Sea Greek Gems, visits Dubrovnik, Split, Kotor, and Corfu.

In August, Resilient Lady will operate four to six-day northern Europe cruises out of Portsmouth, England. After a short stint of Caribbean sailings from Miami in November, the ship will settle in San Juan, Puerto Rico for the winter. Here, she’ll offer mostly seven-night southern Caribbean cruises.

Brilliant Lady Itineraries

When Brilliant Lady debuts in September 2025, she will set off on an epic sea trip. Starting in New York City, her inaugural season will include voyages from NYC, Miami, a Panama Canal crossing, Los Angeles, and Seattle with limited Alaska itineraries.

A “Brilliant 4 You Pass” gives sailors access to all of Brilliant Lady’s MerMaiden voyages.

Comments

Have you sailed on any of Virgin Voyages ships yet? What aspects of this unique cruise line do you enjoy most? Drop us an anchor below to share your Virgin Voyages cruise reviews.

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If you’re heading out on a Virgin Voyages sailing that stops at Bimini — or are on another cruise ship that calls there — you may want to know more about the Beach Club at Bimini. Here’s our full guide on Virgin Voyages’ private beach destination in the Bahamas.

Everything You Need to Know About the Beach Club at Bimini

What is the Beach Club at Bimini?

The Beach Club at Bimini is a private beach club experience by Virgin Voyages in partnership with Resorts World, which owns the property where the beach club is located. The beach club is on North Bimini Island, which is located about 55 miles off the coast of Miami.

On days that a Virgin Voyages ship is in port, the beach club is reserved exclusively for VV passengers. On days that a Virgin Voyages ship is not docked at Bimini, other cruise lines occasionally use the beach club as well.

Getting to the Beach Club at Bimini

Bimini has a pier where cruise ships can dock, which means visitors can walk right off the ship and onto the island. At the end of the pier is a waiting area for the free open-air tram, which takes you to the Beach Club at Bimini.

Virgin Voyages passengers don’t need to worry about any tickets or identification to get into the club because access is free for them to enjoy.

Amenities at the Beach Club at Bimini

Once you arrive at the entrance to the Beach Club at Bimini, you’ll be facing towards The Main House and attached open-air lounge, which you’ll walk through to get into the club. Stretching out in front of you immediately you’ll find the two lagoon-style pools with the Lagoon Bar adjacent to the smaller pool on the left.

Also left of The Main House is one of the two Beach Eats dining areas and The Hideaway, which is a grove of palm trees filled with hammocks.

Beyond the pools is the beach, and to the far left towards the beach is The Retreat area for those staying in suites. To the right of the pools and towards the beach is the Beach Bar and the watersports shack. And to the immediate right of the pools is the other Beach Eats location.

The dining areas have picnic tables that visitors can use. Seating elsewhere in the club includes standard beachfront and poolside lounge chairs, daybeds, clamshell loungers, and cabanas for rent. The Lounge adjacent to The Main House has outdoor living room-style furniture.

Showers, changing rooms, and restrooms are also available at the Beach Club at Bimini.

Food at the Beach Club at Bimini

As mentioned above, there are two Beach Eats locations. And all food availble is complimentary at the Beach Club at Bimini for Virgin Voyages passengers. Instead of offering a buffet like many lines do at their private beach destinations, Virgin Voyages offers small plate options. All you have to do is walk up to the food counter, tell the crew member what you’d like, and they’ll arrange your dishes on a tray for you to take with you to a nearby table or back to your lounge chairs or daybed.

Additionally, drink stations are nearby, offering beverages like water and soda.

The food menu can vary slightly, but here’s an idea on what you’ll find at the beach club:

• Lechon Asado
• Caribbean Chicken and Coconut Curry
• Banana Leaf Steamed Red Snapper
• West Indian Pumpkin Curry
• Bahamian Manco and Macadamia Salad
• Watermelon and Jicama Salad
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Crispy Cassava
• Tropical Fruit Salad
• Rum Cake

We recommend getting lots of dishes and sharing them!

Drinks at the Beach Club at Bimini

A limited number of non-alcoholic beverages are free at the Beach Club at Bimini, such as water and soda.

However, all alcoholic drinks cost extra. At the bars, there’s a small menu of frozen and mixed cocktails as well as ready-to-drink packaged options including a Moscow Mule, Rum Old Fashioned, and Pineapple Daiquiri (among others).

Mixed cocktails can be purchased by the glass or by the pitcher (we recommend getting a pitcher of the Passion Drop to share — so good!). Prices for cocktails range from $11 to $13 (by the glass) and $41 to $45 (by the pitcher). The ready-to-drink packaged cocktails are $13 each.

Champagne (by the glass or bottle), canned wine and beer, and non-alcoholic choices including Red Bull and Heineken 0.0 are also served at the bars. Glasses of champagne range from $7 to $25, while cans of beer and wine range from $5 to $11 each.

Things to Do at the Beach Club at Bimini

For most visitors, a day at the Beach Club means a laid-back day at the beach and/or pool, sipping cocktails and eating delicious food. However, there are activities you can partake in during your time there as well.

For example, in the afternoon the ship’s Happenings Cast (entertainment staff) host a flotilla party at the larger pool, complete with lots of pool floats, bubbles, dancing, and music. There’s also a shady area at the club with a volleyball court, bocce ball, and cornhole. Team beach games and stand-up paddleboard yoga classes are also offered at the beach club.

Cabanas at the Beach Club at Bimini

For those who want their own space at the Beach Club at Bimini, there are cabanas available to rent. The cabanas have an organic, beachy vibe with thatched-wood roofs and three walls, with the fourth open to the air and extending out into a small patio. Inside the cabana is a day bed, beanbag chairs, and a drink cooler with a nearby coffee table. In front of the cabana are two lounge chairs.

The price of a cabana includes the services of dedicated crew members who will attend to your needs — including bringing you food and drinks. Cabanas are priced per cabana and can accommodate up to six people. There are four types of cabanas to choose from, based on their location.

There are 14 Bimini Beach Cabanas, which are located on the sandy beach area between the free lounge chairs near the water and the pools which are further back. Bimini Grove Cabanas are located further away from the water near the hammock grove and lounge. The four Bimini Lagoon Cabanas are located by the pool.

The nine Bimini RockStar Cabanas are available to those staying in a RockStar Suite or other VIPs that have access to Richard’s Rooftop on the ship. If any of them don’t sell, the cruise line may open them up to other passengers who will get the line’s full “rockstar” treatment during their time at the beach club.

Prices for the beach, lagoon, and RockStar cabanas start at $500. Prices for the grove cabanas start at $400.

Exclusive Beach Club Area For Suite Guests

If you’re booked in a suite on your Virgin Voyages ship or are some other form of a VIP on board, you’ll have access to the RockStar Retreat at the beach club, which is located to the far left when you’re looking towards the water. This special area includes an open-air pavilion that has a bar, patio seating areas, and private bathrooms.

The RockStar Retreat also includes food service, where all you have to do is find a seat on the patio and give your lunch order to a waiter. The food is the same as what you’ll get in Beach Eats, but you don’t have to go there yourself and stand in line waiting for it.

The retreat area also includes dedicated daybeds and lounge chairs, which don’t fill up as quickly as the ones on the main beach do.

Additional FAQs about the Beach Club at Bimini

Is there wifi at the Beach Club at Bimini?

Yes, the beach club includes free wifi.

How do I pay for drinks at the Beach Club at Bimini?

If you’re visiting from a Virgin Voyages ship, you can use your RFID bracelet to pay for drinks at the beach club just as you use it to pay for things on the ship. Purchases at the club will be charged to your onboard account. This means that if you have Sailor Loot (onboard credit) or Bar Tab credit, drinks purchased at the club do go towards that balance.

Can I do other things on Bimini besides go to the beach club?

Absolutely! Bimini offers a variety of other activties. The free tram ride to the beach club actually includes a stop at a golf cart rental business, where you can get off and rent a golf cart to explore the island on your own.

You can also hit up the Resorts World Bimini Casino, book excursions on the island through your cruise line, and more.

Is there a shop for souvenirs at the Beach Club at Bimini?

No, the beach club doesn’t have a shop. However, you can find Beach Club branded merchandise for sale on the ship. If you want to buy local Bahamian souvenirs, there are other spots on the island with shops, including the Bimini Craft Centre in Alice Town. It’s located just under three miles away from the beach club — an easy ride if you’ve rented a golf cart.

Visiting the Beach Club on Another Cruise Line

As briefly mentioned above, ships from other cruise lines do visit the Beach Club at Bimini occasionally when a Virgin Voyages ship isn’t in port. These include Carnival and Royal Caribbean, among others. The club is treated more as a beach day pass destination in this case, where visitors pay a flat fee to enjoy the club’s facilities and amenities.

In this case, when you get off the ship you check in at a booth at the end of the pier where they give you a wristband based on the package you bought for the club. On Carnival, for example, one is a standard day pass and the other includes an open bar. You must show this wristband once you get off the tram so you’re allowed into the beach club area.

Food and bar menus are also different for non-VV ships, and cost extra. The menu offerings may vary, but here’s an idea of what you can expect if you’re visiting via another cruise line:

• Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
• Cheeseburger with Potato Chips
• Chicken Fingers with Potato Chips
• Grilled Hot Dog with Potato Chips
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Potato Chips
• Fish Sticks with Potato Chips
• Fresh Fruit Plate

The situation is similar for the drink menu at the bar. For example, during a Carnival cruise call, all cocktails were $12 each and included classic options such as a Piña Colada, Mudslide, Margarita, Daiquiri, Bahama Mama, Mojito, Long Island Ice Tea, Goombay Smash, White Russian, and Rum Punch. Other options included cocktails like the Tastie Lynette, Ocean, Sunshine, Mr. Zombie, and Sunset.

Comments

Have you visited the Beach Club at Bimini yet? What features of this private resort do you enjoy? Drop us an anchor below to share your reviews of Virgin Voyages.

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I often get the question, “Which cruise line is the absolute best?” and I have to immediately follow it with, “For who?”. With so many cruise lines available to book, it might seem like we’re simply comparing anchors to anchors, but almost every cruise line at sea excels in different aspects of the cruise experience.

For example, the best cruise for a young couple and their kids will not be the same as the best sailing for a couple’s retreat or a vacation for retirees with a penchant for adventure travel.

WATCH OUR LATEST VIDEO OF THE BEST CRUISE LINES

Take a look at your travel group, your destination, and your personal preferences. If your palate doesn’t extend beyond chicken parm, maybe don’t worry about finding a ship with an established culinary program. Likewise, nightlife might not matter much to you if you’re an early bird always on the first available excursion.

We’ve chosen some key cruising superlatives and weighed in on which cruise lines shine in each category. While it’s not a comprehensive list, it should point you in the right direction when choosing the best cruise line — for you and only you.

Which Cruise Line is the Best?

Best Cruise Line for Budget Travelers

Our pick: MSC Cruises

Runner-up: Carnival Cruise Line

Honorable Mention: Margaritaville at Sea

Carnival has long been associated with wallet-friendly pricing, and it still is one of the best value cruise lines out there. However, MSC Cruises has blazed onto the scene with consistently cheap deals that make it hard to resist booking that budget cruise vacation. Five of the European cruise line’s mega ships now depart from the U.S., and weeklong Caribbean vacations are on average $100 per person, per night or less. Consider too the fleet is relatively young, with most of the stateside ships debuting within the past few years. MSC World America will sail from Miami when it debuts in 2025.

MSC has ships deployed worldwide, from its home in the Med to South America, Dubai and the Red Sea. This allows for competitive pricing, like a weeklong Western Mediterranean sailing from $65 per person, per night.

Among the cheapest cruise lines, we’d be remiss not to mention Margaritaville at Sea (formerly Bahamas Paradise), which runs short sailings to and from West Palm Beach. The two-ship company is currently one of the absolute lowest fares out there, with feel-good two-night sprints to Grand Bahama Island for less than $200 (total for two people).

Best Cruise Line for Luxury Travelers

Our pick: Silversea Cruises

Runner-up: Seabourn Cruise Line

Butlers, suites and caviar, oh my! When credit card statements are less of a concern, turn to ultra-luxury cruise lines Silversea and Seabourn, which both offer stellar itineraries, fine dining and intuitive service in plush and swanky surrounds. Both cruise lines offer an all-inclusive product, which touches on everything from premium wines and spirits to laundry and included gratuities. Book either line if you don’t want to have to lift a finger during the entirety of your voyage.

While both cruise lines offer a wide range of itineraries and even expedition-style offerings, Silversea has such a substantial footprint, including a ship dedicated to the Galapagos, that it edges out the competition. Special events on world cruises are an unmatched effort of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and the Silversea fleet is about double the size of Seabourn’s seven ships.

Best Cruise Line for Adventurous Travelers

Our pick: Lindblad-National Geographic

Runner-up: HX Hurtigruten Expeditions

Crave more than the standard-issue walking tour? Expedition cruise lines answer the call of the wild with journeys that bring you into the heart of nature. Staffed with experts and naturalists, these companies bring guests up close to wildlife with hikes, Zodiac cruises, and kayaking.

Lindblad not only offers the far-flung and lesser-traveled destinations associated with expedition — like the Arctic or the Amazon — but even more offbeat voyages that extend into Scotland, Japan and the Pacific Northwest. In addition to experienced expedition staff, Lindblad also features a National Geographic photography expert onboard and its newest ships are sleek and engineered for ice.

There are so many standout cruise lines infusing adventure into their offerings, so we also must shoutout Norway-based cruise line Hurtigruten, which has expanded rapidly into North America. Hurtigruten is constantly pushing the boundaries of introducing new ports and sustainable practices. It also features Arctic excursions under the midnight sun or northern lights, as well as a cruise through West Africa.

Best Cruise Line for Families

Our pick: Disney Cruise Line

Runner-up: Carnival Cruise Line

In one of the toughest and most competitive cruise categories of them all, “family” cruise lines abound. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC also offer an absolutely mind-boggling amount to do with your kin, plus very solid kids clubs and partnerships like LEGO (MSC). However, the two cruise lines that always seem to have family at the very forefront are Disney and Carnival.

It’s hard to argue with a name like Disney when it comes to creating family vacation magic. From its thoughtfully outfitted cruise rooms to first-run films, state-of-the-art live productions of Disney favorites like “Frozen” and themed dining, the diversions never end. Its world-class kids clubs range from babies to teens and incorporate touches of Star Wars and Marvel in the mix, which is enough to make the adults jealous. Luckily, an adults-only array of bars and lounges cater to caretakers once the kids are in bed.

Carnival holds its own with its Seuss at Sea partnership, dedicated Family Harbor cabins and crowd-pleasing entertainment including “Hasbro, the Game Show.”

Best Cruise Line for Adults

Our pick: Viking Cruises

Runner-up: Virgin Voyages

Sometimes you just need a break from tiny humans, and you don’t want to be judged for it. While many cruise lines feature adults-only spaces such as lounges or sun decks, very few limit their passenger base to the over-18 crowd. Luckily, if that’s just what you’re looking for, there are options.

Look to the Vs for adult-only sailings, offered by both Viking and Virgin. Viking offers a comfortable, Scandinavian aesthetic onboard with high-quality cuisine (its buffet is one of the best at sea) and a chic thermal suite that is open to all. High marks also go to service and enrichment onboard a Viking cruise, which lacks a casino, though its guests don’t seem to mind.

If you are looking to get away from your beloved children and let looser, Virgin invites a fun-for-all atmosphere with tons of (included) restaurants, fitness classes, and edgy entertainment options. Plus, a private beach club on Bimini in the Bahamas is a port day experience clearly designed by Branson himself.

Best Cruise Line for Couples

Our pick: Celebrity Cruises

Runner-up: Princess Cruises

Thoughtful, contemporary décor sets the tone for what feels like an upscale resort onboard any of Celebrity’s ships. It’s this atmosphere, with engaging art, flying martini flights, and alfresco terraces where couples can canoodle. Spend the day in the stunning spa or thermal suite; eat your way through the ship or soak up the sun hand in hand. Celebrity offers both relaxing retreats and engaging performances to keep lovers occupied, especially on its ultra-modern Edge Class.

Couples of all ages can find some romance on the original Love Boats, which Princess continues to proudly advertise. Booked in a balcony room? Splurge on a full, course-by-course breakfast before beginning the day with your sweetheart. Later, be sure to attend the wine and chocolate pairing or surprise them with one of Princess’ many romance packages for an extra flourish of amor.

Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers

Our pick: Norwegian Cruise Line

Runner-up: Virgin Voyages

Cruising alone is by no means lonely. Travelers taking to the seas solo can appreciate the considerate amenities of cruise lines who organize meetups or even dedicated lounges for singles. Norwegian Cruise Line made a statement about solo cruisers with the introduction of its studio cabin complex, featuring moderately priced rooms for one that also have access to a lounge where solo cruisers can meet up with others traveling independently. Studios can now be found across at least eight of Norwegian’s ships.

Another cruise line now supporting the solo cruiser is Virgin, which has waived the pesky solo supplements, or additional fee for being just one to a room. Though relatively new to the industry, Virgin is courting solo travelers with a whopping 46 single cabins onboard each ship, with six lucky guests snagging forward-facing ocean views. Virgin’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere breaks the ice a bit better than most cruise lines when it comes to making new sailing friends.

Best Cruise Line for Entertainment

Our pick: Royal Caribbean

Runner-up: Norwegian Cruise Line

There are many times you’re likely to say “wow” on a Royal Caribbean ship, whether it’s at professional ice-skating flips, aquatic high-diving twists, or a roaming piano player who might fit those keys inside an elevator. Remember, this is all while you’re at sea! The variety and caliber of Royal Caribbean’s onboard talent is vast, but there is plenty more to do other than the shows, parades, and live music. You can also book an escape room, play laser tag, climb a rock wall, try surfing or fly down the top-deck waterslides, just to name a few.

Norwegian is hot on the tail of Royal Caribbean when it comes to on-deck attractions, from an impressive waterpark and ropes course to its scenic speedway go-kart track. However, when it comes to the stage, Norwegian has an absolute knack for landing Broadway- and West End-worthy talent…straight from the theaters of Broadway and the West End. These productions, ranging from “Jersey Boys” to “Beetlejuice,” bring all the pizzazz of the world’s best stages to cruise ship audiences — entirely free of charge.

Best Cruise Line for Enrichment

Our pick: Cunard Line

Runner-up: Holland America Line

If the thought of learning something on vacation attracts rather than repels you, consider these cruise lines for their guest lectures, their library collections and onboard facilities like Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 planetarium or Holland America’s Explorations Central (EXC) zones.

Cunard is a historic cruise company, with a legacy of onboard enrichment that stretches back for decades. Theme cruises — referred to by Cunard as “event voyages” — delve into topics more deeply, including insight from actual veterans as far back as WWII on their “Greatest Generation” sailings; the musical talents of a national symphony orchestra; or festivals at sea from food and wine to literature. Ballroom dancing classes, language lessons, and the dedicated Cunard Insights enrichment program all round out the academic offerings and are available on just about every sailing.

Holland America Line has updated its shelves with modern libraries as well as trending enrichment like free pickleball instruction. A partnership with BBC Earth results in a spectacular live orchestral performance set to footage of nature called “Earth in Concert.”

Best Cruise Line for Foodies

Our pick: Oceania Cruises

Runner-up: Silversea Cruises

Be sure to stretch your stomach before boarding an Oceania cruise, where the culinary arts have long been a focus and remain a top priority across the fleet. Dishes are continually being refined in every dining venue, including the Grand Dining Room, with recent additions like poke bowls in Waves Grill or an expanded Sunday Brunch as part of the line’s OceaniaNEXT improvements. Jacques Pepin is the cruise line’s longtime executive culinary advisor, and his onboard venues are a testament to French gastronomic excellence.

Beyond meals, Oceania guests can take part in culinary-themed excursions or book a cooking class at the Culinary Center. Mixology is included in this high-standard F&B mix, with the latest techniques — including zero-proof cocktails — incorporated into onboard bar menus.

Silversea is a luxury cruise line with a cornucopia of quality dining options, but its S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program takes the epicurean experience and turns it up to 11. Stretching from onboard kitchens, dining rooms and a themed bar to immersive shore tours, S.A.L.T. is a finely tuned culinary program that draws most of its inspiration from your itinerary and local products and customs. The full experience is currently available on select ships, including Silver Moon, Silver Dawn and Silver Nova.

Best Cruise Line for Nightlife

Our pick: Virgin Voyages

Runner-up: Carnival Cruise Line

No sleep till debarkation! Everyone has their own cruise style, and nothing is wrong with active days and relaxing evenings. However, for some, being able to dance past dawn and hit the town (er, decks) is all part of being on holiday. If that’s the plan, we recommend Virgin Voyages, who excel at tripping the light fantastic for their guests.

A Scarlet themed night with festival-style pop-up acts complements a nightly roster of stage performances including sexy takes on classic scripts, cabaret-style shows, a thumping nightclub and plenty of cool bars to hop from. It’s a ship that stays up, even if you are winding down, with a 24/7 diner and pizza shop and leisurely brunch options for the Morning After.

Carnival has long been known as a fleet of party ships, and while that reputation has faded over the years with more family offerings and longer sailings, the Fun Ships still know how to boogie down. Carnival makes it easy for anyone to have a good time with an incredible drink from Alchemy Bar or a home-brewed beer from the Key West-inspired RedFrog Pub, complete with live music.

Piano bars, sports bars and pool bars all have different vibes and promise to keep the good times rolling for as long as you can roll. Adult-only comedy shows and other after-hours entertainment add to the many reasons you should make every effort to enjoy Carnival’s nightlife.

Best Cruise Line for the Caribbean

Our pick: Royal Caribbean

Runner-up: Windstar Cruises

With cruising and the Caribbean going hand in hand, it’s hard to pick just one cruise line who excels there. But with “Caribbean” in the name, it’s hard to argue with Royal Caribbean and its fleet of almost 30 ships, including the world’s largest. Offering various ship classes, sizes and price points, Royal overwhelms with its Caribbean options. Sail short, weekend cruises from Port Canaveral or 11-night Southern Caribbean voyages from Cape Liberty, NJ.

Pair idyllic Caribbean ports like St. Maarten with Bermuda, or opt for a Bahamas cruise, which includes private island Perfect Day at CocoCay. Plus, homeports include Baltimore, New Orleans, Galveston and Jersey in addition to the various ports of Florida.

Taking a totally different tack, Windstar’s yachts and sailing ships offer an intimate way to visit the Caribbean. Unlike the bustling touristic areas where mega-ships dock, Windstar’s small vessels can anchor in tucked-away harbors on lesser-visited islands. It’s a completely different and revelatory way to see the many islands of the Caribbean beyond the marquee ports.

Best Cruise Line for Alaska

Our pick: Princess Cruises, Holland America (tie)

Runner-up: UnCruise Adventures

The Great State of Alaska — it’s another cruise destination frequented by many but mastered by the following lines. For a comprehensive, ocean cruising experience through the Last Frontier, you can’t go wrong with either Princess or Holland America.

Both cruise lines offer incredible lodges and land programs (with the Alaska Railroad) for extended Alaska cruise tours; both dedicate a multitude of ships to the region each season, with varying itineraries; and both offer cohesive onboard programming that highlights the cuisine, culture, and incredible wildlife of Alaska. If you’re looking for a difference, Holland America ventures up into the Yukon. For families, we recommend the North to Alaska programming from Princess.

If choosing between those two Alaska cruise heavyweights isn’t enough, we introduce a third option, and that is a small-ship expedition sailing that is a world apart from mainstream cruising. UnCruise is partially based in Juneau, with authentic ties to the state. Extensions in Juneau or to Denali are possible, but it’s all about the unique sailing and exploration opportunities onboard, which include dates typically outside the average cruise season.

Active pursuits like hiking and kayaking are all included, plus all meals and gear. Want to truly get away from it all? UnCruise does not offer onboard Wi-Fi, allowing you and your loved ones to be present in this magnificent destination.

Best Cruise Line for the Mediterranean

Our pick: Azamara Cruises

Runner-up: Viking Cruises

Rounding out the top cruise destinations, the Med is on the bucket list of nearly every traveler — and for good reason. Encompassing some of the world’s most popular vacation plans, you’ll find Italy, Greece, France, Spain and other European delights throughout the Mediterranean, drenched in stunning scenery and even better food and wine.

Serving this all up on a silver platter is Azamara, who is our pick for their immersive, country-intensive itinerary options. Rather than simply offering a sampler of one piece of the Med, home in on one country, spending 10 or 11 days in Italy or island-hopping Greece. The line’s AzAmazing evenings in port along with their signature all-white deck party add flair to any itinerary.

Another wonderful pick for the Med is Viking, whose ultra-comfortable ships ply a wide range of sailings here, from Istanbul to Athens and Barcelona to Venice, as well as Rome to Lisbon or a voyage with extended time in Malta, Morocco and Spain. Onboard, gorgeous outdoor spaces like the Aquavit Terrace and infinity pool are the perfect place to watch the sunset with a spritz. Italian dining doesn’t get much better than Manfredi’s.      

Best Cruise Line for Hawaii

Our pick: UnCruise Adventures

Runner-up: Norwegian Cruise Line

Perhaps a controversial pick, but if you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian experience on a cruise ship, consider expedition company UnCruise. Once again, we are nominating them for their intimate, onboard experience and the innate flexibility to sail where the weather and the waves are just right for a dip off the watersports platform.

Flagged in the U.S, UnCruise is one of the very few cruise lines approved to sail solely within Hawaii, embarking guests in Molokai and leaving them in Kona. Special experiences include night snorkeling with Pacific rays and plenty of time interacting with locals at events like a pa’ina feast and jam session.

Another option suited to larger groups and families is Norwegian’s Pride of America, the only other cruise ship approved to sail the Hawaiian Islands without a long stretch of sea days. Sail round trip on a weeklong cruise right from Waikiki in Honolulu, which makes pre- or post-cruise stays on the Big Island a breeze. Visit three other islands including Maui, Hawaii and Kauai, with pre-arranged land extensions as an option through Norwegian.

Best Cruise Line Private Island

Our pick: Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity)

Runner-up: Castaway Cay (Disney)

Honorable Mention: Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (MSC Cruises)

A land-based extension of some cruise lines is their carefully crafted private island experiences. Many of these islands are located in the Bahamas (including every mention here). The difference of where you might call depends on which cruise line or company you are sailing (for example, Celebrity is owned by the same parent company as Royal Caribbean and will join Royal’s calls at Perfect Day).

What we love most about the appropriately named Perfect Day at CocoCay is that it has been finely tuned to provide the ideal vacation day for nearly every passenger on any budget. Spend nothing more than time by the turquoise shores on a beach lounger or splurge on the impressive Thrill waterpark.

The island is aptly divided into “thrills” and “chills” directing guests to a poolside oasis or a 135-foot drop from Daredevil’s Peak. As with nearly any cruise line private island your onboard drink and Wi-Fi packages extend to shore.

Another immaculately crafted island experience comes from none other than Disney and its Castaway Cay with its always family-friendly attention to detail. Enjoy gentle swimming coves, bike rentals, plenty of grub and maybe even an appearance from your favorite characters — in their swim trunks.

High marks go to relatively new private island Ocean Cay, from MSC Cruises, which has focused a lot on rehabilitation of the island and its surrounding coral and marine life. Fun in the sun is still the focus, with great swimming spots, bars with a view and even fish-shaped ice cream cones. A differentiator? By night, stick around for a traditional Junkanoo parade followed by a laser lights show and dance party.

Comments

Which cruise line is the best in your opinion? Do you stay loyal to one brand or sail with multiple cruise lines? Drop us an anchor below to share your favorite cruise lines.

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Whether you’re happily child-free or want to have some time away from your (and other people’s) littles, an adults-only cruise is a great option for a relaxing and fun vacation. In the cruising world, there are surprisingly few lines that ban kids completely, but they do exist.

So what cruise lines offer an adults-only experience? Well, we take a look at cruise lines that are just for adults, as well as other brands that have designated at least one ship as child-free. We also go over lines that allow older kids or teenagers, but keep the younger children to a minimum.

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Best Adults Only Cruises

1. Viking

Which cruise ships are adults only? All of Viking’s ships are adults-only.

Since their debuts, Viking’s ocean and expedition cruise fleets have been reserved for the 18 and older crowd. The brand’s river cruise division previously allowed tweens and teens 12 and older, but moved to align with the ocean vessels by implementing the 18+ adults-only rule in 2018.

By cruise ship standards, the line’s ocean vessels are small, coming in at just under 50,000 gross tons and holding 930 passengers each. The expedition ships are even smaller at just over 30,000 gross tons and carrying 378 passengers. Most of the line’s “Viking Longships,” or river vessels, are between 350 and 450 feet long, carrying under 200 guests.

The vibe onboard all of Viking’s vessels is upscale and laid-back. They feature cozy Scandinavian interior design that shines through in venues such as the ocean ships’ light and wood-filled Wintergarden space, the pool decks, the Explorers’ Lounge with a faux fireplace, and The Living Room central atrium. As an added bonus, all of the staterooms on the ocean and expedition ships include balconies.

Included in the cruise fare on Viking is one excursion in each port. The fare also includes wifi; beer, wine, and soda at lunch and dinner; specialty coffees; bottled water; and port taxes and fees. The ocean and expedition ships also include the use of self-service laundry facilities; all onboard dining; use of the spa’s thermal suite; and 24-hour room service.

As this is an adults-only cruise line, Viking has a focus on relaxation and its destinations rather than on thrills. Because of that, you won’t find energetic top-deck attractions such as water slides and ropes courses. Instead, guests enjoy things like performances from onboard and local musicians, cooking and mixology classes, pools and hot tubs (note: most river ships don’t have a pool), the spa’s thermal suite, and afternoon tea.

2. Virgin Voyages

Adults-only ships: All of them

Virgin Voyages is the latest adults-only cruise line to splash onto the scene. It made waves with its first official sailing in 2021. A venture of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Virgin Voyages currently operates three nearly identical 110,000 gross-ton, 2,770-guest ships in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

What are adults-only cruises like on Virgin Voyages? From the start, the brand said that it would be doing things differently, “reinventing the cruise ship experience” on “adult-by-design” vessels. The line’s target demographic is millennials up to those in their early 60’s with a special focus on non-cruisers. It’s been quite successful with convincing many of them to give cruising a try through its unique approach to what a cruise experience can be.

Interior design is modern and trendy. Venues include the boho beach club-inspired Dock House, old ship-themed bar The Loose Cannon, and The Red Room entertainment space. It also features one of the best nightclubs at sea — The Manor — complete with a mirror-clad “infinity room” hallway entrance. Virgin Voyages also debuted the cruise industry’s first on board tattoo parlor, aptly called Squid Ink.

Virgin turned traditional cruise dining upside-down, as ships have no traditional buffet or main dining room. For a casual option, they instead feature The Galley with differently themed food stations that you can order via a server.

In place of main dining rooms and extra-fee specialty restaurants at dinnertime, Virgin has differently-themed restaurants (which would be specialty on most other cruise lines) that are included in the cruise fare. Guests can choose from The Wake steakhouse, modern Mexican venue Pink Agave, veggie-forward Razzle Dazzle, Korean BBQ restaurant Gunbae, and more for dinner each evening.

Entertainment is another area where Virgin Voyages has set itself apart in the cruise industry. Shows include Duel Reality, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a circus twist, and It’s a Ship Show where an old-school variety hour meets a late-night talk show.

The ships are also filled with some of the best parties at sea, including an energetic pajama party and the not-to-be-missed Scarlet Night. This ship-wide activation includes interactive games, circus performances, live music, and an epic dance party in and around the main pool.

Virgin’s base cruise fare inclusions are somewhere between Viking and mainstream cruise lines. The cost of the cruise doesn’t include shore excursions, specialty coffees, or any alcohol. However, it does include wifi, gratuities, and fitness classes.

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3. Saga Cruises

Adults-only ships: All of them

Not only is boutique British line Saga Cruises adults only, but it goes above and beyond the usual 18+ age minimum… to 50. That’s right, you can’t cruise on a Saga ocean or river vessel without being at least 50 years old.

Saga has two ocean ships and two of its own river ships. Plus, there’s several additional river vessels that it charters from other companies. The cruise fare includes all onboard restaurants, wifi, fitness classes, gratuities, wine with lunch and dinner, and house spirits, draft beer, mocktails, and soda.

The ocean ships are just over 58,000 gross tons, carrying 999 passengers each and feature all-balcony cabins. There’s also a fitness center, spa with thermal suite, a wraparound promenade, and a lido deck with swimming pool.

Restaurants and bars vary between both ships. Options include the 1950s-inspired supper club restaurant The Club by Jools, Coast to Coast seafood restaurant, Nepalese venue Khukuri House, and Amalfi Italian restaurant. There’s also a main dining room and The Grill. The Grill offers casual options at breakfast and lunch and doubles as another main dining room in the evenings.

Saga’s river vessels feature a panoramic lounge and bar, fitness area, and a shaded sundeck with a splash pool. All cabins feature either a window or a French balcony, and excursions are included in the river cruise fare.

4. P&O Cruises

Adults-only ships: Arcadia and Aurora

P&O Cruises is a popular choice for many British families. Though, the line also sees value in having an adults-only cruises. Five vessels in the fleet are open to both kids and adults, while the remaining two are reserved just for the 18+ crowd. These two ships are Aurora and Arcadia.

Arcadia is slightly larger than Aurora, but both are considered small by modern ocean ship standards, coming in at under 85,000 gross tons. Aurora carries 1,878 passengers, while Arcadia holds 1,952 at double occupancy.

Like the other cruise lines on this list, you won’t find top-deck thrills and adrenaline-inducing activities around every corner on these ships. Instead, they offer a relaxing, distinctly British experience. They include things like afternoon tea, a spa with thermal areas, a pub, swimming pools, cabaret shows, and a nightclub.

Both ships feature the standard buffet and main dining room, along with a complimentary poolside grill. You’ll also find specialty restaurant Sindhu on both vessels, which serves up Indian fare with a British twist. Arcadia also boasts The Ocean Grill steak and seafood restaurant. Aurora features The Glass House by TV presenter and wine expert Olly Smith.

P&O’s adults-only itineraries are primarily in northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Though, you’ll also find cruises to the Caribbean, Canary Islands, and Canada/New England. In select destinations, passengers can stay out late to experience the nightlife during late-night and overnight port calls.

5. Marella Cruises

Adults-only ship: Marella Explorer 2

Another British cruise line, Marella, has taken a page from P&O’s book by allotting one ship as adults-only (Marella Explorer 2). The rest of the fleet remains family-friendly. The 1,814-guest vessel, which began sailing with Marella in 2019, offers a semi-inclusive cruising experience. It wraps gratuities and a selection of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages into the cruise fare.

Amenities on Marella Explorer 2 include a spa with thermal suite, a nightclub, a golf simulator and bar with themed cocktails, modern British pub Squid and Anchor, outdoor movies at night, multiple sundecks, a pool, and hot tubs.

The ship features nine restaurants, five of which are included in the cruise fare. The Dining Club is a high-end specialty venue that also offers The Great Musical Afternoon Tea. Dishes are inspired by famous musicals, and teas and a cocktail are included in the event fee. Other dining highlights include Kora La pan-Asian restaurant, Surf & Turf Steakhouse, Beach Cove with a barbecue-inspired menu, and Nonna’s where you can create your own pizzas and pastas.

Marella Explorer 2 sails mostly in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Other Cruise Lines With Age Minimums

In addition to the lines mentioned above, there are other cruise brands that don’t allow young kids or discourage them. Small ship luxury line Windstar Cruises doesn’t allow guests under eight years old. While Scenic has a minimum of 12 years old except on its Christmastime voyages.

River cruises are another option where you won’t find many or any younger children. This is due to the fact that river cruises aren’t usually as kid-friendly, along with age minimums that some lines have in place.

Uniworld and AmaWaterways have an age minimum of four years old, but encourage that guests be at least eight years old to sail. Avalon Waterways has a minimum of eight. Emerald and Grand Circle require that guests are at least 12 and 13, respectively.

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What are your picks for best adults only cruises? Do you prefer cruise lines that are kid free? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences sailing on 18+ cruise lines.

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For cruisers comparing the different stateroom options on Virgin Voyages’ new cruise ship, Valiant Lady, we have put together our Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin review from a recent sailing.

We stayed in a Sea Terrace stateroom, cabin 11030Z, during our Caribbean MerMaiden voyage on Valiant Lady. Reviewing the deck plans, this starboard side cabin is on Deck 11 and located not far from the aft elevators.

With Virgin Voyages’ naming convention, the cruise line foregoes the traditional portside and starboard side lingo for simply the letter A or Z. Hence, the letter A designates port and the letter Z starboard.

According to Virgin Voyages’ website, the square footage of a Sea Terrace is 225 square feet, with the XL Sea Terrace being slightly larger at 265 square feet. The Central Sea Terrace is also 225 square feet but is located midship.

All rooms include rainfall showers, mood lighting, a 43+ inch TV, bathroom toiletries, several power and USB outlets, and a safe big enough for your laptop. Further, most of the Sea Terrace cabins feature a terrace hammock as well as a transformational Seabed (which the default is now to just leave it in the bed configuration).

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Can I pick my cabin on Virgin Voyages?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. When booking a cruise with Virgin Voyages, you will not be able to choose your exact room location. Much like a hotel, the cruise line auto assigns a room from the selected cabin category at the time of booking.

Does Virgin Voyages have balconies?

While Virgin Voyages uses different lingo, the types of cabins are generally the same as other cruise lines. You can choose between an Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace, and RockStar Quarters. Again, like most cruise lines, there are subcategories mostly based on size and location of the cabin.

Think Sea View equals Ocean View cabins on other cruise lines and Sea Terraces are equivalent to balcony cabins on other cruise lines. Further, RockStar Quarters are just a fancy name for the suites on Virgin Voyages.

How much is a cabin on Valiant Lady?

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady has 1,330 cabins and 78 RockStar Quarters that range in size and price. A 6-night Caribbean cruise starts at around $1500 per stateroom, while a Sea Terrace cabin starts at around $2100. A 7-night European itinerary starts at around $2200 per stateroom, while a Sea Terrace cabin pricing starts around $2800.

This is still an incredible value considering everything that is included in a Virgin Voyages cruise.

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin Review

Layout of a Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin Review

The cabins on Virgin Voyages certainly have a unique style, including technological enhancements and trendy décor. They have also received a facelift since the initial launch of the cruise line to add a more home-like feel. While small changes, the staterooms do feel warmer and less “hospital-like” or “Ikea-like”.

Now, the cabins feature wooden accents paying tribute to the brand’s nautical heritage. They also feature new artwork that is fun and very Virgin.

Immediately upon entering this Valiant Lady Sea Terrace cabin, our closet was to the left, and the bathroom was to the right.

Right beyond the bathroom was a small chair, as well as the desk. The desk was relatively small too, with minimal storage space. Though, you will find plenty of outlets and a tablet that is used to control room features. You will also find the mini-fridge, your water supply, and two small shelves between the desk and mini-fridge.  

The bed was on the forward wall, facing aft. Currently, the cruise line no longer plays up the bed’s ability to transition from a sofa to a bed. The stateroom attendant does not change the configuration of the bed during the day unless requested.

Thus, next to the bed on one side is a floor level square table. There is also a small portable wooden table. The other side of the bed is an arm rest of sorts for the would-be sofa, along with two USB outlets and a power outlet. Across from the bed is the television.

Finally, there is the balcony, or the Sea Terrace in Virgin lingo. Surprisingly, it was roomier than we expected. It indeed did have enough room for two upright chairs, a small table, and the hammock. The hammock is a great addition! It is the perfect spot to lounge and admire the scenery.

Inside the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin Review

Bathroom

The Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin bathroom is somewhat smaller than a traditional cruise ship bathroom; though, it is pretty well laid out.

The shower itself is larger than a typical cruise ship shower and features a glass door along with shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel dispensers. Further, we are big fans of the rainfall shower head.

However, the vanity area is pretty compact with not much counter space and no additional shelving for storage. Thankfully, we always bring an over-the-door shoe organizer to store all our toiletries. 

Closet

The closet in this Valiant Lady Sea Terrace cabin is fairly standard size for a cruise ship. It includes a clothes bar with hangers, a series of shelves which also house the safe, and a two-shelved shoe rack. There are also an additional two hooks on the side of the closet for hanging bags and other items.

Now, there wasn’t a closet door, just a curtain, but that didn’t bother us. Also, the light switches and the “do not disturb” light are awkwardly positioned on the wall inside the closet.

While there is not much additional storage space in the cabin besides the closet, we were able to use some strategic unpacking to get all our gear stored for this 6-day voyage.

Main Cabin Area

We felt the main cabin area of this Valiant Lady Sea Terrace cabin was on par with the size of other cruise ship cabins. While minimalistic, the room served its purpose during our cruise.

The Seabed was somewhat firmer than some cruise ship beds, but we had no issues falling asleep after our long days and nights on the ship. Leaving the bed in this setup, we were even able to fit our two suitcases under it.

Immediately across from the bed was the television. This is where sailors will watch the one-of-a-kind Virgin muster drill video. Honestly, that is about the only time we used the TV.

When it came to the desk, storage was lacking. Luckily, we were able to use the low table near the bed to store our laptops and other electronics.

The highlights of the desk are the outlets and the tablet. The tablet is a nice technological enhancement. From the device, you can control the “mood lights”, curtains, and the temperature in the cabin. It also controls the television and can be used to request room services like fresh towels or water. While probably not necessary, we did enjoy these features.

Balcony

Perhaps the best feature of the Valiant Lady Sea Terrace cabin is the terrace hammock. While not the biggest balcony we have ever had on a cruise, it was just the right size for two chairs and a table as well as the hammock. The hammock quickly became my favorite spot for lounging.

If you are on a lower deck, your view might be partially obstructed by the life boats on deck 7, but you can certainly still enjoy sail in and sail out of ports.

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Recap of Our Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin Review

For our 6-day sailing on Valiant Lady, this Sea Terrace cabin provided the ideal accommodations. The cabin offered an adequate amount of space and comfort, along with some bonuses that you don’t normally find in cruise ship cabins.

As previously mentioned, we enjoyed the 21st century technology, the rainfall shower, and the terrace hammock. We appreciated the number of outlets dispersed around the room as well, making charging devices easy.

While it would have been nice to have a slightly larger bathroom and desk with some shelves for storage, or a sofa instead of the single arm chair, this did not impact our cruise experience. In fact, it just meant that we spent more time out on the balcony enjoying the hammock!

Overall, this cabin was the perfect mix of size and value for those wanting to sail on Virgin Voyages. It provides all the necessary amenities and access to a balcony for a moderate price.

Our stateroom location had easy access to the elevators and stairs and had no issues with noise.

If you are looking to sail on Valiant Lady, we would certainly recommend booking a Sea Terrace cabin. Unless of course, you want to upgrade to a RockStar suite!

Comments

Have you sailed in a Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Sea Terrace Cabin? What is your preferred cabin category when you cruise? Drop us an anchor below with your reviews of Virgin Voyages staterooms. 

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Over the course of last year, we sailed on 9 of the world’s largest new cruise ships. Of course, the common question that cruisers want to know is which cruise ship was our favorite. So, to answer that question, we have put together this post. We compare all of these new cruise ships to see which one wins the title for best cruise ship. You might be surprised by the results!

Comparing the 9 New Cruise Ships We Sailed on in 2022

We have to admit that since the cruise comeback, we have been fortunate to cruise more than ever before. In 2022 alone, we sailed on over 20 voyages with 14 different cruise lines.

Among those trips, we had the opportunity to spend at least six nights on 9 of the newest megaships to debut. These vessels include Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess, Disney Wish, Norwegian Prima, Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, Celebrity Beyond, Carnival Celebration, and MSC Seascape.

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Of course, we have reviews for each ship here on the blog. But, the more interesting analysis is how these different vessels compare to one another. Well, we are going to rate these ships on 15 different categories.

Since the name of our website is Eat Sleep Cruise, you know several of these categories have to do with food and the overall dining experience. However, we also include other categories related to entertainment and onboard activities, the public venues, and overall décor.  

Find out which categories your favorite ship won.

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Best Cruise Ship for Quick Service

In 2022, one cruise ship outshined all the others in delivering the best casual, quick service options at sea. No other ship could match the variety of options, food preparation and flavor, and atmosphere of the quick service on Carnival Celebration!

Guy’s Burger Joint remains one of the best takeout burger joints at sea. Likewise, cruisers can get customized burritos, bowls, or tacos for breakfast and lunch at the Blue Iguana Cantina on the lido deck.

Further, Street Eats serves up small bites with loaded French Fries and options like dumplings, pad Thai, or chicken satays. These plates are just the right size for a quick snack.

Not to mention, aft on Deck 16 is Shaq’s Big Chicken. This quick service spot cooks up addictive crispy chicken sandwiches and tenders.

Cruisers can grab a pizza at the Miami Slice pizzeria until the early morning hours or a sandwich from the nearby Deco Deli as well. Finally, the Java Blue Cafe serves up some grab and go options like breakfast sandwiches in the morning, and sandwiches, chicken pies, and empanadas in the afternoon.

Needless to say, there are so many options, you don’t even need to step foot in the buffet on Carnival Celebration!

Honorable Mentions for Best Quick Service

While Carnival Celebration takes the title for best overall quick service at sea, we do have to shout out a few honorable mentions in this category. 

First up, we give a nod to the Indulge Food Hall on Norwegian Prima. This quick service venue offers 7 complimentary food stations and perfectly prepared menu items. Cruisers can dine on items like beef brisket, pad Thai with shrimp, and totopos, all ordered on a tablet and delivered tableside.

Likewise, the Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods on Disney Wish is a great poolside dining venue. There are a total of 5 different eateries offering family-friendly favorites like pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders, fresh BBQ, or Tex-Mex favorites, plus soft serve ice cream, all steps away from the main pools.

Best Pizza at Sea

If you thought we were done evaluating casual dining in just one category, then you don’t know us very well.

While the aforementioned ships did a great job delivering great flavors and a diversity of options, some cruise ships did better at delivering specific menu items.

Now, every cruise ship has pizza onboard. Whether it is a stand-alone pizza joint or a station in the buffet, grabbing some pizza is almost mandatory on a cruise. Although, not all cruise pizza is created equal.

While some cruise lines’ pizza tastes like it is straight from the freezer, some offerings rival the best parlors in NYC.

This past year, Discovery Princess helped Princess Cruises retain its title for best pizza at sea! Gigi’s Pizzeria on deck 7 is a casual, complimentary sit-down restaurant that serves up mouthwatering pizza. This pizza is complete with a crisp and airy crust, and masterfully combined layers of flavorful pizza sauce, cheese, and deluxe toppings.

You can’t pass up the Princess Pizza or the traditional pizza Margherita. For a quick fix, deck 16 is home to a second pizza place, Slice, which offers hot fresh pizza slices pool side.

Coming in a close second for pizza is Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady! The Pizza Place dishes out freshly prepared personal-sized pizza.

You can dine in or take your freshly prepared pie to go. The pepperoni and 4 cheese are among our favorites. Another nice bonus is that cruisers can enjoy freshly made salads in grab and go containers alongside their lunch.

The venue is open during the day and reopens in the evening for those late-night munchies.

Best Burgers at Sea

There is nothing better on a hot Caribbean sea day than grabbing a burger and some fries poolside. Not surprisingly, many cruise lines feature grills that are a short walk from the main pool area.

When it comes to the best burgers at sea though, Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Celebration edges out the competition. Found on many Carnival ships, this fast food style venue delivers.

It offers a well-prepared, hot beef patty with the right mixture of toppings, and a complete fixings bar. These burgers are served up with a hearty offering of seasoned fries, which are also a contender for best French fries at sea. While not the healthiest option, this lunchtime offering is quite delicious.

If you are looking for something a bit less indulgent, our honorable mention goes to the Dive In on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam. The burgers here are more gourmet than Guy’s, with equally tasty fries. Not to mention, the Dive In also serves original Nathan’s hot dogs and chicken sandwiches for additional choices.

Another bonus for this honorable mention winner is the ability for in-app ordering. You can skip the lines, order your burgers and fries in the app, and receive a push notification when they are ready to be picked up.

Best Main Dining Room

Certainly, cruisers are familiar with the main dining which serves a multi-course dinner every night. Plus, these venues usually offer a sit-down breakfast and lunch on select days.

For all the foodies looking to experience the best cruise main dining room, look no further than Virgin Voyages.

Instead of one venue serving a rotational menu each night, cruisers can select from 6 different themed venues on Virgin Voyages. All of these restaurants are included in the cruise fare just like the traditional main dining room on most cruise lines. Further, the food quality is top notch, and the execution is flawless.

At Pink Agave, cruisers can share an endless array of small, medium, and large plates, like roasted corn, guacamole, seared shrimp, and cochinita pibil to name a few.

At the Wake, premium steaks and chops come fresh off the grill alongside delectable sides and sweet and satisfying desserts. There’s also brunch with gourmet offerings like eggs benefit, steak and eggs, and more.

Extra Virgin, the Italian restaurant, serves classic starters, entrees, and homemade pasta that rivals anything you find in the best restaurants on land.

Additional options include the first-at-sea Korean BBQ Gunbae, the vegan-friendly Razzle Dazzle, and the 6-course experiential dining experience at the Test Kitchen.

Our honorable mention goes to Celebrity Beyond. Similar to Virgin Voyages, this new megaship has four different main dining rooms. Each main dining room has an exclusives menu with select items only available at that venue. Plus, each restaurant offers the same rotational menu which changes nightly along with classics that are available throughout the cruise.

These four main dining rooms include the Greek Cyprus, the Italian Tuscan, the French Normandie, and the American Cosmopolitan. Not to mention, cruisers in Aqua Class cabins have their own main dining room, Blu, featuring health-conscious menus.

Further, those cruisers staying in one of the Retreat suites have a private main dining room, Luminae. Luminae boasts an elevated Mediterranean menu which includes signature items from Michelin chef Daniel Boulud.

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Best Specialty Dining Options

While there are plenty of complimentary dining options at sea, the newest cruise ships also offer a number of up-charge venues. Honestly, there were so many great new and classic specialty restaurants that wowed us this year.

If forced to choose just one ship, Celebrity Beyond had the perfect combination of various upscale options that were well worth the costs in our opinion.

New to Celebrity Beyond is the specialty restaurant Le Voyage. From executive chef Daniel Boulud, this exquisite and intimate restaurant features a globally inspired menu offering a taste of cuisine from around the world. I was particularly fond of the Tamarind and Peanut-Crusted Prawns and the Brazilian Moqueca. It was one of the best meals I have had at sea.

Among other standouts on this ship is the Fine Cut Steakhouse. This restaurant offers succulent starters like a Lobster Cocktail and Ricotta Gnocchi. Further, the several premium cuts of beef pair well with gourmet sides like Bacon Mac and Cheese and Gruyere Tater Tots.

More grilled favorites are available at the Rooftop Garden Grill. This al fresco restaurant showcases smoky favorites like chicken wings, seafood skewers, and baby back ribs.

Further, cruisers can pair dinner with a show at Le Petit Chef or indulge in fresh seafood and “land meats” at Raw on 5. There’s also the experiential menu at the Eden Restaurant. This restaurant’s newer menu offers some more approachable items like the Aegean Sea Ceviche and the Tandoori-Style Beef.  

Honorable Mentions for Best Specialty Dining

While Celebrity Beyond gets our vote for best overall specialty dining, we can’t not mention some of our other favorite specialty restaurants at sea.

We applaud Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas for its new, southern comfort restaurant the Mason Jar. Along with great dinner options, the venue serves an amazing brunch and some of the most flavorful signature drinks, all alongside live country music.

For cruisers who are fond of Far East flavors, Tamarind on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam delivers some authentic pan Asian cuisine. From the lobster potstickers, to Szechuan shrimp and Red Curry chicken, and Dungeness crab fried rice, Taramind is leaps and bounds better than the competition.

When it comes to cruise ship steakhouses, there are two that tie for second place in our opinion. The Butchers Cut on MSC Seascape sears up an amazing filet, with equally hearty sides like mac and cheese, fries, and decadent lava cake for dessert. Similarly, the Crown Grill on Princess Cruises takes the nod for best value. This steakhouse is only $28 and still manages to offer a delicious meal, complete with the line’s signature French onion soup, fine seared steaks, and sides.

For those who love Italian food, Onda by Scarpetta on Norwegian Prima is a must. The freshly made pasta, pizzas, and secondi entrees are exquisitely prepared and well worth the cover charge. While not many cruise lines do Italian food well, NCL delivers with Onda.

Best Signature Entertainment

For us, a perfect evening on a cruise encompasses a delicious multi-course dinner with a dynamic and captivating show. While all of the new cruise ships debuted with signature entertainment, there was one ship that shined above the competition.

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas wowed us, once again, with its signature line up of shows. Granted, it is tough for the other lines to compete with a ship that offers so many unique entertainment venues. In the Aqua Theater, the show InTENse features an all-female cast of athletes. This high-energy performance mixes music, dance, acrobatics, and high-diving feats with special effects and amazing choreography.

Additionally, the main theater is home to two signature productions. The special effects spectacular is The Effectors 2, Crash and Burn. This larger than life performance features superheroes, villains, and a one-of-a-kind drone show. It’s certainly a technical marvel that shouldn’t be missed.

The theater is also home to the new show Voices. This real world meets zoom world production features a mix of pre-recorded voices and live performers. It was a powerful show with some of the most talented singers we have ever seen on a cruise ship.

Other entertainment on Wonder of the Seas includes Ice Spectacular 365 in Studio B. This skating show portrays the changing of seasons with well-choreographed numbers complete with elaborate costumes and intricate sets. It is probably the best ice show that we have seen on a Royal Caribbean ship.

Coming in a close second in the signature entertainment category is Norwegian Prima. The ship’s transformational theater allows for several distinct setups, which are on full display with the unique shows featured on this new ship.

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical rocks the house with the disco legend’s classic songs. The show features three lead singers with amazing voices and a strong supporting cast. Following the final performance of the night, the theater then turns into Studio 54 for cruisers to dance the night away.

The Prima Theater morphs even further for the dynamic Noise Boys. Bringing the performers closer to the audience, this show mixes hip hop, R&B, tap dancing, and beat boxing, for one of the most unique shows at sea. Not to mention, Norwegian Prima is home to the Price is Right. Cruisers have the chance to compete for real prizes, and could even win a corvette if they come close enough to the retail price without going over.

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Best Live Music on a Cruise Ship

For the most part, the newest and largest cruise ships in the world offer a variety of music venues. Many ships have a lounge that offers piano music. Further, several ships have venues that feature live rock music or bands playing contemporary pop hits. You can usually also find duos playing pop songs or Latin hits throughout the ships.

Occasionally, there is a standout performer you might find yourself frequenting throughout the week. Like the country band in Wonder of the Seas’ Mason Jar. Or the string trio on Carnival Celebration in the Golden Jubilee.

Although, there is one mega-ship that really kicks things up a notch with its music programming. The Music Walk on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam reigns supreme with its mix of musical styles and outstanding performers.

On Deck 2 forward, you will find the Billboard Onboard on the portside. This piano bar is home to two musicians who play themed sets along with all request hours. During our trip, Meagan and Gabe did an admirable job of recreating the most popular piano songs.

On the starboard side of Deck 2, you will find the Rolling Stone Rock Room. This venue, exclusive to Pinnacle Class ships, is by far our favorite music space on the ship. The band here, led by Mr. McMillan, is certainly not your typical cruise ship rock band. They had a wide catalog and were not afraid to improvise or add in some instrumental solos.

Additionally, deck 2 midship is a two-deck space that doubles as both the B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Lincoln Center Stage. During the afternoons and early evenings, the space hosts a quartet of musicians for classical orchestra sets that are a nice change a pace from what you typically find on a cruise ship.

At night, the B.B. King’s All-Star band plays jazz and classic pop music. This spot also turns into the dance club with either the band or a DJ closing down the joint later in the night.

While none of the other ships compare to the music program on Rotterdam, we do have an honorable mention in this category for a specific music venue.

On Norwegian Prima, we are big fans of Syd Norman’s Pourhouse. This venue on deck 7 is intricately themed transporting cruisers to a hip music room from the 20^th century. The band too is fantastic, with themed shows like Sail Away with Syd and their Rumours tribute. Just be sure to show up extra early if you want a seat for this rocking performance.

Best Late-Night Scene on a Cruise Ship

Admittedly, we are not usually part of the late night crowd. While most cruise ships begin closing things up around 1 AM, there are two new cruise ships in particular that will have you partying until the wee hours of the morning.

Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is certainly a cruise ship for those who like to party. You can find live rock music at the Roundabout all hours of the evening. Not to mention, the DJ is often in the Manor until the early morning. Whether it is a themed party or just a regular club vibe, this venue is one of the busiest on the ship at all times of night.

Of course, Virgin Voyages is also home to several signature events including Scarlet Night. For instance, there is a pajama party on the first night of the cruise. Towards the end of the cruise, there is the ship-wide, immersive, and anything but ordinary Scarlet Night party. With pop-up performances, dancing in the pool alongside a giant octopus, and a mega-after party, it is the biggest celebration on the high seas.

Not to be outdone, MSC Cruises might hold the title for the latest party at sea. If there is one thing this international audience of cruisers knows how to do, it is stay up late. While several of the bars and lounges on MSC Seascape close around midnight or 1 AM, Le Cabaret Rogue is the place to be late night. And, the host wasn’t lying when he said it was open until sunrise, as the club was hopping until 4 or 5 AM!

Even if you can’t stay up that late, the cruise activities staff starts the fun much earlier. Almost every night of the cruise, there is a deck party. From the White Party to the brand’s Tropical Party, these events are very well-attended when compared to deck parties on other cruise lines. In fact, there is even a pre-party kick-off that occurs in the Atrium. Complete with live music, themed costumes, and a selfie station, the party gets started before dinner on MSC cruises.

Best Cruise Director

The cruise director and their staff are crucial to having a good time on a cruise. From setting the overall vibe to hosting events, these are the men and women that are responsible for all the fun.

While it seems many cruise lines have started to downplay the cruise director role over the last several years, one ship’s cruise director leaped over the competition with his funny, energetic, and charismatic personality.

Lee Mason on Carnival Celebration sets the bar very high for a cruise director. He was everywhere! From hosting many of the activities to just roaming the ship interacting with guests, he always had a smile on his face and was happy to take a quick selfie with guests. He led the Fun Squad in events from the Sail Away party to the Evolution dance party in Celebration Central.

While Lee was fantastic, we like to give an honorable mention to DuVaul Gamble on Discovery Princess. Again, he was another high energy and great host for the week on our Mexican Rivera cruise. While his presentation was a bit more subtle, DuVaul won people over with his smile and smart one liners. He was a skilled host for games like Yes and No and Majority Rules in Princess Live.

Each night in the main theater, he welcomed guests and offered a great introduction to that night’s performance as well. Like Lee, DuVaul was regularly found around the ship saying high and mingling with guests.

While many of the cruise directors we had on ships this past year were forgettable, both Lee and DuVaul stood out from the crowd.

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Best Signature Attraction at Sea

With all of the new cruise ships, cruise lines also debuted some brand-new attractions last year.

Hands down, the most exciting new ride on a cruise ship is the Robotron on MSC Seascape.

In fact, this robotic simulator is perhaps the most thrilling attraction at sea. For a full 3 minutes, the Robotron whips, spins, and turns cruisers upside down on a heart pumping ride. Cruisers can move to their own music on one of the medium settings or turn up the speed with one of the preset fast rides. Either way, it is unlike anything else at sea.

For something that is a bit faster and longer, our honorable mention goes to the record-breaking Prima Speedway on Norwegian Prima. On this 3-level track, cruisers can test their driving skills during an 8-minute race with a longer straightaway than its predecessors and 14 turns. Or, new to this mega-ship, cruisers can see if they can break records with the You and the Track experience. Three laps, just you and the racetrack vs. the clock.  

Also, a special nod goes to the Bolt sea coaster on Carnival Celebration. Clocking in at over 30 MPH, this electric roller coaster at sea is pretty amazing, even if it lasts less than a minute.

Best Bars and Lounges on a Cruise Ship

While many cruise ships offer a variety of bars and lounges, none can beat the lineup of venues and signature menus found on Wonder of the Seas. There is the Latin inspired menu and live music in Boleros. Not far away is the English pub, complete with a wide selection of beer and propers.

There is even a bar for kids…well, sort of. The Bionic Bar is home to robotic bartenders that mix up popular cocktails, or you can craft your own. Apparently, our nephew was in love with his non-alcoholic concoctions.

Traditional cruisers like us can’t pass up the martinis, Collins, and other mixed drinks at the Schooner Bar. The side car and lavender daquiris are our go-to cocktails.

Sports lovers can enjoy beer and some wings at Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade. While wine lovers can sip vino and snack on some pizza al fresco style at Giovanni’s Wine Bar in Central Park.

If you love the Caribbean vibes of the pool deck, you’ll never have to go far for a poolside drink as there are 3 Lime and Coconut bars. Plus, there’s the Solarium bar, the colorful Vue bar, and the Cantina Fresca bar with margaritas. Did we mention the Mason Jar bar has an addictive PB&J Old Fashioned?

Cruisers can also rock out at the Music Hall with themed libations like the Metalliquor or Strawberry Fields or take a ride in the Rising Tide Bar which ascends from the Promenade to Central Park.

Honorable Mentions for Best Cruise Ship Bars

While Wonder of the Seas took top spot, there are a few creative bars on other cruise lines that we love as well.

The wife and I couldn’t get enough of the New Orleans themed Bayou bar on Disney Wish. From the décor, to the drinks, and beignets, we kept coming back to this venue for more.

If you are looking for the most chill bar at sea, the Dock (or Dock House) on Valiant Lady is like spending a relaxing Sunday afternoon at an exclusive beach resort, with fantastic aft views and great cocktails.

For early 20^th century libations done right, the Half Moon Bar on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam serves up a classy, good time.

Or, for those who like their drinks with some backstory and freshly sourced ingredients, the Good Spirts Bar on Discovery Princess delivers handcrafted concoctions worth telling your friends about. 

Best Pool Deck

Picking the best pool deck for the newest and largest cruise ships was not an easy task. Many of these vessels offer more outdoor spaces than ever before. Not to mention, almost all of the ships boast multiple pools, with some reserved for families and others just for adults.

Yet, when it came down to awarding the best pool deck, one cruise ship did the best at dispersing the crowds without sacrificing the fun. So, with its 4 separate pool areas, Carnival Celebration snagged this title just like those chair hogs do to pool loungers.

The Beach Pool, midship on Deck 16, is the main pool. Cruisers can head here for live music and poolside games.

For a more relaxed vibe, but still located near all the lido food and drinks, the Tides pool aft on this deck is home to another pool, more loungers, and whirlpools.

Adults will also love the massive Serenity. This sun deck and pool area all the way forward on Deck 17 is the ideal escape from all the families and kids. It’s home to an exclusive bar, outdoor pool and whirlpools, a salad bar on sea days, and some of the most comfortable lounge furniture on the ship.

If that is not enough, cruisers can head to the Summer Landing zone on Deck 8. With whirlpools on the starboard side, this infinity pool overlooks the ship’s wake for some amazing views while lounging poolside. Further, it is right next to Guy’s Pig and Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse, the Watering Hole bar, and short walk from Miami Slice pizzeria.

For cruisers who prefer a more cohesive lido deck, Wonder of the Seas takes our honorable mention. With three giant pools and the family-friendly Splashaway Bay aquapark, the whole family can enjoy this pool deck. The sundeck has been redesigned from the other Oasis Class ships as well, with additional stadium-style seating and unique alcoves to give this outdoor space more character and privacy.

Best Sports Deck

Outdoor decks on modern cruise ships are adorned with plenty of amusements. Many include attractions like a basketball court or waterslides. For us, the cruise ship that offered the best mix of activities was Norwegian Prima.

Of course, the centerpiece of the sports deck is the three-story racetrack, which ranks as one of our best attractions at sea. Still, NCL supercharged the rest of the outdoor activities as well. Trading in the typical basketball court, there is the Stadium. This complimentary outdoor space is home to games like pickleball, ping pong, shuffleboard, and even beer pong.

Let’s not forget some of the most thrilling dry slides at sea, The Drop and The Rush. These slides are completely complimentary as well.

Nearby is the 9-hole mini-golf course. Now, we do agree this activity should be free; however, this Vegas themed putt-putt is a lot of fun. With automatic scoring and interactive holes, it is the most high-tech mini-golf on any ship.

Next door is the Bull’s Eye dart lounge. For a nominal fee, you can challenge some friends in classic games like 301. Similarly, automatic scoring and an interactive digital display make this game stress-free, unless the loser has to buy drinks.  

While not technically part of the sports decks, there’s the Galaxy Pavilion. This virtual extension of the sports deck includes two of the most intricate escape rooms and some of the most advanced experiences at sea, including an XD cinema.

If you are looking for something more traditional when it comes to a sports deck, our honorable mention goes to Carnival Celebration. Along with the electric roller coaster Bolt, the sports deck on this ship boasts a number of complimentary offerings for the entire family. It features a 9-hole mini-golf course, a full sports court, a 230+ foot long ropes course with a zip line and plank, a jogging track, tabletop games, and a waterpark with three waterslides!

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Best Staterooms

Most mega-ships have a variety of stateroom categories. Thus, to be consistent, we stayed in a standard balcony cabin on all 9 of these new cruise ships.

And, the clear winner for best stateroom is Celebrity Beyond. Even though we are not huge fans of the infinite veranda, the rest of the cabin’s furnishings, décor, and small touches make this our favorite.

The stateroom’s color palette is mostly muted featuring light wood tones with pops of red color. According to the Celebrity Cruises’ website, the room measures 243 square feet with a 42 square foot balcony.

This spacious stateroom includes a king-sized bed and plenty of storage. The closet is smartly tucked around the corner behind the bathroom, with additional storage throughout the room.

Beyond the bed, there is a sofa on one side and a desk and dresser on the other. The desk includes several outlets in one centralized location for charging multiple devices. Not to mention, the dresser has additional drawers for storage and the mini-fridge.

Even the bathroom is an upgrade. This marble bathroom is more chic than most contemporary cruise lines. It has plenty of counter space, storage, and an oversized stand-up shower.

Although, we do have to give a shout out to the cabins on Norwegian Prima. The generously-sized balcony stateroom on this ship offers plenty of space. And, the décor is more modern and sleek than other NCL ships. We also appreciated the number of power outlets in the cabin and the upgraded bathroom.

Best Cruise Ship Décor

Similarly, when it comes to style and décor, the new and improved Celebrity Beyond won us over.

This third Edge-Class ship has been enhanced with several redesigned spaces. The Grand Plaza and Martini Bar are more open, stylish, and feel livelier and inviting. The newly added World Class Bar and the Craft Social Bar add even more sophisticated fun to this space.

Likewise, the newly enhanced 2-story Sunset Bar is a welcomed addition. Now almost twice the size, it includes a trendy Casablanca-inspired bar, plenty of comfy seating, great aft views, and live music in the evenings.

Additionally, the Resort Pool area feels more like a 5-star resort than a cruise ship. And, the Rooftop Garden is the adult’s replacement for a sports deck. With greenspace, lawn games, outdoor movies, and newly added float pools, we love this outdoor space.

Celebrity Beyond also features other design staples like the tranquil Eden aft on Deck 5 and upscale restaurant décor, from the complimentary main dining rooms to the elegant specialty restaurants.

This premium cruise ship is gorgeous! With an easy-to-follow layout, it is simple to navigate. And, it is filled with so much to do, see, and eat that you may need a second cruise to experience it all. We already have one booked for our anniversary in 2023.

Honorable Mentions for Best Cruise Décor

As the cruise line’s first new ship in a decade, we are very fond of the new Disney Wish. While so many DCL fans are not impressed, we love this deluxe resort at sea. There is immaculate theming, a variety of venues, and one of the most intricate youth areas at sea. Even us big kids were quite impressed with all of the public spaces and Disney touches.

Similarly, Norwegian Prima is certainly NCL’s classiest vessel. We love the sophisticated design and layout. For us, Ocean Boulevard and Penrose Atrium are big improvements over similar spaces on the Breakaway and Breakaway Plus Class ships. Ocean Boulevard wins best waterfront promenade all day long.

Lastly, if you are looking for a ship that sparkles, MSC Seascape is your gal. The ship’s metallic finishes and Swarovski crystal staircases were made for the spotlight. Thus, this newest MSC Cruises’ ship is worthy of an honorable mention for best ship décor.

Comments

Do you agree with our best cruise ships round up? Which of these new cruise ships have you sailed on so far? Drop us an anchor below with your cruise reviews from these stunning new vessels!

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