First look at Virgin Voyages cruise line

[Numtini]

Whether I'd cruise with them will depend on how the whole line shakes out. I'll be interested to see what happens with the whole adult only thing. I have nothing against it or anything like that, but I'm dubious about the market. I worry it ending up as bored booze cruising.

 

[darnheather]

I'd go in a heartbeat but I have a feeling it will be even more expensive than DCL. Plus I honestly like the rotational MDR on DCL and there will be no MDRs or buffets on Virgin.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'd go in a heartbeat but I have a feeling it will be even more expensive than DCL. Plus I honestly like the rotational MDR on DCL and there will be no MDRs or buffets on Virgin.

Where did you see there are no MDRs or buffets?

 

[darnheather]

Where did you see there are no MDRs or buffets?

https://cruisefever.net/what-you-wont-find-on-virgins-adults-only-cruise-line/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

https://cruisefever.net/what-you-wont-find-on-virgins-adults-only-cruise-line/

Well, they are going to have food/meals available, just not a traditional (large, noisy, banquet style food) dining room. Multiple restaurants, and it's apparently all included.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Nope, we wouldn't try it. The rooms kind of look "cheap" and uncomfortable. The bathroom is small. We like our Viking better for adults only.

 

[darnheather]

Well, they are going to have food/meals available, just not a traditional (large, noisy, banquet style food) dining room. Multiple restaurants, and it's apparently all included.

Of course food is available. I never said it wouldn't be. I like the rotational dining style of DCL.

 

[bbel]

When we were on the Sept (2018) Alaska cruise, during the tour of the ship, the CMs were commenting about Virgin's Cruise line and they (the CMs) were bombarded with HR requests to jump ship for Virgin. Virgin wanted the "Disney trained" CMs.

Friends on royal and carnival have also been contacted. I don't think they necessarily want disney crew, just anyone who's already survived ship life and knows what to expect.

 

[jtntx34]

I am not interested. At all. I have found that adults only environments often lead to worse behavior from the adults than I would ever expect from kids.

I personally don’t understand the Richard Branson mystique (or his fascination with mood lighting).

I think any new cruise line can be intriguing. But there are many established lines I haven’t tried yet. I’d rather try those. My first new line to try will be Disney next December.

 

[Intr3pid]

Most of the premium and/or luxury lines are already indirectly adults-only - if you consider the average age group, lack of kids activities, and room occupancy constraints - particularly outside of the school holidays. Sure, there's a marketing distinction to 100% adults-only, but I hope they pick a different price point to stand out past that.

What will be a real accomplishment is a kids-only cruise. Like a well-supervised boarding school. Or a summer camp. Mixing up education with fun.

 

[mmouse37]

I would try it!!! Looks intriguing.

MJ

 

[Pens Fan]

I'm pretty intrigued by this ship. We have been thinking about taking a Cuba cruise anyway at some point, so this could be a nice option. I have a feeling the price point is going to be pretty high, though. We'll have to wait and see, but I like what I've seen so far.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I could see us trying it for a short cruise.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I must be the only person in the US that doesn't want to go to Cuba. No interest at all. Although I can't even consider going until I retire. Maybe I'll change my mind by then... or maybe not.

Our table mates from one of our cruises just went to Cuba on Viking. They encountered a tornado, flooding in the streets where cars were floating, power outages and she got food poisoning. Nope, not interested.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I must be the only person in the US that doesn't want to go to Cuba.

No, no you're not.

 

[Dug720]

I can say from personal experience from two visits to Cuba that the Cuban people are some of the warmest, kindest people I have met in my travels. They have no issues with Americans. It is the governments that have issues with each other. And that's all I can say without running afoul of rules on here.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

I must be the only person in the US that doesn't want to go to Cuba. No interest at all.

Having passed on two opportunities to go on educational tours to Cuba that would have been funded by my employer while I was still working, I’m very unlikely to pay my own way now that I’m retired.

 

[squirk]

Just based on that Points Guy article, I'm not really swayed one way or the other. Highly-stylized stateroom design doesn't a cruise make.

I'm not sure I am at a point in my life where I want to cruise without my kids. Half the fun is watching them have fun.

 

[mmmears]

I'm not feeling it. The rooms look odd, and I'd worry if they were all set for entertaining it would be loud. But I figure I'll keep an open mind and see how things go once they get the kinks worked out. I never feel the need to be one of the first ones on a new ship. So far, Viking looks like the best match for us so far, but since we can't put 3 in a stateroom I'd only book it if my DD was too busy to travel with us. We want to include her in our trips as long as we can. Also, it would seriously depend on the itineraries. If Virgin comes up with something interesting I'd have to consider it. In the meantime, we're happy sailing with Mickey (as long as he stops the ships in some interesting ports).

 

[GatorMomInNC]

https://cruisefever.net/what-you-wont-find-on-virgins-adults-only-cruise-line/

I think the restaurant situation sounds intriguing, but I am curious how it will shake out. NCL is closest I can think of this idea, but the one time we went on NCL the non-MDR, free dining venues were always on a wait. If a few of the restaurants are much more popular than the others, you may have to wait for a seat - I don't like to spend my time waiting for a table ever, and especially when I am on vacation.

The report didn't talk about the entertainment on the ship. Anyone know if there will be casinos? Are they planning on doing something different/unique with this?

For me personally my concern, being a bit of an old fuddy-duddy, is that the entertainment will be all revolving around drinking and dancing. I think this may end up being a cruise line I would have loved 20-30 years ago, but am "over" now. I like relaxing venues, trivia ,movies, and shows with plots and good production values...