Leave everything you know about cruise vacays behind as Virgin Voyages sets the bar with gastronomical delights and world-class entertainment.
There’s a lot to say about a cruise experience like this one. In true Virgin Voyages style, it has disrupted the cruising space in a multitude of ways and is so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s not just the interactive evening shows and performances that have audiences enthralled, the tattoo parlour with queues out the door, or perhaps the decadent Rockstar suites complete with electric guitar collections – it’s so much more.
I took my first ever cruise on the Virgin Aussie MerMaiden voyage from Melbourne to Hobart (capital of Tasmania), then Burnie (northern Tasmania) and back to Melbourne. This cruise launched the new Australian and South Pacific cruise route and this is what I learned about cruising with Virgin Voyages.
A review of the Virgin Aussie MerMaiden cruise
Cruise Control: I sea you and I like what I sea
There’s nothing but smiles and fun times on board Virgin Voyages. Leave your prejudice and judgment at home and pack your spirit for adventure on the high seas. Virgin Voyages has heavily invested in its amazing fleet of four ships, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technology, all designed like super-yachts, making them, well, really cool. Virgin Voyages welcomes adults only on board, so wrap your head around a broad range of sailors from their 20s to their 80s. It’s an utterly inclusive, diverse, and welcoming vibe on board.
Sail in style from boutique cabins to rockstar suites
On board all Virgin Voyages ships, there’s a choice of accommodation that suits all space requirements and budgets. Select from boutique and boujee Insider Cabins (sans window) to modern Sea Terraces (balconies with outdoor seating and hammocks). And for the ultimate luxury, the Mega Rockstar Suites offers everything from marble bathrooms to a fully stocked bar, outdoor spa and dining options. Rest knowing every cabin space has been lovingly and thoughtfully designed to maximise space with bold splashes of red, desks for digital nomads, free Wi-Fi, TV with in-house movie selection, minifridge, shower amenities and hairdryer.
Retox to detox on rotation
While all Virgin Voyages heavily promote the party vibe, the importance of keeping well on board has not been overlooked. There’s a multitude of wellness classes that run daily and are included FOC – just be mindful to pre-book yourself for the classes. Yoga, meditation and Zumba are all here. There’s also a vast selection of cardio machines, spin classes and weights gym. My personal fitness favourite had to be the red running track on the top level that overlooks the rest of the boat. Great for early morning strolls before hitting the brekkie bar. Not forgetting the pickleball court, outdoor gym area and boxing areas.
For those that like sauna action, it’s here for the taking in Redemption Spa. Mud, salt, and steam rooms, sauna, hot and cold plunge pools, and marble hammam benches are situated on the ship. Even wellness treatments like massage and facials are within arm’s reach. There’s even a barbershop (serving whiskey pah-lease!) and hair salon for taming salty fly-away hair days.
Personally, I couldn’t get enough of swinging in my Yellow Leaf red hammock on my terrace, for ultimate relaxation and absorbing the sea views while sipping on my barista’d morning coffee thanks to the Grounds Coffee Bar.
The eats: Standouts and hankerings
It’s hard not to shout loud about the amazing range of food options on board Virgin Voyages. Included in the cost of every package comes the choice of eating in over 20 eateries that cater to every taste, from Michelin Star-inspired dining to eclectic pop-up vibes. There are no buffets on board or unsustainable displays of food, it’s all about eating mindfully with food made to order to save on wastage. Think carefully curated menus from fine to simple flavours, wholesome ingredients, healthy, naughty, and everything in between. For those who don’t want to leave their cabin or enjoy a sunset dinner from their balcony, room service is only a phone call away.
The nightly queues outside fine dining extravaganza, Test Kitchen, and Italian-inspired Extra Virgin restaurant are a testament to their mass appeal and unwavering quality. While smart, casual dining options like Korean Gunbae, Pink Agave (Mexican vibes) and Razzle Dazzle for quirky American certainly do not disappoint for vibrant and communal laidback eats.
The Galley, which comprises a multitude of dining options, provides no shortage of daily inspiration. My personal favourites were The Ramen and Taco Bars for freshly prepared small bites on the run, followed closely by the delectable dessert bar, serving a selection of colourful sweet options, plus daily sugar-free options. There’s truly something for everyone.
Let’s not forget the booze
There are eight bars and drinking nooks on board where you can pitch up to the bar, and settle in to enjoy any number of beverages. Discover a selection of fine champagnes, through to beers on tap and craft brews, cocktails designed by some of the finest mixologists on the planet plus a global wine section. For non-alcohol drinkers, you’re covered too with a selection of mocktails and zero-proof spirits, beers and sparkling options dotted throughout the ship. Prices are fair and tips and gratuity are always covered! Always included and free of charge are still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices and your favourite sodas. Cups of tea and drip coffee are also on tap 24/7.
Stay entertained with extravagant acts
Virgin Voyages is about doing things differently, making a big red splash in every aspect of the cruising experience. That’s why there’s something new and exciting to see and do every night from pyjama parties, and raucous drag shows to dance parties. Swapping out classic Broadway productions for first-to-sea, modern, and immersive entertainment, there’s a festival line-up developed by the world’s most-talked-about directors, choreographers, and artists.
Standouts like the Miss Behave Show where the audience is divided into two teams and it’s a race to the finish to win points and surprise yourself during this never-the-same-show-twice game show. Another Rose is a dinner party immersion like you’ve never seen before. Eat a three-course meal (literally from the stage) while an acrobatic love story rolls out around and yes, above you – truly a delicious feast for the senses with equal parts cabaret and immersive theatre.
Unless you’re living under a rock, you may already have seen images of Scarlett Night splashed far and wide across the socials. It’s a drenched-in-red pool and dance party focussing around the fabled love between the mysterious Goddess of the Sea and the Sailor who won her heart.
Last, but by no means least, Persephone rounds off the cruise experience by providing an exciting and immersive experience that tells the ancient Greek tale of the reason the seasons exist through this modern theatre experience meets classic Greek history. Go, just go!
The Destinations: Auckland, Melbourne and beyond
Virgin Voyages currently cruises a lot of earth. From European waters to the Caribbean, there are transatlantic repositioning cruises to take advantage of and now the 2024 Australia and South Pacific region to enjoy. When enjoying a Virgin Voyages cruise, there’s also a huge array of carefully curated Shore Excursions to take advantage of while on land – everything from cultured, daring, once-in-a-lifetime, energetic to relaxing!
Guests from Singapore can enjoy Australia, New Zealand in these limited-time, one-way voyages between Melbourne and Auckland, and ultra exclusive round-trips out of Melbourne, featuring brand new destinations for 2024. Experience overnights in Tasmania’s capital of Hobart, Sydney’s famed emerald harbour, and Aotearoa’s dazzling coastal seascape in Tauranga.
Virgin Voyages: Changing the outdated view of cruising, one voyage at a time
Virgin Voyages operate adult-only cruises so grab your luggage, mates, and significant others. Leave the kids at home, along with your early-to-bed mindset! Take in the high vibes this fun-tastic cruise experience offers along with the quirk, and random offerings (tattoo anyone?) and think no more about it. Grab your chance to nab the crazy inaugural rates that are splashing online right now and include all meals, tips, wifi and fitness classes. This is a chance to have unadulterated fun (I sure did!).
One thing is for certain, one voyage will never satisfy once you’ve experienced Virgin Voyages. You’ll be left wanting more, so much more.
How do I get there: Singapore visitors can fly to any of the embarkation points to enjoy the new 2024 cruising season at incredible inaugural rates.
Find a voyage that suits you and get packing.