Best New Cruise Ships for Adults

Table Of Content

• Best dining. Best nightlife. And counting.
• This Cruise Line Is Taking a Page From Southwest Airlines’ Playbook (And It’s Great for Customers)
• A sea change for all
• Score up to 80% off your 2nd Sailor
• foodie-approved eateries designed by a Michelin-starred chef collective
• At the same restaurant, I had fancy doughnuts for dessert.

However, since Virgin Voyages is still a new line, it only has three ships (with a fourth on the way). So whether you are on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady, you’ll have a similar experience. While marketing for Virgin seems to focus on the “cool” factor with lots of beautiful and trendy people, there are all sorts of people on the ship — young, old, black, white, beautiful and not-so-beautiful, gay, straight.

Best dining. Best nightlife. And counting.

After a few days on board, it became clear that what passengers had in common wasn't the age listed in their passports but rather the shared desire to have a good time. For the most part, my fellow cruisers were a diverse, inclusive and vibrant group of vacationers who were all eager to strike up conversations with others, regardless of age. Like many people, I went into my cruise expecting most passengers (or "sailors," as the line calls them) to be millennials based on the flashy marketing I've seen from the line. Much to my surprise, though, there was a fair mix of people on my sailing. Leading up to its maiden voyage in 2021, Virgin Voyages marketed itself as the cruise line for vacationers who otherwise weren't interested in traditional cruising.

This Cruise Line Is Taking a Page From Southwest Airlines’ Playbook (And It’s Great for Customers)

"The best vacation I have ever had. The adults only experience immediately elevates any cruise experience. The fine dining and exceptional service there is truly no better way to vacation." The diversity was evident with and felt by the passengers and crew, and it seemed everyone was simply happy to be together at sea. I miss Valiant Lady and her crew and hope to sail with Virgin Voyages again soon. Of the ship’s additional restaurants, we loved Pink Agave’s taste of Mexico through tlayuds, memelas, sopes, tortas, esquites, and tamales, but were less impressed by Test Kitchen.

A sea change for all

Personally we were worried that the cruise would be too trendy and cool for us to feel comfortable (there is a tattoo parlor onboard, after all), but that wasn’t the case at all. Instead, it was a great time with a lot of changes made to the traditional cruise to make it more appealing. We will also say that compared to other mass market lines with mega ships, there aren’t near as many things to do as you see elsewhere. For instance, there’s no roller coaster, go-kart track, zipline, rock-climbing wall or the like.

Score up to 80% off your 2nd Sailor

Before you board, you'll link a credit card to your account (which you can do via the app prior to embarkation day) or put up a cash amount from which you can debit for purchases made on board. Anyone who breaks the rules will be fined $500 and may be disembarked at the next destination, with no refund for missed days on the ship and no compensation for lodging and/or airfare back home. Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, and your complimentary access covers two devices logged in at a time per passenger. If you wish to stream music and video, you can pay to upgrade to a Premium Wi-Fi plan, subject to availability. You are welcome to tip your bartender or cabin attendant extra if you feel they've gone above or beyond, but it's not necessary.

It aimed to appeal to those who were young and hip, wanted to party and craved an atmosphere without little kids running around. Still, I had no idea what to expect as I stepped onto Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady. Like her three sisters Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady - Virgin Voyages has chosen a name that represents the values and beliefs it holds. As the team continually aims to create an exciting and radiant experience for its Sailors, it feels right that the fourth ship reflects that.

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It's safe to say that the line's first adults-only ship (more are on their way) divides opinion. You want set dining times, formal nights and revue-style entertainment? The top decks (15 – 17) are the places to head for fitness, fun in the sun or a combination of both. The Deck 15 Aquatic Club is where you'll find a standard pool and a well-being pool (essentially a large whirlpool), surrounded by day beds and lounge chairs. Additional sun-worshipping space can be found one deck up, including at the Athletic Club Bar at the back of the ship where you can perch on circular sunbeds or a suspended catamaran net with views to the wake below.

Below, we dive into these questions and give you the real scoop of everything about the cruise line. Rent a private Ocean View Cabana for a luxurious beach day you'll never forget. Experience a sun-drenched, adrenaline-rushed day in Puerto Plata, soaring across the amber shores and azure waves of the Atlantic Ocean on zip lines.

At the same restaurant, I had fancy doughnuts for dessert.

But it doesn't have the same vibe as luxury cruise ships that tend to cater to a retired, wealthy clientele, who are less active and not into dance parties or cutting-edge entertainment. Then there are a number of sit-down restaurants serving anything from upscale Mexican to Italian, steak, and more. These spots typically require reservations (though walk-ins are welcome) and fill up quickly.

However, passengers can send individual clothing items out for pressing, washing and folding, or washing and pressing. You also have the option to get an entire bag of laundry washed and folded for a flat rate. Virgin Voyages takes a reasonable approach to passengers bringing drinks on board. Each guest may bring on board a maximum of 12 sealed 12-ounce or smaller cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages (water, sports drinks, soda, non-alcoholic beer, etc.) and two 750mL bottles of wine.

While some fellow cruisers we met enjoyed the restaurant, it was extremely underwhelming during our visit, serving the worst shrimp and grits I've ever had. Not to mention, the service was slow and seafood options were surprisingly limited for a restaurant that claims to specialize in steak and seafood. When it comes to additional costs, Virgin Voyages has you covered - all food, soft drinks, group fitness classes, entertainment and Wi-Fi are all included.

But before you roll your eyes, it's not just about clever word play and simply renaming traditional cruise venues -- Virgin has genuinely tried to do something different. In partnership with the Virgin Group, Virgin Voyages is jointly funded by Bain Capital, one of the world’s leading private multi-asset alternative investment firms. Virgin Voyages is on a mission to create the world’s most irresistible travel brand. We’re seeking to redefine what you should expect from a holiday at sea and create an Epic Sea Change For All.

Sun-drenched terrace yoga with new friends or (extra) dirty martinis at the full bar inside? For those who love to host while never losing sight of the sea. Before the tour, you should start thinking about how to stock your bottomless bar for stargazing in the hot tub —because there's no dream that this suite, and your RockStar Agents, can't make a reality. So much is included on your cruise, but one area that isn’t — alcoholic beverages. Virgin Voyages does charge for these, but there are a couple of things to know.