As a self-proclaimed indecisive gal, committing to a vacation destination is a struggle. What if we get there and don’t love the location?! What if we do all there is to do on day one and get bored? The list goes on, and that freaks me out. The solution: set sail with Virgin Voyages. Utilize the all-inclusive cruise to visit locations you’ve thought about visiting to see if you’d want to commit a full vacay, all while dining at top-tier restaurants and sailing the most gorgeous views of the sea! Our trip was so amazing I had to break it into multiple posts! Let’s chat about the overall experiences with Virgin Voyages.
PORT DAYS
My biggest “struggle” on port days? Deciding if we should explore or stay on board! You probably think I’m kidding, but it’s one of the most relaxing times to be on the ship. So many people disembark, so it’s the perfect time to explore, visit the spa or try to squeeze in if you forgot to make dining reservations. I also love that my trip is inclusive when on board, so spending money for stuff if we get off is an extra “nudge” to keep me on the ship.
Virgin Voyages offers so many excursions, experiences and adventures if you opt to go explore the local areas! I love that there are options at every budget, ranging from full day experiences to a few hours if you’d rather have some down time. You can book all of these through their inclusive app, making it easy to share or even book for fellow sailors in your crew.
We spent the entire day exploring in Cozumel, Mexico. This spot was special because Mario and I visited a resort here for his 30th birthday, so it was fun to “experience” it for my 30th as well. We rented Jeeps, shopped and got lunch in the market area. Authentic Mexican food in Mexico? Chefs kiss. We explored all the local beaches with friends and had a blast living life on land before heading back to the ship.
The port day you absolutely cannot miss? Virgin’s private beach club in Bimini! This port is extra exciting because you can use your Virgin Voyages wristband for everything onsite at the beach club. It just so happened to fall on my birthday this trip, so all the more reason to celebrate! I started in the AM with a visit to the spa, followed by a shuttle ride over to the beach club. Here’s a peek at our day.
RICHARDS ROOFTOP
One of my personal favorites in upgrading to Rockstar Status? Access to Richard’s Rooftop. Utilize private day beds, multiple hot tubs, not to mention a more private space. I took my laptop and worked a few hours one day and it was the best way to knock out a few tasks without compromising the gorgeous ocean views.
…but the best part? There is a daily Happy Hour with bottomless champagne! My bestie, Kali, and I have acquired a taste for champagne and decided it’s our preferred drink of choice! That being said, we refuse to miss a single Richards Rooftop Happy Hour! Who can resist bottomless bubbles with the most dreamy views?
ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE
No really, everyone. When you get on board and see the daily itinerary options, you’ll probably struggle deciding which to join! From cocktail classes, 90’s themed workouts to brain teaser sessions, there’s options on board all day, everyday.
Mario and I have always wanted to take dancing classes, mainly because I have two left feet, but never bit the bullet. Growing up in Mexico, he learned the art of Latin dance at an early age and moves like a pro. When he saw Latin Dance Class offered, we signed up right away! Our instructor, Joshue, was amazing! He is actually one of the professional dancers on the ship, so his moves were top tier. The class was perfect for beginners because he took us through the most basic steps before actually putting it into practice. Now, I’m no Joshue just from taking the class, but I definitely feel more confident dancing when a good Latin song drops.
Somehow I landed in a friend group where everyone has pretty decent singing skills. While I didn’t inherit that trait, they’re always on the hunt for a karaoke moment. One evening we utilized the private karaoke rooms before dinner, which was a blast. Your group can visit the lounge to sign up for a time slot, sink into the cozy couches and jam along with your crew to one of the thousands of bops listed on their lineup. We also lucked into finding a fun public karaoke night at The Social Club and took full advantage!
PAMPER, GLAM & FITNESS
Redemption Spa: Brb, sprinting to book a hot stone massage for my next sailing. No seriously, there is nothing like a session at the spa. The steam room, cold plunge pools and full-body mud masks are just a handful of reasons to book a session. Grab a day pass or visit once you board to see which option works best for you – but don’t skip the spa.
The Tune Up & Dry Dock: Chipped a nail? Looking for “effortless beach waves” without putting in the work? You’re in the right place. The Tune Up makes mani/pedi services a breeze, also offering medspa treatments like Botox and IV therapy. Getting a fresh blowout, styling or whole new color is easy breezy with the professional team at The Dry Dock. Both offer tons of services to make your trip relaxing and leave you feeling extra pampered.
Getting Physical: If you’re like me, dancing at the nightclub is more than enough physical activity. However, some of y’all are on the hunt for a good workout, and that’s cool! The indoor fitness center is decked out with everything fitness lovers need, all in one place. There’s also outdoor basketball courts, running tracks, boxing areas and more. Instructor-led fitness classes range all hours of the day, from spin classes to yoga, even 90’s hip hop cardio! I’m not kidding… that last one almost tempted me to exercise. Hey, I said almost. 🙂
Okay besties, leaning towards setting sail? I thought so. Our experience was genuinely so amazing I had to break it up into a few posts, so stay tuned! I’ve got a full roundup on dining options, what to wear and more coming your way and you won’t want to miss it!
Shop the Virgin Voyages Summer Specials and see where you can sail!
