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- I embarked on my first luxury cruise with the adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages in summer 2023.
- I booked a seven-day Mediterranean sailing in a cabin with a balcony for about $5,900.
- The ship’s unique design, VIP-worthy cabins, and surprising activities made it worth the price.
After my first cruise on one of the largest ships in the world, packed with waterslides and screaming children, I wanted to experience an adults-only cruise. So, I booked a Mediterranean cruise with Virgin Voyages, the luxury cruise line for grown-ups.
My balcony cabin for the seven-day cruise cost about $5,900, though Business Insider received a media rate for the voyage.
We sailed from Barcelona on the Valiant Lady ship, which has a maximum of 2,700 guests, to ports in Italy, France, and Spain.
Nearly two years after my cruise, I’m still thinking about the luxury details that made it worth the price.
From the moment I stepped on board, I marveled at the cohesive, modern design with artistic features.
The 912-foot-long ship was stacked with 17 decks full of staterooms, venues, restaurants, and activities.
Every room felt thoughtfully decorated with sleek furniture, unique sculptures, and multicolored lights.
I noticed design themes throughout the ship. The brand’s signature bold red color was always in sight, often contrasted with other bold colors, from pinks and greens to blues and purples. Most spaces also featured iridescent panels, adding a rainbow glow that made me feel coated in luxury.
Exploring the ship felt like wandering through a work of art — or being in a movie about the ultrawealthy. There was no shortage of Instagram-worthy photo ops to take selfies while feeling like a true VIP.
Even the cabin was sleek in style and packed with VIP details.
I booked a mid-tier cabin with a sea terrace that cost $5,910. It was a step above a stateroom with just a window and a step below a suite.
As soon as I stepped into the 225-square-foot room, I was blown away by how spacious it felt. Modern furniture matched the design style of the communal decks, and the cabin was full of space-saving hacks.
A sectional couch transformed into a comfy, queen-sized bed. A closet hidden behind an iridescent curtain revealed drawers and empty storage bins.
There were also high-end details that made me feel wrapped in luxury from morning to night, like a rainfall shower head and a tablet for controlling mood lighting, curtains, and TV entertainment.
The best part of the room was the balcony.
When booking the cabin, I simply hoped for a wide-open view to stand in front of while feeling the breeze in my face.
It was much more than that.
On the terrace, I found a small table with two chairs and a large, cozy hammock. Spending time in the outdoor space watching sunsets, spotting passing islands, and getting a preview of each port stop before disembarking made the room worth the price.
I experienced top-tier relaxation on communal decks thanks to the lack of children.
Virgin Voyages cruises are only for guests who are 18 or older. Since I was traveling with a partner — and I don’t have kids — I was excited to lounge on quiet, calm pool decks, dine at relaxing restaurants, and access a range of activities for grown-ups.
And that’s exactly what I got.
The ship’s activities geared toward adults were surprising and fun.
The ship was packed with indoor and outdoor activities for adults. An indoor game room was full of long tables, board games, and puzzles. An arcade had virtual racing and retro machines, igniting a sense of nostalgia.
Outdoors, there was a deck with two large pools and several plunge pools.
All of these offerings were delightful yet unsurprising to me.
But on a cruise ship with no kids, I never expected to find a playground for adults.
On one of the ship’s top decks, I found grown-up-sized swings and seesaws, a foosball table, a basketball court, and a giant chess set. I had so much fun playing like a kid with no child in sight.
Next to the playground was a slew of 1920s-inspired athletic equipment, from a boxing ring and punching bags to benches and bars for strength training.
While I steered clear of the ship’s indoor gym because I don’t like working out on vacation, I enjoyed kicking and punching boxing bags. It was so unique to the exercise I do at home that I forgot I was working out at all.
Each port stop was unique and memorable.
Sailing through the Mediterranean, there’s a wide range of port stops. We stopped at four, each with standout features that set it apart.
Perhaps the most unique stop was Marina di Carrara, Italy. I took an excursion through a marble mountain range to see quarries where artists like Michelangelo traveled for the finest materials.
But the port that surprised me most was the last — Ibiza.
I expected nothing but a nightclub scene from the “party capital of the world,” so I was amazed by the city’s vibrant buildings and ocean views while wandering up and down hilly streets. I was mesmerized by Ibiza’s old town, where I saw cobblestone streets, Renaissance cathedrals, and 16th-century walls lined with cannons.
Standing over the Bastion of Santa Lucia in Ibiza during the final sunset of my trip, I felt like I was in a storybook. As I soaked up the island view, I thought about how special the entire voyage felt, from the destinations to the ship itself.
Looking back, it was worth the price tag, and I can’t wait to sail with Virgin Voyages again.
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