Fora Advisors and HQ team members on our Virgin Voyages FAM trip
From the vibrant city of Miami to the cerulean blue waters of Bimini in the Bahamas, we can’t imagine a better way to visit multiple sunshine destinations than by way of ship.
We just returned from a four-day cruise with Virgin Voyages on their Fire & Sunset Soireés journey, alongside 30+ of our Fora travel advisors — our biggest FAM trip to date.
Our FAM trips are one of our favorite perks of being travel advisors, and the “workcations” are just that: a blend of work & play. Suppliers, like Virgin Voyages, invite us on trips to experience their offerings firsthand; direct experience and relationships are what make us better suited to sell the cruise, of course. And the programming is a mix of training (both from the Virgin Voyages team and Fora HQ) as well as fun experiences on the ship, from Scarlet Night to trying out the food, spa, performances and more.
Read on for some of our favorite takeaways from the Virgin Voyages cruise that we’re raving about to our clients.
Ready to set sail? Connect with Fora to book your Virgin Voyages cruise today — and unlock perks like onboard ship credit (at no extra cost) when you book with us. (Learn more about why you should book a cruise with a Virgin Voyages travel agent, aka Fora Advisor.)
Virgin Voyages invites a sense of play
Fora co-founder Henley Vazquez and Fora Advisors pose for an onboard selfie
First things first: Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line (the only major carrier in this space, by the way). And while there are no kids on the ship, it doesn’t mean that the Virgin Voyages team has made the experience all buttoned up; quite the opposite.
From the whimsical cocktails housed inside disco balls to the feel-good vibes from Scarlet Night’s music selection, you’ll find yourself embracing your inner child throughout the experience at sea. Check your ego at the door and get ready to play & have fun at sea.
Insider tip: When you’re on the ship, shake the Virgin Voyages app and you’ll be able to have Champagne delivered to you, wherever you are.
Virgin cruises are officially an experience for foodies
From feel-good food to tasting menus, there’s something for everyone’s palette
Major selling point for the Virgin Voyages trips? There are no buffets. Yes, you read that right: no long lines of serve-yourself food, and certainly no dining halls. There are 20+ eateries on the Scarlet Lady, with world-class chefs like Brad Farmerie (of PUBLIC in NYC) and Sohui Kim (of The Good Fork and Insa in NYC) behind the menus.
From classic feel-good food like personal pizza to high-class dining experiences and tasting menus, there’s something for everyone’s palette. For our vegan and gluten-free foodies, Virgin Voyages has you covered as well, with ample options at each restaurant.
Dining is included in the price of every excursion, so you’ll have plenty of time to try out each of the restaurants onboard and pick the one(s) you like the most. One of our favorites? Gunbae, a lively Korean BBQ restaurant with an interactive social experience, promising drinking games and gregarious staff.
Inclusivity is in with Virgin Voyages
Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages
Travel is all about connection, and cruises shouldn’t be an exception. While many major lines cater only to a specific crowd (we won’t name any names), Virgin Voyages is here to say that diversity is in, and we’re here for it.
While onboard, we saw people as young as their 20s and many well into their 80s, plus ethnicities from all backgrounds. Gay, straight or anywhere in between, you’ll feel welcomed on the ship. We love a space where you can be yourself.
We’re here for the always-included luxury
Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages
There’s a whole lot of value packed into the Virgin Voyages experience, and we love that there’s a price tag that you can budget for right at the time of booking. No more difficult math or decision-making around figuring out exactly how much your whole trip will cost.
Pretty much everything is included in the Virgin Voyages price point — and they sure do pack the value in. All of your food is included, as well as essential drinks like water, non-pressed juices, sodas, teas and even drip coffee. (For those who like to imbibe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the drink costs are totally approachable, with beers starting around $8 and cocktails $13 and up, all of which include tip already). You’ll have unlimited shows and entertainment, developed by top talent ranging from the team at Sleep No More to House of Yes. And for our fitness junkies, yoga, meditation, cycling, HIIT classes and more — all your group fitness classes are covered.
Of course, you’ll get the most value when you book with Fora, like free onboard ship credit and more.
You can cruise with a group (or by yourself)
Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages
If a ship could be extroverted, it would be the Scarlet Lady. She just might be the nicest cruise ship you’ll meet, and she’ll welcome you onboard and create a space for strengthening both old and new relationships.
For the solo travelers, we love the meet-up on the first night, where you can connect with fellow solo adventurers.
The ship is very group friendly, and offers something for everyone, so you can meet up with each other for as much or as little as you’d like. For the larger groups, it makes it easy to break up in pairs or spend time by yourself, so you can prioritize the activities that mean the most to you, regardless of your group size. You do you.
Our group's consensus was clear: whether you’re a first-time cruiser or seasoned pro (we love that for you), there’s something for everyone on the Virgin Voyages trips.
Ready to set sail? When you book with Fora, you’ll get personalized 1:1 support to find the cruising experience that’s right for you, plus unlock exclusive perks and upgrades (at no extra cost as booking directly). (Learn more about why you should book a cruise with a Virgin Voyages travel agent.)
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