Virgin Voyages Across the Mediterranean

Pre & post cruise stays:

In Barcelona, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt Barcelona for a little slice of the city we’ve never experienced. It’s definitely less touristy and offers a very unique, modern experience! In Athens, we opted to go down the Athens Riviera and stay at the Grecotel Cape Sounio. It’s a beautifully isolated luxury resort with stunning views & exceptional hospitality. I’d recommend both & stay at them again (I’ve also written Trip Reports of these linked in my profile if you’d like to read more!).

Essentials to bring:

Aside from the usual items to bring, I’d suggest some additional items for Virgin specifically. Firstly, bring red clothing for their signature Scarlet Night celebrations (which occur shipwide). There is also a lack of bathroom storage, so I’d suggest magnetic shelving or hooks.

The ship:

Resilient Lady is Virgin’s newest ship (entering service in May 2023), but each ship is nearly identical. Unlike my favorite ships where spaces are open and flow easily, this ship’s layout felt very segmented and choppy… at first. I ultimately grew to love the layout very quickly as it felt more intimate, almost like a boutique hotel/resort on the high seas. Be sure to really explore the deck plans before your journey to note some otherwise hidden spots (from The Dock to The Perch, as well as the Manor to the Arcade). There is also plenty to enjoy food wise, as there are over 20 eateries featuring Michelin-starred chef-curated menus.

Entertainment & activities:

Each ship has varied entertainment & activities, and the Resilient Lady’s Mediterranean sailings influenced some of the onboard entertainment. What makes Virgin unique is in its immersive event spaces (for their Persephone show, you are literally on the floor being surrounded by the show), as well as having resident entertainers (including The Diva, their resident drag queen). They also have daily activities, from trivia to puzzles and so much more.

Port calls:

As this was a repositioning cruise from Barcelona to Athens, we went across the Western & Eastern Mediterranean! In Cannes, we opted to visit Monte Carlo (checking off country 31 for me!) but I’d highly recommend a trip to Eze or Saint Tropez as well. For Cagliari, we walked around the city, but you can opt to rent a boat to go up the coast or visit the UNESCO archaeological site of Su Nuraxi di Barumini. In Catania, we hiked up Mount Etna and visited a winery, but many people opt to visit nearby Taormina or Syracuse. In Mykonos, a visit to the nearby island of Delos is a must, followed by shopping & dining (I’d highly suggest Nice n Easy by the Mykonos Windmills). For Santorini, a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, winery hopping for wine tasting or visiting the beautiful village of Oia are hallmark experiences — we opted to hike the caldera followed by a swim in the thermal springs.

Additional costs:

What makes Virgin a great deal is how much is included in the cruise fare: all dining, WiFi, gratuities, fitness classes, soft drinks and so much more! They have experiences on board that cost extra (e.g.: getting a tattoo at their on-board parlor, taking a cooking class, enjoying the spa facilities, etc.) but the most basic additional cost will be for alcoholic beverages.

Cruising on Virgin Voyages is unlike sailing on any other cruise line. But what makes Virgin great is the variety of activities and spaces onboard, which truly give a variety for everyone to enjoy, so there’s truly something for everyone. They also utilize a Bar Tab system for drinks, and my tip to all my clients is to prepay for this as Virgin will include some free money on your tab to enjoy. Reach out to me to plan your incredible vacation on Virgin Voyages!

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Barcelona page.