Virgin Voyages: The Best Adults Only Group Vacation

I have always been a fan of cruises as a group vacation, but now that we’ve done three Virgin Voyages (with another booked this month), I can’t go back to anything less.

I should clarify that we don’t have kids, but we aren’t trying to avoid kids. Virgin just happens to cater to adults in the most fantastic way. So if you just happen to be child-free, planning a romantic getaway without your kids or you are trying to avoid kids, I think Virgin Voyages is the right choice for a cruise (even if you aren’t a cruise person!).

Group trips get a bad rap because often you have to go with the majority vote, deal with a lot of decision making drama and it tends to diminish the enjoyment overall. But this is YOUR vacation - shouldn't you enjoy it? I believe Virgin Voyages for a group trip accomplishes the ability to travel with a group AND for everyone to have fun. Here are some common "fights" when planning a group trip, and how Virgin Voyages offers a simple solution.

Image 1: The Wake meal ; Image 2: Virgin Hamock

Fight #1 - Team Sun vs. Team Shade

The ships are laid out so beautifully with tons of attention to detail. They have about 60 to 70 percent less people than most cruise ships by density, so you never feel crowded or like you can’t find a seat. Unlike other cruises we’ve been on, you don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get a deck chair, there are so many places to get some sun – or shade – you can relax your way.

Fight #2 - Type of Accommodation

Most of the rooms (over 85 percent!) are window or balcony rooms. Unlike most cruises which sell out balconies and windows first, there are always plenty on the Virgin Voyages boats. They have solo cabins unlike most cruises, so double occupancy is a thing of the past. Nobody is forced into a type of room category, so your budget and preferences are yours to manage, and not dictated by someone else's.

If you do choose Sea Terrace rooms, and ask your advisor to place you in Nextdoor rooms, your balcony partition can be opened for one big party balcony! The whole environment is relaxing and restorative. My Apple Watch notified me that I was breathing less rapidly after three days on board. Actual bliss!

Image 1: Virgin Glitter ; Image 2: Virgin Deck 2

Fight #3 - Where Should We Eat/How Much to Spend on Food

Daytime dining is in the ultra chic food hall - there are over 20 different restaurants to choose from, all of which can accommodate every taste! The beauty here is that we can all eat together even if I order a salad, you order ramen and someone else gets a burger.

The dinner restaurants are absolutely delicious. There is Mexican, Italian, Korean, a steakhouse, a vegetarian restaurant (that still has meat) and a test kitchen, which is as fun as it sounds. There is a new cuisine in a new atmosphere every night so it never gets old if you're on for six days! You can repeat if you have to, and you won't be sad, because there's so much to try. The craft cocktails are also amazing (still dreaming of the Oaxaca in Fashion at Pink Agave). The ice cream flavors also rotate daily, my personal favorite is the key lime pie.

Groups also do not have to dine together - you can split up for dinner, and rendezvous for a drink later! The absolute best part - NO SPLITTING THE BILL. If anyone orders drinks, they are automatically charged to their tab, not to the table. Incredible.

Image 1: Virgin Champagne

Fight #4 - We Don't Want to Do the Same Activities

The entertainment is inventive, not cheesy. The drinks are well priced and delicious. The music is tasteful and nobody will ask you to do the Electric Slide on the pool deck. The added upscale touches of all fitness classes being free and them bringing still AND sparkling water to your room every day. The whole place is chic and Instagrammable.

My girlfriends and I take a spin class while our husbands try the steak and eggs at The Wake. While a few of us did a gin tasting, one couple opted for a spa treatment. There's no pressure to do the same thing, share a car or get stuck with decision paralysis because everyone can't agree. We love choosing our own activities and meeting up later. It can be compared to an all inclusive resort (in a way) except you get to explore new ports throughout your trip, without having to repack - it's truly a win/win!

It's Really The Best

Reservations can be linked between cabins, which makes selecting dining and activities together a breeze. They have a built in messaging system in the app so you can keep in touch with your fellow sailors, make plans to meet for a workout class or a meal, or even to let them know you're doing your own thing for a while. The beauty of Virgin Voyages for a group trip is that nobody has to fit into anyone else's schedule or preferences.

Come Sail Away

Well, after looking through my photos I’m ready to book my next Virgin Voyages cruise! Even if you aren’t a cruise person, I think giving Virgin a shot is worth your time. I’d love to help you book your first or next Virgin Voyages cruise! Say hello to the hammock on your balcony and goodbye to stressful conversations over who gets which room in the vacation rental.

With so many activities to choose from that are amazing for groups OR to do solo, Virgin Voyages is the perfect group vacation for adults because rather than sacrificing your time to go with the flow, you can enjoy time with your group AND enjoy your vacation as you were meant to.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on cruise travel. In need of further inspiration? Check out my trip report, Best Cruises for Older Adults.