Reviewed by Marketing Manager Jade
In 2023, I booked my first cruise with Virgin Voyages to the Greek Islands, sailing on Resilient Lady. Virgin was my top choice for a cruise holiday for my partner, Ryan, and me for multiple reasons. They’re adults only, they don’t offer traditional ‘cruises’ and are breaking all clichés around what you expect onboard. The ships, fitness facilities and onboard experience looked right up our street.
I’ve sailed with 12 cruise lines, and to date, Virgin Voyages is still my favourite. Here’s why…
Greek Island Glow Itinerary
The Greek Islands are best explored by cruise ship, full stop. You avoid the travel costs that come with island-hopping by ferry or plane, or expensive land stays on the more luxurious islands known for their premium hotels, villas, beach clubs and general leisure costs. You also get to see multiple Greek Islands, including those that are less visited by tourists. Finally, you get to travel on what’s practically a floating resort with everything you need, combined with unique views of the calm Aegean Sea, sunsets and white-washed islands.
This whole experience was elevated for Ryan and me with Virgin Voyages. Firstly, in Santorini, we got our return lift pass included, which saved us the expense of getting off the ship and up the cliffs. Santorini itself was beautiful; we roamed the old port of Fira and enjoyed a Greek salad with local wine whilst looking out at the nearby cliffs and ocean where our lady ship docked amongst other ships.
Next, we visited Mykonos, and with this port, Virgin Voyages docks overnight. This meant we were able to stroll around the village during the day, exploring the windmills and cobblestone streets, then get back off the ship for a second time in the evening to experience Mykonos’ famous nightlife with no rush to return onboard, as the tenders run throughout the night. We watched the sunset at the 180 Degrees Bar before heading down to Little Venice, a vibrant waterfront of bars and restaurants. Virgin Voyages Mediterranean itineraries also offer this experience in Ibiza, the perfect way to enjoy Europe’s most renowned nightlife.
In Rhodes and Bodrum, Turkey, we decided to book excursions through Virgin Voyages, as we wanted to try something unique that we wouldn’t know about if we just wandered on our own. In Rhodes, we opted for kayaking around nearby coves with a local water sports guide. It was so much fun, and we got to relax on the beach afterwards. In Bodrum, we went on an escorted wine tasting tour to a beautiful vineyard where the wine and tapas flowed in abundance. This is still, to this day, one of my favourite holiday experiences. Both excursions were well worth the money and the memories.
Virgin Voyages Food
Food is definitely one of Virgin’s unique selling points; there wasn’t a single meal we ate that we didn’t love.
There are over 20 options for eating on board, with not a single buffet in sight. Throughout the day, we enjoyed breakfast and lunch at The Galley, which is a food hall concept with various worldwide cuisines. Here, we ordered freshly prepared dishes from American pancakes at breakfast to ramen noodle bowls and toasties at lunch.
In the evenings, we dined at every restaurant, and all of them were memorable. Standout dishes included the Italian charcuterie board at Extra Virgin and the margaritas and tacos at Pink Agave. Oh, and not to mention The Pizza Place at midnight, after the one time we made it to the club.
We also dined at Gunbae, a teppanyaki-inspired restaurant where you sit with a group of friends or other passengers and enjoy an interactive Korean cooking experience. The staff in the restaurant made the experience; we didn’t stop laughing, and it was a great way for Ryan and me to make friends with other people on the ship.
Our favourite restaurant by far was The Wake, a steakhouse restaurant serving, in Ryan’s words, ‘the best steak he’s ever had’. We decided to dine here several times. Think steak and eggs at breakfast to surf and turf at dinner, completed by the nicest bread I’ve had (if you know, you know).
We even did a bottomless brunch here one day, a popular concept brought to sea, and it was so much fun. One thing to mention is that all restaurants are included on Virgin Voyages, with no speciality dining fees like those found on other mainstream cruise lines.
There’s an ice cream parlour and speciality coffee shop which charges a small fee, but it’s worth it for a latte and a chocolate cone or two.
Resilient Lady Onboard Activities
There’s something onboard for everyone, whether you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday or non-stop entertainment. Our holiday combined a mix of both.
Ryan and I enjoy keeping fit, and this ship is a fitness enthusiast’s paradise. From the running track around the deck to three areas including a cardio centre, a weights area and a functional fitness area for freestyle workouts, boxing and more. There are also classes from HIIT workouts to yoga sessions, free of charge to take part in.
We loved relaxing around the various pools and lounging spots on the ship. The Aquatic Club, the main pool area, was perfect for lively days with cocktails and DJ tunes flowing. The hidden lounging areas at the side and back of the ship were perfect for reading books and sunbathing. After all, there’s no better way to catch the sun than at sea.
We also took part in several activities during the day, including a pub quiz, which we failed miserably every time, but it’s the taking part that’s fun.
Our evenings were filled with brilliant entertainment and endless belly laughs, from Broadway-calibre performances and dancers to comedians and jaw-dropping singers. Some nights we relaxed at the back of the ship watching the sunset with a quiet cocktail and live music, and others we sat down for a show in the theatre.
One of our favourite nights was Scarlet Night, where everyone on the ship dresses in red and the entire ship goes into party mode with shows and entertainment around every corner, even in the pool. This was the night we made it to the nightclub and casino, a must when you don’t have to wake up early the next morning.
The Sea Terrace Hammock
I’ll admit, if I’m booking a cruise, I’m staying in a balcony cabin. There’s nothing better than waking up and enjoying a coffee on the balcony or watching a private sunset with a glass of wine. Virgin’s Sea Terrace offers just that.
The cabin itself looked like one of Virgin Hotels’ rooms, spacious and modern, with quirky features such as mood lighting and a rain shower head. But the coolest part was the hammock on the balcony. We spent many days here, taking it in turns snoozing and enjoying sea views in comfort whilst the other got ready.
More Included with Virgin Voyages
With Virgin Voyages, there’s more included in your cruise fare, meaning fewer hidden costs.
Wi-Fi is included, meaning you can stay connected wherever in the world you are, whether it’s Alaska, the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.
Soft drinks, including water, tea, filter coffee, non-pressed juices and lots of sodas, are included, so you can enjoy an obligatory Diet Coke or Fanta Orange around the pool.
And as mentioned previously, no speciality dining fees, meaning you can eat the best food in the best restaurants without having to pay extra.
The little extras really do make a difference, and it’s something we’ve noticed when sailing with other cruise lines. There are no big bills to worry about at the end of your Virgin Voyages holiday.
In fact, Ryan’s been so spoilt that when we sailed with a ‘low cost’ cruise line this year, he was shocked at how many times he needed to sign a bill on board.
Virgin Voyages always runs special promotions, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for these, from additional credit for shore excursions to onboard bar tabs covering the cost of experiences ashore and alcoholic beverages.
Cruise Nation Smart Packages
Working at Cruise Nation, I know the benefits of booking a Smart Package, a cruise package holiday, so I’ll share my secret with you. When you book a Smart Package, you get flights, a free hotel stay, and your cruise included. Thanks to our travel partners, we get special rates on travel elements, which means booking a Smart Package often works out much cheaper than trying to book flights, a cruise and a hotel yourself.
When we booked our Greek Island Glow itinerary through Cruise Nation, it was bundled together with return flights and a three-night hotel stay in Athens.
Cruise ships often depart from port in the afternoon, meaning you miss out on the destination you sail from and to, and they’re often some of the most iconic cities in the world.
Our three-night stay in Athens allowed us to enjoy a two-in-one holiday experience both on land and at sea. Over three nights, we explored Athens’ architectural wonders, rooftop bars, lively markets and districts whilst consuming more than enough local gyros and Mythos beer.
As I said at the start of this blog, there really is no better way to explore Greece.
You can find all Virgin Voyages cruise deals here.
And you can find all the Greece Smart Packages here.
