With one among our daughters aged 18 and the opposite 15, we at the moment are in a position to ponder a pair’s getaway with out them. In spite of everything, now we have travelled to greater than 40 nations collectively over the yr, so leaving them at house as soon as wouldn’t harm, proper?!
I noticed an advert on Fb for a brief cruise with Virgin Voyages, three days and 4 nights out of Melbourne. After travelling with our teen daughters for a few years, a getaway with out children sounded very interesting.
We had by no means cruised earlier than, so for us, this appeared like the very best taster to see what all of the hype was about. So, did the Virgin Voyages cruise from Melbourne meet our expectations? Learn on to search out out!
Virgin Voyages in Australia
Virgin Voyages made fairly a splash with its entrance into the cruise market as an adults-only cruise line.
This was an incredible possibility for a brief however shut {couples} getaway. The Resilient Girl was scheduled to depart Melbourne on Saturday afternoon and return on Tuesday morning which labored completely for us.
Having by no means skilled a cruise earlier than, we thought this may be a good way to tip our toes into cruising.
Virgin Voyages was definitely on the costly aspect in comparison with another cruise traces in Australia, but it surely provided a number of variations in comparison with P&O or Carnival.
The Virgin Voyages App
Earlier than you board the Resilient Girl, you must have downloaded the Virgin Voyages App. This reveals you what’s going on across the ship.
Previous to your departure you may e book your sittings on the 6 signature eating places on board and e book the day excursions that curiosity you.
We discovered that the app didn’t work properly, and we missed a couple of alternatives to e book previous to departure.
You possibly can e book when you get on board, however it may take a while with many others having to do the identical factor.
In search of extra journey ideas for {couples}? Uncover a romantic couple’s keep at Sydney Harbour.
The signature eating places on board
Virgin has a brand new tackle consuming; it provides signature eating places it’s good to e book into (these are listed beneath).
The value is included in your voyage, like all cruises. There have been a number of wonderful decisions, together with:
- Further Virgin – Italian Restaurant
- Gunbae – Korean BBQ
- Pink Agave – Mexican
- Razzle Dazzle – A little bit of all the things
- Check Kitchen – Lab-inspired meals
- The Wake – Steak and Seafood
In addition to these eating places, there was a central consuming space referred to as the Gally, that includes many choices. It felt like we have been consuming in a buying centre meals courtroom and the combat for a desk you would sit at was very actual!
You would select absolutely anything within the Gally from recent cooked roasts, to bento packing containers and mouth-watering desserts all through the day. Our absolute favorurite was the Pistachio Macaron!
In different areas dotted across the Resilient Girl have been a pizza restaurant, an ice cream bar (cheekily referred to as Lick me til ice cream!), quite a few espresso outlets, and a few little snack stalls across the pool space and viewing decks.
*Among the cafes will cost you in your espresso as it isn’t included
If you happen to can’t e book one of many eating places on-line, head to Sailor Companies on the day of departure. The eating places at all times avoid wasting area for the voyage.
Feeling Snacky?
One of many issues that basically stunned us concerning the meals on board the Resilient Girl was it wasn’t a buffet like we had anticipated. There have been even snacking choices.
You possibly can decide up a muffin or snack not solely from the cafes but in addition from small fridges dotted across the ship.
In these, you can see small snack packing containers with granola bars, small salads, and fruit and nut combine, which might all be taken again to your room. In addition they have a little bit charcuterie pack that’s excellent for having fun with in your balcony!
The Rooms on the Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Girl
We initially opted for an inside room, as that met our price range on the time. We thought of upgrading to a Porthole Room, however a few week from departure, we have been provided to improve for a small price to a balcony room.
Among the different rooms on the Resilient Girl embrace:
- Rock Star Suites
- Mega Rock Star Suites
- Sea Terrace
- Sea View
- Insider Cabins
The Balcony Room was giant and comfy, with an air conditioner, TV, and all the trendy conveniences. I beloved the truth that rooms had USB energy factors for charging.
* Only a scorching tip: should you open the sliding door to the balcony, your air conditioner will flip off.
All Deck Rooms have the signature Virgin Voyages hammock outdoors in your balcony, which is an excellent approach to watch the world go by. The balcony possibility could be wonderful should you had nice climate whereas in your Virgin Voyages cruise.
You would take pleasure in a couple of chilly drinks on the market, however sadly for us, the climate was so chilly we discovered it onerous to remain on the market for lengthy.
One other plus to the Balcony Room was that the mattress might convert right into a sofa should you needed to look at a film or work in your pc through the day.
You would request for it to be transformed from mattress to sofa within the morning with the housekeeping employees. On the finish of the day, they’d change it again and make up your mattress.
We discovered the cabins on Virgin Cruise Line to be sufficiently big and comfy sufficient to spend a while in our room and chill out. Simply quietly, we might have had a fast afternoon nap on day two!
Have a while after your cruise in Melbourne? Listed here are all the very best issues to do in Melbourne
Onboard Leisure
Having by no means cruised earlier than, I anticipated extra from the ship leisure clever. There have been no cinemas or many free actions through the day, aside from the choice to sit down across the pool or within the bars ingesting.
We participated in one among their paid activities- a meals images expertise. Finally, my spouse confirmed the woman main the exercise easy methods to use her digicam higher than she did but it surely was nice to satisfy extra individuals we have been cruising with.
There was the same old on line casino and nightclub, however not a lot else. That they had a nightly stage present that you simply needed to pay additional for. We discovered ourselves having fun with the traditional arcade video games most nights.
There was a large gymnasium and an incredible strolling monitor on the roof. You would play basketball or pickleball, watch a couple of films in your room, or learn a e book on the deck chairs.
Wi-Fi is free on board however don’t count on to have the ability to stream films until you improve to Virgins paid Wi-Fi.
Scarlet Night time
Virgin Voyages has a signature night time for every cruise referred to as Scarlet Night time, the place individuals are inspired to decorate in crimson. The social gathering begins indoors with dances, magicians, and acrobats and later strikes outdoor to the pool space.
This was a enjoyable night time with pumping music and flowing drinks. Folks danced on the decks and within the pool like my spouse did with some newfound pals.
We later realized that this may be Virgin Voyages’ first and presumably solely season crusing out of Melbourne. That they had determined to reposition the Resilient Girl to Central America subsequent summer time.
After reserving your journey, examine the costs. In the event that they fall, it’s price asking Virgin for a free improve because you paid extra!
How do I pay for the extras onboard the Resilient Girl?
Earlier than you board the ship, you’re checked in, your particulars are checked, and you’re given a fob that’s connected to a bracelet.
This fob has your whole credit score, or Bounty, as they name it, particulars. When it’s good to pay for a drink or snack that’s not included within the value of your cruise, you’ll scan this, and that’s the way you pay.
*If you happen to lose your bracelet, go and see the workforce at Sailor Companies
Our ideas on our Virgin Voyage
Did we take pleasure in our foray into the cruise way of life? Sure and no. The boat was new and beautiful, but it surely lacked actions until you needed to eat and drink.
It may need been a greater expertise if we had gone with one other couple of pals. I’ll go on a cruise once more. Sure, I at all times consider in giving all the things a second probability.
Extra journey inspiration for you
Creator bio:
Father, husband, traveller, and chief vacation spot supervisor right here at Wyld Household Journey. When Mark just isn’t discussing journey or planning journey, you can see him working in incapacity assist. Mark is a household journey advocate, having travelled to over 45 nations along with his children from 10 months to their teenage years. You’ll discover his work right here and on different standard web sites.
Mark Wyld
Content material Creator
