Virgin Voyages is a cruise line known for being different, and their staterooms are no exception. If you’ve never sailed with Virgin Voyages, there are a few things that you’ll want to know about their cabins before getting on the cruise ship.
Recently, I went on the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady, so I have first-hand experience living in their staterooms. As someone who has taken over 30 cruises, I was shocked to see how different the cabins were on Virgin compared to other cruise lines.
With that being said, here are the 10 reasons why the cabins are different on Virgin Voyages.
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8 Reasons Why Cabins on Virgin Voyages Are Different
1. Cabin Names
Traditionally, major cruise lines have used the names “interior cabin,” “ocean view cabin,” and “Balcony cabin” for their different stateroom types. However, this is not the case when you sail with Virgin Voyages.
When you cruise with Virgin, they use the name “Insider” for an inside cabin, “Sea View” for an ocean view cabin, and “Sea Terrace” for a balcony. Although the name doesn’t make a huge difference, it’s another way Virgin Voyages has gone against the grain.
Virgin Voyages has its own unique cruise lingo that is different from the rest of the cruise industry. For instance, passengers are referred to as “sailors,” guest services are called “sailor services,” and the shore excursion desk is called “shore things.”
2. Balcony Hammock
Typically, cruise line balconies are equipped with two chairs, and a small table. However, on Virgin Voyages, you’ll notice two chairs, a small table, and a red hammock as you walk onto your balcony.
This feature is completely unique to Virgin Voyages and has never been seen on any other cruise lines. The hammock is a controversial feature among cruisers, as some people love it and others don’t.
In my experience, the hammock was an incredible addition to the balcony, and I enjoyed relaxing on it while reading a book.
Related: 10 Things to Never Do on a Cruise Ship Balcony
3. Transformative Bed
Another unique feature of the Virgin Voyages staterooms is the transformative furniture. You’ll have the ability to transform your bed into a couch, which can create more space inside your cabin.
Personally, I never used this feature, as I enjoy taking an afternoon nap. However, I could see the extra space coming in handy if you’re in a cabin with four other passengers or like to entertain.
4. Tablet-Controlled Stateroom
One of the unique features of Virgin Voyages is the tablet-controlled staterooms. In your cabin, you’ll have a tablet that controls the lighting, TV, blinds, and room temperature.
As someone who has taken over 30 cruises, I can say that the tablet-controlled stateroom is something that takes some getting used to. At first, I preferred the way traditional cruise cabins function. However, once you get familiarized with the tablet, it’s very easy to use.
5. Sensory Mood Lighting
The sensory mood lighting is one of the most interesting features in the Virgin Voyages cabin. By using your tablet, you’ll be able to control the ambient lighting in your stateroom and set the vibe.
There are various settings and modes, and they are fun to play around with. You’ll be able to control the color of the lighting and how bright it is, which changes the look of your stateroom.
Personally, I loved this feature as it showed how much Virgin Voyages cares about the little details. Throughout my time on Virgin, I always discovered a new easter egg in my cabin.
6. Roomy Bathroom Shower
Although cruise cabins are never particularly roomy, the stateroom layout on Virgin was pretty efficient. When you step inside a cabin on Virgin, you can tell that space efficiency was a big focus when designing the cabins.
One of the cabin highlights was definitely the shower. Typically, cruise showers are very narrow, and there isn’t much space. However, the shower in my Sea Terrace cabin was actually quite spacious and bigger than most major cruise lines.
Although this may not be the biggest deal to all cruisers, the extra shower space was certainly something I appreciated about Virgin.
7. Glam Station
When you sail with Virgin, you’ll have a glam station in your cabin. In other words, a desk area or vanity. However, this one is special.
While I didn’t get a lot of use out of this space, I can see why women would love this feature and use it all the time.
The Glam Station has a cute red chair, a mirror with perfect lighting, and a small desk for makeup. Whether you’re using the glam station to do your makeup or to take pictures with great lighting, this feature is awesome!
8. Unique Decor and Furniture
The decor and furniture in a Virgin Voyages cabin looks different than the more traditional look of most other cruise lines. Everything from the lighting to the beds, tables, and bathroom has a distinct look.
The cabin onboard Virgin has a minimalist aesthetic with a modern touch. Overall, I loved how the stateroom looked, and it felt like I was on the set of the popular reality show Big Brother!
Related: Why Virgin Voyages Is The Ultimate Cruise Line For Young Adults
9. Private Balconies
One of the benefits of booking a Sea Terrace cabin on Virgin Voyages is the privacy you get on your balcony. In between each balcony, there is a large metal divider, which provides privacy while you’re on your balcony.
Although other cruise lines have dividers between the balconies, it’s still possible to see onto other passengers’ balconies. However, the metal dividers are much larger on Virgin, providing way more privacy.
10. Hallway Lighting
When you cruise with Virgin, you’ll notice the hallway lighting in the cabin areas change to red on Scarlet Night. If you’re unfamiliar with Scarlet Night, it’s a themed party that begins in the evening and takes place across the whole ship.
You might think red lighting in a hallway means many things, even that there’s an emergency. However, on Scarlet Night, the hallways turn red to create a fun and risqué vibe.
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Final Thoughts: Why Cabins On Virgin Voyages Are Different
Well, there it is, everything you need to know about the cabins on Virgin Voyages.
When Richard Branson was launching Virgin Voyages, he aimed to be different than other cruise lines and go against the grain. As you can see, Virgin Voyages cabins are another way that this cruise line sets itself apart from it’s competitors.
Personally, I thought the cabin design on Virgin Voyages was a breath of fresh air. As someone who has cruised on most of the major cruise lines, I appreciated the fact that Virgin Voyages created a totally unique travel experience.
Have you cruised with Virgin Voyages or would you want to? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer has been cruising since he was in preschool! As a frequent cruiser, Ethan now shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults. Ethan is a freelance writer and also writes about men’s fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com.