I Hated Cruises… Until I Tried Virgin Voyages (Honest 9.5/10 Caribbean Review)

a view of a harbor with boats in the water

I never thought I’d say this, but… I loved this cruise.

Not just “it was fine.”
More like—I would book it again in a heartbeat.

I never thought I’d say this, but… I loved this cruise.

Not just “it was fine.”
More like—I would book it again in a heartbeat.

Which is shocking considering my last cruise—over 20 years ago—left me nauseated, stuck in a windowless room, and counting down the days until it was over.

So when my boyfriend suggested a Caribbean cruise this March, I was hesitant.

But after doing what I always do (way too much research), I came across Virgin Voyages—and one detail immediately changed everything:

👉 Every cruise is adults-only.

No kids. No chaos. Completely different vibe.

I was in.

Why We Chose This Cruise

We specifically picked an itinerary sailing out of Puerto Rico so we could arrive a day early and explore before boarding.

Highly recommend doing this—it makes the whole trip feel more relaxed instead of rushed.

We also loved that this cruise hit five Caribbean islands, giving us a chance to experience multiple destinations without having to fully commit to just one.

First Impressions: Not Your Typical Cruise

From the moment we stepped onboard, this felt completely different from the cruise I remembered.

  • No assigned dining times
  • No being stuck with the same people
  • No outdated “cruise-y” feel

Instead, it felt modern, elevated, and honestly more like a boutique hotel at sea.

Even with around 2,000 passengers, it never felt overcrowded.

Our Room: XL Sea Terrace (100% Worth It)

We stayed in the XL Sea Terrace room, and I would book this exact category again without hesitation.

What stood out:

  • More space than a standard cabin (you actually feel it)
  • A balcony with the signature red hammock (one of my favorite parts)
  • Modern, clean design that didn’t feel cramped

After my previous windowless cruise experience, this made all the difference.

The Food: The Biggest Surprise (In the Best Way)

This was hands down one of the highlights of the entire trip.

Instead of buffets or one main dining room, you rotate through multiple restaurants, all included—and all genuinely good.

Our Restaurant Rankings

🥇 #1: Razzle Dazzle
Southern-inspired comfort food—and our clear winner.

What we had:

  • Fried chicken with hot honey sauce
  • A biscuit (still thinking about it…)

This was the one place I’d go back to multiple times.

🥈 #2 (Tie): The Wake (Steakhouse) & Extra Virgin (Italian)

The Wake (Steakhouse)
Upscale, classic steakhouse feel—perfect for a date night dinner.

Extra Virgin (Italian)
Fresh pasta, simple ingredients, and really well done.

🥉 #3: Pink Agave
Mexican-inspired dishes with bold flavors and a fun, lively vibe.

🏅 #4: Gunbae
Korean BBQ where you cook at the table—more about the experience, but still worth doing once.

Also worth mentioning:

  • Late-night pizza ✔️
  • Ice cream shop ✔️
  • Casual grab-and-go options everywhere ✔️

👉 The biggest takeaway: this didn’t feel like cruise food—it felt like real restaurants.

What There Is To Do Onboard

I was worried I’d get bored… I didn’t.

  • A fully equipped gym (actually impressive)
  • A spa day at sea (100% worth it)
  • Interactive experiences like whodunit mystery games
  • Live shows that were genuinely entertaining

The Ports: My Favorite Part

We visited five islands, but our favorites were:

  • Tortola
  • Antigua

Excursions we did:

  • Snorkeling
  • ATV riding
  • Catamaran cruise
  • Trolley tour
  • Hiking

👉 It’s the perfect way to “try out” multiple islands before committing to a longer stay.

The Most Underrated Perk

Unpack once.

That’s it.

No airport stress. No hotel hopping. Just show up and explore.

The Only Downside (Keeping It Honest)

If I had to pick one negative:

👉 The pool and hot tubs

  • The pool is on the smaller side
  • The hot tubs weren’t very hot (more like bath water)

We didn’t end up using them much, so it didn’t impact our experience—but worth noting.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10

I went into this expecting to tolerate it.

I left completely converted.

Why I’d recommend it:

  • Adults-only atmosphere
  • Incredible food
  • Great mix of relaxation + activities
  • Easy way to explore multiple destinations

Would I Do It Again?

Without hesitation.

And not just saying that—we actually put down a $150 deposit to sail again within the next two years while onboard.

Between the onboard credit and $200 off per person, it was an easy decision.

So technically…
👉 I already booked it again.

And if you think you’re not a cruise person?

This might be the one that changes your mind.

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