- Eliza Green, a millennial, avoided cruises because she felt they were full of germs and kids.
- A friend suggested a surprise cruise on Virgin's child-free ship, and Green timidly agreed.
- She loved the ship experience, with its spacious rooms and fun activities, but the pace of travel was too fast.
This is an essay as told, transcribed from a conversation with Eliza Green, a millennial who took her first cruise holiday on Virgin Voyages. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
I always thought cruise ships were places where you could pick up germs from people, especially children. I had heard nightmarish stories of people getting sick, overcrowding, and bad food. But when my friends suggested that my husband and I go there to celebrate my 40th birthday, I was more than happy to give it a try.
A frequent cruise traveler friend of mine told me a few options. “Virgin Voyages” sounded particularly appealing. The room was reasonably priced, had a balcony, and we didn't have kids. Additionally, the five-night length felt manageable for first-time cruisers.
In October 2023, my husband, two other couples, and I embarked on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady Dominican Days. We departed from the port of Miami and made two stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and Bimini, Bahamas. Lodging and food for two will cost $3,234.
Although I was still skeptical, I went in with little expectations, just hoping to have a good time with my friends.
The food on the cruise was better than at an all-inclusive resort.
The food was a pleasant surprise and much better than the buffet options I had imagined on other cruises. It was my first time on a cruise, but my second time on an all-inclusive style vacation. There was a good variety of food on this cruise compared to the all-inclusive resort in Jamaica.
For a ship that has to serve thousands of people, the level and choice of food exceeded my expectations. I never ate the same meal twice. The ease of eating was seamless. The meal was included in the prepaid price, so we didn't have to take out our wallet or show our cruise wristband during the meal.
There was a sit-down restaurant, grab-and-go stations, and a diner-style venue. We made reservations in advance of our trip as we had a large group and tables were booked quickly. However, you can enter the restaurant through the app and make reservations on board.
There were some premium items for a fee such as lobster and wagyu beef, but they were unnecessary as there was already enough food on offer. Alcohol was an additional charge, but the pre-pay option gave us an extra dollar for drinks, which was a great deal.
The cabin was a necessary place to rest.
Before traveling on a cruise, I had heard about windowless cabins and small rooms. Throughout the trip, I enjoyed spending time in unexpected rooms.
I was also worried about seasickness in the small space above the water. I prepared medicine for motion sickness, but I didn't feel sick at all.
The room was large and better than many hotel rooms I've stayed in on the ground. The cabin felt spacious compared to the hotel I stayed at in Miami before boarding the ship.
It had a bed, chair, plenty of closet space, and a decent bathroom. She never felt cramped or like she was staggering around her husband.
As a somewhat introverted person, this room was a nice retreat. When I wanted to recharge, the hammock on the balcony was perfect for reading, which was also a great escape and made the trip more relaxing.
The entertainment wasn't as cheap as I expected.
I didn't really plan on getting into the entertainment because I thought it would be cheesy.
The quality of shows and activities exceeded my expectations. One night we enjoyed a puzzle competition, while another night we encountered an entertainment show. The performance was impressive and well directed by sophisticated performers.
Virgin has done a great job of creating a unique experience for every traveler, even though they're on the same ship.
Thanks to the layout of the boat, we didn't hear any loud party noise late at night and it didn't spoil our vacation. I loved being able to spend time with friends and explore my own experiences during the cruise.
High-tech amenities mean service is great
All services are shared in an app and were easily accessible from my phone on board. There were plenty of amenities, such as wristbands for drinks and no need to show your room card for dinner, so I didn't have to think about anything. It truly felt like we were on vacation.
The bartending staff was friendly and the service was impressive. Additionally, the boat's layout was easy to maneuver. We used the laundry service for a small fee. I used it because it was reasonably priced and made traveling more convenient.
Additionally, the boat was equipped with amenities such as a gym, games area, spa, and shopping boutique. The ship also had a tattoo parlor and a medical-grade spa offering Botox. Although I didn't end up using these additional services, it was nice to know they were available.
I could have spent more time at my destination
Ironically, the destination was the most disappointing part of our experience. The cruise took us to Puerto He stopped in Plata and Bimini. Each trip was about 6 hours including disembarkation and embarkation, so we didn't get to experience as much culture as we had hoped.
That said, we enjoyed our pre-booked Dominican Republic waterfall tour. Fees were paid separately. Bimini felt like an extension of the cruise, as we stopped at a Virgin-owned beach club that day. It was fun, but I would have liked to see more of the island's culture.
Nevertheless, we felt the cruise was good value. The quality of the food and room alone was worth the investment. Plus, the boat was a great way to travel with friends. We would cruise again in the future, especially if they could improve the experience with more time at each stop.
