Before we boarded Resilient Lady, we did what most people do before a Virgin Voyages cruise:

we watched everything.

Walkthroughs. “Things you must know.” What people loved. What people hated.

And yet, once on board for a seven-night sailing, there were still a surprising number of things we only learned by being there.

This post brings everything together.

First, my original video — filmed back home on a freezing January day on a farm in Dorset — where I share the 7 tips and 2 frustrations I genuinely experienced on board.

Then, an updated Top 10 Virgin Voyages–specific tips, pulled together from wider sailor experience and patterns that keep coming up again and again.

Think of this as a practical companion to the film — not a replacement.

This is the original walkthrough — context, opinions, rough edges and all.

If you want the full story behind the tips below, start there.

My 7 Virgin Voyages Tips (From Actually Being On Board)

1. 

Get your champagne early at the Sail Away party

Virgin Voyages fully expects you to take more than one glass — but most sailors only really get going near the end, by which point the champagne quietly disappears.

The least crowded spots we found were the pop-up bars on Deck 16 overlooking the pool. If the waiters aren’t circulating where you are, move.

👉 If you want a deeper breakdown of the Sail Away party itself, that’s covered in a separate post and video. HERE

2. 

Use the stairs (if you can)

Not for everyone — but if you’re able, it’s a game changer.

• Lifts get busy fast
• You avoid waiting
• We averaged 17,000–20,000 steps a day

It became a quiet personal challenge.

Bonus navigation tip:

Carpet stripes help you orient yourself:

• Purple = Forward
• Red = Midship
• Blue = Aft

Once you notice it, getting lost becomes much harder.

3. 

Ice lollies are criminally underrated

In the Galley on Deck 15 there’s a small cart with champagne and ice lollies.

Many sailors assume you have to buy the champagne to get the lolly — you don’t.

They’re:

• Free
• Changed daily
• Genuinely some of the best ice lollies we’ve ever had

We only discovered this late in the trip and immediately regretted it.

4. 

Greek Hours at The Dock

In the afternoons (roughly mid-afternoon), The Dock serves a rotating Greek-inspired small plates menu.

Cold beer. Lamb. Squid. Sea breeze.

One of the most civilised spots on the ship — and easy to miss if you don’t know it exists.

5. 

Coffee strategy matters

If you care about coffee, timing and location matter more than quality alone.

• Filter coffee is available early in the Galley (from around 5:30am)
• The Grounds Club has two locations:
  • Deck 7 (busier)
  • Deck 15 (often much quieter)

If you’re sent out early to get coffees, Deck 15 is usually the better bet.

6. 

Fitness class bookings open gradually

This one caught us out.

Classes don’t all appear at once when you board — they’re released gradually throughout embarkation day.

Book the next day immediately, but keep checking back if spin, bungee or HIIT matter to you.

7. 

Black wristbands create unexpected generosity

RockStar and Mega RockStar sailors receive full-size bottles in their minibar.

We barely touched ours — so we gave them away to people we met at dinner.

Virgin delivered them directly to cabins.

It turns the ship into a strangely generous place — and feels very on-brand for Virgin.

The 2 Things Virgin Voyages Still Needs to Fix

1. 

Wi-Fi device restrictions

You can’t split premium Wi-Fi across devices in a sensible way.

If you upgrade one device, it becomes your primary — and adding another is expensive.

For a cruise line that prides itself on modern thinking, this feels dated.

2. 

Spin classes (at least on our sailing)

Short sessions, unreliable equipment, and inconsistent instruction.

Not expecting Peloton — but it wasn’t great, and we cancelled the rest after two attempts.

10 Additional Virgin Voyages Tips (Updated & Sailor-Tested)

These are Virgin-specific — not generic cruise advice.

8. Book shows early — but don’t panic

Popular shows fill fast, but additional slots often open mid-voyage. Keep checking the app.

9. Sea Terrace hammocks are better in the morning

Wind picks up later in the day. Early mornings are calmer and quieter.

10. Dinner reservations are flexible

If you miss out initially, check again once on board — cancellations happen constantly.

11. The Galley works best off-peak

Early breakfast and late lunch avoid crowds and give you more choice.

12. Night energy ≠ day energy

Spaces like The Dock and The Athletic Club feel completely different depending on time of day. Revisit them.

13. Scarlet Night rewards curiosity

It’s not about one moment — it unfolds across the ship. Move around.

14. Don’t overpack “evening outfits”

Virgin is relaxed. Comfort beats costume almost every time.

15. App notifications matter

They’re genuinely useful — not spammy. Keep them on.

16. Laundry mid-voyage resets everything

If you’re sailing longer than five nights, doing laundry halfway through feels surprisingly luxurious.

17. Talk to people early

The first two days shape the whole social rhythm of your voyage.

Gear That Worked for Me on This Trip

(Listed because people keep asking — not because you need them)

Backpack

I travelled with the YETI Crossroads 35 Backpack — structured, comfortable, and ideal for cameras and tech.

👉 https://uk.yeti.com/collections/everyday-bags/products/crossroads-35-backpack-olive

Carry-on case

For flights and transfers, I used the Away Aluminum Bigger Carry-On.

Heavy, yes — but extremely robust and easy to live out of.

👉 https://www.awaytravel.com/en-gb/products/aluminum-bigger-carry-on-silver

The takeaway

Virgin Voyages gets a lot right — but the experience improves dramatically once you understand how the ship actually works.

These aren’t hacks.

They’re small decisions that quietly shape how good the week becomes.

If you’re sailing soon, this should save you some trial and error.

And if you’ve sailed already, you’ll probably recognise more than a few.