Virgin Voyages – West Coast Mermaiden (and The Perks of Being a Rockstar)
Virgin Voyages Rockstar Status: My Brilliant Lady Experience (And Why I’d Sail Again Tomorrow)
When presented with an opportunity to go on a maiden voyage of most anything, I am game. When that maiden voyage is one of the Virgin brands, I am definitely game.
Since my better half was unavailable to accompany me, I invited my bestie Megan. The sailing set out of Los Angeles, San Pedro to be specific, and we opted to fly into Long Beach rather than LAX. I’ll admit after living in LA a number of years, that was my first time in that airport. There are pros and cons, but the pros far outweighed the cons and it was extremely convenient for the cruise port.
We arrived the day before and stayed on the Queen Mary, another thing I had not done while living in SoCal. Better late than never, right? We will leave that tale for another post.
Getting There (And Getting Upgraded)
As we had to check out of the hotel by 11 am, we were very early for our scheduled embarkation time. I figured we would check in to the ship then wait. We had phones and tablets and books. How bad could it be? When we arrived at the terminal, it was already crowded and there really was nowhere to hang out. If all else failed, we could get a ride share to somewhere in Long Beach and come back.
We went up to the line heading into the building to ask what the procedure was and the lady said we could go ahead and check in, then it would be a piece of cake to embark when it was our time to board. Megan and I went up to the first available kiosk. We presented our info and the lady asked us to wait a moment. She went back to check on something with her manager. I figured something was wrong, but ready to roll with it.
It turns out, we had been upgraded.
We were about to experience Rockstar Status on Virgin Voyages. (Spoiler alert: worth it.)
- A quick note here: this particular sailing was the maiden voyage for Virgin’s new West Coast itineraries, and Virgin was offering upgrades like ours to First Mates (their travel advisor program) as part of how they promoted it, more of a special circumstance than something you should expect on a typical sailing. If you’re not booked in a suite, an upgrade to Rockstar status isn’t the norm, so consider this a fun bonus of being there for a maiden voyage rather than a guarantee for future sailings.
The Band
Now, on other cruise lines, you are given keycards, the keys to your castle, so to speak. The downside is that you are either always having to keep your wallet on you, make sure your clothes have pockets (ladies: we all know this is not as simple as it sounds), or sport lanyards around your neck.
Virgin Voyages uses wristbands, or The Band as they call it. These are corded bracelets with an anchor clasp, made from recycled plastics, fully adjustable and waterproof. I loved this option over keycards. For the entire length of the cruise, it stayed on my wrist and was incredibly convenient and comfortable.
But I digress.
We donned our Bands and were told to go on in.
Rockstar Status: Worth the Tally
I started mentally tallying the perks of Rockstar Status early on, and the list grew throughout the sailing. Let me walk you through them.
Perk #1: Early Check-In and a Real Waiting Area. Rather than standing around in a crowded terminal, we were escorted to a dedicated Rockstar waiting area inside the building: comfy chairs, air conditioning, snacks, and beverages. Staff made rounds to introduce themselves, chat, and answer questions. It set the tone immediately.
Perk #2: Early Boarding and a Champagne Reception. Not long after, around 1 PM, we were led onto the ship ahead of the general boarding group, straight into a champagne reception. While sipping, we had the opportunity to sit with a staff member to make early dinner reservations, book entertainment, and reserve Shore Things. I loved having the chance to ask questions and even met some fellow passengers who gave great advice on what not to miss.
With reservations made and champagne in hand, we made our way to our cabin.
Perk #3: Priority Entry for Shows, Plus Early Reservations. Rockstars get priority entry to the on-board shows, which matters more than it might sound when a venue fills up fast. On top of that, the ability to reserve some shows right on embarkation day, before most passengers have even found their cabins, means you are not scrambling to get into the things you most want to see.
Perk #4: A Separate Line at Bingo. Full transparency: we did not actually use this one. We did not know about it and waited in the regular line like everyone else. Found out afterward that Rockstars have their own queue for purchasing bingo cards. Lesson learned, and worth knowing before you sail.
Perk #5: A Private Tender Lounge on Shore Days. On days when the ship anchors offshore and tenders bring passengers to port, Rockstars wait in one of the on-board bars rather than in the general staging area. There was water and coffee waiting for us, and when it was time, we were escorted onto the tender ahead of the regular group. A small thing that makes a meaningful difference when you are eager to get ashore.
Perk #6: Priority Disembarkation. At the end of the sailing, there is a dedicated Rockstar disembarkation area that moves you to the front of what is otherwise a very long line to get off the ship. After five wonderful nights, getting home a little faster is a perk I was genuinely grateful for.
Perk #7: Richard’s Retreat. This one might be my favorite. Richard’s Retreat is a private deck area exclusively for Rockstars, and it is genuinely gorgeous. Quiet, relaxing, with its own bar and a cocktail hour every evening. It became our go-to spot to unwind away from the crowds, and honestly, it alone would be worth the upgrade.
Home for Five Nights
When we entered what would be our home for the next five nights, we noticed a few things. First, it was more modern looking than other cabins I had seen: sleek lines, a nautical feel without being over the top, and some lovely touches. The lighting was bright and welcoming, and changeable via the tablet, which is the true brain of the cabin operation.
Second was the balcony. Not just the balcony, but the famous hammocks. Not a traditional hammock meant for lying flat. This is more of a rope recliner that lets you sink in and swing gently as you relax. Definitely a fan.
In full transparency, there are a couple of drawbacks to the cabins worth noting.
The bed arrangement is different from most cruise ships. Rather than parallel twin beds, Virgin uses the sofa area and places the two beds at a 90-degree angle. In our case, Megan’s head was near the wall and mine was aimed toward the balcony. Since I am not especially tall, I am sure Megan was grateful my feet didn’t hang over onto her side. We didn’t have much of an issue with it, but I could see where it might be a problem for tall friends sharing a cabin.
The second thing to know is the bathroom. In the Sea Terrace room, it is tiny. Tiny as in it made my wee one-bedroom LA apartment bathroom look huge. The shower is a decent size, but I am not a fan of rain showerheads, especially when there is no escape from them. Thankfully, there was a handheld option, though on first use I accidentally triggered the rain showerhead and conducted an unplanned test of the blow dryer.
Not a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.
Exploring the Brilliant Lady
In true Virgin style, the ship is beautiful.
This is not like other cruise lines, and that is intentional. It is an adults-only (18+) line, so there is nothing on board aimed at kids, though there are plenty of things aimed at the kid in all of us.
There is an area with board games and plenty of tables where you can sit and enjoy some friendly competition, and possibly meet some new friends along the way. Nearby is a free library with a decent assortment of titles, which I particularly appreciated for those moments when I just wanted to find a quiet corner and dive in.
Dining, Reimagined
Dining on Virgin Voyages is one of the most noticeable differences from other lines. Rather than a main buffet and a traditional dining room, they have reimagined it as a food hall concept. If you are used to filling your plate at buffet counters, this will take a little adjustment. Items are mostly made to order, so take that into account. You are given a restaurant buzzer at a couple of the counters while your food is prepped. It is still quick, and this model avoids the significant food waste that happens at traditional buffets.
There are also a number of restaurants on board that offer some genuinely unique flavors and experiences. If you are not an adventurous eater, they have burgers, pastas, and sandwiches covered. If you want a little culinary adventure, there are plenty of options that were a pleasant surprise. One of my favorites was The Food Lab, an experience with hints of molecular gastronomy and non-traditional presentations of familiar foods.
It is worth noting that all dining is included in your fare. There are some menu items that carry an upcharge, but overall, you will not need to budget for different restaurants. The one exception we found was Up With a Twist, one of their shows that features a progressive tasting menu with cocktail pairings throughout the performance.
Entertainment and Shows
Cruise lines put significant effort into on-board entertainment, and Virgin is no different. Up With a Twist was truly an experience from the moment we walked through the tunnel to be seated. The entire theater was designed as part of the show: immersive, unexpected, and a genuine delight.
A few more things worth highlighting:
The Tattoo Parlor and Record Store is exactly what it sounds like, and exactly what you would expect from a Virgin brand. Whether you are browsing vinyl or getting some ink to commemorate the voyage, it is a fun and distinctly Virgin touch that you will not find on other lines.
If fitness is part of your travel routine, the gym and fitness offerings on board are well worth exploring. Classes, equipment, and sea views make it easier than usual to actually follow through on those good intentions. In a past life, I was a runner and I looked at the track on the Brilliant Lady with a bit of temptation. This is a dedicated track. It is not crammed onto a deck where runners and walkers have to dodge and weave around other sailors heading to whatever bar is that direction. Nice touch. There is also a basketball court, and most any type of fitness equipment you could want.
The Pajama Party is one of those events that sounds like it might not be for everyone, until you are there and suddenly it absolutely is for everyone. It is one of several themed evenings that gives the ship a sense of community and shared fun that I have not felt on other sailings.
Scarlet Night
And then there is Scarlet Night.
If you sail on Virgin Voyages and only remember one thing about the experience, there is a decent chance it will be this.
The magic of Scarlet Night is that it sneaks up on you. When you head in during the afternoon, nothing seems out of the ordinary. Then, gradually, you start to notice things shifting. Decorations are changing. Accents of red are appearing. Something is building.
By the time the evening arrives, the ship has been transformed. The hallways glow with red LED lighting. The pool area has a centerpiece that stops everyone in their tracks: a massive inflatable red octopus, draped over the area like a fixture that was always meant to be there. Nautical imagery is woven throughout the décor, blending the ocean theme with the signature Virgin red in a way that feels intentional and cohesive.
Everyone is encouraged to wear red or scarlet for the evening, and most people do. There is something about a ship full of people dressed in the same color that creates an instant sense of collective celebration.
The entertainment spreads across the ship throughout the night: acrobats, jugglers, singers, and performers at various locations, along with games and other festivities. It is the kind of night where you can wander and discover something new around every corner.
One of the most quietly stunning touches: head to the back of the ship and look out over the wake. It is illuminated in red. It is a small detail that somehow makes the whole evening feel complete.
Scarlet Night works whether you are a night owl who will still be going strong at 2 AM or someone who wants to take in the atmosphere and be in bed by ten. There is something in it for everyone, and it captures everything that makes Virgin Voyages distinct: the color, the drama, the unexpected, and the sheer commitment to creating a moment you will not forget.
No Hard Sell, No Pressure
One thing I noticed, and genuinely appreciated, was the absence of pressure throughout the sailing.
On other lines, I have grown accustomed to staff appearing at breakfast to upsell specialty restaurant reservations, jewelry vendors doing loud drawings and presentations throughout the day, and the general sense that spending more is always being encouraged. None of that was the vibe on Virgin.
Staff were available and helpful, but not pushy. The shopping on the High Street had high-end options alongside many things well within my budget. The Virgin Voyages merch was actually things I wanted, not overpriced, with a good selection and even some extended sizes available (a rarity on ships). We also noticed they were running a BOGO-style sale the first couple of days, so keep an eye out for that.
Drinks: Tabs, Not Packages
If you are used to traditional cruise lines, another difference worth knowing: there are no drink packages on Virgin Voyages. Instead, they offer bar tabs. When you book, there are often bonuses available to add to your total, but it is not an unlimited free-for-all.
That said: water, soda, drip coffee, and tea are included. Specialty coffee drinks work like a coffee shop, you pay per cup. Most drinks are priced lower than comparable offerings on other lines, so the shift in thinking is worth it.
All purchases are made with your Band. One tip from personal experience: if you are traveling with a friend and plan to share a bar tab, make sure the person who purchased the tab is the one scanning their Band. It is tied to the person, not the room. We had to sort this out after our sailing. It got resolved, but required some reconciliation on the back end.
Sustainability as a Practice, Not Just a Promise
Another focus of Virgin Voyages is sustainability, and it shows in the details. Made-to-order food to reduce waste. Shore Things (excursions) sourced from providers who meet benchmarks for environmental and animal-friendly standards. Local partnerships. Spotlights on small businesses in the Sailor App. Volunteer opportunities alongside community organizations.
The crew culture is also worth mentioning: over 6,500 crew members from more than 100 nationalities. Women make up 36% of the crew. No rank at the dinner table. It is a culture that is clearly intentional.
Virgin Voyages also offers a limited number of Charity Certificates for qualifying nonprofit organizations, a complimentary voyage for two on select sailings, available as a fundraising prize. Worth knowing if you are involved in that space.
Is Rockstar Status Worth It?
After experiencing a Rockstar upgrade firsthand, I get asked this a lot, so here’s the full rundown of what Rockstar status can include, based on my own sailing plus what I know of the broader perks available to Rockstar Suite guests.
Boarding & Arrival
- Dedicated check-in area or entrance at the terminal, separate from general queues
- No timed check-in window for suite guests; board at your leisure rather than a scheduled slot
- Early/priority boarding, often ahead of the general boarding group
- Champagne reception upon boarding
Onboard Access
- Priority entry to shows and entertainment venues
- Ability to reserve some shows early, including on embarkation day
- A separate line for purchasing bingo cards (don’t make my mistake, ask about this one!)
- For Rockstar Suite guests: exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop, with daily sail-away parties and complimentary Moët champagne
- For Rockstar Suite guests: a dedicated Rockstar agent acting as a personal concierge throughout the voyage
Shore Days
- A private waiting lounge in one of the ship’s bars ahead of tender departures, with refreshments, followed by early tender boarding
- For Rockstar Suite guests: a priority booking window for Shore Things excursions, opening well before general booking
Cabin Perks (Rockstar Suites)
- A full-sized in-room bar, not a minibar, that can be customized with your preferred spirits
- Extra space and upgraded room categories
- Mega Rockstar tier adds further benefits, including unlimited Wi-Fi and unlimited spa access
Disembarkation
- A dedicated priority disembarkation area that bypasses the general line
My take: I experienced Rockstar status as an upgrade from a standard Sea Terrace cabin through the First Mates promotion, rather than by booking a Rockstar Suite directly. Our upgrade gave us access to nearly the full suite of Rockstar perks, including Richard’s Retreat, priority boarding, the champagne reception, priority show access, the tender lounge, and priority disembarkation. The only suite-specific perks we did not have were the in-room bar and the dedicated concierge. Even without those two, it made a real difference to how relaxed the whole sailing felt, and gave me a genuine feel for what booking a Rockstar Suite would offer.
If you’re trying to decide whether to book a Rockstar Suite outright versus hoping for an upgrade, that’s exactly the kind of thing I can help you think through based on your travel style and what matters most to you.
The Bottom Line
Virgin Voyages is not trying to be every cruise line. It is trying to be something different, and it succeeds. The adults-only environment, the thoughtful dining model, the entertainment, the sustainability commitments, the lack of hard-sell tactics, and the sheer fun of something like Scarlet Night all add up to a sailing experience that feels genuinely distinct.
Would I do it again? Without hesitation.
If you have questions about whether Virgin Voyages is the right fit for your travel style, I would love to help you figure it out. That is exactly what I am here for.
