Cruising has never been my personal favorite type of vacation. I think it goes way back to a family vacation that included a day trip from Miami to the Bahamas...it was hot, there was nowhere to relax, and my young brain couldn't appreciate the miles of water views in every direction!

While I enjoyed planning cruises for my clients, I just couldn't see myself on a ship.

Fast-forward to my husband and I trying to plan a special anniversary trip. I had been learning about Virgin Voyages and the adults-only experience had me intrigued. I decided to set aside my pre-conceived ideas and biases of cruising to try this out. At worst, I'd have the experience to share with my clients; at best, maybe I'd be converted to a cruiser.

We booked the Mayan Sol itinerary that departs out of Miami for a 5-night cruise. Ports included Costa Maya and the Beach Club at Bimini, Virgin Voyage's private beach club, and two days at sea.

Everything about my experience on The Scarlet Lady was top-tier. The process to board the ship at the Port of Miami was seamless with plenty of crew on hand to help facilitate the process. Our bags made it to our cabin before we did! Our mid-ship Sea Terrace cabin was modern, techy, and very comfortable. Mood lighting enhanced our time in the room, whether we were working, getting ready to go out for the night, or winding-down at the end of the day. I do have to say that my absolute favorite part of this cabin was the Terrace Hammock! Sipping coffee and reading a book was the height of luxury for me! Listening the water and the slight swing of the hammock had me napping before I could finish the first chapter...amazing!

The vibe of the ship was phenomenal...casual luxury, modern, and fully geared to an adult's palate. We found that we could do our own thing, like walking the track at the top of the ship, or soaking in a hot tub with champagne while enjoying the gorgeous stars at night to jumping in on the fun during the Scarlet Night festivities (ok, that pool party and trivia games really had us going!). The ship really allows you to have the experience you want.

If you prefer a quieter evening, the bars and lounges scattered throughout the ship each have their own thing going on...singer/songwriters and pop-up performances along with fantastic drinks make for a wonderful, low-key evening. You just never know what you'll find around the next corner!

This extends to the restaurants on board. The 'come as you are' mentality really plays into the idea that this is YOUR vacation, YOUR ship. People dined in shorts and jeans as well as cocktail dresses and bespoke suits. The food was the highlight and the crew wanted nothing more than for you to enjoy the culinary wonderland. My husband is a carnivore while I'm a vegetarian...we were both so happy with every meal, every dining experience. You will not go wrong at any of the eateries on board with menus crafted by Michelin starred chefs!

One of our favorite meals was at Gunbae. Every meal at Gunbae begins with a Korean drinking game that includes a complimentary shot of soju. The servers are the stars here as they break the ice between you and your dining companions. So much food is brought to your table to try! The fun kicks in as everyone gets comfortable and the stories start flowing! We spent the whole evening with our table-mates enjoying shows and different lounges while experience the secrets of Scarlet Night!

The shows were, let's be honest here, NOT cheesy! A few skewed towards the risque, but that added to the overall ambiance of the cruise. The staff work so hard to ensure everyone is having a blast and doing exactly what they want to be doing! Observing, joining in, being the star...whatever you seek, you shall find!

Another aspect of Virgin Voyages that turned my head is their commitment to sustainable cruising. No single use plastics, no buffets, and mindfully-curated shore excursions add to the enjoyment of the experience. They are dedicated to improving the lives and environment of the people and wildlife in each region they sail to. If eco-tourism and sustainability are important in your decision on where to vacation, Virgin has you covered.

I think the big take-away for me is how much I enjoyed my time on the ship, it fit like a glove. I've had a few clients ask me if it was 'too adult', if you know what I mean. I didn't find it so. There were people from every age group (honeymooners to gorgeous ladies with walkers), every mix of passengers (couples, friend-groups, singles, families), and every kind of lifestyle represented. Everyone was there to enjoy their experience in their own way, but it was never in an inappropriate way. Total respect for one another!

In a nut-shell, I'm now a fan of Virgin Voyages. I'm looking forward to planning my next cruise. I'm thinking the Mediterranean...as long as my cabin has a hammock!

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