Why the Food Was the Best Part of This Foodie's First Cruise on Virgin Voyages

What's the best part of a foodie's first cruise on Virgin Voyages? For a lot of first-timers, it's not the ports or the pool deck. It's realizing, usually somewhere around the first dinner, that the food is genuinely good and it doesn't cost extra. That second part is the real surprise for most first-time cruisers. Virgin Voyages includes every restaurant onboard in the fare, from sit-down spots to quick service, so there's no specialty dining upcharge and no buffet standing in as the "free" option. For a foodie, that setup basically removes the usual first-cruise dilemma of rationing which restaurants to splurge on. The move instead is trying everything, because everything is already covered. The rest of the ship is built to keep up with that pace. A Sea Terrace balcony stateroom, complete with its own hammock, gives you somewhere to actually rest between meals and nightlife instead of collapsing straight into bed. And because Virgin Voyages is adults-only, couples and friend groups don't have to sync up every plan. One person can chase every restaurant on the ship while another naps by the pool... everyone still ends up together by the time the entertainment kicks in for real. Frequently Asked Questions Is dining actually included on Virgin Voyages, or are there hidden upcharges? Every restaurant onboard Virgin Voyages, including sit-down and quick-service options, is included in the base fare, with no specialty dining surcharge and no buffet substituting for the included meals. Some restaurants have "treat yourself" options if you'd like to splurge on something unique like a Tomahawk steak at The Wake. Which restaurants are on Virgin Voyages, and what type of food do they serve? Virgin Voyages includes 20+ dining venues in the fare, and the lineup spans a wide range of cuisines rather than one central dining room. Extra Virgin serves Italian trattoria fare with handmade pasta. The Wake is an upscale steakhouse with steak and seafood. The Test Kitchen offers an experimental, chef-driven tasting menu where the courses are presented as ingredient lists rather than a set menu. Pink Agave serves upscale Mexican cuisine, and Gunbae is a Korean BBQ restaurant where the food is cooked at your table. Razzle Dazzle serves new American for breakfast and on Scarlet Lady it turns into Lucky Lotus (Chinese-inspired) at night. On Brilliant Lady it becomes and Rojo (Spanish-inspired tapas), and on Brilliant Lady it morphs into Ariya (contemporary Indian fusion). For casual, no-reservation eating, The Galley is a 24/7 food hall with stations covering everything from American diner classics to Asian and plant-based options. Do couples or groups have to do everything together on a cruise? Not necessarily. Cruise itineraries generally allow guests to split up during the day and reconvene for dinner or evening plans, and on Virgin Voyages that flexibility extends further since the adults-only setting and range of onboard spaces make it easy for each person to have their own day before meeting back up for the ship's evening entertainment. If restaurant-hopping sounds like a good reason to book a first cruise, dining details and stateroom categories are up on the Virgin Voyages website. Our food wins awards for a reason. Come taste why! #FirstCruise #VirginVoyages #CruiseFood 🎥 @shesthetea