Virgin Voyages for Young Adults: Why Cruising Isn’t Just for Older Travellers

Reality: This one is 18+ only.

Let's start with the obvious. Virgin Voyages is adults-only, meaning every ship and every sailing is exclusively for travellers aged 18 and over. No kids' clubs. No splash zones. No family entertainment schedule dictating your evening.

Instead, you've got a grown-up atmosphere where you can spend the afternoon by the pool, head for dinner whenever you fancy, and keep the night going with entertainment, drinks and dancing.

Reality: Have you seen the entertainment?

Forget sitting quietly in a theatre watching the same show every night. Virgin Voyages brings festival-style entertainment, live shows, parties, and signature events like Scarlet Night to the ship. There are high-energy performances, themed nights, and plenty happening after dark. And the best bit? You don't have to plan your entire night three weeks in advance.

Want to see a show? Go. Want to grab food at midnight? Absolutely. Want to spend the evening dancing? That's also an option. Your itinerary. Your rules.

Reality: Where's the fun in that?

Virgin Voyages has 20+ eateries, and there isn't a traditional buffet or main dining room. Instead, you can choose from globally inspired restaurants and menus created by award-winning, Michelin-starred chefs. Think Korean BBQ, Mexican-inspired dishes, Italian favourites, inventive plant-based options, and late-night bites.

And here's the bit students will want to hear: It's all included. All dining at the 20+ eateries is included in your voyage fare, so you're not constantly wondering whether ordering something else is going to destroy your holiday budget. Honestly, a holiday where “what should we eat next?” is the biggest group-chat debate sounds pretty good to us.

Reality: Look at what's actually included.

The price tag isn't the whole story. Virgin Voyages includes stylish accommodation, Wi-Fi, dining at 20+ eateries, non-alcoholic drinks, unlimited group fitness classes, world-class entertainment, DJ sets, spa access, and pop-up events in the voyage fare. That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

So rather than paying a lower headline price and then adding Wi-Fi, restaurant bookings, fitness classes, and entertainment one by one, a lot is already covered. For students, that can make budgeting a whole lot easier. Because the only surprise you want on holiday is finding an extra dessert counter you didn't know existed.

Reality: Meet your new wellness era.

Maybe you're the person who wants to be on the dance floor until 2am. Maybe you're the person who'd rather be doing sunrise yoga. Maybe you're somehow both.

Virgin Voyages has a Redemption Spa, fitness classes, a running track, and a range of wellness spaces, with group fitness classes included in the fare. So you can spend one day sweating through a workout, the next doing absolutely nothing, and another treating yourself to some serious spa time. Balance. We love to see it.    

Reality: The ship is just your very nice floating base.

One of the best things about cruising is that you can wake up somewhere completely different without packing your suitcase again.

Virgin Voyages sails to destinations across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and beyond, with its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, also sailing Alaska itineraries. That means you could spend your holiday exploring different cities, islands, and coastlines while your ship takes care of getting you from A to B. One holiday. Multiple destinations. Zero unpacking drama.