Vacations aren’t usually ruined by one big thing. They’re worn down by dozens of tiny ones.
The slow drip of friction. The unnecessary pause. The moment you think, “Is this really how it still works?”
So we asked a different question: What if vacation felt… easier?
Not louder. Not busier. Not more scheduled. Just smoother.
That question is the heart of What’s included on a Virgin Voyages cruise? — our clear breakdown of all the essentials we include so you don’t have to hunt for fine print or random reviews on social media at 2 in the morning (don’t worry, the late-night scrolls get to us all).
Here are 50 small annoyances we quietly removed — not as just a list to check off, but as a philosophy.
1. Standing in line
Vacation shouldn’t feel like waiting for vacation to begin.
From embarkation to dining, we redesigned the flow so your first impression isn’t a rope barrier and a sigh — it’s the kind of seamless arrival Sailors describe in what it’s really like onboard a Virgin Voyages cruise. Just make sure to book your arrival time in your Sailor App, and it will be smooth sailing once you get to the port.
2. Carrying a keycard
Keys? In this decade? Sounds like something we left behind in the 2010s.
Pockets are so not necessary while on board.
Your wearable band unlocks your room, pays for your treats, and remembers your name — one less thing to juggle as you wander the ship.
3. Reading fine print
If something matters, we say it clearly.
No asterisks, no buried charges — just the included experiences spelled out in What’s included on a Virgin Voyages cruise so you know exactly what your fare covers.
4. Hearing loud announcements
Nothing pulls you out of paradise faster than a blaring speaker.
So we replaced interruptions with subtle digital nudges and beautifully designed spaces meant for quiet discovery.
5. Overplanning dinners
Some nights deserve reservations. Others deserve spontaneity.
With more than 20 included eateries to choose from, Virgin Voyages Cruise Dining lets you decide your vibe when you feel like deciding it, no spreadsheets required.
6. Paying extra for Wi-Fi
Staying connected shouldn’t feel like an upgrade with a hefty added fee.
Basic Wi-Fi is part of your fare, so you can post that sunset shot or find your next adventure without surprise charges, all spelled out in What’s included on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
7. Buffets that feel like a test of patience
Crowds. Trays. The slow shuffle.
We said goodbye to buffets entirely and hello to made-to-order experiences, a design choice reflected across the venues in Virgin Voyages Cruise Dining — always included, always without lines.
8. Waking up early to save a seat
Vacation isn’t competitive.
Our pool decks and lounges are intentionally designed with space to breathe and room to relax, so you don’t have to “claim” your view before breakfast.
9. Feeling nickel-and-dimed
Leave your calculators at home. The math shouldn’t follow you on board.
Your fare includes dining, basic drinks, fitness classes, adult-only entertainment, and more — explained clearly in What’s included on a Virgin Voyages cruise so you know what’s covered.
10. Entertainment that feels like filler
If it doesn’t move you, surprise you, or make you feel something, it doesn’t make the cut.
Entertainment aboard is designed to be thoughtful, original, and engaging, and it’s all included in your fare.
11. Being told where to be every hour
Structure can be comforting.
Obligation is not.
Our days are built on optionality — fitness classes you can book or skip, shows you can wander into late, and long afternoons that don’t ask anything of you at all. It’s the freedom Sailors talk about when they describe life onboard Virgin Voyages.
12. Cruises that feel like floating malls
You didn’t come to sea to shop fluorescent corridors.
You came for light, design, and space to breathe.
That’s why our ships were designed more like boutique hotels than megamalls, a philosophy rooted in how Virgin Voyages reimagined cruise ship design.
13. Activities designed for “everyone”
When something is for everyone, it often feels like it’s for no one.
So we design for adults (curious, social, thoughtful adults), whether that’s a mixology class, a sunrise stretch, or late-night dancing that doesn’t apologize for itself.
14. The awkward solo-traveler gap
Traveling alone shouldn’t feel like a loophole.
Our spaces invite connection without pressure; one reason so many Sailors write about why Virgin Voyages works so well for solo cruising.
15. Overcrowded pools
Water should restore you, not stress you out.
Multiple pools, varied vibes, and space to float without bumping elbows, because relaxation works better when you’re not negotiating for it.
16. Entertainment that talks down to you
If it assumes you won’t get it, we’re not interested.
Our shows trust Sailors to be smart, curious, and open — immersive, unexpected, and included in your voyage. No velvet rope required.
17. Feeling rushed off the ship
Departures shouldn’t feel like a fire drill.
So we built a smoother, more relaxed goodbye; one last coffee, one last look at the water, one last deep breath before real life resumes.
18. Kids’ menus everywhere
Sometimes adults want adult food.
And by sometimes, we mean always.
From Korean BBQ to modern Italian to inventive vegetarian dishes, Virgin Voyages cruise dining is built around grown-up tastes — and it’s all included. No upcharges. No compromises.
19. Forced fun
You’ll never be told to dance. Joy lands better when it’s chosen, whether that’s joining the party or watching it unfold with a drink in hand.
20. The idea that luxury has to be stiff
Luxury doesn’t need hushed tones or rigid rules.
It can laugh. It can glow. It can feel like ease — a balance at the heart of what makes Virgin Voyages different.
21. Packing for “just in case”
Formal night. Theme night. That one oddly specific outfit.
We removed the guesswork so you can pack lighter, physically and mentally.
And if you want actual packing guidance from Virgin Voyages ourselves, check out What first-time cruisers should know before booking a cruise — including packing tips for how to bring only what you need, plus expert tips on what matters most.
22. End-of-trip bill shock
Nothing breaks the spell like a last-day surprise. We believe clarity upfront feels better than explaining things later, so costs are transparent, trackable, and never intentionally confusing.
23. Fitness that feels like punishment
Movement should feel good. Yoga, spin, strength, outdoor training — all included, all optional, all designed to meet you where you are.
24. Missing out because you didn’t plan ahead
Great experiences shouldn’t punish spontaneity. Our programming leaves room for last-minute yeses and unexpected favorites.
25. Being upsold mid-moment
We’ve all been there. Stuck in a never-ending sales pitch, and nothing breaks the spell like being constantly sold to.
So we keep experiences clean, transparent, and clearly priced — or better yet, already included.
26. The pressure to “do it all”
You don’t need to maximize anything.
Take a moment and relax, because a vacation is a pause.
27. Crowded shore excursions
Exploration works better in smaller groups.
Our Shore Things are designed to feel personal, immersive, and thoughtfully paced — not rushed or herded.
28. Food that feels mass-produced
Every plate should feel intentional.
That’s why our kitchens cook to order, no steam tables, no shortcuts, just food worth slowing down for.
29. Cabins that are just places to sleep
Your cabin should support the whole rhythm of your day.
Mood lighting, smart storage, and thoughtful details turn it into a space you actually want to be.
30. Paper schedules
Trees deserve better. So does your attention.
Daily plans are available digitally, updating in real-time, which means less clutter and more clarity.
31. Not knowing what’s included
Uncertainty creates friction.
Clarity creates calm.
That’s why Sailors return to What’s included on a Virgin Voyages cruise before they even pack.
32. Entertainment that ends too early
Some nights are just getting started.
We plan for that. Night owls rejoice.
33. Feeling anonymous
You’re not a cabin number.
You’re a Sailor.
And being recognized (by name, by preference, or by vibe) changes how vacation feels.
34. Spaces that do only one thing
A café by day.
A bar by night.
A lounge that evolves as the sun sets.
Because good spaces should flex with your mood.
35. The sense that “this isn’t for me”
Vacation should meet you where you are, not ask you to fit a mold.
That inclusivity is intentional, not accidental.
36. Long waits for coffee
Mornings should unfold gently.
We made sure caffeine is never a quest and always have a pot freshly brewed.
37. Entertainment you forget five minutes later
The best moments linger.
They become stories, not filler between meals.
38. Loud luxury
Sometimes indulgence whispers.
We listened.
39. Overcrowded elevators
Movement should feel fluid.
So we designed ships that breathe.
40. Feeling like the best stuff costs extra
The good parts shouldn’t be hidden behind a paywall.
They should be part of the experience from the start.
41. Confusing apps
Technology should support your vacation, not take center stage.
Ours is built to be intuitive, helpful, and quietly effective.
42. Waking up to chaos
Your mornings are yours.
Sleep in. Stretch. Wander. Repeat.
43. Being told what “luxury” should feel like
You decide that.
We’ll just remove the obstacles.
44. Dining rooms that rush you
A great meal deserves time.
So we never hurry you along. Want to take two hours to kick back with your meal? You can do that. We understand the need to savor every bite.
45. Too many rules
Respect works better than restriction.
We trust our Sailors, and it shows.
46. Feeling watched
Freedom includes privacy.
And space.
47. Predictable experiences
If it feels copy-paste, we start over.
Originality is the point.
48. The stress of the last day
We softened the edges.
Because endings deserve grace.
49. Needing a vacation from your vacation
Rest should be the outcome — not the reward for surviving it.
50. The idea that this is just how vacations have to be
It isn’t.
So we changed it.
The bigger idea
These are more than perks; they are guiding principles.
Removing small annoyances creates more ease, better flow, and moments that feel naturally unplanned.
Vacation feels better when friction disappears.
And that’s exactly what Sailors discover when they step into What’s included on a Virgin Voyages cruise — clear, no fine print, no surprises.
Ready for a vacation that feels easier — without you having to think about why?
Step onboard and experience what happens when the small stuff disappears.
