There is far more to do on Virgin Voyages than most first-timers expect. On any given day you can hit the pools and hot tubs, take free fitness classes, catch an original theater show, gamble in the casino, sweat in the Thermal Suite, eat at six sit-down restaurants (all included), and dance at a late-night deck party — with no kids anywhere on board.
Virgin Voyages is adults-only (18+) and packs a surprising amount into every ship. The trick is knowing what’s on offer, what’s free, and how to pace a sea day so you don’t miss the good stuff. We’re Virgin-certified First Mates on the Pixie Vacations team — we sail these ships, we book them for our travelers, and we charge no planning fees. Here’s the honest, full rundown of things to do on board.
Last updated: September 2026
What is there to do on Virgin Voyages?
Activities on Virgin Voyages fall into a few buckets: lounging and pools, fitness and wellness, entertainment and nightlife, gaming, eating and drinking, and the signature parties the line is known for. Almost everything except alcohol, spa treatments, specialty coffee, and shore excursions is included in your fare. That “it’s mostly included” model is a big part of why we recommend the line — you’re rarely reaching for your card. See our full breakdown of what’s included on Virgin Voyages for the fine print.
According to Virgin Voyages’ official Things To Do hub, the daily line-up spans wellness, entertainment, dining, and nightlife — and the ships (Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady) share the same layout and roughly the same activity list, so this guide applies whichever “Lady” you sail.
A typical sea day on Virgin Voyages, hour by hour
Sea days are when the ship really shows off. Here’s how a well-planned one can flow. Everything below is included in your fare unless noted.
- Morning: Grab drip coffee and breakfast at The Galley food hall, then take a free group fitness class — yoga, HIIT, or a run on the outdoor track. The gym (B-Complex) is open around the clock at no charge.
- Late morning: Claim a spot at the pool or a hot tub, or book a treatment or a session in the Thermal Suite at Redemption Spa. Prefer quiet? The adults-only vibe means even the pool deck stays calmer than a mega-ship.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a sit-down restaurant (no upcharge), a trivia session or drawing class, a dip in The Perch net over the deck, or a nap. This is also the easiest time to snag a same-day dinner reservation change.
- Evening: Pre-dinner cocktail, a show in The Red Room, then dinner at one of the six included restaurants.
- Late night: DJs, karaoke at Groupie, the piano bar, The Manor nightclub, or the casino. On one night of most sailings, the whole ship turns out for Scarlet Night.
Things to do on Virgin Voyages, by category
Pools, hot tubs, and top deck
Every ship has a pool, multiple hot tubs, and sun decks, plus photogenic spots like the giant flamingo statue and The Perch — a suspended net you can lounge on above the deck. Because it’s adults-only, the pool areas skew toward relaxing and social rather than water slides and splash pads.
Fitness and movement (mostly free)
Fitness is a standout. The B-Complex gym is included and open 24/7, and most group classes — yoga, boot camp, spin-style rides, and the outdoor Fabathletics circuits — are free. A few specialty or personal-training sessions carry a fee, so check the day’s schedule in the Sailor App. There’s also a running track and boxing.
The Spa and Thermal Suite (extra)
Redemption Spa is one of the best at sea, with a Thermal Suite that includes a mud room, quartz heated loungers, a cold plunge, a salt room, and a steam room. Access and treatments cost extra for most Sailors — but Thermal Suite access is included if you book a RockStar suite. Details and pricing are in our Virgin Voyages spa guide.
Entertainment: shows, DJs, and nightlife
Virgin skips the big Broadway-style production shows for immersive, original productions in The Red Room and pop-up performances around the ship. Line-ups rotate, but past headliners include acrobatic and cabaret-style shows that feel more festival than cruise. After dark you’ll find DJs, live music, karaoke, and The Manor nightclub. We rank the best in our Red Room shows guide.
The casino
Each ship has a casino with slots and table games, open on sea days and evenings in port. It’s a compact, stylish space rather than a cavernous floor. See our Virgin Voyages casino guide for hours and how the play works.
Eating and drinking your way around
Dining is genuinely an activity here. There are more than 20 eateries and all six sit-down restaurants — The Wake, Razzle Dazzle, Pink Agave, Gunbae, Extra Virgin, and Test Kitchen — are included, with no cover charge. Grazing the food hall, doing a multi-restaurant “food crawl,” or booking the interactive Gunbae Korean BBQ experience are all popular ways to spend an afternoon or evening. Our restaurants ranked and food guide map it all out.
Drinking is social and pay-as-you-go — there’s no all-you-can-drink package. Sailors load a “Bar Tab” instead and get bonus credit; we explain how to size yours in the Bar Tab guide.
Signature parties and grown-up mischief
The event Virgin is famous for is Scarlet Night — a deck party where everyone wears red and (if they dare) jumps in the pool. There are also themed nights, pajama parties, and pop-up performances. If you’re a first-timer, our 25 first-time tips cover the etiquette.
What’s free vs. what costs extra
Here’s the quick reference our travelers ask for most.
| Included in your fare | Costs extra |
|---|---|
| All six sit-down restaurants + food hall | Alcohol (Bar Tab / pay-as-you-go) |
| Gym (24/7) and most group fitness classes | Some premium/personal fitness sessions |
| Pools, hot tubs, The Perch, sun decks | Spa treatments and Thermal Suite (free for RockStars) |
| Theater shows, DJs, live music, nightclub | Specialty coffee (Grounds Club) and premium bottled items |
| Still & sparkling water, drip coffee, tea | Shore excursions (Shore Things) |
| WiFi and gratuities | Photos, casino play, and the Bimini Beach Club extras |
Planning a Caribbean sailing with a stop at the line’s private beach? Read our Bimini Beach Club guide before you go.
Sea day vs. port day: what to prioritize
On sea days, do the things that are hard to fit in otherwise: a spa morning, a long lunch crawl, back-to-back fitness classes, and the marquee evening shows and parties. On port days, get off and explore — but if you’re staying aboard, the ship is blissfully quiet, which is a great time for the pool, the gym, or the Thermal Suite. Not every excursion suits every traveler, and this is where an advisor earns their keep: we match Shore Things to your energy level and interests so you don’t book a wine walk when you wanted a beach day.
Our advisor tips for making the most of it
A few things we tell every traveler: download the Sailor App before you board and check the daily schedule each morning (activities aren’t printed on paper). Book your must-do dinners and any spa time early — the best slots go fast. Pace your first sea day; new Sailors routinely try to do everything on day one and burn out. And lean on us — as a Griswold-family agency, we plan the trip the way we’d plan our own, right down to which night to save for Scarlet Night.
Ready to sail? Browse Virgin Voyages cruises and book with Pixie Vacations — same prices as booking direct, plus our concierge planning at no extra cost. Prefer to talk it through? Request a free quote or call us at 678-815-1584.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a lot to do on Virgin Voyages?
Yes. Between multiple pools and hot tubs, a 24/7 gym with free classes, original theater shows, a casino, a full spa, more than 20 places to eat, DJs and a nightclub, and signature deck parties, there’s easily enough to fill several sea days. Because it’s adults-only, the activities skew social, wellness, and nightlife rather than kids’ clubs and water parks.
Is all the food on Virgin Voyages free?
Almost. All six sit-down restaurants, the food hall, and casual venues are included with no cover charge — a rarity at sea. What costs extra is alcohol, specialty coffee at Grounds Club, and a handful of premium items. Non-alcoholic basics like still and sparkling water, drip coffee, and tea are included too.
What does a pink flamingo mean on a Virgin Voyages cruise?
On Virgin Voyages the flamingo is simply the line’s playful mascot — you’ll find a giant flamingo statue on deck that’s a favorite photo spot. The “pink flamingo means swinger” idea is a general cruise-world urban legend, not an official Virgin Voyages thing, so don’t read into a flamingo tote or towel.
What is not allowed on Virgin Voyages?
The biggest one: no children — every Sailor must be 18 or older. You also can’t bring your own alcohol aboard beyond limited allowances, and prohibited items follow standard cruise rules (no irons, extension cords with surge protectors, weapons, or illegal substances). See our adults-only guide for the age policy in full.
What is special about Virgin Voyages?
It’s adults-only, tips and WiFi are included, all the sit-down restaurants are free, and the vibe is more boutique-hotel-meets-festival than traditional cruise. That combination — grown-up, stylish, and mostly-included — is what sets it apart and why it wins over a lot of cruisers who thought they didn’t like cruising.
Do I need to pay a travel agent to book Virgin Voyages?
No. Pixie Vacations charges no planning fees, and you pay the same fare you would booking directly with Virgin. You just get an advisor who knows the ships, watches for promotions, and helps you plan your activities and Shore Things. Get a free quote here.
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