Sun - Tues, October 26-28, 2025 - Photos, Part I

Ok, Virgin got me.  They offer a basic WIFI but it is not much good beyond texts and basics.  And, I don't want to post all my photos after I get home because I'll forget too much stuff.  The main reason for this blog is so I can go back later and relive the cruise.

Anyhow, I'm doing a dump in this post of some of the photos I've taken since I boarded.

Enjoy!

Virgin is known for these hammock chairs on the balcony.  I have already spent hours in it.  This was when I first saw it in Barcelona.

A view of Barcelona from my balcony.

Hog heaven.

Virgin is all about cute names and stuff.  This is the phone in my cabin.

These are the only drawers in the cabin.  I miss a bedside drawer.  I miss a drawer in the desk.  And, good thing I'm traveling alone because those drawers are full of my stuff.  Fine for a 4-5 day Caribbean cruise but clearly the ships were not configured for long cruises.

The closet.  I prefer a closet door to a curtain.

My cabin.  Spacious for one, comfortable for two.  The bed is firm and comfortable but low so I couldn't fit my big suitcase underneath.  

The bathrooms in the balcony cabins are TINY.  But, very functional.  Perfect for one person.  I wouldn't want to use it as a changing room, though.  It feels comparable in size to an airplane toilet.

But - the shower is a good size with tons of water pressure.

Virgin tends to depart later than most cruise lines so I got to see sunset.

And the Royal Caribbean ship that was leaving before us.

Dinner on Sunday was Razzle Dazzle.  Loud music and conversation kept it lively.  Tables are close enough together that you can have privacy if you want but easy to converse with folks at the next table.  People are very friendly and outgoing.  If you don't like talking with strangers, this may not be the cruise line for you.  

The first dish onboard!  A salad.  Beautifully presented but the dressing and avocado had a flavor I couldn't identify but didn't like.  I had to pass on the beautiful salad.

But then came the braised lamb shank with both mashed potatoes and boiled potatoes.  It was delicious and I'll be ordering it again.

Public area on embarkation evening.

Complimentary juices and sodas and water are at the Tap That Cold stations.  There are also Tap That Hot, which have free tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

Virgin doesn't have a Lido buffet.  Instead they have food stands with set menus.  Each day they also offer specials.  Free and no reservation required.

One of the stands offers homemade popsicles and champagne.  You are encouraged to dip the treat into the champagne.

Barcelona from my balcony.

Only a crescent moon but beautiful.  And in the 50's so I didn't stay outside.

A woman I admire once said "When given two good choices, take them both."  Excellent advice.  All the desserts this cruise are Halloween themed.  This was a large macaron and their signature dessert with is a chocolate cookie base, topped with chocolate mousse and a gel icing and more chocolate.  Both were worth the calories.

A view of my closet from my bed.

Instead of a key card, you get a bracelet.  Want to open your cabin door?  Tap it.  Want to pay for a special coffee or whatever?  Tap it.  I like it better than the card.  

The balcony at night.

The balcony at sunrise.  Yes, I'm ordering one so it will arrive the week after I get home.

The back wall of the inside of the elevator. I do miss the Holland America day of the week in the elevator.    

They'd set up the equipment for Valencia - when you board the ship, you and any bags you're carrying go through x-ray.  

Like other cruise lines, there are a variety of bars and places to listen to live music.  In general, I like the decor on the ship but it is more "Ikea does Las Vegas" than Ritz Carlton.

I stuck my head in the closed Test Kitchen for photos.  I have it booked twice and can't wait.

Want a tattoo or piercing?  No problem!  But, like glass blowing on Celebrity, I'm not sure tattooing on rough seas is a good idea.

Places to relax outdoors.

Seating was not chosen by AARP members.  I love this hassock in my cabin as a foot stool.  As a chair?  Not so much.

Yes, you can climb on these for photos.  Virgin's target market is all about the 'Gram.

One of the areas I like a lot is the Social Arcade.  Lots of games and puzzles (you don't have to bring your own Uno or Skip Bo!)  Plus, a free arcade where I've already been demonstrating how bad I am at arcade games.

In the Social Club is an old-school type diner.  Sorry for the glare but you can get sandwiches/hot dogs, popcorn, etc.  

And, there's a shuffleboard table.  Yesterday while at sea, there was a tournament.

The Arcade!  Old-school - tetris, Mario, Daytona racing, etc.

The Daytona driving game makes me laugh out loud.  I am awful at it but am improving.  

That's the Daytona driving game.

More on The Wake later- it is the steakhouse and most upscale of the restaurants.

I'm not a fan of requiring people to use stairs to get to The Wake.  Or decks 16 and 17.  As Virgin continues to draw an older demographic, it will be interesting to see how they handle it.

There definitely is not a focus on providing comfortable seating with views in public areas, IMO. I miss the Crow's Nest with 180 degree views.  There's nothing comparable on this ship.

Sunset in Valencia, pain

I need to research all the cars being shipped out of Valencia.  Some appear new, some not, with license plates.  Where are they going?  Why from Valencia?

October 26-27, 2025- Embarkation Day and Valencia, Spain

 I love to travel but hate the getting there.  If I had a magic wand I'd have skipped the flight, layover, flight, hotel stay, and now, embarkation.  I'd have just gone from my couch at home to the balcony of my cabin.

Sadly I don't have a magic wand but the "getting there" for this trip has been easy so far.  Now, I'm checked out of the hotel and just have a couple of hours to kill before heading to the port.  Since it is chilly and drizzling, I'm just hanging out in the lobby.

I highly recommend the Hotel Medinacelli.  Staff is fluent in English and friendly.  Rooms are typical size and were recently renovated.  Plus, the location is great.  In the Gothic Quarter, close to La Rambla and the port.  There are plenty of restaurants and small markets within steps of the hotel.  Also, internet is fast and my room was very quiet.

As I type this, it is mid-morning on Monday, October 26.  I've been on the ship less than 24 hours yet it is starting to feel like home.

My first surprise as I approached the port in the Uber was that there was no traffic.  Ever been to the Port of Miami?  It can take an hour just to get from the port entrance to your ship, due to traffic.  Even with three large ships in port, no traffic.  However, as we turned the corner, I saw the line.  OMG, that can't be good.

First there was a line to drop my luggage.  That took about 20 minutes.  On the bright side, there were no union workers asking for tips.  Then, the line to check in.  My boarding time was 2:45.  We were warned not to arrive early because we wouldn't be allowed to board early.  No kidding.  I joined the back of the 2:45 line and felt for the people lined up behind me, with later times.  It was about 3:15, BTW.

Once they let us in to the lounge there was a line for the security check then another line to check in.  That was easy and I was on the ship by 4:30.

Last night I had a dinner reservation at Razzle Dazzle, what was originally a vegetarian restaurant, until they discovered there weren't enough vegetarians, apparently.  I had a salad (only had a few bites because I really didn't like it) and the braised lamb shank which was excellent.   The ship departed while I was eating.

I slept great, right up until 4 a.m.  I ended up in the Arcade before 7 a.m., where I got to play the free Daytona race game.  I was laughing out loud as I came in 40th out of 40 in the "Daytona 500".  Which didn't bother the other two early risers who were laughing out loud as they played a game together.  I plan to spend a lot of time in the Arcade.

Virgin advertises itself as being different from the other cruise lines.  I've sailed Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity and over 400 days on Holland America, so I've been automatically making comparisons as I've explored the ship.  

Here are some observations:

• I saw complaints on line that the cabin bathrooms are too small.  They are tiny but fine for one person.  Changing clothes in there?  That would be a challenge, so you might want to consider that if you don't want to get naked with your cabin-mate.  The shower takes up almost half of the bathroom, which makes it a good size with a giant rainfall shower head, a hand-held shower head and enough water pressure to give you a concussion.
  
• Another complaint I'd read is that the bed is too hard.  It is very firm.  And, heavenly, in my opinion.  Nice bedding AND a spare blanket, which is a nice touch.
• I was excited to try the hammock chair on the balcony but a bit concerned about breaking a hip getting in and out.  It is better than I expected and no broken bones so far.  I will buying one for by the pool when I get home.
• In the last few years I've taken mostly longer cruises on Holland America (HAL).  Passengers tend to be older and many are cranky and demanding.  Virgin used to cater to a young demographic (30's-40's) but that is shifting, especially on a longer cruise that starts and ends in different continents.  There are no children allowed on board and I've seen passengers who appear to be in their 20's and those in their 80's.  So far, everyone has been very friendly, chatty and happy.  Except the three older folks at breakfast who I listened to complain about everything from butter "Ugh, they are using American butter", to menu choices "They have NOTHING healthy to eat", which was absolutely untrue.  My bowl of oatmeal/fruit for breakfast was just one of the many healthy options.
• Seating was designed for people with good abs.  I've never understood beds as a seating option.  You know like Vegas resorts that show people lounging on beds by the pool?  That's what Virgin has a lot of.  Plus low hassocks as chairs.   There are some "regular" lounge chairs and regular seats but they are very limited.  I'm imagining myself climbing out of the pool (which is more like a wading pond), like a glorious mermaid and then elegantly crawling up a plastic covered mattress to lie next to a fellow passenger.  Nope.
• Crew on Holland America have a reputation for being cheerful and providing great service.  So does Virgin crew.  And the reputation is well-deserved.  My cabin stewards, Julius (Filipino) and Konry (Indonesian) are great.  And every crew member I've interacted with has been friendly and helpful.  And, I've interacted with a lot of them as I wandered the ship and got lost on numerous occasions.
• My only big disappointment so far is there is no large, indoor space with great views, like the Crow's Nest on Holland America.  So far, I haven't found anywhere indoors to take in a 180 degree view.  BTW, instead of the Crow's Nest, that space seems to be the two largest suites on the ship.

Now, photos!

Or...not.  It is now Tuesday morning, October 28.  I'm having an excellent time, but the WIFI doesn't seem to have enough "oomph" to do photos.  I'll try again later.  Just imagine lots of blue ocean.  I've worked with IT professionals and am sure that "oomph" is the proper term.