Monday, November 3, 2025 - Somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean

I just love Monday mornings, don't you?  Nothing to do today but eat, relax and be waited on, hand and foot.  I love retirement.  But retirement on a cruise with 8 consecutive sea days is epic.

I don't want to brag, but apparently my blog has power.  I posted that I didn't like the lights on at night on the balcony.  The next night...lights off.  Then I posted that even though they'd cleaned the balconies while we were in Valencia, they needed it again because of the sandstorm in Casablanca.  Yesterday, they cleaned my balcony.  I also posted that I missed having a map available, showing where we are.  Today, there is a giant electronic map, tracking our progress across the Atlantic.

Thank, you, Richard Branson, for paying attention and following through.  Not to be greedy, but if you're still reading, could you arrange for my friend Roland to win a big enough lottery to bring he and the ones he loves joy?  If it's easier to just Zelle a few million, that works too.

While we wait to see if Mr. Branson, who owns a very awesome cruise line, is still listening, here are photos!

I love to wake up, push a button on the tablet and have the curtains open.  To this view. At 6:30 a.m.  

It was clear, sunny and about 70 at 6:30.

I went for my morning walk and came across a candle charging station.  Pro tip:  bring a non-flame candle.  I love mine in the evenings.  I'd love having all these tea lights even more.  Just saying, Richard.

The daybeds around the ship encourage lounging and napping.  This lady was sound asleep.

Someone asked where I am.  Here!  Just six more days of the Atlantic before Miami.

Ahhh.  Anybody read Charles Martin?  I'm reading the second in the Murphy Shepard series, "Letter Keeper".  Excellent cruise material.

If you have status on another cruiseline, Virgin "matches", which means giving you their mid-tier level, Blue Extras.  One perk is a free specialty coffee, per day.

Then the sea looked like this, so I came inside.

Another pro tip:  book a cabin with the seating area next to the balcony.   This is great, but I prefer the chair next to the sliding door.

And, about half an hour after being completely in the clouds?  The sun is back.

I didn't have dinner reservations this evening.  I checked the app and it was a miracle - I got a 6:15 p.m. res at the Pink Agave, a modern Mexican restaurant that is supposed to be one of the best on the ship.  Still hoping to get into Extra Virgin, the Italian restaurant that is supposed to be the best onboard.

For lunch, I headed to the Galley and got this Thai curry with pork, vegetables and noodles.  I asked for some chili on the side.  

With the addition of the chili, this curry was great.  I'd happily pay for it in a restaurant on shore.

And, the clouds are back.  We expect the weather to be windy and changeable for the entire cruise.

I grabbed a chocolate mystery bowl from the take away fridge on my way out of the Galley.

OMG good!  Chocolate mousse.  I almost grabbed the Tres Leches but this would be hard to beat.  If you love chocolate, this is the bomb.

I lucked out and got a reservation at Pink Agave.  This is the entrance.  On my way to the restaurant I got a notice that my reservation had been cancelled.  WTH?  It took a minute to figure out, I'd set my clock back an hour last night, based on the list of time changes they gave us on embarkation day.  Seems they changed it so I spent the entire day an hour behind, lol.  Since we're "falling back" again tonight I don't have to do anything, since I'm already there!  And it's a good vacation when you can go all day without being on time to anything.

My table and seat were odd, I thought.  See that rounded end of the banquet?  My table for one was set up one an end just like that.  Comfortable and since I faced the entrance, it was great for people watching.

I went with the Bistec for the main course.  My waiter, Alfredo, who was from Cancun, so I got to practice my Spanish.  

I started with the corn (esquites).  And finished with the chocolate taco.

Everything was tasty and the steak was large, flavorful and cooked medium rare.  After all the raves I'd heard I was expecting a bit more.  Don't get me wrong, it was a good meal with great service.  But I won't dream about any of those dishes like I will about the strawberry/wasabi dessert from the Test Kitchen.

The steak was well-cooked and flavorful.  I prefer my steak a bit less saucy, though.

The corn was good, IMHO, but not great.

Like the Test Kitchen, the restaurant has lots of large windows but isn't open during the day when you could enjoy the view.

The chocolate tacos with cherry sauce were tasty but didn't taste like dulce de leche as described in the menu.  The cherry sauce was delicious and a good addition.

I was surprised that the restaurant was not full, given how hard it is to get reservations.  It's a lovely setting with Latin music playing, not too loudly.

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?