Review: Resilient Lady

What is the line? Virgin Voyages

Name of ship? Resilient Lady

Passenger occupancy? 2,762 passengers

Itinerary? The Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems starts and ends in Athens with stops in Split, Croatia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; and Corfu, Greece.

Start out with the big picture—what is this cruise line known for?

Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line that offers premium, yet casual, sailings. Expect thoughtful, modern design and upscale touches throughout. On board, you’ll find a fun-loving social environment complete with theme night parties and pickle ball courts. The line's “always included” pricing model also means WiFi, basic beverages, workout classes, onboard entertainment, and food from 20+ eateries are included in the fare.

Tell us about the ship in general:

Resilient Lady is Virgin Voyages' newest ship with sailings in Australia, the South Pacific, and Europe. The 2,762-passenger, 17-deck vessel was built in 2022 and first set sail in spring 2023. While all three ships in Virgin’s “lady ships” share nearly identical designs, the Resilient Lady features updated onboard entertainment and exciting new ports of call, including the Greek Islands, Bali, Croatia, and Mumbai. With seemingly limitless onboard activities for passengers to get back in touch with their youthful spirit (including my personal favorite, a nostalgic arcade room), the ship feels like a giant playground for adults with plenty of room to relax.

Who is on board?

Since the cruise line only allows adults on board, the youngest passengers you’ll find on a Virgin Voyages cruise are 18 years old. The brand has often been referred to as the “cruise line for millennials''—and while there are a good amount of young adults on board, the average passenger age is actually closer to the upper 40s. Overall, the guest atmosphere is diverse and welcoming: the cruises are LGBTQ+ friendly and are popular among veteran sailors as well as first-time cruisers. A large share of passengers enjoy partaking in the ship’s many activities, creating an energetic atmosphere. For instance, during theme nights (including the beloved Scarlet Night) a good majority of the ship dresses up and attends.

Describe the cabins.

There are 1,404 staterooms on the Resilient Lady—78 of them are suites, divided into Rockstar and Mega Rockstar categories. During my time on board, I stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin (the ship’s most common room) featuring a thoughtfully designed space. All the rooms prioritize ocean views and have a neutral color palette with pops of the line’s signature scarlet hue.

The higher-end rooms come with a fully stocked bar, turntable, and specifically curated Virgin records. Marble details, coordinated mood lighting, and large balconies are also standout features of the swanky suites. Those staying in the suites have access to exclusive spaces, including Richard’s Rooftop, a secluded outdoor deck area.

Tell us about the crew.

Virgin Voyages stands out among competitors thanks to their incredibly attentive and active staff. You’ll find crew to be extremely friendly, willing to help with whatever you need, or to just have a chat.

What food and drink options are available on board?

Dining options are abundant on the ship, and all of them are included with every sailing. Of the 20+ on board, six of the eateries require reservations. Reservations open up 45 days before the ship’s departure, so it’s best to book them in advance. However, if you can’t snag one, some reservations will become available throughout the voyage, in addition to walk-ins.

Among the dining options, a highlight is The Galley–a popular venue modeled after a food hall—which features everything from a sushi bar and burger grill to a dedicated bakery and pastry shop. While it acts as a buffet in practice, everything from each of the ship’s dedicated restaurants is made to order, so all the food is fresh. I also loved Pink Agave, a Mexican spot, and Extra Virgin, an Italian restaurant with incredible pasta options. Overall, the food was easily some of the best I’ve had compared to most other cruise ships.

Is there a spa on board and is it worth visiting?

During your time on board, a visit to the Thermal Suite in the onboard spa is a must. It features several different sauna experiences, ranging from salt steams to a mud room. There are also three pools to enjoy, each offering different temperatures. For a relaxing break in between dips, lounge on the spa’s heated marble slabs and take in the vast ocean views. The spa also offers a wide menu of treatments, including wraps and massages, along with a nail and hair salon, barber, and tattoo parlor.

What about activities and entertainment?

While Resilient Lady may look like other ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet, it boasts brand-new onboard entertainment that truly sets this cruise apart. Most of the shows on this specific ship are new to the line, including Persephone. The show was developed in collaboration with iconic spots like the famed Brooklyn nightclub House of Yes and featured a mix of acrobatics, catchy musical numbers, and eye-catching costumes.

Also new for this sailing is Another Rose, an immersive dinner experience. Performers dance on the tables, interact with audience members, and surprise you when you least expect it. One thing is for certain: the audience is encouraged to participate in every performance in some way or another. While every show was unique, favorites of mine included the Miss Behave Show, an interactive comedy show, and the immersive cabaret, dubbed Lola’s Library. Beyond the live performances, there are also swimming pools, basketball courts, an arcade, a game room, and more.

How was the experience for families?

Since the line is adults only, there were no kids onboard, nor kid-related services.

Where did it sail and how were the excursions? Did anything stand out?

During my time aboard, we sailed on the itinerary dubbed the Adriatic Sea and Greek Gems, which stops in Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece. All the land-based tours were informative and hosted by local guides. For our stop in Dubrovnik, we had a late port departure, which allowed us to spend the entire day exploring the coastal city. The ship also sails a Greek Island Glow itinerary, which takes guests to Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Athens, and Bodrum, Turkey.

Are there any stand-out sustainability or green initiatives about this cruise?

Virgin Voyages aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For now, the brand is testing innovative technologies that turn heat from the ship’s engines into clean energy and researching ways to purify wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. The line reduces food waste by replacing the traditional cruise buffet with made-to-order meals. In addition, single-use plastics, including water bottles, straws, shopping bags, and takeaway cups, are banned on board.

Anything we missed?

Some of my favorite parts of the onboard experience were the ship's theme nights. From the Scarlet Night festivities to the sail away party, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more lively. It was exciting to see everyone participate and was easily one of the best parts of the cruise. During sea days (or any day on board), passengers can take advantage of the ship’s expansive fitness center, which featured TechnoGym machines and a bevy of fitness classes including a bungee class and a VHS dance workout—complete with 80s music and sweatbands.

Finally, give a sentence or two on why the cruise is worth booking.

If you’re someone who wouldn’t typically consider a vacation at sea, Virgin Voyages is the cruise line for you. With abundant dining options, creative entertainment, and a fun-loving social atmosphere, Resilient Lady is the perfect ship for just about anyone.