7 Nights Exploring the Iconic Coastline of The Emerald Isle Cruise

Excellent experience on Magaritaville

We have cruised over thirty times on various cruise lines. This cruise was equal to other larger cruise lines. I will go over the various positives and negatives. The Embarcation and disembarkation were quick and painless. Our check in was at 10:30. We were on board by 10:50. We met for disembarkation at 6:45 AM. We were in our car at 7:10 AM. B We were in a suite. It was huge with a large balcony. The balcony had two loungers. two chairs and a table. The bathroom had two sinks. It had a 10 inch diameter rain shower head in the shower. The bathroom along with the rest of the cabin was spotless. This cruise line is still servicing the cabin twice a day unlike most of the bigger cruise lines. We stopped at Key West and Cozumel. Did our own thing so can't comment on excursions. We ate in the dining room for breakfast and dinner. We had an expanded menu for dinner because of being in a suite. Different menu every night. Never had a bad meal. Breakfast had the same menu every day. The Eggs Benedict were my favorite. We only ate once in the buffet. It was disgusting. We went to all the shows. The comedian was great. The two stage shows were good. The magician was horrible. The pool area was busy like all cruise lines. However. away from the pool you could find a lounger with no problem. All in all, this ship is worth the money.

Over 60 – Bold, Beautiful, but Not for Everyone

I recently sailed on Virgin Voyages and interviewed several fellow passengers—all over the age of 60—who, like me, were intrigued by the cruise line’s bold and, stylish advertising. Many elderly people came aboard expecting something exciting and new. And yes, it was exciting… just not always in the way they imagined. The Food: Trendy and Tasty—with a Twist Virgin's restaurants are a highlight, with creative concepts and no main dining room or buffet. But take note—you can only book each dinner venue once per cruise. The Wake (steak & seafood) stood out as a favorite for its upscale atmosphere and quality. Razzle Dazzle offered fun, modern dishes and a lively setting. Gunbae, the Korean BBQ, was too noisy for many looking for a relaxed evening. Test Kitchen was inventive, but not everyone's cup of tea—think culinary experimentation more than comfort food. If you are not passionate about exploring the culinary arts of food and its culture, don't bother to book this restaurant. Extra Virgin had excellent starters and desserts, though main dishes were hit or miss. Pink Agave delivered a stylish Mexican experience, more impressive in ambiance than food. The Pizza Place was a hidden gem—great slices, if you can find it! The Galley, a refined self-service area, was efficient, clean, and offered diverse choices. The Crew: Genuine and Joyful One of the nicest surprises? The crew. They seemed happy, unstressed, and genuinely welcoming. Unlike other ships where officers often hover and micromanage, Virgin’s leadership style appears more collaborative. It shows in the energy onboard. This ship is for you if you're adventurous, open-minded, and ready for something different. But be warned: Nothing is “just like home.” If you’re offended by bold fashion choices (hello, thongs of every shape and size), If you're not up for embracing different expressions of identity and lifestyle, Or if you expect classic cruise shows and traditional experiences— This might not be your ideal match. Some guests (particularly older women) joked about how many types of thongs they saw—and how they worried older men might not survive the visuals! The men? They remained silent but observant. Others were surprised by the presence of LGBTQ+ themes and gender-diverse language. “I didn’t know there were that many letters!” one woman said with genuine confusion. Virgin celebrates diversity proudly—and that might be a learning curve for some. Cabins: Stylish but Snug The mood lighting and AC got high marks, but space is tight. Bathrooms especially felt small to many older cruisers who are used to larger cabins on more traditional lines. Entertainment: Risqué and Edgy Virgin's shows are bold—think burlesque, cheeky, and sometimes suggestive. Many over-60 guests I spoke with felt it was a bit much, preferring more classic or family-friendly performances. Bottom Line Virgin Voyages is a stylish, vibrant, adults-only cruise line designed for those seeking something outside the norm. If you're curious, culturally open, and don’t mind some unconventional flair, it can be a lot of fun—regardless of age. But if you’re looking for a quiet, traditional cruise experience with ballroom dancing and nightly Broadway-style shows, you may be happier on a more conventional line. Either way, cruise happy—and know before you go!

Fun time!

The ship was clean. The food was very good. The service was terrific, from room attendant to dining rm waiter and everyone working on the ship. The balcony room was kind of cozy for 4 ppl, but comfy enough. Shower was actually decent size, plenty of hot water and pressure. Vanity could use more shelves. Kids ages 9 and 12 had fun but could have had more activities for their age group. Maybe a poker room for kids, since they like card games? Maybe better options for kids to shop or grab a snack or bag of chips, etc.? We will prob take bigger ship next time for 7 nights. This is a good ship that's not too big, it goes under the Skyway bridge, and is very convenient to Tampa area. We will def return to Carnival in the future. This was our 3rd Carnival cruise, it did not disappoint.