Virgin Voyages Embarkation

Here we'll hopefully address all of your questions about getting on the boat.

Virgin Voyages Embarkation is just their fancy way of saying getting on the boat, they use a lot of very branded language, like asking how they can make ship happen for you if you call their support line, but don’t worry it’s pretty easy to follow.

We’ve only boarded at Barcelona so far, but hopefully we’ll be able to tell you more about the other ports soon!

What time should I arrive at port for my Virgin Voyages Cruise?

The time that it says on your app! As soon as you’ve booked, download the app and you should be able to select your boarding time. These get booked up fast so if you want to get on early, make sure you do this right away!

What’s it like arriving at port for my Virgin Voyages Cruise?

It’s like an airport, but less stressful. There’s a massive Virgin Voyages ship and branded materials everywhere so you definitely won’t miss it! Right at the start they take any bags you want to check, and the rule is a simple one: if you’d have to check it for a flight, you hand it over here.

What can I carry on, and what has to go?

The big suitcases have to go, there’s no negotiating that one. Anything you could take onto a plane as hand luggage is your call, carry it on or hand it over, whatever suits you.

Checked bags are delivered to your room by 6pm. Sometimes they turn up within the hour, sometimes they take a bit longer, so only hang on to the things you actually want to be carrying around. You go straight to your room anyway, so it’s really not a big deal either way.

Top tip: your bags might not land until 6pm, so if you fancy being in the pool at 2, carry your swimwear on with you.

Can I bring my own wine on board?

Officially, two bottles of wine per room.

Unofficially, and just between us, security have no idea who’s sharing a room with who. Go through different security queues and that’s two bottles each. Unleash the raccoon!

Is my room ready when I board?

Yes, and this is a big one for us. On Celebrity and Royal you’re dragging your hand luggage around with you until the afternoon, waiting for someone to tell you your room is ready. On Virgin it’s ready the moment you step on.

So drop your bags off, have a shower if you want one, and go and enjoy the atmosphere.

The welcome is already a party

You’ll be greeted by the vibest people on the ship, the Happenings Cast, dancing and shouting greetings at you as you come aboard. The party has started well before you’ve found your room.

Sailing Rockstar or Mega Rockstar?

If you’re in a Rockstar cabin, head to the Sip Lounge once you’re on. You’ll meet your Rockstar Agent there and they’ll talk you through how it all works.

If you’re Mega Rockstar, don’t bother going anywhere, your agent will come and find you in your room.

Get some food in you

Go to the buffet. If it’s not too busy, get yourself some proper food. If it is, there are little fridges set up by the buffet doors with sandwiches in, grab one of those and crack on.

Then get on the wifi and start booking

This is the bit people miss. Exercise classes, the Grog Walk (their pub crawl), drinks tastings, they all open up the second you connect to the wifi, and the good slots go fast. So get connected and get booking before you do anything else.

It’s also your chance to grab any restaurants you didn’t manage to book before you sailed, because more slots are added all day.

Top tip: if you’ve missed something you really wanted, keep checking back. More slots open up throughout the day as the late boarders come on, and if you’re still struggling, head down to Sailor Services and ask them.

Where to stay the night before

Boarding times are earlier than most people expect, so flying in on the day is a gamble we’ve stopped taking. We’ve done both versions in Barcelona: the INNSiDE by Meliá at the airport, which cost us a fraction of a city centre room and had us checked in 45 minutes after landing, and Meliá Level Sky up in town, where the free cava in the lounge did a lot of heavy lifting. If you want the city for the evening, take the second one. If you land late and just want to sleep, take the first.

Once you’re on, the thing to do before you unpack is get on the ship’s wifi and book the paid events, because the art class and the Grog Walk both go fast.

Ready to give it a go? Have a look at what’s sailing with Virgin Voyages.