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When you’re raised in Florida, cruise ship vacays are the obvious choice due to our proximity to the cruise ports, affordability, the opportunity to visit a couple of tropical islands, and unlimited food. I had been on a handful of cruises in the past, so my attitude about cruises was, “Been there, done that.” However, when Virgin Voyages reached out, I was intrigued. Richard Branson did make flying more enticing with Virgin Atlantic, I had to experience his take on cruises. Spoiler alert: As I predicted, VV does cruises WAY better! With VV, expect more. Sailors receive a list of perks ($600 in value) aboard the adults-only (18+) cruise ship – all gratuities, Wi-Fi, essential drinks, and group fitness classes are covered in the voyage fare. On a Sunday in late September, we boarded the Scarlet Lady at PortMiami for a five-night “Mayan Sol” voyage to Costa Maya and Virgin Voyages’ signature Beach Club in Bimini. That was the plan until Hurricane Ian had us reroute to Dominican Republic and Nassau instead. No big deal, we were game for whatever and there were great excursions (aka “Shore Things”) to choose from at our destinations (we zip-lined and slid down waterfalls in Dominican Republic and snorkeled at Pearl Island in Nassau). After grabbing the requisite vacation cocktail, we retreated to our Sea Terrace room. Cabins exude a chic boutique-hotel-room vibe. Designed by a Creative Collective comprised of some of the most respected interior designers, artists and architects, including Roman and Williams, Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio, Concrete Amsterdam, Softroom of London and more, rooms were outfitted in a modern decor with subtle nautical touches, a 43”+ 4K flat-screen HDTV, mini bar, glam area, wardrobe, and of course, splashes of red. Our comfy European king bed was dressed in white premium linens, and the bathroom featured a rain shower head and was stocked with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. In support of VV’s commitment to sustainability and quest to conserve energy, the blinds close and the air conditioning adjusts to an eco-saver temperature when you leave the cabin. Cabins also feature mood lighting that automatically adjusts to enhance the time of day based on where the ship is in the world. On the terrace were two patio chairs, a mini end table, and a red single-person hammock, handwoven by artisans from Yellow Leaf, a social enterprise that fosters women’s empowerment and community transformation in rural Thailand. Each ship features 78 luxurious suites, including, but not limited to the Massive Suite, Fab Suite, Posh Suite, Gorgeous Suite; XL Sea Terrace cabins; Sea View cabins; Insider cabins; Social Insider cabins; and Solo Insider cabins. RockStar Quarters Sailors receive a few extra perks, including first dibs on entertainment, restaurant reservations and Shore Things; an exclusive VIP pathway to the ship during embarkation; are designated their own agent to assist with requests; and have exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop, a private outdoor space to sunbathe and enjoy drinks. Suites also have a full bar and cocktail kit, with the first round on the house.