Razzle Dazzle: Virgin Voyages dining and bars explained
When it comes to food and drink, there’s plenty of fun, innovation and choice on a Virgin Voyages cruise, with award winning quality besides
Forget what you expect from cruise dining, Virgin Voyages has more than 20 restaurants and bars on each ship, none of them involving lukewarm buffets in huge dining halls.
In fact, with menus devised by Michelin-starred chefs, your Sailors can be sure of fabulous fare as standard.
All dining venues are covered by the inclusive tariff – from well-loved classics such as a steakhouse and an Italian to innovative eateries. Virgin Voyages debuted the first Korean barbecue at sea, while both eyes and tastebuds will be surprised in the lab-like The Test Kitchen. Naturally, the drinks match the eats with speciality bars to wow.
Vegan and gluten free options are always offered onboard. And with The Galley’s comfort food and room service available 24/7 there’s no problem if your Sailors get the post-party munchies.
It’s no wonder Virgin Voyages has picked up foodie awards including the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice for Best Dining.
Speciality Restaurants
The Wake
Looking out on the departing sea, this smart chophouse-style eatery serves up American favourites like clam chowder, shrimp and grits and steak and fries. Sailors who want to push the boat out can upgrade, for a supplement, to lobster and oyster platters.
Gunbae
Sociable Sailors can gather around the grill in Gunbae Korean BBQ restaurant. Small plates called banchan add to the sharing fun – think refreshing seaweed salad with shitake mushrooms, or spicy crispy chicken. Naturally, classic noodle and rice dishes, such as Bibimbap, are also on offer.
Test Kitchen
The Test Kitchen is where the chefs get really creative. Imagine mixology on a plate with striking presentations and unusual cooking techniques. The tasting menu here is included, but there’s the extra option to match courses with beer, cocktails, wine or alcohol free drink pairing packages.
Pink Agave
A sexy take on modern Mexican brings the likes of roasted duck and achiote-marinated smoked pork into sharing plate form. The restaurant also boasts the largest collection of tequila and mezcal at sea.
Extra Virgin
Antipasto, handmade pasta, grilled meat and seafood dishes, just as you’d expect from a great trattoria. Sailors might go for nero gemelli seafood pasta with sea urchin sauce or oxtail agnolotti parcels, or keep it simple with sea bass or steak.
Razzle Dazzle
Veggie forward comfort food – think banana blossom ‘fish’ and chips and plant-based burgers – plus fried chicken and friends for the meat eaters. Naturally there’s also a great selection of decadent desserts and even milk and cookies.
Casual Dining
The Galley
When it’s a quick bite Sailors are after, food hall-style The Galley is the place to head. And with a wide range of shops and street food carts, it’s also perfect for the indecisive. Paninis to tacos, sushi bento boxes and noodles – choose one or mix it up. There’s even a 24-hour American diner – the perfect post-party pitstop.
The Dock House
Sailors can be in the Mediterranean even when they’re in the Caribbean with this sunshine venue – think a meze cart and flame grilled skewers backed by acoustic music.
The Pizza Place
Who doesn’t love freshly made pizza? Sailors can hang out in this beach club-inspired eatery, order up a classic or the daily special, or DIY the whole pizza from a range of toppings. Better still, it’s open till 2am.
Sun Club
This trendy Asian-slanted eatery teams poke bowls and bao buns with ocean views on Deck 16. Perfect for light lunches or sun lounger snacks.
The Social Club Diner
Think fairground fun in this casual option – hotdogs, pretzels, shakes and floats, and colourful sweet treats.
Lick Me Till Ice Cream
A retro parlour vibe but fashionable flavour combos. And there are dairy-free options too.
Bars
It wouldn’t be Virgin Voyages without some serious creativity. So, when it comes to drinks, top mixologists are (literally) shaking things up on board while baristas are on hand to concoct that perfect flat white.
And when the need for some serious bubbles strikes, the ‘shake for champagne’ feature of the onboard app will bring up a secret button to order an anytime, anywhere bottle of Moet.
Essential drinks from morning drip coffees to poolside juices are included. For everything else, Virgin Voyages has kept prices reasonable, with beers starting at $5, wines from $8 and cocktails $10. For extra value there’s the Bar Tab package, which even extends to the beach club on Bimini. However they decide to indulge, Sailors can relax knowing tips are covered. Bars include…
On the Rocks: spirits, cocktails and live music to kick off the evening.
Sip: champagne lounge also serving up breakfast, high tea and even caviar.
The Grounds Club: Barista-led coffee shop with direct-trade brews.
The Aquatic Club: poolside cocktail and mocktail bar with cooling frozen tipples.
The Dock: alfresco freshly pressed juices, spritzers, or Mediterranean-inspired cocktails.
The Loose Cannon: fun ‘seaside dive bar’ vibe with live music and trivia nights
The Red Bar: Instagrammable combos like the popcorn old fashioned
Draught Haus: a range of beers on tap and bottled artisanal brews.
Gym & Tonic: cold-pressed juices, freshly-made shakes and cocktails, for wellness in the broader sense.
For more Virgin Voyages inspiration, selling tips and advice, explore TTG’s Virgin Voyages Selling Guide or head to firstmates.com.
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