Right here is an element considered one of three recaps of our Virgin Cruise!
I’m so excited to share all of the pictures from our journey to Miami, Cozumel, Bimini and the Gulf of Mexico! This journey was a dream come true! I’ve wished to journey with a bunch of pals for years. Whereas I’ve performed some weekends away, this was an actual VACATION. 13 of us boarded our first Virgin cruise (sure, we have been all Virgin virgins from Virginia and plenty of jokes have been made!)
How did this journey come to be? Nicely you understand I really like cruises and I casually requested my pal group at joyful hour one evening if anybody would wish to go on a cruise with me. The response was constructive, and I requested my sister, Laura, who’s a journey advisor, if she might suggest one. She instantly mentioned that Virgin could be good for a pal group, and so the planning started. Someway I acquired 13 individuals to commit, 5 singles and 4 {couples}, and we have been so excited to flee the snow of Virginia.
Virgin Cruise Recap!
Our journey started with a bunch flight. All however considered one of us took a mid-day direct flight from Dulles to Miami the day earlier than the cruise. Keep in mind the way it felt to see your classmates within the wild whereas on a area journey? That’s what it felt like after we all gathered on the airport!
Our flight was on time, and we took a Lyft to downtown Miami. We stayed on the Aloft, which was good however not superb, as a result of a few of us used Marriott factors. Three of the {couples} stayed at totally different inns, and we merged half the group for a Cuban dinner by the bay. Dinner was simply Okay. I feel we unintentionally hit up a fairly touristy space. The fish was nice although!
Purple snapper + plantains
Breakfast + Morning Energy Stroll
The subsequent morning we went to Pura Vida for espresso and smoothie bowls.
After which powerwalked round within the sunshine! It was a bit of chilly so I had on Jonathon’s winter coat for a bit.
After which it was time for showers and to move to the cruise port! We have been SO EXCITED!
Because of my sister, we had precedence boarding which meant we skipped an enormous line and acquired on board proper at 1:45pm.
My Room
I had a Sea Terrace room to myself, which was beautiful!
The balconies all have purple hammocks that I lounged in a number of instances. And this was significantly probably the most snug jumpsuit of all time!
Even my rainshower impressed me!
After dropping our baggage, we went to The Galley for a late lunch! Most ships lately don’t have buffets, and meals is served touch-free by class at stations. The Disney cruise and Explora cruise I did each had an analogous setup. Whereas I’m speaking meals, the meals on Virgin was OUTSTANDING! Usually my expectations for all-inclusive meals are low-to-medium, and this was the very best meals of the three cruises I’ve performed in recent times.
I used to be craving a salad, so I constructed one on the huge salad bar. (It’s form of like Chopt the place you inform the individual what you need they usually add it). Beloved that kalamata olive dressing!
Afterwards we went to the ice cream store, Lick Me Until Ice Cream!!
Round 4:30 there was a sail-off social gathering on the primary pool deck, so we headed up for champs and solar!
Our resident mannequin, Seanny Boy:
That they had a DJ going (just about the entire cruise) and the music was nice!!
As soon as out at sea, we explored the ship a bit extra – take a look at this internet you would climb onto!
Down under was The Dock, which was my favourite hangout spot. It was designed to really feel just like the Amalfi Coast and was quieter than the primary pool. Additionally they served Mediterranean apps and had a particular menu of spritzs!
I went again to my room to dress for dinner and my cabin steward had modified the lighting in my room!
Dinner at Check Kitchen
Search for the birch for Birch!
Check Kitchen was one of many extra distinctive eating places with a inventive menu of small plates. You can select one facet or the opposite (or request extras) and acquired a 5 course expertise.
My favourite drink got here from Check Kitchen. This was a Mezcal Negroni with coconut foam on high!!!!! I beloved it!
The meals was all inventive and scrumptious.
I beloved that cheese tart on the underside proper. However the spotlight of the meal was undoubtedly the dessert: Yuzu Meringue Tarts! They have been being made proper in entrance of me!
SO GOOD! I really like all issues foam/whipped cream/meringue and the combo with the tart yuzo and crunchy cookie layers was perfection.
We referred to as it an evening after dinner and a few Rummikub gaming within the lounge!
Day At Sea
Our subsequent morning was a day at sea. I really like the ocean days since you are “trapped” in the midst of the ocean and I discover that to be so enjoyable and comfortable. You don’t need to rush wherever, and there are such a lot of issues to do.
First issues first: breakfast!
I LOVE chia pudding and had one on a regular basis! Additionally they had actually good in a single day oats.
We began the journey off with a pleasant HIIT exercise that was more durable than it ought to have been, haha. And plenty of monitor strolling! The view is all the time so stunning up on the monitor.
10 stations x 2!
Similar crew, totally different fitness center.
The Dock
After rinse-off showers, we went to The Dock to loosen up for the day.
In fact we play The Recreation all over the place!
Small plates lunch:
I went to seek out extra whipped cream and meringue and located marshmallow too! The most effective desserts.
We spent the afternoon by the primary pool with the DJ, studying and speaking.
Dinner at Additional Virgin
Our favourite lounge was On The Rocks, and we met there earlier than dinner most evenings.
When you can eat at The Galley or the Dockhouse any evening, the primary eating places do require reservations. Additional Virgin appeared to be the group favourite. I feel we had 8 of us for this dinner. The menu was Italian-focused, and we ordered so many dishes to share, from a cheeseboard to pasta to fish.
The whole lot was improbable!
Extra lick me until ice cream!
We ended the evening with a comedy present in The Manor. Enjoyable instances!
On Wednesday I’ll be recapping our first tour at Cozumel!