Why we built CruisePlanner Pro

When we discovered Virgin Voyages, we did what any curious travelers would do: we tried to research it. And we hit a wall.

The official site is gorgeous, but it’s marketing. The forums are passionate, but scattered. And every blog seemed to be either six months out of date or written by someone who’d taken exactly one sailing and called themselves an expert. We wanted the kind of resource you’d get from a friend who’d already been on every ship, eaten at every restaurant, and could just tell you what to actually do.

That resource didn’t exist. So we built it.

“CruisePlanner Pro is the resource we wished had existed when we booked our first VV sailing. Every article, every tool, every recommendation comes from us actually doing the thing — not summarizing someone else’s experience.”
— Joel & Erin

Our credentials

We are Certified Virgin Voyages First Mates — the official designation Virgin gives to independent travel advisors who have completed their training program and demonstrated deep product knowledge. It is not a title you can buy or claim casually; it requires passing Virgin’s certification curriculum.

• Certified Virgin Voyages First Mates — completed the official training and certification program
• Independent travel advisors — we work for our clients, not for Virgin
• Active sailors — we’re on the ships regularly, not behind a desk somewhere
• Couple’s perspective — we plan trips for couples, friend groups, and solo travelers because we’ve sailed in all those configurations

We’ve sailed every ship in the fleet

When we say we know Virgin Voyages, we mean it literally. We’ve personally sailed on:

What we’ve actually done onboard

This is where most cruise blogs fall apart. They’ll tell you Razzle Dazzle is “great” without telling you what to order. They’ll list bars without telling you which ones empty out after 11pm. We’ve done the legwork — sometimes against our better dietary judgment.

• Every restaurant. Every dining venue across the fleet — Pink Agave, Test Kitchen, The Wake, Gunbae, Extra Virgin, Razzle Dazzle, Korean BBQ, the lot. Erin has strong, nuanced opinions on all of them.
• Every bar. From On the Rocks to The Manor to Sip to the Dock House, we’ve tested cocktail menus you didn’t know existed.
• Every entertainment experience. Including the ones in the hidden corners of the ship that aren’t on the daily schedule.
• Every cabin category. Insider, Sea Terrace, Sea View, Rockstar Suites — we know which ones are worth the upgrade and which ones aren’t.
• Multiple itineraries. Caribbean, Mediterranean, Transatlantic, Greek Isles — each region has its own rhythm.

Why this matters for you

Every article on CruisePlanner Pro is grounded in firsthand experience. When we tell you the burger at The Social Club is one of the best things on the ship, it’s because we’ve eaten it — repeatedly. When we recommend a specific cabin, it’s because we’ve stayed in it or one just like it. When we tell you to skip something, it’s because we tried it so you don’t have to.

No press junkets. No comp’d sailings in exchange for glowing reviews. We pay our own way (which, combined with our First Mate perks, is part of how we got to know every corner of the fleet).

A bit more about Joel

Joel Comm has been building businesses on the internet for more than 20 years. He’s a New York Times bestselling author, a podcast host, a public speaker, and one of the more recognizable voices at the intersection of technology, AI, and entrepreneurship.

• New York Times bestselling author — multiple books on internet business, social media, and technology
• 20+ year internet entrepreneur — from the early days of the web to today’s AI era
• Podcast host — The AI for Everyone Show and The Bad Crypto Podcast
• Recognized AI expert — speaks regularly on how AI is reshaping work, travel, and the way we live
• International public speaker — has presented at conferences across multiple continents

That background is why this site is also where you’ll find the AI Cruise Planner, the Bar Tab Calculator, the Dream Cruise Builder, and a handful of other tools we built because spreadsheets weren’t cutting it.

Find Joel around the internet

• JoelComm.com — Joel’s main site and speaking hub
• AIforEveryoneShow.com — the AI podcast for normal humans
• BadCryptoPodcast.com — the long-running crypto podcast that has somehow outlived multiple bull runs
• @joelcomm on Instagram — ship photos, travel updates, and the occasional dog

Get in touch

The fastest way to reach us is email: niftytravelagency@gmail.com. We read everything and reply personally — this isn’t a help desk.

Whether you’re a first-time Sailor trying to figure out what Virgin Voyages even is, a seasoned cruiser comparing Virgin to your old line, or somewhere in between — we’re happy to chat.

Frequently asked questions

What does “Certified First Mate” actually mean?

First Mate is Virgin Voyages’ official certification for independent travel advisors. To earn it, you complete Virgin’s training program, demonstrate product knowledge, and stay current as the fleet expands. It is the highest level of expertise Virgin formally recognizes in outside advisors.

Why book through you instead of directly with Virgin?

Two reasons. First, price is identical — we don’t mark anything up. Second, when you book through a First Mate, Virgin allows us to include onboard credit (Sailor Loot) of up to $400 that you wouldn’t get booking direct. You’re paying the same and walking on with extra spending money. Plus you get a real human to ask questions of, instead of a chat bot.

Have you really sailed every ship?

Yes — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady. We were also on Brilliant Lady’s debut sailings. We sail multiple times a year, usually in different regions, because the experience genuinely changes ship by ship and itinerary by itinerary.

What makes you different from other Virgin Voyages travel advisors?

Most travel advisors sell across many cruise lines. We chose to focus on Virgin Voyages specifically because we love it and we know it deeply. We also publish — meaning everything we know is out here in the open on CruisePlanner Pro, free to read. The AI Cruise Planner, the Bar Tab Calculator, the cabin guides — we built all of that because we wanted it to exist.

Is Virgin Voyages right for me?

Honest answer: not always. Virgin Voyages is adults-only (18+), leans into a hip nightlife-meets-design vibe, and isn’t going to feel like your grandparents’ cruise line. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll want a different line. If you want a quieter, more traditional experience, we’ll tell you that too. We’d rather lose a booking than send you on the wrong trip.