Cabins & Suites

Picking a cabin on Virgin Voyages is unlike picking a cabin on any other cruise line, mostly because the entry-level options are genuinely good and the suites are genuinely spectacular. We're Joel and Erin, and between us we've stayed in Insides, Sea Terraces, XL Sea Terraces, and RockStar Suites across all four Ladies. Here's how we actually think about cabin choice.

The hierarchy on Virgin Voyages goes: Insides at the entry level, then Sea View (porthole, no balcony), then Sea Terrace (the bread-and-butter balcony cabin), then XL Sea Terrace (bigger balcony with daybed and bathtub), then a tier of RockStar Suites, topping out with Mega RockStar suites like the Massive Suite and Fab Suite.

Every Sea Terrace and above gets the iconic red string hammock on the balcony, which sounds gimmicky until you're lying in it at sea watching the ship's wake at sunset with a glass of mezcal. It is not gimmicky. The hammock is the single most photographed feature of any VV cabin and it earns the attention.

Every cabin — Inside through Mega RockStar — gets The Band, the silicone wristband that replaces your room key, wallet, and (functionally) your phone. The Band unlocks your door, pays for anything outside Bar Tab, and tracks your Sailor Loot. RockStar and above get extra perks: priority embarkation, access to Richard's Rooftop (adults-only outdoor lounge with its own bar), and Bimini Beach Club RockStar Beach Club access on Caribbean sailings.

The Red Hammock Question — Do You Need a Balcony?

Here's our honest take. On most cruise lines we'd say "yes, always book the balcony." On Virgin Voyages, we say "maybe not." Because this is an adults-only ship with 20+ included restaurants, three pools, the Thermal Suite, Richard's Rooftop, The Manor, and a half-dozen great deck venues, you spend almost no time in your cabin. The Inside cabins are well-designed with seabed setups (the bed folds into a couch — useful for two travelers who want hangout space), good lighting, and rainfall showers.

That said, if you've never had a balcony before, get the Sea Terrace at least once. The red hammock is real, and lying in it while the ship pulls into Bimini or Santorini is one of the genuine "this is what cruising is supposed to feel like" moments. The XL Sea Terrace adds the deep-soaker bathtub and a daybed wide enough for two — a worthwhile upgrade on longer voyages where you'll actually use them.

The RockStar tier is where you upgrade for the access more than the room. The Retreat sundeck at Bimini Beach Club, the priority dining, the unlimited essentials in the room — they add up on a 10-night-plus sailing.

Book your Virgin Voyages cruise through Joel and Erin →