Curator’s statement
As someone who never saw myself as a “cruise person,” Virgin Voyages completely changed my perspective. Their adults-only, laid-back, yet high-energy approach to cruising removes all the outdated traditions and replaces them with incredible dining, inventive entertainment and a modern, inclusive atmosphere. My mom and I set sail on the 11-night Idyllic Caribbean Isles & Colombia itinerary. From our private tour in Cartagena, we indulged in fresh handmade pasta at Extra Virgin. Every moment felt thoughtfully designed for both adventure and relaxation.
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Itinerary: San Juan, Puerto Rico → Cartagena, Colombia → Curaçao → Aruba → Martinique (itinerary change from Saint Lucia) → Antigua → St. Maarten → San Juan
Dates: January 21 – February 1, 2025
Who Came Along? My mom and I (her first Virgin cruise, my second!)
This cruise was extra special because it was my mom and I’s first cruise together! The sailing was a roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico, which gave us the perfect excuse to stay at my mom’s home and spend time with family before and after the trip. From the moment we stepped on board, it was such a lovely experience to share with her. We enjoyed incredible meals together, relaxed on our Sea Terrace balcony hammock and explored exciting new destinations. It’s safe to say she’s now obsessed with Virgin Voyages and already asking when we’re going back!
Onboard experience: Food & dining
Virgin Voyages is known for its restaurant-quality dining — no buffets, no main dining halls. Instead, we had The Galley, a casual market-style eatery, and six incredible sit-down restaurants. My mom’s favorites were The Wake (a chic steakhouse) and Extra Virgin (Italian with fresh, handmade pastas). I loved The Wake as well, but my other top choice was Gunbae, a lively Korean BBQ spot with communal seating and a fun soju drinking game.
Shows & entertainment
This sailing was particularly full, meaning some shows required arriving 30+ minutes early to get a seat — a difference from my previous voyage. But with each show running multiple nights, we managed to catch everything we wanted. Our favorite? Another Rose, a spectacular dinner show blending acrobatics, live music and a beautifully told love story. We also had fun playing Bingo with the Diva, enjoying live music throughout the ship and soaking in the energetic, boundary-pushing performances that make Virgin’s entertainment stand out.
Port stops & excursions
One of the main reasons we booked this itinerary was Cartagena. We made it extra special with a private tour covering the Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa, San Felipe Castle, the historic walled city, Getsemaní and local shopping. Our other stops included:
Curaçao: A Shore Thing tour featuring a museum, caves and Blue Curaçao distillery
Aruba: A beach day to soak up the sun
Martinique: Strolling the old town and taking in French-Caribbean vibes
Antigua: Our favorite beach day with super-friendly locals
St. Maarten: A chairlift ride with stunning views, plus lunch
Cabin; Cartagena
Other highlights
Spa day: Three hours in the Thermal Spa, enjoying the sauna, steam room, pools, salt room and mudroom. One of my favorite experiences!
Cocktail tastings: Negroni & whiskey tastings — perfect for a sea day.
Afternoon tea at Sip Lounge with my mom — a relaxing mid-day treat.
Our favorite spot? The hammock on our Sea Terrace balcony — we spent so many peaceful moments there.
Need to know
Final thoughts: Would I sail again?
Absolutely! This was only my second Virgin Voyages cruise, and I already have three more booked:
June 2025: Riviera Maya – A quick 5-night solo getaway
May 2026: Alaska — My mom and I’s first time exploring the Last Frontier
September 2026: Iceland, Greenland & Canada – A 13-night transatlantic adventure
Virgin Voyages has truly won me over with its modern, no-fuss approach to cruising — and my mom is now completely obsessed! If you’re curious about experiencing it for yourself, I’d love to help you find the perfect itinerary.
Ready to set sail? Contact me and let’s plan your next adventure!
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cruises page.
Travel Advisor
Amneris Dominguez
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