
Capturing The World - Inspiring To Explore
CRUISING

Trip #1
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Miami to The Bahamas (porting in Dominican Republic & The Bahamas) - 5 nights.
Accommodation/s
Things to do on board
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Scarlet Night - A night where everyone wears red and the crew throw an amazing pool party that goes into the night (this cannot be missed!)
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Pyjama Party - Everyone dresses in their best pyjamas and hits the night club for a night of dancing to club classics performed by the resident DJ
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Sing karaoke in your very own private room or with other ship mates on the group karaoke nights
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An array of live shows and performances ranging from comedy, dancing, singing, drag shows and more.
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Attend one of the various nightclubs and dance the night away.
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Group workouts and yoga hosted by the crew.
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Get your own workout in at the state of the art gym (with the best view I've ever seen from a gym!)
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Take a walk or go for a run around the running track which is situated on the very top floor of the ship.
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Treat yourself to a spa day where you can get a full range of professional treatments (or even just get your nails done if you're on a budget).
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Take a stroll through the high-end boutiques or book in at the ship's very own tattoo parlour for that perfect holiday souvenir.
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Have the perfect pool day lounging around the pool or selection of spas around the ship.
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Get off at the ports in Dominican Republic and The Bahamas (you will have access to Virgin's very own Bimini Beach Club when docked in The Bahamas).
Be mindful of
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This is a no brainer but very important to mention - make sure you get back to the ship when your time is up at the ported destinations (ships do not wait for you!)
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You are in the middle of the ocean... take great care when moving around the ship, don't muck around when you're close to any edges and be very careful how much you drink onboard to ensure you are remaining safe in your surroundings at all times.
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A lot of the themed nights and events start quite late (for Australia's standards anyway) think - 11pm onwards. So book your dinners later so you can have a few drinks and go into the night. Also... day naps help.
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The sun! Like any holiday, remember to wear sunscreen. The last thing you want is a port day ruined because you can't bare to be out in the sun with all of that sunburn.
Food & Drink
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I can wholeheartedly say every meal I ate onboard with Virgin was top tier. I could not fault a single thing I ate! It's prepared fresh, made to order (for the most part) and is some of the best quality food I've eaten.
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I recommend getting a charcuterie board from the Grab 'n Go fridge and watching the sunset from one of the top decks.
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There are servers floating around the pool area at all times, make the most of them! Order your cocktails fresh to your sun lounger and you don't have to lift a finger.
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The food in the pool area at Dominican Republic where we stopped wasn't that fresh or nice (in my opinion) but the food at The Bimini Beach Club in The Bahamas was incredible. If you're looking for authentic local food, I'd recommend eating outside of the resort areas and going into town (having said that I can't recommend anywhere specifically as I did not do this).
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The cocktails on board are of such high quality! They definitely make the pre-purchased bar tab worth it.
The Positives
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Honestly... everything about this trip. I could not fault it. We made so many friends on the cruise and had so much fun.
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The events hosted each night made it literally impossible to stay in our cabin. Each night (after each hangover) I'd swear I would try have a quiet one only to be swept up in the excitement of others enjoying a pool-side cocktail which leads to cocktails over dinner and cocktails in the night club. What can I say, I have a rubber arm!
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This cruise is kid-free, which for some is less ideal but let me tell you - if you do or don't have kids and get make it onto one of Virgin Voyages cruises you will not regret it. It's the best break from reality spent eating like Kings, dancing, shopping, exploring and making lifelong friendships.
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The food is all included on what you pay, and it's not your run of the mill buffet all you can eat food. It's of such high quality and is consistently fresh and delicious each and every meal.
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The crew are amazing, always greeting you with a smile in the hallways and attending to your every need. Their energy on the night's out when they're hosting an event is unmatched and they really bring a certain magic to your time on board.
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The cabins are beautifully designed, you feel like you're in a luxury hotel room and balcony suites are even equipped with their very own hammocks!
The Negatives
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I wasn't lying when I said I can't fault this trip... I've got nothing for you!
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
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Get the bar tab! It's worth it. I got the $300 USD bar tab, and while exxy in AUD I did use it all up.
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Talk to strangers! You will spend the entire week with these people and they make it so much more fun and memorable. So don't be afraid to chat to people you are sat beside at dinner or by the pool. Chances are they are open to new friendships as well.
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Pay the extra for a room with a balcony. It helps when you just want some fresh air by yourself and is better for those who get a bit claustrophobic.
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Find a full map of things I explored and did in Miami before we docked the ship here.