‘I went on an adults only cruise – you’ve probably been judging them all wrong’

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Mirror reporter, Cyann Fielding, ventured on a Virgin Voyage to European destinations including Amsterdam and Bruges and found spellbinding spectacles and culinary delights worth sailing again for

Stepping into the world of luxury, knowing a glorious five-day adventure awaited me, was already a triumph. No airport chaos, no bleary-eyed flights — my first cruise was destined for a spectacular start.

Adorned in crimson red, a sea of crew members welcomed me aboard this towering building on the water, with smiles to their eyes. For the next five days, I would be cruising, boozing and sightseeing, eager to lose myself in the enchantment of Virgin’s Resilient Lady on one of the company’s adult only cruises. Whatever you might think when you hear the words ‘adults on’, it’s probably not half as luxurious as what Virgin lay on.

The ship had a wealth of facilities to explore at my fingertips, all unfolding like a playground for adults, with a tangle of passageways leading to countless themed rooms. Red seemed to be the only cohesive theme, but each and every facility on the ship had its purpose.

Deck 15 sits proudly as the hub of the ship. On one end, The Galley buzzed as an international smorgasbord of cuisines to be enjoyed. On the other is an open deck oasis — pools shimmering beneath the sun, jacuzzies bubbling away, and loungers perfectly positioned to bask in sea breezes, all framed by the ship’s state-of-the-art gym and the decadent Tune Up spa. After indulging in some fried avocado tacos and pastries that might as well have been hand-delivered from Paris itself, I settled down in my cabin with my book.

But the ship’s culinary delights did not stop there.

With six restaurants on board, guests are not short for choice. Pink Agave offered a Mexican feast, bursting with fresh ingredients and flavours. Alternatively, Razzle Dazzle celebrated veggie-centric innovation. But my personal favourites had to be the Italian restaurant, Extra Virgin, and the theatrical, immersive dining experience at Gunbae. When I told my server of my love for gnocchi at Extra Virgin, he confidently declared: “This will be the best you’ve ever had. In fact, I’ll bring you two portions.” Sceptical, I waited — but was soon blown away, leaving with a smile and a promise to return.

Gunbae, on the other hand, offered a completely different experience from the cool and collected Italian restaurant I had dined in the night before. Showcasing a fine dining spectacle with sizzling grills, spiralling steam, and, to top it off, a drinking game that had us downing shots of soju, the Korean restaurant was both dinner and a show.

When it came to the day at sea, indulgence was my only goal. The award-winning Redemption Spa was not to be missed. Hidden behind a mirrored corridor, the Redemption Spa was a sanctuary more opulent than I had dreamed. After pavement pounding around the streets of Amsterdam and Bruges, I gave myself over to a full day of wellness. From fitness classes and a decked-out gym, to a mani-pedi spa and hair salon, the ship has multiple facilities to add a touch of pampering to your trip.

Admittedly I found treatments on the steep side, with a facial setting me back $279 (£213.61) and a pass for the spa on a sea day costing $79 (£60.48). While the facial left me feeling good, the price tag remained a disappointment. The spa pass however, was worth every single sailor penny. For three hours, I drifted between the sauna, plunge pool, hot tub, hydropool, steam room and salt room. The added touch of a mud mask to enjoy in the mudroom at the end of your three hours was the finishing touch of tranquillity I needed to feel truly spoiled.

With a Margherita from the ship’s own pizzeria and my newly acquired novel from a Dutch author, I settled in for the rest of the evening in my cosy cabin with the gently lashing of waves creeping in through the open balcony door.

Although I may not be able to compare my experience to other cruises, the absence of children running wild felt dreamy. Grabbing a drink at any hour, mingling with fellow passengers who had flown in from every corner of the world, and enjoying the impeccable entertainment — it all felt deliciously decadent. Time in Amsterdam and Bruges was a little fleeting, especially for those yearning to immerse themselves in the culture of these cities. But for passionate cruisers, the experience of seeing vast expanses of ocean and being within a stones throw of entertainment and food galore, Resilient Lady was the real deal.

But the crown jewel for the cruise? The onboard entertainment. The Miss Behave Show — an unforgettable romp of acrobatics, comedy, and wild antics that had the entire room in stitches. Picture this: a performer named Daniella thrusting his crotch into the face of a man.

The sheer absurdity had me laughing until I cried and is up there with the funniest act I have seen alongside Kerry Godliman. The entertainment was one surprise after another with Boy George also DJing and showing exactly how you command an audience. The performances of Miss Behave and her co-host Daniella, alongside the show-stopping acts of Persephone — a modern retelling of the Greek tragedy that had me gasping in awe — and Boy George’s DJing, made the ship’s Red Room entertainment an unmissable spectacle. For someone who thought cruise entertainment would be cringey and fall flat, I could not have been more wrong.

Book it

The Virgin Voyages Celebration Cruises happen once a year and have three different routes.

• From England to Amsterdam and back – From £1,026 per cabin
• From the UK to Spain and Morocco – From £10,253.82 per Rockstar cabin