Travel
One editors experience of heading to the high seas for a week-long voyage.
Horrified, Rory exclaims: You are not going on a cruise!
And they leave the matter there.
Id never experienced one before and it just wasnt a holiday I imagined myself enjoying as a 31-year-old.
Ive always been put off by the idea of having to abide by a strict sailing schedule.
I think holidays should be about exploring the unknown and embracing adventure.
Plus, Ive always equated cruises with serious cases of cabin fever.
But Virgin Voyages offer of a jaunt on their Valiant Lady ship intrigued me.
Overall, my cruise experience was rather different to how I imagined.
Below, I break down the most surprising things I discovered during my trip.
Eager to check out my room situation and avoid any awkward dancing I headed to mySea Terraceabode.
The room came with a balcony, which I soon came to think of as my sunset-viewing haven.
(Something I wished someone had warned me about beforehand.)
The rooms are sleek, equipped with mood lighting and a flatscreen packed full of movies.
Namely, because there are no self-service buffets on the Valiant Lady.
Sailors can book themselves a spot at the restaurant of their choice via the all-important app.
I was also a frequent visitor of The Pizza Place during the day.
As is often the case with cruises, the Valiant Lady is a no-cash zone.
Theres also a mini basketball court and a running space outside.
My personal favourite spot on the ship had to be Richards Rooftop, named after Virgin boss Richard Branson.
I attended an acrobatic reimagining ofRomeo & Julietone evening, which more than held my attention.
There was also a sex therapy show, hosted by a sexologist/doctor.
Toward the end of the show, TGIF appeared on the screen.
Its not even a Friday!
I thought to myself, naively.
I did just that, enjoying the Highlights of Florence and Pisa package.
Its harder than it looks, I promise you, but I got there in the end.
It did encroach on the adventure aspect that I crave during holidays.
I did just that, and didnt regret it.
Although I do wish Id worn more sunblock, but such is life under the scorching sun.
But Virgins adults-only experiences are something altogether different.
This article was originally published onFeb.
