If you are a newbie to Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages Cruise Line and really want to know what to pack, I consider myself somewhat of an expert because I spent a month on Virgin’s Scarlet Lady sailing around the Mediterranean.
I had plenty of time to observe what people brought along on their journey. From retro workout gear and creative pajamas to red outfits galore and space-saving gadgets for the cabin, I’ll give you the intel on what’s needed for an optimal vacation aboard a Virgin Cruise.
So, let’s dive right into it. Here’s exactly what to pack for a Virgin Voyages cruise.
Virgin Voyages Cruise Packing List
Essentials
- Passport: You’ll need a passport to travel on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
- Travel insurance: Travel insurance is a good idea in case of unexpected events. I ALWAYS buy travel insurance because you never know about weather issues, family issues and sickness.
- Cash and credit cards: You’ll need cash and credit cards to pay for expenses when you visit different ports. With so many criminals out there trying to compromise our credit cards, I highly suggest the protection products made by Boxiki Travel. Their RFID-blocking money belts, credit cards and passport sleeves are made with RFID-blocking technology so crooks can’t phish your wallet, read your credit card numbers, steal from you and WRECK your vacation. Also, I love to carry a small crossbody bag for my cell phone only when I’m going to spend time roaming around the ship and don’t want to carry my beach tote bag.
- Adapter: If you’re traveling from a different country, you may need an adapter to plug in your electronics.
>> Book your Virgin Voyages cruise here!
Clothes & Shoes
First and foremost, cruising is often associated with dressing up, but Richard Branson’s bold brand Virgin Voyages has changed that narrative in the cruising industry.
Virgin Voyages’ mantra, “We throw dress codes overboard” is absolutely true and if this speaks to you as a first-time cruiser or veteran cruiser, you’ll love Virgin Voyages.
It’s a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere and vibe. If your man NEVER wishes to put on a men’s sports coat or jacket the entire trip, that’s perfectly okay on Virgin Cruises. However, if you love putting on tuxedos and cocktail dresses, you’ll see plenty of that onboard as well. Here’s what I recommend for a seven-day cruise.
- Shirts x 5 – I like to pack a lot of short-sleeved shirts that are comfortable and can be layered with something at night if it’s cool. Let’s start with this Babydoll top in white that is perfect for any age, whether you are 25 or 65! Pair with shorts, and jeans and you are ready!
- Cardigan or sweater x 3 – It’s good to bring a few cardigans or a sweater in case it gets cooler in the evening.
- Bottoms x 4 – For cruises, the best bottoms to wear are typically comfortable, versatile pants like khaki shorts, linen trousers, capris, or nice jeans. I like to wear ones that have pockets. Plus I like these Wide-Legged Yoga Pants with Pockets to slip on to run to breakfast.
- Dresses x 2 – Maxi Dresses will never go out of style. They can be casual or dressed up with some chunky wedges and you’re set! Stylish and sleeveless, this maxi can be worn with heels or sneakers and resists shrinking and wrinkling. If you are looking for a spaghetti strap, boho flowy look, check out this beach vacation dress.
- Workout clothes x 2 – For the ones of you who are going to maintain your fitness schedule, you’ll see all kinds of workout gear being worn by cruisers. These women’s running shorts are lightweight, soft and comfy and the quick dry material keeps you cool when you are working out.
- Bathing Suits x 3 – This bathing suit will be stunning on every woman. The diagonal cut gives it an edge and the scallops add femininity. In addition, selecting the right hat can help keep you cool and protect your face from the sun.
- Swim cover-up x 1- Everyone needs this swim cover-up! Daughter Allison loves it; so if she gives it the style seal of approval, we need it in our cart!
- Underwear x 7 – It’s up to you how much underwear you bring, you can always have your laundry done, after all. I recommend bringing at least seven, though.
- Socks x 5 – You won’t be wearing socks all the time on a cruise, but these are essential to bring for when you’re wearing sneakers.
- Shoes x 3 – Keep comfort and flexibility in mind when you map out your shoes. Don’t overpack in this category because it will do nothing but weigh you down. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on the ship, so pack comfortable shoes, such as stylish sneakers, sandals, or flats. Steve Madden makes a cute retro shoe that’s adorable. If you plan on attending any formal events, pack only one pair of dress shoes. Flip-flops are perfect for wearing around the pool or beach. Archies arch support Sandals are lightweight, cushioning and relieve foot pain. Additionally, Sam Edelman Women’s flat sandal goes from daytime to evening and can be dressed up or down.
Special Clothing for Scarlet Night: A Sea of Red
One of the most exciting events is Scarlet Night, where everyone wears their favorite red outfit and jumps into the pool together.
The “Scarlet Night Virgin Voyages dress code” is technically just “wearing red,” but you can express your individual style. I decided to wear a sequined red cocktail dress the first week and on the second week of my month-long cruise, I changed gears because we danced so much that night beside the pool.
The cruise ship had plenty of red clothing in its boutiques so I bought a more casual sparkly T-shirt with the Virgin logo on it and wore it with white jeans. And indeed, tons of people jump into the pool with all their clothes on so keep that in mind if you want to get wet and wild.
Special Clothing for Retro Workouts
Since I grew up in the Jane Fonda 1980s workout decade, I was so excited that Virgin does this kind of fun “VHS 80s workout class” where you can go back in time and relive these glory days of leg warmers, striped leotards and bodysuits.
I ordered my hot pink ones from Amazon and got tons of compliments at exercise class.
Special Clothing for Pajama Party Night
This special event happened early in my voyage and I really didn’t know what to expect. But I had prepared by ordering these cute matching red pajama sets and I actually found other cruisers with these identical sets so it made it a super-easy icebreaker to meet new people.
Since Virgin’s motto is to have a sense of “carefree” dressing, I even wore my PJ set to the show in the big theatre before the PJ Party. A few people sort of quizzically looked at us with smiles on their faces, but I didn’t care.
I’ve previously blogged about the 5-4-3-2-1 packing guidelines, so I’ll suggest it here so you’ll be sure not to overpack.
Accessories
- Shawl x 1 – Cosmopolitan Magazine recommends this HappyLuxe Shawl because it’s silky-soft to the touch and is designed with 95% Tencel for warmer clients or cashmere if you are cruising to Alaska and colder places.
- Jewellery – pack a few pieces to accessorize your outfits. These WaterDrop Earrings are versatile and classic. I also recommend jewelry that can make a statement. This Anne Klein two-tone bracelet watch fits the bill! Last, a scarf can be used as a fashion accessory or to add color or tied to a raffia pocketbook for styling.
- Sunglasses x 1 – A cruise is worthy of a new set of sunglasses so go ahead and splurge on these beauties. They are the style of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and I promise you’ll love these cat eye sunglasses.
- Hat x 1 – Although I love to wear visors, I always pack a more fashionable panama fedora hat that is breathable and stylish. This one offers a wide brim and can provide UPF 80-rated protection and it happens to be Amazon’s best-selling fedora for women.
Toiletries
- Shampoo and conditioner: The ship will provide basic toiletries, but you may want to pack your own shampoo and conditioner. I suggest OLOPLEX because it’s super smoothing for frizzy hair and is recommended by many beauty experts and hairstylists.
- Hair brush and ties: These are essential, especially if you have long hair.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste: Don’t forget to pack your toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Sunscreen: Investing in the right sunscreen has saved me from ever getting burned on a cruise. I’m talking EVER! I’ve researched and drilled down on this topic because it’s the most important thing you can put in your toiletry bag. Here’s the lowdown: Lip Balm: Protect your lips with Jack Black Lip Therapy. Hands down, the #1 Dermatologist Sunscreen is Elta MD.
- Makeup: If you wear makeup, you will want to bring your usual accessories for those nights out.
- Medications: Be sure to pack your medication and use this one-week pill organizer if you take any.
Electronics
- Noise-Cancelling Ear Buds: Here’s an important FYI about Virgin Cruises! If you like quiet time during your day, you’ll find music playing everywhere on board because music, of course, is in the DNA of the Virgin brand. I recommend Apple Airpods because they rank as Amazon’s #1 Electronics product. Why mess with a good thing? Right? Additionally, if you are a light sleeper, you may want to consider these extra-comfy Soundcore earplugs with loops on them that will stay in place all night and cancel rumbling noises you’re not accustomed to.
- Phone and charger: You’ll want to bring your phone to stay connected and take pictures.
- Camera: If you want to take high-quality photos and desire to up your photography game, I’ve been a Nikon girl since my 20s. I recommend this Nikon Coolpix because of its zoom lens. Reviewers say it’s the best all-purpose camera on the market because of the way the 24-2000mm zoom eliminates the need to carry around a camera back with 2-3 extra lenses.
What Items are Prohibited by Virgin Voyages?
When traveling with Virgin Voyages, the expected items like illegal drugs, firearms, flammable items, weapons, etc. are all prohibited for the safety of its passengers.
Some other items that you may not think about, though, include any perishable food or opened liquids, coolers, and seashells/corals. Although drinks are prohibited, guests are allowed to bring two 750ml bottles of wine per cabin and a small quantity of unopened canned or carton drinks.
Virgin Voyages Dress Code
One of the greatest things that sets Virgin Voyages apart from other brands is that it is adult-only. Therefore, their website states:
“Dress like you on our exclusively adult voyages…You can wear whatever you want. Think of it this way: our dress code is whatever makes you feel like the best version of yourself. Maybe that’s a suit and tie. Maybe that’s a jogging suit, gym attire, or a bathrobe.”
I cannot say that I ever saw anyone in their bathrobe, but I did see some pretty well-dressed people. I think Virgin attracts a higher-end clientele and the majority of people were appropriately dressed. My friend George and I had cocktails often at 5 p.m. and you take a peek at what we wore below.
Tips for Packing for a Virgin Voyages Cruise
I have extensively blogged about this before, but the best advice I can give when packing is to remove 25% of your luggage once you “think” you’ve finished packing!
- Pack light: You don’t want to be weighed down by heavy luggage.
- Roll your clothes: Rolling your clothes can help save space in your suitcase.
- Use packing cubes: I personally have this brand and recommend these packing cubes because they have 11,130 global ratings of 4 plus stars and help you stay organized and keep your clothes wrinkle-free.
- Check the weather: Pack clothes that are appropriate for the weather at your destination. Don’t forget a wrap that will keep you warm in extra-cold rooms or outside on the deck.
- Leave room for souvenirs: You’ll want to leave some room in your suitcase for souvenirs.
Ideas for Keeping Your Cabin Organized
- When you unpack, there are some awesome ways to keep your travel gear organized. For example, you can use this over-the-door mesh organizer to stash your toiletries. This is one of the most creative things to bring on a cruise!
- Did you know that cruise cabin walls are metal? Yep! So use cruise cabin magnetic hooks to hang bathing suits, coverups and light jackets.
- Plan ahead for where you will put your dirty laundry. Keep it contained in one place with a laundry bag that you can toss in your luggage at the end of your trip.
- Instead of trying to plug all your devices into outlets around the room, use the OneBeat multi-plug cube and organize all devices in one place.
What to Pack for a Virgin Voyages Cruise: Final Thoughts
As you prepare for any Virgin Voyage, just remember to have a fun, creative spirit when packing. Virgin is so easygoing that you’ll never go wrong with your choices. Think about embracing a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere rather than adhering to strict formalities. Virgin prioritizes fun and connection over social posturing so you’re welcome to wear whatever makes you comfortable.
However, if you do enjoy the opportunity to dress up a bit more than usual, there are plenty of occasions where zaniness is encouraged! From lively shows in The Red Room to exciting nightclub nights at The Manor and special events like the pajama party, there’s ample chance for stylish expression.
The ships are high-tech and lively and you’ll love the music vibe throughout the entire fleet of ships. Don’t forget to pack for high-energy events and include your earbuds for all the workout opportunities aboard.
Ultimately, what truly matters most is enjoying every moment of your journey!
>> Book your Virgin Voyages cruise here!
You might also like:
- Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Review: An Epic Work/Play Voyage
- Cruise Dress Code: What to Wear on Cruises
- Packing Light for a Cruise: 8 Hacks You Need
- 28 Creative Things to Bring on a Cruise
Jenny Lynn on a Journey Travel Blog contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate marketing programs. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.
I will be going on a cruise soon! Thanks for the tips!