If you’ve started researching Virgin Voyages, you’ve probably noticed something pretty quickly. People don’t just like Virgin Voyages. They become completely obsessed with it. You’ll see Facebook groups full of people talking about future sailings, favorite cabins, restaurant rankings, secret menu items, and people booking another cruise before they’ve even stepped off the ship.

As someone who has sailed Virgin Voyages more than 50 times and earned Top 10 Virgin Voyages First Mate recognition four years in a row, Samantha Robichaud has had a front row seat to watching that happen. And honestly, one of the biggest reasons people fall in love with Virgin is because it completely changes what many people think cruising is supposed to be.

Virgin Voyages Changed the Traditional Cruise Formula

For years, cruising followed a formula. Giant buffets, formal nights, assigned dining times, endless announcements, and ships designed to appeal to absolutely everyone. Virgin Voyages looked at all of that and basically said, “What if we did things differently?”

The result was an adults only cruise line that feels more like a modern boutique hotel or luxury resort at sea than a traditional cruise ship. But here is where things get interesting. The very thing that makes Virgin different is also why experience and knowledge matter so much when helping someone plan their sailing.

One of the biggest mistakes Samantha Robichaud sees people make is assuming that a cruise is a cruise. People often shop based on price first and details later. They see an itinerary, a cabin category, or a sale and think, “Perfect, let’s do it.” But with Virgin, the details are where the experience really changes.

Why Dining Is Completely Different on Virgin

Take dining, for example. Virgin got rid of the traditional giant main dining room and buffet setup that many cruise lines still rely on. Instead, they created specialty restaurants that are included in your cruise fare. You can have Korean barbecue one night, steak the next, fresh handmade pasta another night, and even an experimental multi-course experience at Test Kitchen.

There are no additional dining charges for these restaurants, which is something many first-time sailors don’t fully realize.

But knowing which restaurants fit different personalities matters too. Some guests absolutely love Test Kitchen because it’s creative and unexpected. Others walk out saying, “That was interesting… but next time give me steak.”

Experience teaches you things that brochures don’t.

The Small Cabin Details Matter More Than People Think

The same thing applies to cabins. A Sea Terrace might sound straightforward until you discover that not every Sea Terrace is exactly the same. Some locations are quiet and peaceful. Some are close to activity areas. Some have views that people specifically request again and again. Others are perfectly fine, but maybe not where you’d choose if you knew the ships well.

Those details matter because people don’t really book destinations anymore.

They book experiences and they book feelings.

Virgin Voyages Is About Finding Your Vibe

Some travelers want to wake up, grab a coffee, spend time reading in a hammock, and have a slower, more relaxed vacation where they feel like they’re escaping everyday life. Other travelers want nightlife, entertainment, social experiences, and energy around every corner.

Virgin manages to do something really unique because it somehow creates space for both.

One thing Robichaud frequently talks about is that Virgin isn’t necessarily right for every traveler, and that’s actually one of its strengths. If you’re looking for giant water parks, children’s programming, and family centered experiences, there are incredible cruise lines that do that very well. Virgin never tried to compete in that space.

Instead, they leaned into what adults were actually asking for.

Included specialty dining.

Modern entertainment.

Spaces that feel intentional.

A more relaxed atmosphere.

And of course, no children.

Why Samantha Robichaud’s Experience Matters

Even little things become noticeable. There aren’t constant announcements coming through the speakers all day long. You’re not hearing reminders every few minutes about sales or activities. The ships feel calm. You can sit outside and actually hear the ocean.

That might sound like a small thing until you experience it.

After more than 50 sailings, Samantha Robichaud’s experience with Virgin goes far beyond knowing ship facts or memorizing cabin numbers. It’s understanding who will love it, who might not, and helping people find the version of the experience that fits them personally.

Because at the end of the day, booking a cruise isn’t really about picking a ship.

It’s about choosing how you want to feel on vacation.

And sometimes the difference between a good vacation and the vacation you’re still talking about six months later comes down to the details people never think to ask.

Want to know more about Samantha Robichaud and Virgin Voyages? Be sure to check out her podcast, Talk Virgin to Me!