Cruising solo with Virgin Voyages on Valiant Lady - a HUGE surprise!

[@FraserAtSea]

Would you cruise solo with Virgin? If so, let me know! Also, remember to subscribe to the channel!

[@jonathanclark8237]

Hi. I enjoyed your video. I've done two solo sailings on Virgin: one on Valiant last January and one on Scarlet last March. I've booked two more solos for next October on Scarlet and next January on Brilliant. You'll be glad to know that on the two sailings I went on they had a solo meetup hosted by a member or two of the Happenings Cast before sailaway and a solo dinner at Razzle Dazzle afterwards, which at least gave me some familiar faces for the rest of the voyage.

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks for leaving this message! I’m actually cruising solo with Virgin again in both August and October, so I’m really excited to see if it’s changed now. It sounds like they’ve listened to feedback and changed to support solo’s, which is SUCH welcome news!

[@Tel-zd5uu]

I am surprised at this experience. I’ve done two solo Virgin cruises and found them to be the best line for solo travellers! The first in 2022 and second in 2023. Both have been 7 night cruises so maybe that is the difference. Both times I had a solo sailor welcome letter in my cabin inviting me to the first night solo meet up for sail away and dinner afterwards. There were other organised solo events with the Happenings Cast throughout the week too. On my last cruise in September 2023 we ended up with a WhatApp group with over 30 solo sailors in. It was a very social ship with lots of solo travellers.

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey, thanks for watching and commenting! Don’t worry - this is now a much older video on my channel - I should really record an updated summary. Thanks!!

[@buddbo1]

I have cruised almost 3 yrs solo, i love it. I think you have to love your own company, and enjoy meeting other people and i do. I do Virgin in April, 2024 i will see if it's any diffrent socially for me, i can't see why it would be. 😊

[@FraserAtSea]

I totally agree - enjoying your own company is so vital! Thanks so much for watching - stop back and let me know how it goes for you!!

[@jillmackenzie5978]

I am booked for a solo cruise with Virgin next May 2023.....I hope I can meet other solo travelers : (

[@wildberrylemonade]

I am a solo traveler but I'm not trying to meet people 🤣. I'm traveling alone to be alone and just feel the vibes. Virgin sounds nice for what I'm looking for. I saw they have cruise over my birthday. I'm trying to see if I should book it or not.

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, you can achieve that on any cruise - I’m a bit of a social butterfly when I want to be, but also have days where I do prefer being on my own! You should totally think about a birthday cruise - what a birthday present to yourself!

[@TeePowell]

Same. If I meet someone fun, I’m ok with that, but I don’t want to feel the pressure of having to socialize. Book that trip! Hope you have a great birthday 🥳

[@sailawaymag]

Great Video! We've always been in two minds about Virgin, but still very keen to sail on Valiant Lady! We think there's going to be lots we love and some things not so much! Its also a shame Virgin and other cruise lines don't invest more thought into their solo travellers, they are defiantly missing out on a key group!

[@FraserAtSea]

Totally agree! However, I’m hoping that they’re still scoping it out, and are focussing on their ‘mass market’ product, then will spend more time looking at the smaller groups (ie solo’s) - let’s watch this space, shall we…?!

[@apgx6032]

Great video, thank you. It’s refreshing to know that you actually get nervous when first boarding a cruise ship as a solo traveller. I can’t believe Virgin did not do a simple thing like include a solo meet up on their daily schedule.

[@wendymurphy2112]

Cruising on Scarlet Lady solo next February. I've started a FB group for that specific cruise, and if there aren't any other solo travelers that I find in the group I plan to (step outside of my comfort zone) during the wait in the cruise terminal and loudly proclaim that I am looking for other solo travelers. I'll try to remember to let you know how that works.

[@FraserAtSea]

Great idea re the Facebook group - hope it works, and you have a fab time. Yes please - stop back and let me know how you get on!

[@cathywilcox514]

Wendy how do you start an FB group for a specific cruise (or indeed, find one?)

[@ginacota9724]

Thanks for the great video and also for the solo traveler perspective. I will be cruising on Scarlet Lady in a couple of weeks with my son and his partner and will definitely make an effort to make friends with solo travelers. I have an idea and you can let me know if you think this would have been some thing that you would find helpful. Since there will only be the three of us at dinner I will let the server and hostess know that any single cruisers dining alone are welcome to join us. I think that would make our dinner much more interesting and give an opportunity for someone who may not want to eat alone to make some new friends as well :-)

[@FraserAtSea]

What a fantastic idea - I’d love a crew member to offer me that at dinner - that’s so thoughtful! Thanks a million for watching, and for taking the time to leave a comment - feel free to follow along for more. Good to e-meet you!

[@FraserAtSea]

Also, have an amazing cruise!

[@laurenwarburton4790]

I actually love this video.. super helpful and practical. Helps make my decision on a cruise line. Great suggestions for virgin. 😊 thank you.

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for commenting, and for subscribing to the channel!

[@FraserAtSea]

Also, so glad I can be of some use!

[@elnamayberry]

I've just booked a solo insider for a 7-day southern Caribbean cruise out of San Juan, so we'll see what Solo Sailor support there is on the Valiant Lady next Spring!

[@FraserAtSea]

Ooh, this is exciting - please do come back and let me know how it goes!

[@henrymontanez9197]

I have sailed on scarlet lady twice. I love the product that Virgin provides. I agree with you that when you first board it's hard to find a place to meet solo travelers or people. That changed for me at the sail away party with free champagne. I got to meet lots of people at the bar. I would also highly recommend to all solo travelers to make a reservation at Gunbae Korean BBQ. They make tables of 6 and you will meet people that first night. Second is the Grog Walk (pub crawl) a group of 20-25 people going to different bars playing games. You will meet plenty of people and hang all cruise. I even recommend this for solo travelers even if you don't drink alcohol. it's that much fun. To truly enjoy the Virgin Way you need to step outside your comfort zone. It's a so much fun.

[@FraserAtSea]

Some fantastic advice here! I would also recommend Gunbae actually - I met great company the night I dined there - was just a shame I didn’t do that on the first night! Thanks a million for watching - stay tuned for more from Virgin!

[@laurelperler5098]

I booked my first dinner at Gunbae with the same thought !!!!

[@a.Janine.pretty]

You can choose any cabin you want. I still chose the sea terrace XL and preferred that size just like I choose bigger hotel rooms for myself

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, they look excellent! I have a sea terrace tour going live next weekend on the channel :)

[@terrilyndon]

Sailing solo on the new Resilliant Lady from Athens to Sydney via Greece, Dubai, Mumbai, Suez, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Bali and loads more places from October to December. I have a solo sea view cabin on one leg and a regular sea view cabin on the other two. I will let you know how I get on.

[@FraserAtSea]

Wow Terri, that’s going to be an amazing itinerary! How many nights is it between Athens and Sydney?!

[@terrilyndon]

@@FraserAtSea Three 'voyages' of 15 nights each. Athens to Dubai, Dubai to Singapore and Singapore to Sydney so 45 nights in all from 22 October to 5 December. T.

[@FraserAtSea]

@@terrilyndon wow - this sounds amazing!!

[@TheJennDanielle]

Hey Fraser! i'm so happy we found each other! I love your vlog style and editing. I am officially subscribed and excited to learn from you!

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, amazing - hope you can catch onto the Scottish accent 😂 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@adambender5007]

I love you Fraser! Love your videos :)

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks a lot for watching - great to have you on here!

[@laurelperler5098]

I will board my first solo cruise in August for a week on the Valiant Lady, The irresistible med. This video was so helpful and disappointing re solo travelers Lololololol I reached out via IG to virgin to see if they’ve added anything for solos and I’m waiting to hear back … I even asked if they had a blog/message board etc…that connected solo travelers before they board! How easy would that be to take the “work” off their hands… Will let you know ! Thanks again!!!!

[@FraserAtSea]

Thanks so much for watching, and for dropping by the comments! I’m so keen to hear of things have improved - please come back and let me know! I also see you’re a new subscriber - massive welcome to the channel (I’m Fraser 😊) - good to e-meet you, and thank you!

[@laurelperler5098]

As a solo traveler are you able to sit at the bars in the restaurants instead of a table for one? Also, do you always need a reservation as a solo or can you walk up?

[@FraserAtSea]

@@laurelperler5098 good question - I found few of the restaurants to have bar-style seating. Venues like the Test Kitchen did (and that’s where I sat), but don’t count on it! I’d advise making reservations, but I actually had it once where I hadn’t reserved and they were able to ‘squeeze me in’ as a solo!

[@laurelperler5098]

@@FraserAtSea Thank you! I joined a FB page for my cruise timeline and they’ve been awesome! Sail away drinks as a group have been organized for anyone in the group 🤗 I def have made reservations but they are all super late as that’s all that was left hence my question. Thanks !

[@FraserAtSea]

@@laurelperler5098 Amazing - I’m so excited for you!

[@dizzlekitty]

I appreciate the video. I'm doing research on Virgin as I'm going solo in March.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ahh, amazing! I’ve got vlogs from my recent Scarlet cruise coming soon, so watch this space!

[@AngelWingzzz]

These ships are beautiful. So very very Virgin in styling. A good concept enhanced with an eye for style. Solo events are ok but I don't want to be pigeonholed either. The Grog walk is a good way to meet solos, groups and couples. Just being a bit more gregarious and pushing yourself to say HI is a good idea too. Not being on solo events...they rock too...but I am not trying to meet anyone in particular so pushing myself to meet everyone makes more sense to me 😊

[@irenepeacock8476]

Hi Fraser, found ur video on Facebook. Not sure if you remember me, you played the bagpipes at our wedding! Good video, we love cruises but not a solo traveller as still together! Hope you are well and maybe bump into you sometime on a cruise.

[@FraserAtSea]

Irene, wow - how great to see your name pop up! Yeah, this KZbin had been a relatively ‘secret’ part of my life, but I recently put ‘me’ on it, as I thought it would really help people in future remove some of the nerves out of trying a cruise (or even just a new cruise line) and get a different point of view. Only downside is they need to listen to me rambling on…! :) Hope you’re well, and I’m delighted you’re not doing solo cruises!! Would be fab to bump into you onboard at some point!

[@BAngieB1]

Thanks for this great review..I will be cruising solo on The Scarlet Lady April 2024...I am really excited and I hope I am able to hang out with other solo travelers.

[@FraserAtSea]

I’m on both Scarlet and Valiant later this year, so will update this review :) Have a ball!

[@20paul]

I am not long back from a 5 night voyage on Scarlet Lady and while i was with a friend this time i usually crusie solo and totally agree with everything you say in the video, i think they still have some refining to do although i loved it and did notice some events such as the frog walk targeted at solos but a meet up definitely needs to be added i think. I am considering the transatlantic on valiant as they currently have no single supplements and if i am honest it’s by biggest worry because it is 15 nights if would be good to know there were other solos on it too :)

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, 15 nights on a Virgin ship would be a LOT of fun with no solo supplement - that offer tends to attract loads of solos. Interesting to hear you say lots of my points haven’t changed yet - hopefully it’ll start to show next season. I do wish I’d tried the grog walk - just a shame it was sold out when I tried to book it! Thanks for taking the time to watch my video, and for leaving a comment too!

[@kathryncashner3294]

A huge part of the solo experience depends on the cruiser. Do your homework in advance by joining the FB or other social media group for your cruise. Then set up your own Meet and Greet thru the FB thread, including an invitation for anyone else to join you. Set a place and time with a group of chairs. The VV ships have 40 solo cabins, and they typically sell out. Obviously solo cruisers may also book a double cabin. I agree it would be helpful if VV would have a solo meet that would be listed on the app, but you can partially make up for it. Another time to meet people is at the sail away party. Say hello to anyone who seems to be alone.

[@FraserAtSea]

I totally agree - I’m usually a bit nervous about approaching people at sailaway, but would totally agree it’s a great way to meet people. The Facebook group is also something I didn’t know about until my most recent cruise - if only I’d known about that months ago, I reckon I could’ve had a really different experience! Thanks so much for watching, and for taking the time to leave a comment - I’m sure people will find it really useful!

[@cathywilcox514]

@@FraserAtSea fabulous vid Fraser (only recently started following - wish I had earlier!) surely HAVING 40 solo cabins invested in, why don;t Virgin ‘go the whole hog’ and have solo events/meet ups - or is this “we are different” stances??

[@cathywilcox514]

Could I ask how you find the FB thread for a particular cruise you’re on, I’ve often seen reference to these but never found one!

[@kathryncashner3294]

@@cathywilcox514 Most of them seem to have titles related to the dates of the cruise and cruise line...for instance Virgin Voyages, April 22. They are really picky about things like commas. For Virgin, under "Virgin Voyages Sailors - Past, Present, and Future" the admin has posted a list of the FB sites for all 2023 cruises. Other lines are similarly titled, usually start with the name of cruise line and ship, then the date.

[@kated9771]

There are a number of Facebook groups for Virgin Voyages. You’ll find a group, usually, for a specific cruise by name of cruise and date. That could be a way for solos to meet as some of the people on the cruise in my group did meet up. Would it be great if Virgin took the lead in such things? Definitely!! It’s a major loss that they don’t. Obviously no “Julie” on they’re cruise ships!!😂

[@jowalley]

That’s how I met Susan (we were both in this video!). We connected on FB before the cruise and met before we boarded and did some things together during the cruise which was fab. I do agree with Fraser though that a solo meet would make all the difference!

[@FraserAtSea]

Great idea - for sure a learning I’ll be taking for future cruises! Do you always befriend someone before your cruises, Kate?

[@AngelWingzzz]

Sailing Virgin solo tomorrow. I've had plenty of solo cruise experience in the last year. I want a more fun, lively cruise this year. As well ax this solo Virgin cruise I am also doing another Virgin cruise transatlantic with a girlfriend this time. But it will be two solos having fun together. We will do our own thing and stuff together too 💜

[@FraserAtSea]

Have a blast!

[@GLD-hopeful]

Did you hear from anyone at Virgin after posting this? They hopefully are searching FB for reviews.

[@FraserAtSea]

Hey! I didn’t, but know they really listened to Scarlet Lady reviews, so here’s hoping!

[@jowalley]

Oooh it’s me!!! 🫣 So lovely to meet you on this cruise and such a shame it was on the last night. I really hope Virgin include solo meets in future cruises 🤞🏻

[@FraserAtSea]

You also feature in my Virtuosa video going live next Sunday - you’re fairly getting your 7 minutes of fame!

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

that was really interesting to listen to Fraser. I can see by comments made already people have mentioned the FB groups, and thats what I was going to say, as I have noticed so many FB Groups and solo travellers commenting on them, and inviting each other to meet up and do things. Ive never found fb groups with any other cruise line, but ive never really looked either. I think I only did this time because Virgin is new and I was trying to find out as much as possible before we set sail ( which is 31st of the month by the way - so excited ) Keep u the great content, always great to see things from someone else's perspective... Terry

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, amazing - thanks for watching, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m sure you’re going to have a great cruise - not surprised you’re excited! The FB groups is something I’ve actually started doing, so I’m really glad you guys have commented on here. Please stop by and let me know how you get on!

[@patiseme]

i plan a solo cruise this august on resilient lady and the price now unfortunately is 80% up... 1400eur per person, 2000eur solo :(

[@FraserAtSea]

Yeah, I’ve seen big price hikes from Virgin recently - a cruise I’ve got booked for later in the year is now about £800 more expensive to book!

[@FraserAtSea]

Do keep an eye though - they sometimes have sales coming up!

[@laurah3291]

I am trying to decide between Virgin or Celebrity for my next solo cruise! I have only been on Princess so far.

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, both are really good options actually as they’re SO different! I’ll be getting a Celebrity video on over the next few weeks, similar to this one. However, I’d always recommend giving it a go - both are fantastic products!

[@FraserAtSea]

Which Celebrity and Virgin ships are you considering?

[@laurah3291]

@@FraserAtSea it was between Scarlet Lady and Celebrity Equinox. I think I am going with the Equinox for next years birthday cruise! Because it is a 6 day cruise instead of the 5 days on Virgin. But I will plan a Virgin cruise after that!

[@cathywilcox514]

@@FraserAtSea i did a Celebrity last year - worse cruise ever, Had a solo’s unhosted meet up in the SPORTS BAR. Alll these people glued to large screens (fair enough - its a sport bar after all) with no host, or specific table - nothing!. I sat alone at dinner on a table for eight - when I asked why I wasn’t being served they said they were waiting ‘for my friends’ and then suggested I’d be better off in the buffet!

[@davidjames-maddaford4531]

You are providing extra fees to the line, which the cruise director would know… This should be addressed just as you suggest: a opening night cruise meetup - in canapés and champagne. This IS the cruise director’s fault. They should be sacked as other people/groups upon time of booking through the travel agent would be advised months before.

[@FraserAtSea]

Yeah, I don’t think anyone’s ‘at fault’ as such, but Virgin do need to improve their policy on solo travellers - that’s for sure!

[@davidjames-maddaford4531]

❤️

[@noname-JS]

🤔🤨🤐

[@lenhales7842]

Great video. I’ll be cruising solo on Valiant on Halloween this year. This will be my first cruise and I’m nervous but excited. Are you on Instagram?

[@FraserAtSea]

Oh, cool - I reckon Virgin will be a lot of fun at Halloween - thanks for watching, and subscribing :) I am indeed - I’m @thesolotraveller_uk on insta!

[@FraserAtSea]

Also, don’t be nervous - you’re going to have the best time!