Exclusive to another level
Luxury has multiple levels on Virgin Voyages. When you book a Rockstar suite be prepared for all the great perks.
To celebrate my birthday I knew I wanted a great experience. Not only did the itinerary span my birthday and my friend’s birthday but when we started planning the trip, there was a promotion that we couldn’t pass up even if no one traveled with us. We booked the Rockstar Brillant Suite…the highest category of Rockstar before you enter Mega Rockstar.
Let’s start from the beginning. Booking a Rockstar suite, you get early access to dining reservations, shore excursions, and entertainment. If you are booked in a Mega Rockstar suite you have additional perks that regular Rockstars don’t get like private transfers to the terminal and of course a larger room.
Once you arrive at the Miami terminal, Rockstars will have a separate unloading area. They tag your bags and you enter the VIP entrance. When you check in, you will get a black wristband rather than the signature red wristband. The wristbands for everyone are like your key card for a regular cruise… holds your identification, your credit card for purchases on the boat, your room key, and identifies you as a Sailor (what they call guests). After security, you’ll be led to the lounge area with refreshments and seating. Make sure you jump on the ship's Wi-Fi to make any last-minute reservations before the other sailors board.
Walk on board to the Happening Crew setting the vibe for a great time. The Happening Crew is a Virgin Voyages version of a cruise director but multiple people are over different activities around the ship. Rockstars are greeted with a glass of champagne and ushered to the Sip Lounge where you meet your Rockstar Agent. This is the person that will be your concierge 24/7. If reservations are still needed, they can make magic happen. Our Rockstar Agent was Thandie, a sweetheart, and made sure we had all things in our room as well as found us a reservation for brunch two of the days. Following the introductions, you can head to your room to check it out…which we did.
When we walked into the room, they had the light switch set that the curtains drew to expose the terrace and view. Talk about dramatics, I was here for it. The Rockstar suite (I’m only speaking of the Brillant Suite, as this is where I stayed), is FABULOUS!!!!. A king-size bed, a sectional couch that can convert into another bed, a stocked bar, a large terrace with the infamous red hammock, a large bathroom with a shower that has a bench and peek-a-boo window, and storage/ drawers everywhere. The peek-a-boo window, you can get a cover…which we did. The in-room bar is stocked with full-size bottles of rum, vodka, gin, whiskey, wine, champagne, beers and mixers. Neither of us are vodka drinkers so we traded that and the wines for another champagne…and what you don’t drink, pack it up and take home.
Being a Rockstar gets you access to Richard’s rooftop on Deck 16. An exclusive area where you can lounge in a serene area overlooking the ocean. Full bar service with servers that come and take your order as there is an eaterie next to the rooftop. And every day at 5 o’clock, there is a cocktail hour of complimentary cocktails. That is probably the busiest time on the rooftop…majority of the time we were only up there with maybe 5 other Rockstars. At Bimini Beach Club, there is also a secluded area for Rockstars with cabanas, beach chairs, and a bar area with servers.
If you are a Rockstar, keep your eyes peeled for the black sign. One day we were in line to purchase bingo cards. The line was long…winding from the Red Room into the Casino. As we waited in line, my friend made a comment that clearly there has to be a separate line for Rockstars. The lady we were conversing with snarkily said, “Oh no, we are all the same right now”. Unfortunately for her, the black Rockstar sign came out and we waved goodbye and went to being the first in line to purchase the bingo cards. We were also told that in certain shows there are special lines but we never got there early enough to confirm.
As mentioned earlier, luxury has levels and if you want the top on Virgin…you need to book a Rockstar suite. Now everyone is treated great on the cruise, there wasn’t a bad experience or service…but if you like a little razzle-dazzle and want to feel extra special, then treat yourself to Rockstar status. And to seal the deal for us on disembarkment, there is a special lounging area by the exit for Rockstars so you don’t have to wait in line. And when you are ready to leave, you let a Rockstar agent know…and they will HOLD THE LINE…so you can walk out like the Rockstar you are.