The good news first: the four Lady Ships are near-identical, and there aren’t many genuinely bad cabins on any of them. In 100+ nights on board we’ve never had a noisy cabin, but that’s because we know which spots to avoid. Here’s what we tell our clients.
Use this alongside our deck plans for Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady.
First, a quick tip on cabin numbers
On Virgin, cabins on opposite sides of the ship share a number. Cabins ending in A are on the port (left) side and cabins ending in Z are on the starboard (right) side, so 9112A and 9112Z are mirror images.
1. Deck 8 Central Sea Terraces, if you’re a light sleeper
Central Sea Terraces are a lovely spot, but on Deck 8 you can sometimes hear The Roundabout below you late at night. If you want a Central Sea Terrace and you go to bed early, pick a higher deck.
2. Directly below The Galley and the pool deck
As on most ships, the cabins right under the food hall and outdoor decks can pick up chairs scraping and early-morning set-up. Check what’s above before you book.
3. The forward-most balconies (no hammock)
Where the ship narrows at the bow, the cabins closest to the front get a smaller balcony with a chair instead of the famous red hammock. That includes some XL Sea Terraces, so be very careful which XL you book if the hammock matters to you.
4. XL Sea Terraces: lovely, but think about location
We’ve stayed in an XL Sea Terrace and loved the extra bathroom space: it fixes the one complaint we have about Virgin cabins, which is the bathrooms. The downside is that XLs are right at the very front of the ship, so you’re further from the popular spots like The Roundabout, The Galley and the pool.
5. Limited View Sea Terraces, unless you know what you’re getting
They’re the cheapest way to get a balcony, but the view is partly blocked. Fine for a port-heavy Med cruise, less so for a transatlantic with lots of sea days. They also can’t be booked with a My Next Virgin Voyage placeholder.
6. Lock It In fares, if any of this matters to you
A Lock It In rate is cheaper because Virgin picks your cabin for you, which is how people end up in exactly the spots on this list. If you’re a light sleeper, pay a little more and choose your cabin.
What about seasickness?
Virgin’s ships tend to sail quite slowly, so motion is rarely much of an issue. If you’re worried, a Central Sea Terrace, in the middle of the ship, is worth the extra.
The cabin we recommend
Nine times out of ten, we recommend a standard Sea Terrace. You get a full, unobstructed balcony with the hammock, it works with My Next Virgin Voyage placeholders, and you’re not paying a premium for Central or XL. Pick one midship, away from the spots above, and you’re set.
New to Virgin’s cabin names? Our Virgin Voyages cabins guide, Sea Terrace guide and Insider guide explain every type.
FAQs
What is the best cabin on Virgin Voyages?
For most people, a standard Sea Terrace midship: a full balcony with the hammock, eligible for My Next Virgin Voyage offers, without the premium of Central or XL.
Do all Virgin Voyages balconies have a hammock?
Most Sea Terraces do. The forward-most balconies where the ship narrows, including some XL Sea Terraces, have a chair instead, so check the exact cabin.
Which side is A and which is Z on Virgin Voyages?
Cabins ending in A are on the port (left) side and cabins ending in Z are on the starboard (right) side.
Can I choose my cabin on Virgin Voyages?
Yes on most fares. On a Lock It In rate Virgin assigns it for you, closer to sailing.
Book your Virgin voyage with us
Tell us how you like to sleep and what matters to you, and we’ll pick the cabin for you before you pay a penny.
We’re award-winning Virgin Voyages Gold Tier First Mates with 100+ nights on board, located in the heart of Newport. Call or WhatsApp 07307 602030, or get a free quote. See our bonus Sailor Loot when you book with us.