Half 1 • Kath Eats

Right here is an element one in every of three recaps of our Virgin Cruise!

I’m so excited to share all of the images from our journey to Miami, Cozumel, Bimini and the Gulf of Mexico! This journey was a dream come true! I’ve wished to journey with a bunch of pals for years. Whereas I’ve accomplished some weekends away, this was an actual VACATION. 13 of us boarded our first Virgin cruise (sure, we have been all Virgin virgins from Virginia and plenty of jokes have been made!)

How did this journey come to be? Effectively I like cruises and I casually requested my good friend group at completely happy hour one night time if anybody would wish to go on a cruise with me. The response was optimistic, and I requested my sister, Laura, who’s a journey advisor, if she may advocate one. She instantly stated that Virgin can be good for a good friend group, and so the planning started. In some way I acquired 13 folks to commit, 5 singles and 4 {couples}, and we have been so excited to flee the snow of Virginia.

Virgin Cruise Recap!

Our journey started with a bunch flight. All however one in every of us took a mid-day direct flight from Dulles to Miami the day earlier than the cruise. Keep in mind the way it felt to see your classmates within the wild whereas on a subject journey? That’s what it felt like after we all gathered on the airport!

Our flight was on time, and we took a Lyft to downtown Miami. We stayed on the Aloft, which was good however not superb, as a result of a few of us used Marriott factors. Three of the {couples} stayed at totally different motels, and we merged half the group for a Cuban dinner by the bay. Dinner was simply Okay. I feel we by accident hit up a fairly touristy space. The fish was nice although!

Purple snapper + plantains

Breakfast + Morning Energy Stroll

The subsequent morning we went to Pura Vida for espresso and smoothie bowls.

After which powerwalked round within the sunshine! It was a bit chilly so I had on Jonathon’s winter coat for a bit.

After which it was time for showers and to go to the cruise port! We have been SO EXCITED!

Because of my sister, we had precedence boarding which meant we skipped an enormous line and acquired on board proper at 1:45pm.

My Room

I had a Sea Terrace room to myself, which was beautiful!

The balconies all have pink hammocks that I lounged in a number of instances. And this was critically probably the most snug jumpsuit of all time!

Even my rainshower impressed me!

After dropping our luggage, we went to The Galley for a late lunch! Most ships as of late don’t have buffets, and meals is served touch-free by class at stations. The Disney cruise and Explora cruise I did each had an identical setup. Whereas I’m speaking meals, the meals on Virgin was OUTSTANDING! Typically my expectations for all-inclusive meals are low-to-medium, and this was one of the best meals of the three cruises I’ve accomplished lately.

I used to be craving a salad, so I constructed one on the huge salad bar. (It’s form of like Chopt the place you inform the individual what you need and so they add it). Liked that kalamata olive dressing!

Afterwards we went to the ice cream store, Lick Me Until Ice Cream!!

Round 4:30 there was a sail-off celebration on the primary pool deck, so we headed up for champs and solar!

Our resident mannequin, Seanny Boy:

They’d a DJ going (just about the entire cruise) and the music was nice!!

As soon as out at sea, we explored the ship a bit extra – take a look at this internet you would climb onto!

Down beneath was The Dock, which was my favourite hangout spot. It was designed to really feel just like the Amalfi Coast and was quieter than the primary pool. Additionally they served Mediterranean apps and had a particular menu of spritzs!

I went again to my room to dress for dinner and my cabin steward had modified the lighting in my room!

Dinner at Take a look at Kitchen

Search for the birch for Birch!

Take a look at Kitchen was one of many extra distinctive eating places with a artistic menu of small plates. You can select one aspect or the opposite (or request extras) and acquired a 5 course expertise.

My favourite drink got here from Take a look at Kitchen. This was a Mezcal Negroni with coconut foam on prime!!!!! I beloved it!

The meals was all artistic and scrumptious.

I beloved that cheese tart on the underside proper. However the spotlight of the meal was positively the dessert: Yuzu Meringue Tarts! They have been being made proper in entrance of me!

SO GOOD! I like all issues foam/whipped cream/meringue and the combo with the tart yuzo and crunchy cookie layers was perfection.

We known as it an evening after dinner and a few Rummikub gaming within the lounge!

Day At Sea

Our subsequent morning was a day at sea. I like the ocean days since you are “trapped” in the midst of the ocean and I discover that to be so enjoyable and comfy. You don’t must rush anyplace, and there are such a lot of issues to do.

First issues first: breakfast!

I LOVE chia pudding and had one on a regular basis! Additionally they had actually good in a single day oats.

We began the journey off with a pleasant HIIT exercise that was more durable than it ought to have been, haha. And many monitor strolling! The view is at all times so stunning up on the monitor.

10 stations x 2!

Identical crew, totally different health club.

The Dock

After rinse-off showers, we went to The Dock to chill out for the day.

In fact we play The Sport in every single place!

Small plates lunch:

I went to seek out extra whipped cream and meringue and located marshmallow too! The very best desserts.

We spent the afternoon by the primary pool with the DJ, studying and speaking.

Dinner at Additional Virgin

Our favourite lounge was On The Rocks, and we met there earlier than dinner most evenings.

When you can eat at The Galley or the Dockhouse any night time, the primary eating places do require reservations. Additional Virgin appeared to be the group favourite. I feel we had 8 of us for this dinner. The menu was Italian-focused, and we ordered so many dishes to share, from a cheeseboard to pasta to fish.