Virgin Voyages - What you need to know from first hand experience!

Virgin Voyages - What you need to know from first hand experience!

Virgin Voyages is one the newest cruise lines to date and they’ve been a hot topic lately.

What is Virgin Voyages?

Virgin Voyages is an adults - only cruise created by Richard Branson. They take a different spin on cruising than other cruise lines do. They’re extremely inclusive of all ages, genders, sizes, sexual orientations and ethnic backgrounds.   

What’s included in your fair:

• Basic Bevys - Tea, soda, water, juice and basic coffee

• Tips for on board staff

• Basic WiFi

• All eateries on board

• Fitness Classes

Virgin packs their daily agenda with plenty of things to do for every person. 

You can spend hours laying on the pool deck catching some sun, hit up the gym for a few hours or maybe you want to learn to paint while you have drinks, the options are limitless. Every person who hops on board will have their own unique experience and that’s one of the reasons why we love Virgin. 

We’ve been on 2 Caribbean sailings, they were both on the Scarlet Lady to Playa Del Carmen/Cozumel and Beach Club at Bimini. 

Here’s our reviews:

Cabins: 5/5

We had a Central Sea Terrace (Room with a balcony) both times and we highly recommend them. They are plenty spacious for 2 people, the bed is extremely comfortable and can also be converted into a couch. The shower has phenomenal pressure and gets very hot, which I personally love. The Balcony is the perfect spot to pop on in the morning and watch the sunrise or drink your afternoon coffee. We also picked ones with the famous red hammocks and let us tell you, it’s probably one of our favorite spots on the ship. Bonus, if you’re room next to friends or family, Virgin can open the Balcony Separator for you and create a larger space for you all to share. Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Food: 5/5

Virgin has 20+ eateries on board and you’re going to love them. These eateries had their menus developed by Michelin star chefs and it shows! There is no buffet on Virgin, which we love. They have an area called the Galley that has 9 different spots to pick from. You order from your table and they bring it to you within minutes. Having the ability to order as much food as you want in increments helps you from overloading your plates and wasting food. Virgin Voyages  is very conscious of the planet so this model helps support that. They also include grab and go containers that are reusable and they don’t allow any single use plastic on board.

For the main eateries you can pick 1 of each per day for dinner with a reservation. We did 5-day sailing so we omitted Razzle Dazzle ( A vegan restaurant on board, which is out of this world! ) the first trip and Test Kitchen the second. They’re all spectacular and honestly, the amount you're paying for your voyage would probably be less than what you would pay if you went to this level of dining in a big city like Chicgao or New York, and they’re INCLUDED in your Vacation Package!

Entertainment:5/5

Virgin has fun shows throughout the day like Around the World in 80 minutes with The Diva, musical artist and karaoke which are all wonderful. The big shows that happen in the evening are artistic and creative. They have performers of all colors, shapes and sizes, which being retired professional dancers isn’t something you normally see. That already gets bonus points from us. Duel Reality is a take on Romeo and Juliet performed through Circus and Acrobatics and if we’re being honest, I cried the first time we watched it. #UntitledDanceShowPartyThing,yes that’s the longest name ever. It’s an semi interactive, out-of-the-box show that may not be everyone's cup of tea but YOU HAVE TO SEE IT! Ships in the Night may be the most beautiful show they have on board. The dancers are athletic and diverse in their quality of movement and bring this unique story to life. 

Gambling:4/5

If you like to gamble and try to win money, you have a few options on this ship that we think you’ll love. Drag Bingo is great because not only are you playing bingo but you’re also getting an amazing show from The Diva. The money is also a decent amount, they start around $900-$1,100 and the last round was upper $2,000 to lower $3,000. They also have a decent sized casino with slot machines as well as tables with dealers. Virgin is also the only cruise line that now has the World Poker Tour on board and they hold classes for newbies for Free. They also have things like the Sea Horse Races and other ways you can win money. 

Staff: 5/5

The entire staff was amazing. We became quick friends with the Happenings Cast, who helped run the entertainment on the ship. They’re in place of a cruise director. We also became fast friends with our housekeepers, who have always done a splendid job at keeping our place clean and quick to the call if we needed something. The servers work at all different restaurants on the ship, so you may see them in different places. However, on Virgin you don’t have a set seating time for dinner so your waiting staff will most likely differ from location to location. Sailor Services have always been able to help us with any hiccups we’ve had on our trips, usually the initial internet connection or linking of people in the room. Overall, we’ve never met someone on board we didn’t enjoy. 

Fitness: 5/5

Virgin Voyages is all about health, fitness and being environmentally conscious. There are a ton of fitness spots and wellness places for any level of activity. We’ve taken a few dance classes like the “Boy Band Dance Class” and “VHS Videos, Headbands and Simmons' ' which got our heart rate up and were extremely fun. The Bungee classes and Sunrise Yoga book up extremely quick. While they’ll have other types of workouts like HIIT, Cycle, Yoga, etc, you can always just go to a gym space and throw around weight or hop on a bike, even do some body weight outside on the deck. 

Overall, we highly recommend Virgin Voyages for a vacation. It’s the perfect way to relax, see the world and make new friends. While this is just an overview we will go into more detail about each one in later Blogs. 

Would you go on a Virgin Voyages Cruise?

If you have questions, have something specific you’d like us to chat about or wanting to book your vacation. Send us an email at Info@magicalkeysvacations.com and we will start getting everything booked for you.

Have a Magical Day!

🏯Should You Stay On Walt Disney World Property Or Off Property?🏯

This is a question we get asked a lot. We always stay on property and we recommend you do as well but there are times you can stay off property.

Reasons to stay on property:

• You get to be immersed in the Disney bubble 24/7

• You get an extra half hour in the parks before they open before non-resort guest

• Transportation is easier from your hotel, especially the skyliner or boat. 

• You can bundle your resort and tickets together, making your vacation payable over time (Up to 30 days until start of trip)

• Deluxe resort guest will get after hours at certain parks on certain nights

• Magical extra perks besides the extra hours (A round of Mini Golf, Access to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex plus discounts for shopping & restaurants!)

Reasons to stay at a Walt Disney World More Great Accommodation Property:

• Tends do be better in price or same as Walt Disney World Resorts

• Still get the extra half hour in the morning at the theme park you’re going to

• Some locations will offer free breakfast

Reasons to stay off property:

• If you’re trying to save a few bucks

• If you’re staying in Orlando for an extended amount of time and only going to Disney for a partial day

• Plan on Driving to Disney or Wanting to Uber

• Not wanting the Disney Perks like getting into the parks early or the magical theming

While some of the resorts can be pricey, there is an array of prices and options that will fit any family needs or wants. Did you know they have a campground that you can bring your RV and stay on property for super cheap? There are also places close by where you can rent an RV to stay on property. This is a way you can stay on property and in nature and not even have to go to the parks if you just want to get away from it all. 

Ultimately it’s up to you and your family and what they need. But you always want to consider the whole package. If you plan to stay off property but Uber to the parks everyday, they could be an additional $50 - $100 a day, which could be the same as a Walt Disney World Resort. 

🏰 5 tips for the first time going to Disney! 🏰

Are you searching google with questions like: “How do I plan a trip to Disney World?”, “Tips for my first time at Disney World”, or anything along those lines? Then you’re going to want to keep reading.

Disney is a big undertaking. 20 years ago, even 10 years ago, you could show up without a plan and have an amazing trip. Unfortunately, if you want to get everything checked off of your wish list, you will not be able to wing it. 

Disney has become extremely complicated with Disney Magic hours, Staying on Property benefits, Genie+, 7:00 AM stressed wake up calls, and the list continues. Now we don’t say this to scare you away but we do want you to be aware it is quite a different obstacle than before. 

Disney is our favorite place to travel and our favorite destination to plan for families who don’t want to deal with the headache and stress of everything. 

If you’re going to Disney for the first time or if it’s been a year or two, here are 5 things you’ll want to take note of.

1. Book Early

When you’re going to Disney World you should book your reservation ahead of time. We always try to book 9 months to a year out. This allows us to get the best price and resort we want. You only need to put a $200 deposit down and final payment isn’t due until 30 days prior to your trip start date!

But what if a better deal pops up? 

Good news, we are able to get you the better price. As long as it applies to your resort and you meet all the requirements. We have a lot of clients who want to wait to book until these deals drop. When you wait you risk losing the resort you’re dreaming of. We can still apply any qualified deals to your already made reservation and you get to keep your resort!

2. Reserve your Tickets

You’re going to make sure you want to have tickets secured before you go to Disney World. There’s nothing worse than planning this extravagant trip only to realize the park you want to go to is completely sold out and you aren’t able to get in. Tickets will vary by days and season, plus the length of stay can change the overall pricing of your tickets.

3. Staying on Property Perks

Staying on Property is the best way to experience Disney World. You’re in the Magic bubble and life gets 10x better. You will have easy transportation to the parks, extra magic morning hours before park opens, potential extra evening hours for Deluxe resort guest, ability to book dining reservations for your entire trip 60 days in advance.

4. Reserve Dining Early

You can book your dining reservations up to 60 days prior to your trip. A bonus to staying on Disney Property is you can make your reservations for your whole trip on day one. If you are staying off property you have to do it day by day. This can be a crucial game changer for those extremely difficult to get reservations (Cinderella’s Royal Table).

5. Make a Plan

If this is your first time going to Disney World, you do not want to go in without a plan. You will be highly overwhelmed and lose precious time. We find making a list of things you want to accomplish while you’re there helps put things into place and makes it less overwhelming. We suggest picking a couple of your favorite characters you want to meet, pick a couple of restaurants you have to try, a few snacks, a pair of ears or other item you have to grab, your top 3 - 5 rides at each park you have to do and then you’ll be able to constructed a outline for your day!

These are just the basics to starting out on your very first Disney World Adventure. Hopefully this gives you a good starting point and will help take some of the pressure off of you. We are here to help you and make sure you are prepared for the best Disney vacation of your life. 

If you would like help with your Disney vacation we are more than happy to assist with that. We help create the perfect vacation for you and your family. Curating a special itinerary for you and your family needs. Here at Magical Keys Vacations we take care of planning your trip from start to finish and even after, where you won’t have to do anything but get ready for the time of your life. 

Use this link to set up your FREE consultation today! And drop any questions you have in our DM’s on any of our social medias or feel free to shoot us a message at: Info@magicalkeysvacations.com

Have a Magical Day!

✨5 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent When Booking Your Walt Disney World Vacation!✨

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is an exciting adventure, but with so many details to consider, it can quickly become overwhelming. That's where a travel agent, like ourselves, can be your knights in shining armor! As Disney-savvy professionals we not only possess a wealth of knowledge but can also sprinkle some extra magic on your vacation. In this blog post, we'll explore five fantastic reasons why using a travel agent for your Walt Disney World vacation is the ultimate way to go!

1. Expertise and Disney Know-How: When you entrust your vacation plans to Magical Keys Vacations, you tap into a wealth of expertise and Disney know-how. Our agents are trained on all things Disney, from the theme parks to the resorts, dining options, and special events. We stay up-to-date with the latest news, changes, and promotions, ensuring you get the most accurate and relevant information. With our insider knowledge, we can help you craft the perfect itinerary, suggest the best attractions and experiences for your family, and even uncover hidden gems you might have overlooked.

2. First-Hand Experience: As a travel agency specializing in Disney vacations, we have personally experienced the magic of Walt Disney World. Not only are we Disney College of Knowledge graduates, we have walked the park's enchanting streets, indulged in mouthwatering treats, and ridden exhilarating attractions. This first-hand experience allows us to offer our valuable insight and recommendations based on our own adventures. Whether it's securing the best viewing spot for the fireworks, finding the tastiest Dole Whip, or suggesting lesser-known character meet-and-greets, we've got you covered. It's like having a Disney-loving friend by your side, eager to share their secrets!

3. Time-Saving Superheroes: Planning a Walt Disney World vacation requires time and effort. But fret not! Michael & Mitchell are here to save the day and help you reclaim those precious hours. Instead of spending endless hours researching, comparing prices, and making reservations, we can handle all the nitty-gritty details for you. We'll handle everything from booking your park tickets, making your theme park reservations, getting Genie+ ready for you, secure dining reservations and help arranging transportation. So sit back, relax, and let us create your ultimate adventure while you dream about the fun-filled adventure that awaits!

4. Unleash the Tips and Tricks: Disney is always changing and that can be hard to keep up with. Not to worry, we are filled with lots of hacks to help you at the parks. We’ll teach you how to get the most use out of your Genie+ Pass, which rides to get on first, nest ways to trouble shoot problems and make sure you're armed with the knowledge you need to make the most of your Disney experience!

5. Personalized Service and Support: Last but certainly not least, using Magical Keys Vacations provides you with personalized service and support throughout your entire vacation planning process. We take the time to understand your family's preferences, interests, and budget, tailoring to your recommendations accordingly. Have any questions, concerns, or unexpected changes? Just give us a call (872-221-4353) or send us an email(info@magicalkeysvacations.com), and we'll be able to assist you every step of the way. With a travel agent, you have a dedicated partner who genuinely cares about making your Disney World vacation absolutely unforgettable. And with Magical Keys Vacations, you get two specialized agents!

Conclusion: Booking your Walt Disney World vacation with a travel agent is like unlocking a world of convenience, expertise, and personalized attention. With our in-depth Disney knowledge, first-hand experiences, time-saving capabilities, and insider tips, we will make your trip planning a breeze! So wave goodbye to stress and let Magical Keys Vacations sprinkle that extra touch of magic on your Disney adventure. Get ready for unforgettable memories and endless smiles in the most magical place on earth!

Are you ready to go to Disney World?