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 photographs 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 buddies for years. Whereas I’ve carried out 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? Properly you understand I really like cruises and I casually requested my good friend group at completely satisfied hour one evening if anybody would need to go on a cruise with me. The response was constructive, and I requested my sister, Laura, who’s a journey advisor, if she might suggest one. She instantly stated that Virgin could be excellent for a good friend group, and so the planning started. One way or the other 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. Bear 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 resorts, and we merged half the group for a Cuban dinner by the bay. Dinner was simply Okay. I feel we unintentionally hit up a fairly touristy space. The fish was nice although!

Pink 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 little bit chilly so I had on Jonathon’s winter coat for a bit.

After which it was time for showers and to move 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 pretty!

The balconies all have pink hammocks that I lounged in just a few instances. And this was severely 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 analogous 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 carried out lately.

I used to be craving a salad, so I constructed one on the huge salad bar. (It’s sort of like Chopt the place you inform the individual what you need and so they add it). Cherished 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 principle pool deck, so we headed up for champs and solar!

Our resident mannequin, Seanny Boy:

That they had 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 – try this internet you can 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 principle pool. In addition 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 Check Kitchen

Search for the birch for Birch!

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

My favourite drink got here from Check Kitchen. This was a Mezcal Negroni with coconut foam on prime!!!!! I cherished it!

The meals was all inventive and scrumptious.

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

SO GOOD! I really 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 really like the ocean days since you are “trapped” in the course of the ocean and I discover that to be so enjoyable and comfy. You don’t should 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! In addition they had actually good in a single day oats.

We began the journey off with a pleasant HIIT exercise that was tougher than it ought to have been, haha. And many observe strolling! The view is all the time so lovely up on the observe.

10 stations x 2!

Similar crew, totally different health club.

The Dock

After rinse-off showers, we went to The Dock to loosen up 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! One of the best desserts.

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

Dinner at Further 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 evening, the principle eating places do require reservations. Further 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.