I hung out in a VIP lounge on an adults-only cruise ship and saw how suite passengers who pay at least $8,000 vacation
On my first adults-only cruise, I got a taste of the star treatment. While lying on a spacious outdoor bed in the quietest corner of the top deck, servers brought me ahi tuna and frozen drinks as I gazed at the ocean.
I was on Richard's Rooftop — the VIP lounge on board Virgin Voyages cruise ships. The adults-only cruise line's exclusive hideaway is reserved for passengers staying in suites — known as "Rockstars" by the cruise line.
Prices vary depending on the ship, dates, and itinerary, but a representative from Virgin Voyages told Business Insider that the starting rates for entry-level suites for two on Mediterranean cruises in summer 2025 are around $8,000. The most expensive suites cost up to $20,000.
While I didn't book a suite, I got access to the lounge during a seven-day Mediterranean cruise on Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady in August 2023. To me, it was easily the most relaxing part of the ship.
The rooftop lounge was at the front of deck 16.
According to Virgin Voyages, the lounge was named for and inspired by founder Richard Branson.
To enter, passengers scanned their room key cards.
Inside, the space was filled with cabanas, pool chairs, two whirlpools, and several round loungers that felt like beds to me.
Each grouping of seats had a food and drink menu for the rooftop bar, and crew members served guests at their lounging spots.
During my visits to the lounge, there was always enough empty seating to settle into a spot where I couldn't see or hear anyone else.
The VIP lounge was quieter, emptier, and more shaded than the outdoor communal spaces for all passengers.
The pools were crowd-free, and the service was more personal. Crew members checked in with guests often to see if they wanted more refreshments.
With a more peaceful, private vibe than the rest of the pool deck, Richard's Rooftop was the only place on the ship where I could lie in the sun and feel like I was in bed simultaneously. That made it the most relaxing part of the whole cruise.
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