Virgin Voyages Mediterranean Cruise: My Honest Review of Corfu, Dubrovnik & More
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Are we cruise people now? Full disclosure: I never thought I’d say that. I’d always pictured cruises as a sea of retirees, endless buffets, and more bad wallpaper than good times. But this summer, I set sail on Virgin Voyages’ Mediterranean route “Corfu, Dubrovnik, & More” - and…well, reality couldn’t have been more different.
From amazing food (no buffets, my friends!) and stylish ships to hidden gems in each port, this cruise surprised me at every turn. In this post, I’m breaking down everything I wish I knew before boarding: practical tips for life onboard, dining and show hacks, and highlights from each destination so you can plan your own unforgettable Mediterranean adventure.
Everything I Wish I Knew Before Boarding
Use the app for everything. From dining reservations to excursions, the app is your lifeline. You can also pre-book your bar tab on it. Not so fun fact: during the trip when I was on land the app insisted I be connected to ship WIFI - that was annoying when trying to book an early tender time for the next day, for example.
Snag an early boarding time and enjoy the ship before everyone and their mother arrives. Also, You have until 10:30 AM to disembark at the end of your cruise. They’ll tell you you need to reserve a disembarkation time slot - but you don’t. So no need to rush.
Book restaurants early. When reservations open, book weeks in advance if there’s a spot you really want. On a 7-day voyage, you can eat in restaurants twice. My favorite restaurants? Pink Agave, Extra Virgin, and The Wake.
Your bracelet is your credit card. Everything you want to purchase onboard links to it. Each passenger can link their own card, but whoever scans their bracelet gets charged. (Note: staff sometimes manually select a name from your cabin, so charges can get mixed. My boyfriend scanned his, but the bill went to me.) At the end of the voyage, you’ll get a final tab and can settle up however you like.
Hair dryers are tiny.
And you have to hold the button down. Consider bringing your own and also note that you can request a steamer for clothes. Giving you a photo because I couldn’t find one when I needed it and only the girlies know how important this is.
Toiletries are provided. Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are all included.
The onboard entertainment is hit or miss. Mostly hit (Lola’s Library!) but also there are some misses (Mind Mangler, I’m sorry but I’m looking at you.)
Shows fill up fast. Arrive about 40 minutes early if you want a good seat (especially if the show is in The Manor. You have more grace in the Red Room which is larger, for example.)
Balcony hammocks aren’t as small as they look.
Stick your feet in and they extend to full length. Great for a nap/stargazing. By the end of the trip you’ll be researching the hammock brand and trying to buy one for your own house like my boyfriend did.
Sunbathing is a competitive sport. Wake up early and grab your spot on deck, then go have breakfast. (You get 45 minutes before they chuck your stuff in the lost and found - so maybe grab breakfast to go.)
Food is always nearby. From the Wake deck service to casual spots, there’s always somewhere to eat. Frequent visitor to the pizza spot, here!
Bring your own wine/bubbles. Two bottles per cabin are allowed.
The “red stuff” is serious. Scarlet Night is THEE party of the cruise, and people take the red dress code very seriously (as you can see below). Pack accordingly.
Outlets in the room are versatile. European, American, and USB - Virgin’s got you covered.
The free Wi-Fi is slow. You can pay for premium, or be sure to download your music and media before you need them.
Entertainment onboard. Plenty of movies are available on your tablet in the room, but remember: you can watch this stuff at home when you’re not on an amazing cruise ship with loads of other activities available.
Extra Pro Tip:
Arrive the night before. Give yourself extra time for lost luggage or delays and stay at a Piraeus Port hotel near your cruise departure terminal.
We kicked off our week-long cruising adventure with a night at Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port and honestly, it set the tone for the whole trip. Mitsis makes everything easy with comfy rooms, helpful staff, and a location just steps from the port - not to mention those harbor views 👀.
One of our two checked bags got lost between Amsterdam and Athens… and thankfully showed up just in time. If we’d arrived the same day as our cruise, we’d have been scrambling to buy clothes and essentials on the boat or at one of the port stops. Departures go on Sundays and every single shop is closed. Literally every one.
Rooms at Mitsis N’U Piraeus Port start from around $79 per night in the off-season, with summer rates typically beginning at $140/night. It’s one of the most convenient hotels near Piraeus cruise port if you want peace of mind before boarding.
Room level pictured below: Suite
Destinations & Recommendations
Sun, streets, and seriously good food - our cruise stops were a mix of everything I love about travel. From wandering ancient Athens and getting lost in Kotor’s cobblestone alleys, to ATV adventures in Mykonos and lazy afternoons in Corfu, here’s exactly what we did (and what I’d do again in a heartbeat) at each spot.
Athens
Athens deserves a blog post of its own, and I’ve visited many times - but for a Virgin Voyages cruise, it’s your start and end point. For most travelers, it’s the city you fly in and out of to catch the ship. That said, I highly recommend tacking on a little extra time to explore - it’s been one of my favorite digital nomad spots over the years, thanks to affordable accommodation, rich history, cozy cafés with good Wi-Fi, and a lively bar scene.
This trip, we stayed near Piraeus Port and didn’t venture into the city center, but here are a few practical tips:
Airport taxi prices: Expect to pay around €70 from the city center or Piraeus Port to the airport. Uber doesn’t really save you money, but I recommend it for convenience because the app handles payment. Traditional taxi drivers might try to push for cash even though their car says they accept cards and it can get ugly (did I experience this firsthand? Yes, yes I did).
Luggage storage: If you’re arriving early or have a late flight, it’s worth stashing your bags so you can explore hands-free. Your best option is Bounce, which Virgin Voyages actually partners with, and it’s super easy. Just book online, drop off your luggage, and go wander the city without dragging your bags around.
SNFCC (Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center): Need to kill time, rest, or enjoy a coffee with your suitcase before a flight? This is one of my favorite spots in all of Athens. The cultural center has a stunning library, opera house, rooftop café, and tons of green space. My tip: take the elevator at the entrance up to the rooftop café and just chill. There’s a spot to order drinks, comfy seats in a huge open-air but shaded area, and the view you see in the Athens photo above is exactly what you’ll get. A moment for the library though:
And if you have more time, you can dive deeper into the history of the city - visit the Acropolis, wander ancient neighborhoods, or explore hidden gems with a guide. Check out tours and excursions in Athens to make the most of your visit.
And if you’re tacking on extra time in Athens before or after your cruise, staying in the city center is a great way to soak in history, cafés, and nightlife without worrying about transport. Use this interactive map of hotels in central Athens to find options that fit your style and budget.
Kotor
Kotor is your first stop on this route, and honestly, landscape-wise, it might be the most jaw-dropping scenery you’ll see all trip. This was the view from my balcony waking up in Montenegro. A few tips for making the most of your visit:
Old Town: A charming maze of cobblestone streets. Just run around and get lost here - it’s part of the fun.
Climb the Fortress: Bring water and comfy shoes; the panoramic views from the top are worth every step.
Taxi to Horizonti: Want a beach escape? Take a quick taxi ride up to Horizonti for some sun and sand. Just give yourself plenty of time to return (we got stuck in some pretty crazy traffic!)
Nearby Trips: Consider visiting Perast, a picturesque town just 14 km away. It's known for its Venetian-style architecture and the iconic Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island with a church and museum.
Dubrovnik
I’d been to Dubrovnik once before, but it still took my breath away. As a second-time visitor, I feel pretty confident giving you this “don’t leave without doing this” list for Dubrovnik 👇
Walk the City Walls 📸 – Yes, it’s €40 per person (I know 🙃), but it’s hands-down the best way to see Dubrovnik from every angle and snag those photos.
Lunch at @trattoria.carmen.dubrovnik 🍝 – Homemade pasta with burrata + pesto = happiness. Even better than it looks.
Swim at Danče Beach 🌊 – Just minutes from the Old Town but blissfully local.
Catch sunset from the Dubrovnik Cable Car 🌅 – The panoramic views are unforgettable. I still think about the sunset I saw up there back in 2018.
And of course… this is the city from Game of Thrones - King’s Landing itself! You can walk through filming locations from some of the show’s most iconic scenes, with plenty of tours available if that’s your thing.
For more Dubrovnik shots (because my goodness, is it it stunning) you can check out my “Postcards from Dubrovnik” post on Instagram.
Corfu
Corfu was a new destination to me - and it did not disappoint. From pastel alleys to chill beach clubs, here are a few spots that made me fall in love with the island:
Old Town: You’ll notice a theme here - always explore the Old Town. Corfu’s is picturesque and full of great shopping. (I found the perfect lemon-print table runner for my awkwardly long and narrow dining table - a find I was very excited about, and that no one asked for.)
New Fortress: Only €5 to visit, this Venetian fortress is packed with history and charm. Wander the ramparts, imagine the island’s past defenses, and soak in panoramic views of Corfu Town, the harbor, and the sparkling Ionian Sea. It’s easily one of the most photogenic spots on the island.
Fortezza Nuova Café: This gem is a short walk from the fortress entrance. It’s a great place to grab a drink or a bite. I still think about their chicken souvlaki regularly.
Mon Repos Beach: It was roasty toasty in Corfu, so spending the afternoon at a chill beach club was an excellent move. Beach chairs were just €10 for the day, and there’s a long dock with ladders that drops you straight into crystal-clear, perfectly turquoise waters. Total paradise for sunbathing, swimming, and unwinding.
Mykonos
Your “don’t leave without doing this” list for Mykonos👇
Rent an ATV: Hands down the best way to explore the island quickly and find hidden beaches. We paid just over €100 for the day for a higher horsepower ATV, and it was worth every cent. We used Pier 1 Car Rentals which was right where the cruise shuttle left us.
Old Town: Get lost in the iconic whitewashed streets. Honestly, that’s the best part - no agenda, just wandering. Stop into Negrita for terrace goals (sunset + water views 🌊), snap a photo in Little Mykonos, and detour to Kastro’s, one of the most picture-perfect side streets on the island. If you’re lucky, you might even cross paths with Petros the Pelican, the island’s feathered celebrity. Between the shopping, nightlife, and even the unofficial locals (yes, I mean the cats 😻), Old Town is unforgettable.
Boni’s Windmill: A 16th century windmill that you can actually go inside. It also has spectacular views over Mykonos Old Town (See the photo above!).
Soho Roc House: If you’ve got a membership, it’s a chic spot for beach or poolside lounging with amazing food (hello, lemon pasta) and easy access to the sea. If not, don’t stress - Mykonos has plenty of other fun and lively beach clubs.
And of course, you can make the most of Mykonos with a guided tour - whether it’s a beach-hopping day, a sunset sailing trip, or a cultural walking tour through town.
To Conclude:
So…are we cruise people now? I’ll let you decide 😉
What I can tell you is that Virgin Voyages completely flipped my expectations. From a stylish ship and incredible food to discovering hidden gems in each port, it’s a trip that keeps giving - from the moment you step onboard to the last sunset in Mykonos.
Whether you’re here for the practical tips, the destination highlights, or just a little travel inspiration, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your own Mediterranean adventure. Trust me: the memories (and the photos!) are worth every moment.