Virgin Voyages’ award-winning dining and beverage offerings take center stage through a series of month-long on-board activations. Relaunching across the fleet this July, Richard Branson’s newest travel brand invites food enthusiasts, epicureans and adventurers alike to celebrate its third-annual Eat & Drink Festival. This culinary and cocktail showcase is a guest favorite and making a comeback with diverse tastes and brand-new events for a limited time.
This year, guests aboard Virgin Voyages can dive into a series of epic experiences designed to delight the palate. Fresh for 2024, the brand is introducing the first-ever Asian Night Market at Sea where guests can experience the iconic spices and flavors ever-present in eastern street food. Also new for this year, Virgin Voyages – along with Michelin-starred Chef Matt Lambert – is unveiling a brand-new, six-course menu at the Test Kitchen, marking a vibrant new chapter for the experimental, laboratory-like eatery. Virgin Voyages is also bringing back beloved experiences like Seven Seas Sippers, a thrilling cocktail treasure hunt across seven of its distinguished bars.
“This year’s Eat & Drink Festival is a celebration of epic innovation, creativity and passion for exceptional gastronomic experiences that characterize our brand,” said Charles Steadman, Director of Food & Beverage Experiences and Strategic Partnerships at Virgin Voyages. “We are proud to showcase the finest flavors, the creations of some of the most talented chefs and bar personalities, and the most immersive F&B experiences for our Sailors (guests).”
The brand has curated a line-up for 2024 that includes more than 20 special activations including wine pairings, hidden speakeasy pop-ups, spirited dinner series, culinary demos and dedicated food and drink happenings aboard each ship.
“In the midst of an incredible, record-breaking wave season, we’re looking forward to sharing these unique experiences once again with our Sailors,” said John Diorio, VP of North American Sales at Virgin Voyages. “We’ve heard from both Sailors and First Mates (travel advisors) that these on-board events are what keep people coming back time and time again.”
On-board events
- Asian Night Market at Sea – Featuring the first-ever Asian Night Market at Sea, this immersive experience at The Galley invites guest to explore the rich tapestry of Asian cultures through authentic tastes and an array of delectable dishes and invigorating beverages. (Fleet-Wide)
- Seven Sea Sippers – An elevated bar crawl disguised as a cocktail treasure hunt comes alive in Seven Seas Sippers. Following a map Captain Jack Sparrow would be impressed with, guests embark on an adventure across the ship. Along their route, they’ll explore popular watering holes, taste seven distinct cocktails or mocktails and earn stamps that may lead to secret treasure. (Fleet-Wide)
- Brand New Menu at Test Kitchen – Experience a culinary journey that blends innovative molecular gastronomy techniques, the freshest ingredients and global flavors during the debut of a third tasting menu from Michelin-starred chef, Matt Lambert. (Fleet-Wide)
- Shhh… – This is a unique pop-up speakeasy concept in which guests partake in an immersive, phone-free experience. Featuring world-renowned bartenders from Miami, Barcelona, and Athens, this “Stowaway Sanctuary” transforms a unique space into an intimate cocktail haven with mixology magic. (Fleet-Wide)
- Amuse Bouche at Signature Eateries – Specially crafted by the talented chefs in Virgin Voyages’ Culinary Collective, these unique and inventive bouches are the perfect beginning to an unforgettable dinner masterpiece. (Fleet-Wide)
- Spirited Dinner Series at The Wake – This intimate and exclusive culinary event features a four-course meal crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, perfectly paired with a selection of fine spirits, beers or wines. (Fleet-Wide)
- Afternoon Tea Cocktail Extravaganza at Sip – Tea lovers will enjoy herbal flavors, teapot cocktails and an exquisite single malt whiskey and chocolate pairing. Combining the charm of traditional British tea with innovative mixology, this event is perfect for a sophisticated pause during the day. (Fleet-Wide)
- Let’s Get Choco-Lit – A mix between chocolate worship and a pastry workshop, this mouthwatering culinary demo is a treat for anyone who loves baked sweets. Guests will awaken their inner chocolatier through the world of luscious flavors, rich textures and tantalizing aromas as they discover the art of making exquisite chocolate pralines and irresistible rocher treats. (Scarlet Lady)
- Master The Art of Wine – Swirl. Smell. Savor. In this sensory journey, guests will learn how to appreciate the nuances of white, red or rose wine like a pro during a 60-minute wine tasting at The Wake.
- Master The Art of (Red) Wine – Scarlet Lady / Valiant Lady / Resilient Lady
- Master The Art of (White) Wine – Scarlet Lady / Valiant Lady / Resilient Lady
- Master The Art of (Rose) Wine – Valiant Lady
- Meat & Cheese, If You Please – This one-hour culinary demo in the Test Kitchen teaches guests how to perfect the Insta-worthy charcuterie board. Led by The Foodie from Virgin Voyages’ Happenings Cast, students will build their own mini board, complete with salami roses and cheese zippers. (Valiant Lady)
- Shot For Shot – During this interactive beverage class hosted in The Test Kitchen, guests will drink and click their way to a whole new level of self-expression: making four signature cocktails and snapping the perfect photo. (Valiant Lady)
- Acai What You Did There – Here, tempting açaí bowls are the star as guests make this fresh treat with healthy toppings – the perfect blend of taste and nutrition for those with little time and a big sweet tooth. (Resilient Lady)
Guests who book now will receive up to a $200 Bar Tab that can be spent on specialty drinks, Seven Seas Sippers cocktails and Virgin Voyages’ neat “Shake for Champagne” feature. With the shake of a phone, Moët & Chandon can be delivered anywhere on-board.
Contact us for additional information and to book your voyage with Virgin Voyages.