From Santorini to Mykonos: Virgin Voyages’ Greek Island Glow Review

There’s nothing quite like a Greek summer. Whether you dream of savoring freshly caught seafood, enjoying buzzing beach clubs, or learning more about ancient architecture, there’s certainly a Greek island to suit.

Following our yearly tradition, I embarked on yet another cruising experience with Virgin Voyages. The seven-day journey ‘Greek Island Glow’ set sail from Athens, and took us to some of the most recognized Aegean Islands, including Santorini, Rhodes, and Mykonos. 

This was my third time sailing with Virgin Voyages (check out my review of the French Daze and Ibiza Nights cruise), and like the previous times, I was equally impressed. Five-star food, mesmerizing views, the highest quality entertainment, and, of course, the effortlessly cool atmosphere that’s made the brand so recognizable – there are many reasons Virgin Voyages keeps me coming back year after year! 

Sailing on a ship has many benefits, and if you’ve thought about heading on a sea adventure yourself, here’s a recap of my trip through the gorgeous Greek islands.

Quick Facts About Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady

• Available To: Adults-Only 18+

• Rooms: 1404 cabins

• Capacity: 2,762 passengers

• Restaurants: 20+ eateries. No big buffets or dining halls!

Preboarding

Before heading aboard, we spent three days in Athens, exploring the oldest city in the world! If you’ve never visited the Greek capital, it’s a great way to start off your holiday, as there’s so much to see and experience. Read more about our days there in our Athens blog.

The embarkation and disembarkation process on Virgin Voyages cruises is fairly smooth. Keep in mind they’re strict about their check-in times, so don’t arrive early. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait in the waiting area!

Additional tips for a smoother process:

• Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on bag. This way, you’ll be able to use the pool or jacuzzi before setting sail!

• Any alcoholic beverages you bring must be packed in your carry-on.

• Remember to write down your cabin number – you’ll need it for check-in.

• Don’t worry about choosing a specific disembarkation in the Virgin Voyages app – but if you do, just keep in mind that housekeeping uses the time you select to plan their cleanings.

Pro Tip: On disembarkation day, exit the ship at Mid and Forward on Deck 4. After passing through the customs area, you’ll find taxis lined up outside and a designated area where private drivers wait for sailors.

Atmosphere

Many people envision cruises as something for retirees and families with kids, where the entertainment is cheesy and outdated, and you have no other choice but to follow stuffy dress codes. Well, this couldn’t be further from the truth for the Resilient Lady! 

On Virgin Voyages, no kids are allowed. The entire experience is designed for adults who want to let loose, recharge, or do both. The Resilient Lady itself feels more like a W hotel than a cruise ship. A stream of bold colours, tattooed baristas, cheeky photo ops – the buzzing atmosphere is itself worth the experience. Whether your idea of an ideal vacation is filling out your itinerary to the max or doing nothing at all, there’s plenty of room to design your own perfect holiday.

Accommodations

Resilient Lady is designed in a smart way to keep fun and rest separate, so there’s no noise spoiling sailors’ sleep. During this journey, I stayed at the Sea Terrace cabin and absolutely loved it! Each room features a private balcony, allowing you to enjoy romantic sunsets in complete privacy. Some even feature a hand-woven terrace hammock – the perfect place for any afternoon nap!

That said, if you don’t mind paying a bit extra, it’s worth upgrading to Sea Terrace XL, which offers 30% more space in both the bedroom and bathroom.

Pro tips to make the most of your stay:

• Upon request, the staff will gladly provide you with a clothing steamer.

• It’s possible to make personalized requests with housekeeping, for example, provide additional sets of towels each day, or a second pitcher of water.

• Prefer a softer bed for better sleep? Ask for a pillow topper!

• The best views for this sailing itinerary are on the ‘A’ side of the ship.

  
  

Food & Drink

Virgin Voyages really is a foodie’s dream! Forget about overwhelming buffets and enormous dining rooms. Here, you’ll find 20+ high-end eateries, with menus that have been curated by Michelin-starred chefs (yes, you read that right). Some evenings, you’ll forget you’re on a cruise ship — it feels more like dining in the trendiest restaurants of New York or London. My favorites during the trip were:

The Wake: The best place for steak, seafood, and brunch. Make sure to try the New York strip, Clam Chowder, and Cream Spinach (absolute highlights), and end your dinner with a lemon cheesecake. You’ll thank me! As for breakfast foods, The Wake’s soft shell crab Benedict is pure heaven.

Extra Virgin: A delicious place to enjoy Italian classics (I loved the mini meatballs). Don’t make the same mistake I did by not trying the gelato – it’s raved about!

Pink Agave: Nothing beats quality Mexican food. At Pink Agave, everything I tried tasted exceptional – Esquites (grilled corn), Enchilada de Pollo (chicken enchiladas), Bistec Marinero en Escabeche (ribeye steak), Bread Pudding. If you’re to try only one dish, make it the steak! Also, make sure to come here during Pink Agave After Dark for some DJ and complimentary shots (and a lot of fun!).

Gunbae: Another exciting dining experience on the ship was this Korean BBQ place. We especially loved Dakgangjeong (crispy spicy chicken), octopus, and short rib, but other options were yummy as well. What makes this such a fun place is that you sit with other guests and can participate in drinking games.

The Test Kitchen: This one’s for the adventurous foodies. The Test Kitchen offers a six-course, chef-inspired dining experience where the menu is a surprise. You won’t know exactly what you’re eating until it’s served (the dishes are only listed by ingredients!). 

Pro Tip: Go all in and add the cocktail pairing.

The Galley: Your all-day food hall for quick, tasty bites. I loved the morning omelets and chorizo burritos, and don’t miss the 10 pm chocolate chip cookies (they go fast!).

ShipEats (Room Service): Whether you're lounging in bed or winding down after a night out, you can order room service anytime via the Virgin Voyages app or your in-cabin tablet. A $10 delivery fee applies to complimentary (‘On Us’) items, but it’s waived if you’re ordering something with a charge, like a glass of wine, a specialty coffee, or if you’re staying in one of the RockStar Quarters.

Sip Bar: A sleek champagne bar perfect for pre-dinner drinks or live music. St. Louis Champagne was my go-to.

On The Rocks: My favorite bar on board for both cocktails and live entertainment. Don’t skip The Entertainer.

Additional Restaurant Tips

• Make reservations as early as possible.

• If you forget to make your bookings, grab them the first day onboard at the desk near Shore Excursions.

• Bringing your own wine or bubbly? Pour yourself a glass in the room first. There’s a $25 corkage fee at the restaurant otherwise.

  
  

Excursions On Virgin Voyages Greek Island Glow

Athens

Before starting our journey, we decided to join the Acropolis monuments & Parthenon Walking Tour (with Optional Acropolis Museum). Head over to our Athens Highlights in 3 Days: Must-See Sights and Local Experiences blog to read more about this experience. This was the only excursion I booked separately from Virgin.

Santorini

Our day in Santorini was all about the island’s rich winemaking heritage. We learned about the ancient kouloura method, where vines are trained to grow in basket-like coils to protect them from the wind, and sampled a variety of local blends, including the region’s famously full-bodied whites. Afterward, we enjoyed a scenic drive to the postcard-perfect town of Oia, where we had free time to wander, shop, and eat.

Pro Tip: Since this is a tender port, getting on and off the ship takes extra time. I'd stick with Virgin Voyages excursions here. 

Rhodes

It’s often said that the largest island of the Dodecanese is the ideal place to start your Greek island-hopping adventure. It definitely was a highlight of our trip! We explored ancient Lindos in the morning, wandering through historic streets and temples, before heading to Tsampika Beach. The beach club and the beach were both amazing! The sand was soft and the water was crystal clear.

Just remember to wear comfy shoes and put on sunscreen. Climbing to the Lindos Acropolis involves about 300 steps, and the sun can be intense!

Bodrum, Turkey

Next on our itinerary was beautiful Bodrum, Turkey, famous for its turquoise waters and dreamy coastline. We spent the day sailing past secret coves and quiet bays, soaking up the sun and swimming in the clearest water imaginable. Lunch was served onboard (and it was really delicious!).

Mykonos

Last but not least, we had an overnight stop in Mykonos. We started with a visit to Thalas Beach Club: stunning spot, delicious food, and cocktails (don’t miss the Greek fries, cheese croquettes, and the Queen Scarlet). 

That said, I recommend booking directly rather than through Virgin Voyages, as it’s more affordable and you get to choose your own lounger.

In the evening, I’d made dinner reservations at Kalita, and it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. Amazing service and even better food! If you're up for it, Mykonos really comes alive at night with endless bars and clubs to explore.

Entertainment

One of the standout features of sailing with Virgin Voyages is the way they reinvent cruise ship experiences, and Resilient Lady takes it to another level. From cutting-edge entertainment to luxurious wellness spaces, everything on board feels thoughtfully curated and refreshingly original.

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s a visit to the Redemption Spa. I highly recommend getting a day or week pass, even if you're not booking a treatment. I did the Absolution Quartz Bed Massage for the second time, and it was just as incredible.

Pro Tip: Stop by the spa for a tour on day one so you can see the full space and lock in your preferred treatment time. Even without a treatment, the Wellness Pass gives you access to the sauna, steam room, salt room, mud room, thermal loungers, and more.

As for entertainment, during this trip, I saw three shows, which I hadn’t seen before, and they didn’t disappoint!

Lola’s Library: My favorite show of the trip – I actually went twice. It’s part cocktail party, part cabaret, with a fun storyline and unforgettable characters.

Persephone: A creative twist on the classic Greek myth, this immersive show blends modern theater with ancient history. It’s beautifully done and totally unique to Virgin Voyages.

Miss Behave Show: A wild, anything-goes game show where the rules (and the points) are made up as you go. Hilarious and chaotic!

Final Thoughts

Silky sand beaches, delicious food, ancient villages, and world-class museums – it’s easy to see why the Greek islands welcome millions of tourists every year. But with over 6,000 islands, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about which to see and explore. 

Why struggle with endless ferry connections when you can take a cruise and only unpack once? With the Virgin Voyages Greek Island Glow tour, you can tick off the big-hitters and have a perfect introduction to Greece’s islands!

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Ready to have your own Virgin Voyages adventure? Reach out to the expert planners at Travel Queen LLC! We’ll handle all the details, from cruise cabins to curated experiences. All you have to do is enjoy your unforgettable Greek getaway!

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