Virgin Voyages’ dining and beverage offerings are set to take center stage through a series of month-long on-board activations. Relaunching across the fleet this July, Richard Branson’s newest travel brand is inviting food enthusiasts, epicureans and adventurers alike to celebrate its third-annual Eat & Drink Festival. This culinary and cocktail showcase is making a comeback with diverse tastes and brand-new events for a limited time.
Fresh for 2024, the brand is introducing the first-ever Asian Night Market at Sea where sailors 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 new chapter for the experimental, laboratory-like eatery. Virgin Voyages is also bringing back experiences like Seven Seas Sippers, a cocktail treasure hunt across seven of its distinguished bars.
The brand has curated a lineup 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.
Tip: "Sailors" (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 onboard.
Among the onboard events are:
- Asian Night Market at Sea: The first-ever Asian Night Market at Sea, this immersive experience at The Galley invites sailors to explore Asian cultures through authentic tastes and an array of dishes and beverages.
- Seven Sea Sippers: An elevated bar crawl disguised as a cocktail treasure hunt. Following a map, sailors 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.
- 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.
- Shhh…: This is a pop-up speakeasy concept in which sailors partake in a phone-free experience. Highlighting world-renowned bartenders from Miami, Barcelona and Athens, this "Stowaway Sanctuary” transforms a unique space into an intimate cocktail haven.
- Spirited Dinner Series at The Wake: This intimate and exclusive culinary event comprises a four-course meal crafted by a Michelin-starred chef paired with a selection of fine spirits, beers or wines.
- Afternoon Tea Cocktail Extravaganza at Sip: Tea lovers will enjoy herbal flavors, teapot cocktails and a single malt whiskey and chocolate pairing. It combines the charm of traditional British tea with innovative mixology.
- Let's Get Choco-Lit: A mix between chocolate worship and a pastry workshop, this culinary demo is a treat for anyone who loves baked sweets. (Available only on Scarlet Lady.)
- Master The Art of Wine - Swirl. Smell. Savor: In this sensory journey, sailors 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 is available on all three ships, as is Master The Art of (White) Wine; Master The Art of (Rose) Wine is available only on Valiant Lady.
- Meat & Cheese, If You Please: This one-hour culinary demo in the Test Kitchen teaches sailors 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. (Available on Valiant Lady.)
- Shot For Shot: During this interactive beverage class hosted in The Test Kitchen, sailors will drink and click their way to a whole new level of self-expression: making four signature cocktails and snapping the perfect photo. (Available on Valiant Lady.)
- Acai What You Did There: Here, tempting açaí bowls are the star as sailors make this fresh treat with healthy toppings. (Available on Resilient Lady.)
To learn more, visit www.virginvoyages.com.
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