Travel Fam Info Hub

Labor Day Weekend Cruise on Resilient Lady
Sailing September 5 - 10, 2026
Departing and returning from: Port Miami Terminal V 

Passports must be valid at least six months beyond the trip end date.

If flying, please arrive (at least) one day early to avoid flight delays interrupting your trip.
Plan departing flights for lunchtime or later on September 10.  I suggest roundtrip MIA.

*Ben and I love the Hilton Bentley Miami South Beach, but we usually only stay there if we are arriving early enough to actually enjoy the pool, beach, and restaurant. Otherwise, there are plenty of more economical options closer to the port that make more sense if you are just flying in, sleeping, and heading to the ship the next day. 

If you haven’t already, head to www.virginvoyages.com and create your account.  Many of you have an account already.
Use your booking number from your confirmation email to pull up your cruise.

Take a few minutes to click around and get familiar so nothing feels new later.
Once you’re logged in, click “View payment balance” to see your remaining balance and make a payment at any time. 

You’ll need the app onboard, so go ahead and download it now.  

Log in using the same credentials as your VV account.

Final payment is due May 8, 2026… but do yourself and me a favor and knock it out a week or so early.  Cards decline, websites glitch, technology has moods, and I would love for none of us to be figuring that out on the actual deadline.  Payments can be made in your online account.  If you ever have an issue I can send you a secure link to provide your info to me so I can make the payment for you. 

Insurance is HIGHLY recommended.  You can add and pay for the VV insurance right in your account.  I can help if you have any issues.  You can see the VV coverage here:

https://www.virginvoyages.com/faq/before-you-sail/voyage-protection

If you'd prefer an insurance plan where you can bundle the cost of your cruise, airfare, hotel, etc., I recommend Travel Insured.  Their Worldwide Trip Protector Policy is one of the most popular.

It is beneficial to make yourself familiar with the App now, before we set sail.  Here are just a few things to be familiar with:

Event Line Up
Tap Discover, then Event Line Up to see activities. More events will continue to populate. Pajama Night, Bingo with the Diva, Scarlet Night, etc. will all appear here. 

Add a Friend
Scroll to Add a Friend to link with other travelers. After they accept the invite, you can book dinners, activities, and excursions together.

Shore Things
Excursions are paid at the time of booking. Excursion will open up about 120 days from sailing.  I'll remind you.

Add Ons
Bar Tab and premium wifi can be purchased in the app. VV will throw in extra bar tab money if you pre-purchase. Bar Tab credit is nonrefundable if unused. Only load what you expect to spend. Drinks can also be charged directly to your onboard account without pre-purchasing anything.

Wifi
You can purchase premium wifi, but I find the included wifi to work just fine.  

Reservations for main dining can be made in the app 45-60 days before sailing.  I'll remind you.

Not all times appear before sailing. Additional times open onboard. Walk ups work well for parties of four or fewer.

Casual options are available in The Galley and through late night pizza. (No reservations)

We recommend brunch at The Wake! Get the clam chowder.

Main Dining  on board:

The Wake for steak, seafood, and views over the water.

Razzle Dazzle for comfort food and vegetarian options.

Pink Agave for upscale Mexican and mezcal cocktails.

Gunbae for Korean barbecue and lively table games.

Extra Virgin for Italian pasta favorites.

The Test Kitchen for creative tasting menus that rotate.

Port Miami Terminal V is the departure point.

Rideshares and taxis are available all day.

For those driving, the parking garage is directly across from Terminal V for about twenty two dollars per night. Parking is paid when exiting.

Your cabin will likely be ready when you board, but your luggage may take a few hours to make its way to your cabin. We suggest carrying a small carry on with anything you want right away such as sunscreen, swimsuit, hat, or medication.

Once you arrive at Terminal V and check in, you can board as soon as your group is called. When you step onto the ship, connect to the ship wifi right away and put your phone in airplane mode. This avoids accidental roaming charges and keeps everything running smoothly in the Virgin Voyages app. 

 Some experiences can only be booked in person once you are onboard. These include spa appointments, tattoo appointments, and certain dining reservations that hold back space for day one walk ups. If you want any of these, go to the appropriate venue shortly after boarding. 

Once you are on the ship's wifi, more activities will open in the app. I recommend getting on the app ASAP upon embarkation. Exercise classes. Bingo. Dinner shows. Specialty events. These become available as soon as you are connected, so it is worth checking the app shortly after boarding. 

Do not forget to watch your muster drill video and check in at your muster station. Your station is indicated on the map on the inside of your stateroom door. It is a legal requirement that you watch the muster video and attend the muster drill. The video and directions to your muster station can be found in the Virgin Voyages App and on your cabin TV.  After you confirm completion of the video in the app/tv you will just need to do a quick check in at your station. It only takes a minute.  You'll hear them announce it on the speaker when check-in opens. 

The full activity schedule will keep populating in the Event Line Up section of the Virgin Voyages app. Virgin always adds more as we get closer to sailing, so check it regularly.

Key theme nights on this voyage include:

Pajama Night on night one with everyone dancing under the stars in their favorite PJs.

Scarlet Night on night three where anything red goes. Fancy. Casual. Whatever fits your style.

Virgin Voyages is relaxed. Anything goes.

Most sailors wear casual clothes or swimsuits and cover ups during the day and simple resort wear at night.

Bring a light sweater for cooler indoor spaces.

Bring sun protection and maybe a refillable water bottle for exploring off the ship. (Virgin does not use single use plastic on board, but keeps water and glasses stocked in your room and throughout the ship). 

Flat irons and similar items are allowed.

Power strips and multi plug devices are not allowed.

Each stateroom may bring two bottles of wine packed in carry on bags. 

If you enjoy puzzles, keep an eye out as you explore the ship. Outside the elevators on each floor you will find a puzzle built right into the wall. Each deck has its own challenge, and they are a fun little distraction while you wait or wander. Some people make it their personal mission to solve them all by the end of the cruise. 

High tea is available a couple of times on board and can be booked in the app.  This is one of the few activities that charges a fee, but it is good and does tend to sell out.  

The Sun Club Cafe, often missed, is a hidden Hawaiian-Asian fusion spot on deck 16, tucked away near the entrance to Richard's Rooftop, offering poke bowls, bao buns, and light bites with great ocean views, especially on sea days  

Stash your luggage under your bed after unpacking to get it out of the way.

On port days, the gangway info will be lit up inside the elevators so you know when/where you can exit the ship.

Virgin Voyages room service is called Ship Eats and is ordered directly through the Virgin Voyages app. It is available 24 hours a day, except on disembarkation morning. The food itself is included in your cruise fare, with a small delivery fee of about ten dollars, which is waived if you order paid items totaling ten dollars or more, such as specialty coffee or drinks. I personally love using room service for breakfast delivered to the cabin, especially on port days or after a late night. Breakfast ordering for the next day usually opens around midday the day before, and the most popular morning delivery windows fill up quickly, so it is best to plan ahead and reserve your preferred time as soon as it becomes available. 

This sailing is intentionally open and flexible so everyone can enjoy the ship at their own pace. Virgin Voyages has an incredible mix of activities so there is no need for a rigid schedule.

We will do a quick meet up during sail away on the first night so everyone can grab their swag and officially kick off the adventure. After that, expect an easy flow where we cross paths throughout the week. Bingo with the Diva. Trivia. Dance parties. Shows.  Karaoke. Late night snacks. Pool time. Whatever looks fun in the moment.

There will be plenty of time together without anyone feeling tied to a checklist. This trip brings together people who genuinely enjoy good energy, shared experiences, and a celebration that feels effortless. You can join the fun whenever it feels right and you will always find friendly faces nearby.

Getting off the ship is easy and unhurried. There is no need to rush off first thing in the morning (depending on your flight). You are welcome to enjoy breakfast on board before departing.

You have two options for luggage. If you prefer, you may place your packed luggage outside your stateroom door the night before disembarkation. Your room steward will collect it and it will be taken off the ship for you to pick up in the terminal after you disembark.

You can also choose to roll your own luggage off the ship when you are ready. This is what we personally always do. It allows you to pack at your own pace in the morning and avoids having to get everything organized the night before. Both options are perfectly fine, so choose whatever feels easiest for you.