From securing an upgraded cabin to ensuring you dress for success, a little helpful inside intel can go a long way on a cruise. This also includes activities, which include a lot more than the on-shore excursions and post-dinner shows you’ve come to expect when you hit the high seas. And if you happen to be setting sail with Virgin Voyages, you can even end up getting invited to “secret parties” held on their luxurious cruise ships—that is, if you know how to ask.
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Virgin Voyages offers unadvertised events for guests in the know.
Despite sailing to a new port practically every day, life on cruise ships can get pretty rhythmic. You might shuffle to the breakfast buffet, transition to the pool, and finally make your way down when dinner call rings out. But if you’re looking for something a little different, Virgin Voyages has invite-only events happening onboard that apparently you have to earn your way into.
“I’m aware of the exclusive events for rockstars and certain VIP’s,” one hopeful traveler wrote on the r/VirginVoyages subreddit. “What I’m asking for are events that you either end up with an invite delivered to your room or [are] given to you by onboard staff.”
So, what are they exactly? According to another post on the cruise line’s subreddit, there are at least a few options, including a secret magic show and even a super hush-hush pirate night that’s hosted in the ship’s typically off-limits crew bar. But even in the protective confines of anonymous online message boards, a lot of travelers still stay relatively tight-lipped about the details—which, of course, makes the prospect of getting into an event even more enticing.
However, insiders say your best bet is getting into one of the magic shows. In this case, previous cruisers who’ve scored their invites say you should focus on one crew member in particular.
“Based on previous cruises, I recommend finding the Charmer and chatting them up when they’re not doing a show,” one helpful commenter suggests. “Also, go to their close-up magic show, usually held in the Sip Lounge on a sea day.”
Another replied, agreeing with the tactic. “It was very easy to get invited by just telling the Charmer we were interested in magic! He had a stack of invites in his pocket and didn’t hesitate at all,” they wrote. “Just be nice.”
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Here’s how to get invited to the most secret events.
However, when it comes to these secret events in general, a travel agent says you should focus on making “authentic connections” with the Happenings crew.
“Get to know them on a personal level, have fun with them, hold conversations with them, and just go out and support them!” they urge. “They will remember you, and often will seek you out when it comes time to send out invites, or pull you into the parties. Just don’t ask for invites, and don’t get upset if you don’t get invited.”
Others agree that being polite and engaging with the event crew is the best approach. “If they ask for your cabin number, you’re probably in,” another Redditor notes. “And if you get invited, be discreet and don’t talk about it.”
Some travelers say that simply having a great time on the cruise ship can be all you have to do to score an invite.
“The other more exclusive secret event we randomly got invited just because we were on the dancefloor at the Manor at the right time and the Charmer remembered us from his show at Sip earlier (I had a distinct shirt) so [they] invited us,” they wrote. “This was a raucous late-night event at 1 AM, but I’m not going into spoiler details.”
Others have reported a similar experience. “One was a ‘come with me’ type invite when I was hanging out with a ‘solos’ group,” another past cruise attendee wrote. “The other, I noticed there was a business card lying around that I grabbed, and it said where to meet and when.”
“Like others have said, definitely pay attention to the cast during smaller events, and make ‘friends,'” they add. “But also just pay attention.”
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.