I have never been a True Crime junkie,
but when Virgin Voyages announced their first ever True Crime themed cruise, I was immediately intrigued. A Halloween cruise with podcasts, costumes, and cocktails? Count me in.
The Valiant Lady was decked out in spooky décor that made the entire ship feel festive and fun. The crowd onboard was an eclectic mix of True Crime fans, Halloween lovers, and Virgin Voyages regulars. It turns out, this theme attracted a very peculiar and delightfully weird crowd, which made the sailing even better. It also brought the largest group of Solo Sailors I have ever seen, more than two hundred!
This was a five day Halloween cruise roundtrip from Miami with stops in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and The Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas.
In Puerto Plata, a group of thirteen of us booked a private tour instead of going through Virgin Voyages. We got to explore the countryside, visit the city, and end the day with a little beach time. It was a great mix of local flavor and relaxation.
In Bimini, we spent the day at Virgin Voyages’ private Beach Club swimming, dancing, and soaking up the sunshine. The energy was pure joy. Between the pool parties, music, and drinks, it was one of my favorite days onboard. And the food? Incredible. Do not sleep on the jerk chicken. Everything served at the Beach Club is included in your sailing, so you can eat and enjoy without a care.
Virgin really knows how to balance adventure and relaxation even on themed sailings.
The True Crime theme carried through every part of the sailing. The main events were live podcast tapings of Buried Bones, Betrayal, and Things They Don’t Want You To Know. These took place in the Red Room, which, despite being one of the larger venues onboard, still felt surprisingly intimate. Each show had visuals that brought the storytelling to life.
Betrayal even brought special guests whose real life stories were featured in the episode, which made it even more fascinating. There was also a “How to Start a Podcast” workshop that I sadly missed.
The ship’s atmosphere stayed spooky in the best way. There was a costume contest, themed desserts like the unforgettable pumpkin cheesecake (a special October treat), and a Scarlet Night twist where the Happenings Cast wore eerie red costumes.
The Diva’s Spooky Cabaret was a highlight. It was silly, playful, and full of lighthearted comedy that had everyone laughing. My favorite shows onboard the Valiant Lady are still Miss Behave and The Ship Show. Virgin Voyages entertainment never disappoints.
This was my first time staying in a Solo Insider Cabin, and here is my honest review.
If you are a solo traveler who just needs a place to sleep and shower, this cabin is perfect. It is quiet, dark, cozy, and the most affordable option onboard. For light sleepers, the lack of windows is actually a perk because there is no early morning sun to wake you up.
But if you like natural light or a little extra space, you might want to look at the Solo Sea View Cabin. That one is my personal favorite. It has a window, feels more spacious, and is still reasonably priced.
Would I book the Insider again? Probably not, unless it was for a sailing I really wanted to go on and other cabins were not within my budget. Still, it is a great choice for anyone who loves a quiet, dark hideaway.
If you are researching cabin options, bookmark this section as part of your Virgin Voyages Solo Insider Cabin Review search.
One thing I will never stop raving about is how easy it is to meet people on Virgin Voyages, especially when traveling solo.
We first connected in the Facebook group for our sailing. (💡 Pro tip: every Virgin Voyages sailing has its own group. Join it before your trip to connect with fellow sailors and start planning.)
One of the girls had the genius idea to start a WhatsApp group just for solo travelers. Before we even boarded, we were hyping each other up, planning karaoke nights, and figuring out dinners together.
💡 Another pro tip: solo sailors do not have to make dinner reservations. Each evening at 5:45 pm, a Virgin Voyages representative at The Grounds Club coordinates 6 pm dining options reserved exclusively for solo sailors. It is the easiest way to meet new friends while enjoying dinner.
Speaking of karaoke, we booked The Groupie, the ship’s private karaoke room, for a two hour party on night three. We sang our hearts out, danced, and opened every bottle of wine we had brought onboard. That is right, Virgin lets you bring two bottles of wine or champagne on embarkation day.
By day two, our solo crew felt like a family. We hung out in the evenings, explored ports together, and even started planning our next group sailing.
If you have ever worried about cruising solo, trust me, this is one of the most welcoming communities at sea.
Food is always a big part of any Virgin Voyages review, and even with all the spooky fun, I still found time to indulge.
There were special Halloween cocktails at several bars. I tried one at On the Rocks and it was perfection. But the Espresso Martini from Sip Lounge and Grounds Club remains undefeated.
As always, every restaurant is included. There are no specialty dining fees and no surprises, just great food from real restaurants instead of buffets.
This Virgin Voyages True Crime Cruise was such a unique experience. The theme made it special, the solo community made it unforgettable, and the vibe, equal parts spooky and chic, made it feel like the perfect Halloween getaway.
Was it a little overwhelming? Yes. There were so many events happening every day that I could not keep up. Since I have already seen most of the Valiant Lady’s signature shows, I skipped a few and enjoyed some pool time instead.
Next time, I will pace myself better, but I would absolutely sail another themed Virgin Voyages cruise. The Halloween energy was contagious, and I cannot wait to be back onboard next October.
If you are curious about Virgin Voyages or want to join me on my next sailing, let’s chat. I help my clients find the best cabins, perks, and itineraries for their travel style.
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🎉 Return of the Solos (with the crew from this cruise) – October 2026 from Miami - Join the fun
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I'm Amneris (or you can call me Neri... all my friends do), a travel advisor and flight attendant who curates unforgettable trips across Europe and beyond. From solo getaways to romantic escapes and luxury cruises, I help busy professionals and adventure seekers travel well—with less stress and more joy. Ready to plan your next journey? Let’s chat.