Rachel Poultney, from team PR42, recently travelled onboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady, sailing roundtrip from Miami and calling at Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas.

Experiencing the product first hand at an early stage in a new partnership is invaluable. It allows us to speak with genuine authority when pitching to the media, writing award entries and building relationships across the industry.

The itinerary itself comprehensively showcased the Virgin Voyages proposition, particularly its curated Shore Things programme. In Jamaica, that meant a high-energy white water tubing experience, navigating jungle-lined rivers before quite literally throwing ourselves off waterfalls – the kind of immersive, memory-making excursion that resonates with modern travellers. In Grand Cayman, the pace shifted to something more relaxed but equally memorable, with a catamaran sailing to Starfish Point, where crystal-clear waters and marine life created a very different but equally compelling experience.

Back onboard, the dining programme stood out as one of the defining features of the voyage. Service was consistently strong throughout, striking the right balance between polished and relaxed, and reinforcing the brand’s restaurant-led approach to dining at sea.

Rachel travelled alongside Kelly Ranson, representing Travel Weekly, who will write a full review for their forthcoming cruise supplement. The trip was hosted by Gemma Wilks and Alan Fincham from Virgin Voyages, alongside Alice Bettles from Virgin Atlantic, whose expertise and hospitality ensured a smooth and engaging experience throughout.

It was a brilliant few days but more importantly a significant learning experience, ensuring we represent Virgin Voyages with confidence, credibility and a genuine understanding of what sets the product apart.