Smooth Sailing from Booking to Barcelona — Thanks to Grace & Global Journeys 0 Peter and Elisa, VIC, Australia, Sep 2025
Where do we even begin! Our Portsmouth to Lisbon, Casablanca & Spain voyage aboard the Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady was nothing short of spectacular — and so much of that experience started well before we even stepped foot on the ship, thanks to our wonderful travel advisor Grace Enchelmaier at Global Journeys.
From our very first enquiry through read more to departure, Grace was attentive, knowledgeable and genuinely invested in making sure everything was perfect. When we had questions about upgrading our cabin, she explored every option for us. When we queried the price difference and asked about sailor loot credits, she went straight to the Virgin Voyages representative on our behalf — even when the answer wasn't what we hoped for, her honesty and effort were truly appreciated. And when Virgin Voyages updated our disembarkation terminal in Barcelona to Terminal C at the last minute, Grace had already forwarded us the details before we even had a chance to wonder. That kind of proactive communication is what sets a great travel agent apart.
The Scarlet Lady herself was absolutely stunning. The vibe is unlike any cruise we've been on — adult-only, beautifully designed, and with a dining and entertainment experience that genuinely surprised us. The Band (that clever little wearable made from recycled ocean plastic) served as cabin key, wallet and bar tab all in one — such a clever touch that really set the tone for the whole experience.
Now, we'd be fibbing if we said there were zero hiccups. One of the highlights we'd been most looking forward to was our stop in Casablanca, Morocco — so we were genuinely disappointed to learn the port was closed and we wouldn't be making that call. It was the destination we'd been most excited about, and missing it was a real letdown. However, Virgin Voyages handled the situation beautifully. The communication was prompt, clear and empathetic, and in place of Casablanca we were rerouted to the gorgeous Cádiz in southern Spain. What a silver lining! Cádiz turned out to be an absolute gem — one of Europe's oldest cities, full of character, stunning architecture and warm locals. It genuinely softened the blow and left us with memories we wouldn't trade. The seamless way Virgin Voyages managed the change really impressed us and showed the professionalism of their operation.
September was a brilliant time to travel this route. The weather across Portugal and Spain was warm but not overwhelming, and the mix of destinations made for an incredibly rich itinerary. Our fellow sailors were a wonderfully diverse, warm and sociable group, and the kid-free environment meant a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere throughout.
Would we travel with Virgin Voyages again? Absolutely - without hesitation. Would we book through Global Journeys again? Without a doubt. Grace made the entire process smooth, stress-free and enjoyable from start to finish. If you're considering a Virgin Voyages cruise, do yourself a favour and reach out to Grace - you won't regret it.
Thank you Grace, and thank you Global Journeys. You helped make a truly unforgettable trip. 🌊⚓ Magnificent Voyage! 0 Julianne and Edward, WA, Australia, Aug 2025
We loved our journey with Virgin Voyages to the UK and Europe. The ship itself is magnificent with facilities that are second to none, including our cabin, the entertainment, food options and ports of call. The crew are all just so lovely and when we had a bit of a problem with one of our off shore tours, Virgin Voyages refunded the tour in full. read more They just cannot do enough to please you, and please us they did. The ports of call were all amazing and well chosen and help with tours was wonderful. Give Virgin Voyages a go, you won’t regret it. I would like to add that Hannah Campbell at Global Journeys has looked after us carefully, helpfully and always with accessibility. She has arranged several trips for us now and we wouldn’t want to deal with anyone else. Her attention to detail, responsiveness and courtesy have always been of great value to us, and this was once again exemplified on our most recent trip.