All Boys on Board: Caribbean Cruising!

Whilst it might seem a tad extreme, given that I (Spencer) had never cruised before, embarking on two back-to-back cruise holidays was exact...

Whilst it might seem a tad extreme, given that I (Spencer) had never cruised before, embarking on two back-to-back cruise holidays was exactly what we did! Our Norwegian cruise adventure was thoroughly enjoyable and now, here we were, setting sail again. This time, our destination was the Caribbean, in the delightful company of a ship filled with like-minded gay men. Our vessel, Virgin Voyage's Brilliant Lady, was a brand-new addition to the Virgin fleet, having only launched in August and it was significantly larger than our charming Norwegian MS Midnatsol.

Our cruise began and ended in Miami, Florida, so we wisely bookended our trip with two nights in the city. This gave us a bit of time to explore, as both of us had been to Miami before. I recall flying out of Miami on our World Trip after a visit to Fort Lauderdale and the nightmare 12 lane highway! 

Upon our arrival in Miami, we were incredibly pleased with how smoothly everything had unfolded. The drive to Heathrow was uneventful and using the Meet and Greet car parking service for the first time proved to be entirely stress-free. The flight was seamless and clearing US customs and immigration, which always fills me with a little anxiety about ticking the correct boxes, was surprisingly straightforward. Also, given the US Government was in full shut down, I was expecting some disruption, but all was good. Finally, a taxi whisked us to our hotel, where we checked in without a hitch.

However, a brewing problem had been on our radar even before we departed: a rather formidable weather storm in the Caribbean named Melissa. By Thursday evening, she had intensified significantly and was predicted to become a major concern for our planned cruise route. Consequently, an email arrived, as we had somewhat anticipated, informing us that our itinerary had been altered to steer clear of the impending storm.

This was our original route:

And this is what it became:

Quite a change I think you'll agree! A lot of guys in the discussion groups were upset and disappointed, but as far as James and I were concerned it was all good. It meant that I got to sample a bit of Mexico, which James has wanted to take me to anyway, and we can cross off two other countries on our "Placed Visited" list - Mexico and Honduras. Although admittedly, stopping off at a cruise port for part of a day hardly constitutes a full visit to a country, but nevertheless, we'll take it! 

Exploring Miami

We have two full days on either side of our cruise and for our first stopover, we were determined to make the most of it. We rose with the sun, grabbed a quick and rather minimal breakfast from the hotel's offering (a minor detail, but one that definitely spurred us on our way!) and headed straight for an early morning stroll around the iconic South Beach.

The morning sunshine truly painted the perfect picture, setting a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. The boardwalks were already buzzing with activity: early morning joggers, dedicated workout enthusiasts, and cyclists were all making the most of the cool air, while others were out walking their dogs or, like us, simply enjoying the tranquil start to the day. The beach itself was incredibly peaceful, with just a handful of people soaking up the glorious morning. We ambled along the famous white sands, a stark contrast to the pebble beaches we're so used to back home. We resisted the urge to dip our toes in the sea, however, as it was a little choppy first thing.

After heading a good half-mile or so in one direction, we turned back, but this time we took the scenic route along the boardwalk and sidestreets. This allowed us to really appreciate the splendid Art Deco architecture that lines Ocean Drive, a true feast for the eyes. We even spotted Versace's old house and the property famously used to double as the nightclub in the film The Birdcage – a fun little movie fact to tick off!

Back at the hotel, it was time to fully embrace the poolside lifestyle and work on those all-important tans. I am absolutely determined not to be the pale white Brit on the cruise; a bit of sun-kissed glow is a must! We enjoyed a light lunch poolside too, before retreating to our room in the early afternoon as the Miami heat began to intensify a little too much for our fair British skin.

Our first night in town saw us head to a gay bar, Twist, which boasted a very enthusiastic and energetic barman called Charlie, who definitely took a shine to us. An interesting encounter with a horny lesbian nurse enriched the evening as she tried to hit on a lovely more senior lady (straight) who just pops into the bar every evening after work for a quick drink. Poor dear was a little traumatised but the randy nurse did supply quite a few drinks and shots during her visit! We also visited The Palace bar renowned for its drag shows. We were too busy talking to our new friends to even bother watching the enthusiastic lip-sync-er. 

The following morning we took another stroll around town taking in some more of the architecture while hunting down a specialist shop for supplies for the cruise!

Following our cruise, we spent another two nights in Miami, primarily enjoying South Beach. The weather was so much better this time around which made all the colour of the buildings pop! We spent much of our time on the beach itself, strolling along Ocean Drive and admiring the iconic Art Deco architecture. I recommend visiting the informative exhibition dedicated to the history of the movement and the redevelopment of Miami after the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926.

Here are some additional photographs from our last few days in Miami:

We found a classic American diner - we love these!

The Cruise!

Virgin's Brilliant Lady - the newest addition to the fleet and our home for the next week.

The Ship

There is a unique thrill in stepping onto a brand-new ship. You can practically smell the fresh paint and new carpets. We had this exact experience with Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, which had only entered service in August. By our reckoning, we were only her fourth or fifth set of passengers, making us some of the very first to sail on her. It felt rather special.

This was our first venture with Virgin Voyages, a line that has certainly made waves with its four identical, adults-only ‘Lady Ships’. They’ve built a powerful reputation for a kind of inclusive, rockstar-infused luxury and we were eager to see if the experience matched the marketing.

From the moment we stepped on board, we were completely captivated. The first impression isn't one of a typical cruise ship; it’s more like walking into a floating, high-design boutique hotel. We were immediately struck by the intelligent design. The ship feels incredibly spacious, with a layout that encourages exploration.

We spent that first afternoon simply wandering, and every corner revealed something new to admire. The entire aesthetic is what Virgin calls ‘Rebellious Luxe’—think sophisticated, modern and just a little bit edgy.

It was a genuine delight to discover the sheer variety of spaces. We stumbled upon intimate, design-led bars that would look at home in London's West End and a proper barista-staffed café for our morning flat whites. Instead of one cavernous atrium, the ship is dotted with quirky lounges and funky 'chill-out' spaces, filled with eclectic furniture and art.

Then, we found the main pool area. It was fabulous—sleek, chic, and clearly designed for sophisticated lounging rather than just a quick dip.

Everything about the ship felt cohesive, beautiful and effortlessly classy, but with a playful wink. There isn't a hint of the gaudy brass or neon-patterned carpets you find elsewhere. It’s fair to say we were smitten from the first hour. We knew right away this was going to be a very different and very brilliant, kind of holiday.

The Food

Let’s be honest, for many of us, a holiday is just a series of excuses to get to the next meal. If that’s you, I can tell you now: the food on Brilliant Lady is a destination in itself.

The most revolutionary thing Virgin Voyages has done is eliminate the buffet. There is no single, cavernous main dining room. Instead, the ship operates on a "restaurant-style" model, featuring over 20 different eateries and every single one is included in the fare

Our daytime culinary home-away-from-home was The Galley. This is Virgin’s brilliant answer to casual dining. Forget the lukewarm troughs and queues of a traditional buffet. This is a stylish, sprawling food hall, like a high-end urban market. You grab a seat, and servers take your order from a variety of distinct stations. Whether we were in the mood for fresh tacos, clean-eating salads, spicy noodles, or a perfectly constructed sandwich, it was all made to order and brought to the table. The French Toast Breakfast Burger was a particular delight!

For our evening meals, we explored the ship's speciality restaurants and each was a completely different, high-calibre experience.

Our first visit was to Extra Virgin - their Italian inspired venue. It’s warm, inviting, and buzzing. The focus here is on authentic, rustic dishes. We adored the fresh, house-made pasta—you can genuinely taste the difference and we had a delightfully juicy and perfectly cooked steak. It felt comforting and deeply satisfying, all washed down with a fantastic Italian red.

Gunbae is Virgin's signature Korean BBQ. This was not just dinner; it was an event! Gunbae is a vibrant, loud, and incredibly fun Korean barbecue. We were seated around a central grill with other passengers, and our host kicked things off with a round of soju and a Korean drinking game. Then our food was  grilled right on our table - a mix of delicious, marinated meats and seafood. It’s a wonderfully social and interactive experience—we left with new friends and very full stomachs.

Next up was the Test Kitchen, part-restaurant, part-science lab! The Test Kitchen is a true gastronomic adventure. You aren't given a menu, but rather a simple list of core ingredients for each of the six courses (e.g., "Mushroom, Egg, Anchovy"). The chefs then present a series of wildly creative, minimalist, and visually stunning dishes. It was a genuine performance, pushing our boundaries and delighting our senses.

Our last night on board we spent at The Wake which  was a night of pure glamour for our anniversary. Positioned at the aft of the ship with a stunning 'wake view', this is the ship’s steak and seafood restaurant. It has a grand staircase, martinis, and a palpable "Old Hollywood" atmosphere. It’s the kind of place you dress up for. The meal was superb—perfectly cooked steak, classic sides, and an air of decadent celebration. We also indulged in Virgin's Shake for Champagne service -  a concept that is pure, wonderful theatre. You open the Virgin Voyages app, give your phone a literal, vigorous shake, and a secret button appears. You press it, and that’s it! A few minutes later, crew member arrived at our table with a chilled bottle of Möet & Chandon Impérial and two flutes. It’s a brilliant piece of on-demand indulgence that feels both modern and delightfully decadent. Having bubbles delivered to your exact location on the ship is the height of "rockstar" service, and it made our celebratory dinner feel truly unforgettable.

Across every single venue, from the casual tacos in The Galley to the high-concept artistry of Test Kitchen, the standard was flawless. Every dish was delicious, presented with the care of a top-tier restaurant, and served with genuine style. Virgin has truly redefined what "cruise food" can be.

And the best thing is - it's all included!! Yes, you read that - all included (well except alcohol of course!) 

The Parties

On our Virgin cruise, Atlantis Cruises took over the entire ship, bringing their renowned party atmosphere with them. Every afternoon, the ship hosted a lively "Tea Dance," while the evenings saw grander parties featuring top-notch DJs. What set these events apart was the incredible theming that adorned the pool deck, perfectly complementing each occasion. 

It's important to note that these parties are the main attraction on this cruise and they take a lighthearted approach to the festivities.

The themes were a hilarious, high-energy mix of camp, creativity, and chaos. One afternoon, we were saluting the troops at the Dog Tag T-Dance (think men in... let's just say small uniforms). The next night, we were all "Washed Up" sea creatures, pirates, and mythical monsters washed ashore.

We had an entire Neon Playground rave, and you couldn't escape the Twisted Pink T-Dance—a full-ship takeover of "frivolous dolled up fun" that would make Barbie proud.

But the main event was Halloween. This wasn't just one party; it was a marathon. We started with the Ghostly White party for our most "spooky-chic" and "g-houlish glamour" looks. We time-travelled at the Thriller T-Dance to resurrect the "demons of the dance floor" from the disco era.

It all led up to the midnight Hallow-weird finale, where the entire ship transformed into a "haunted hull." The night finished with a massive costume parade for the entire "Lost, Ghostly, Bizarre, and Terrifying" community—and yes, they meant us.

In short, from haunted hulls to pink playgrounds, every day and night was a new excuse to dress up and dance. Sleep? We'll do that when we're home.

The Shows

The parties were epic, but the entertainment was truly world-class. Forget typical cruise ship song-and-dance revues; this was a lineup of A-list cabaret, comedy, and cirque talent that left us floored every single night.

We had the privilege of seeing the legendary drag artist Miss Richfield 1981. She performed a brilliant, uncomfortably hilarious set called "There's a Pill for That!" which was a perfect satire of America's obsession with medication. With her signature "pleasantly mean" crowd work and razor-sharp wit, she had us crying with laughter one minute and wincing in recognition the next.

On the complete other end of the spectrum was Duel Reality. This wasn't just a show; it was a full-on acrobatic battle. Virgin's signature production is a gritty, modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, swapping monologues for death-defying stunts. The audience is split into two "warring" families (Red vs. Blue), cheering on their performers as they compete in a stunning display of aerial acrobatics, teeterboard flips, and feats of strength that were, as you said, simply breathtaking.

Then there was AirOtic Soirée, and let me just say... wow. This was a provocative and stunning blend of high-end cirque, cabaret, and burlesque. It was sensual, artistic, and—as you rightly noted—perfectly themed for its audience. The show was an unapologetic celebration of male romance, featuring world-class acrobats whose "rippling physiques" were as impressive as their unbelievable stunts. It was captivating, jaw-dropping, and ridiculously sexy.

The queens on this ship were truly top-tier. We were blown away by Cacophony Daniels, a live-singing powerhouse whose name apparently comes from being told she sings too loud (which is a compliment in our book!). She has a background in Broadway musicals and it shows. Her stunning vocals were matched only by her clever comedy and amazing humour, making for a perfect cabaret act.

And just when we thought we'd seen it all, we saw Christina Bianco. We knew her from her viral YouTube videos, but seeing her live is something else. She has a spectacular singing voice all on her own, but her talent for "diva" impressions is staggering. She'd flip between Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, and Liza Minnelli in the middle of a single song, nailing not just their voices but their every mannerism with hilarious accuracy. An absolute vocal chameleon!

Ports of Call

Cozumel - Tulum & Rio Secreto Natural Reserve 

We docked next to Disney's Dream Cruise Ship!

Day Two saw us arrive in Cozumel on the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. We head off on an exursion, first to the Mayan ruins at Tukum. These ruins stand on dramatic cliffs overlooking the turquoise Caribbean and it is one of the last great cities built by the Maya. It's a walled seaport once known as Zama, the "City of Dawn." and it's many buildings follow a familiar rectangular shape with building methods we find familiar today. Its main pyramid, El Castillo, not just as a temple but as an ancient lighthouse, whose windows once aligned with a break in the barrier reef to guide trading canoes safely to shore. The combination of stunning ruins and breathtaking ocean views makes this a truly unforgettable window into an ancient maritime world and a culture that is perhaps not appreciated enough.

Next we travelled to the Rio Secreto Natural Reserve where our incredible journey into the heart of the Earth began with a sacred Mayan ceremony, a blessing asking for permission to enter the ancient underworld. We then descended into a surreal labyrinth, navigating by swimming and walking through crystal-clear, mineral-rich waters that have carved this stunning subterranean world over millions of years. Surrounded by magnificent geological artistry, we admired countless glistening stalactites hanging from the ceiling and the stalagmites rising to meet them from the cave floor, even spotting blind catfish and tiny plankton in the pristine waters. Witnessing this hidden realm firsthand was a truly humbling and amazing experience, connecting us to the planet's profound natural wonders.

Costa Maya

Our ship has docked on Day Three in Costa Maya, a vibrant port carved out of the dense jungle on Mexico's southern Yucatán Peninsula. From our deck, we have a panoramic view of the stunningly clear, turquoise Caribbean water and a sliver of white sand beach, with the tops of resort water slides peeking playfully above the lush forest canopy. 

Photo courtesy of an ex-client of Spencer's (Matthew) who just happened to be sailing the Brilliant Lady straight after us to some of the same ports!  

While we've chosen a relaxing day onboard, we know this coast is a gateway to incredible adventures, from exploring ancient Mayan ruins like Chacchoben to swimming in the legendary seven-coloured waters of Bacalar Lagoon. Even from a distance, the raw beauty of the coastline is undeniable, promising adventures just beyond the bustling port. So maybe we will explore this area again another time. 

Roatán, Honduras 

Our third port of call was the island of Roatan, a lush, jungle-covered island off the coast of Honduras. This place is legendary in diving circles, as it’s perched right on the edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the second-largest barrier reef in the entire world. It’s a paradise for snorkelers, divers, and anyone who wants to see some of the most pristine marine life in the Caribbean.

And what did we do with this ecological wonderland at our fingertips? We stayed firmly on dry land and explored the massive, purpose-built shopping village at the end of the dock, of course! To be fair, these cruise ports are like their own self-contained attractions. We decided to skip the excursions for a more low-key day, and honestly, we had a great time just wandering through the colourful shops. We were purely "window shopping" until, inexplicably, we found ourselves in a leather shop. One thing led to another, and we walked out with two brand-new cowboy hats. Because... when in the Caribbean, right? It was the most random and perfect souvenir of the entire trip.

Bahamas - Bimini Beach Club

A signature stop on Virgin’s Caribbean itineraries is The Bahamas, but this isn't a typical port call with thousands of passengers. Instead, we were taken to The Beach Club at Bimini, a private, sprawling resort on the island, reserved exclusively for Virgin Voyages sailors. As soon as we stepped off the tram, we could see it was a perfect extension of the ship itself—the same DNA of chic design, effortless style, and relaxed luxury, just translated onto a beautiful stretch of white sand.

We immediately found a pair of perfectly placed sun loungers by the main pool, which is the clear centrepiece of the club. The atmosphere was immaculate: a DJ provided a chilled soundtrack, and the vibe was more of a sophisticated day party than a crowded public beach. Later in the afternoon, the energy kicked up a notch as the ship's entertainment crew hosted some brilliantly fun and chaotic poolside games. It was fantastic entertainment to watch from the comfort of our spot, cocktail in hand.

After soaking up the sun, we went for a quiet stroll along the shore. The sand was powdery and white, and the sea was a shade of turquoise so vivid it almost didn't look real. We couldn't resist going for a quick splash in the warm, clear water. It was the perfect, tranquil moment to just appreciate the beauty of the island.

Of course, food was a major part of the experience. We were impressed to find that the high culinary standards from the Brilliant Lady were fully maintained on shore. Lunch was a casual, open-air affair with multiple stations serving fresh, delicious options. We bypassed the usual burgers and hot dogs and dived into a fantastic spread: a rich, aromatic curry, flavourful Caribbean rice and beans and perfectly smoky grilled corn. The absolute standout, however, was the rum cake for dessert—it was moist, decadent, and the perfect tropical sweet to end a brilliant beach day.

Final Thoughts

I'll be honest: when we first booked this adventure, we were more than a little apprehensive. We’d heard all the "tales" about what an all-gay cruise really meant—usually stories of non-stop, overwhelming energy that we weren't sure we could keep up with. On top of that, it was our first time on any major cruise ship together and we weren't entirely convinced we were "cruise people."

Well, I can safely say that by the end of this trip, we are total, unapologetic, cruising converts.

We had an absolute blast. There's something undeniably special about being on a ship with thousands of like-minded guys—the energy is infectious, open, and incredibly fun. But the real game-changer? Doing it on a Virgin ship.

This is where cruising gets a serious upgrade. We fell in love with everything about it. The ship itself is stunning, with chic decor that feels more like a boutique hotel than a boat. The food was incredible (no dated, stuffy dining halls here) the entertainment was next-level (as you've read!) and every single staff member was genuinely wonderful. It was the perfect combination: the community and energy of the gay charter, wrapped in a layer of pure Virgin luxury.

And booking those four nights in Miami? Best decision ever.It was the perfect bookend to the trip—a chance to ease into vacation mode on the front end, and then decompress, soak up the sun, and re-live all the memories in the colourful chaos of South Beach on the back end. We loved every minute, on board and off.