Virgin Voyages Excursions: Honest Reviews from 2 Caribbean Cruises

Part 3 of our Virgin Voyages series

Planning Virgin Voyages shore excursions? We tested booking through Virgin vs. independent operators across Honduras, Mexico, Bahamas, and Florida. Here's what worked, what didn't, and what we'd do differently.

Missed the earlier parts?Check out Part 1: Adults-Only Cruise Overview & Dining and Part 2: Activities, Entertainment & Scarlet Night Party for the full Virgin Voyages experience.

Virgin Shore Things vs. Independent Booking: What We Learned

After two cruises, we mixed three strategies: booking through Virgin's app, booking local operators directly, and winging it completely.

Book through Virgin when:

You're a first-time cruiser or solo traveler
You need guaranteed accessibility or transportation
You're anxious about timing

Book independently when:

You want smaller groups and better prices
You're comfortable with research and timing
The activity is near the port You want to support local businesses directly

Our approach: We used both methods on the same cruise, choosing based on each specific port and activity.

Roatan, Honduras: Scuba Diving with Roatan Dive Center

At Roatan Dive Center getting ready!

What we did: Two-tank dive (booked independently) Cost: ~$100-150 per person (similar to Florida pricing) Best part:Turned into a semi-private tour when another couple got seasick (not the them getting sick part)

Why We Booked Independently

We found Roatan Dive Centeronline before the cruise. They handled everything: transportation from port, all equipment (we brought our own gear), and even picked us up despite the chaotic port exit scene.

Water conditions (late November): 85°F water, 91°F air, choppy surface but calm below

The Two Dives

Leda's Hole (57-60 feet):Reef drift dive with tons of tropical fish and lobsters. Lower visibility due to recent storms, but still beautiful.

Shark Bait Date (30-40 feet):This was our favorite. Ledge dive along an underwater mountain face - looking down was pure blackness, but the wall was packed with octopuses, shrimp, and marine life our guide Mary Alicia pointed out with our flashlight.

The Full-Service Experience

What impressed us: They carried all our gear, set up our BCDs, provided rinse stations, and even gave tips for cleaning gear between dives on the cruise ship. The boat only held 12 people max, so it felt intimate even before the other couple left.

Port exit warning:Roatan's port is crowded with locals offering services. Have your dive shop's phone number ready - we needed someone to call them when we couldn't find our driver in the crowd.

Bottom line:Booking independently saved money and gave us smaller groups. Worth the minor stress of navigating the port exit.

Our view of the Roatan port after a great day of diving and a delicious drink!

Costa Maya, Mexico: Healing Spa & Birthday Massage

What we did: Traditional healing spa ritual (booked through Virgin) + walk-up massage Why: Strategic recovery day between two dive days, plus it was Alicia's birthday

Costa Maya has a huge, well-organized port. Virgin set up queues for each excursion with live performers entertaining while you wait. Super easy system.

We were warmly greeted in Costa Maya!

The Spa Experience

The 90-minute ritual moved through 4-5 rooms: salt baths, meditation space, foot soaks, warm clay room, outdoor shower, then a relaxation area overlooking the ocean with hammocks.

Unexpected win:We spotted an open-air massage setup afterward. Walk-up availability, treehouse-style with ocean views, waited maybe 5 minutes. Quality was surprisingly excellent for reasonable prices.

The Food Incident (A Warning)

We stopped at a sports bar/tiki bar in the port area. Met Ellen (from our Roatan dive!) and her partner who bought us birthday drinks and nachos.

That evening: Both of us got sick. Was it ice in frozen margaritas? Undercooked food? We'll never know. But Alicia spent her birthday night in the cabin while Nathan sang along to "The Greatest Showman" at the theater (the circus show was canceled due to rough seas anyway).

Our new rule: Be cautious with ice and frozen drinks at ports in developing countries. Stick to bottled beverages or straight liquor without ice.

Silver lining: We felt fine the next day for Bimini diving.

They drinks were delicious. Hopefully they aren't what made us sick later that day!

Bimini, Bahamas: Diving, Beach Club & Cultural Tour

Virgin ends most Caribbean cruises at Bimini Beach Club. We visited twice, once for diving, once for the cultural tour.

We enjoyed delicious and free rum punch after our dives in Bimini!

Bimini Scuba Diving with Neil Watson's

What we did: Two-tank dive (booked through Virgin) Group size: ~20 divers, 4 guides Water conditions: 82°F water, crystal clear (100+ feet visibility), super calm

The dives: The Strip (reef dive, 30-40 feet) and Bullard Barge wreck (scattered pieces from storms). We saw a sand shark, stingrays, tons of tropical fish.

After-dive bonus: Local rum punch on the boat, then the captain showed us a fisherman throwing chum with at least a dozen sharks appeared in the crystal-clear water. Wild to watch.

Neil Watson's Dive Shop took great care of us!

Bimini Beach Club (Virgin's Private Beach)

What's included: Free for Virgin passengers, food stations, pool, beach, live DJ, volleyball, hammocks

What it's NOT:Not a private island with water slides and amusement park features. It's a beach club on an inhabited island with other resorts nearby.

Our take:Perfect adult-only vibe for post-dive relaxation. Covered areas available if you don't want full sun. Gets crowded at the end of the day when everyone heads back to the ship.

The Beach Club is fantastic. Make sure you go!

Bimini Cultural Tour (Second Cruise)

What we did: Half-day tour (booked through Virgin) with open-air trolleys

Highlights:

Conch demonstration: Watched how to extract conch from shells, learned male vs. female differences, saw the "delicacy" part that supposedly gives you vitality (our guide ate it). Fresh ceviche offered for tasting.
The Dolphin House: Three-story house built entirely from found materials - shells, bottles, license plates, currencies from around the world. Owner gave personal tour. The rooftop has 360-degree views of the narrow island.

Traditional food & music: Sampled sweet bread, local jams, learned traditional Bahamian songs

Why book this:Even if you don't eat seafood (like us), the cultural aspects and Dolphin House alone make it worthwhile. Half-day format leaves time for beach club or independent exploration.

The Dolphin House is unique and a great part of the tour. Scroll down for a few more pics of it!

Key West, Florida: DIY Walking Day

What we booked: Nothing - completely independent Why it works: Key West is extremely walkable. Step off the ship and start exploring.

What We Did

The Truman House was a delightful museum full of great history!

Harry S. Truman Little White House($22 adults) - 1.5 blocks from port, 90-minute tour. Phenomenal guide, staged as Truman's Winter White House, small museum. Easy walk-up tickets.

Hemingway Distillery (Papa's Pilar Rum)Paid tastings in a beautiful 1800s tobacco warehouse. Worth it for the rum and the architecture. Staff was in costume (we visited on Halloween).

Key West First Legal Rum DistilleryFREE tastings in a hole-in-the-wall spot. Rum wasn't our favorite, but nice people, historic building (early 1900s saloon), and it cost zero dollars.

Celtic Conch Public HouseFound it randomly while wandering. Expected mediocre pub food, got surprisingly excellent meals with huge portions and reasonable prices. Irish pub vibe, air-conditioned, slightly off the main tourist strip so it was quieter.

Key West Bottom Line

Extremely walkable - no transportation needed
Expensive overall (it's an isolated island)
Zero planning required - just wander and use Google Maps
Perfect for independent exploration or booking your own specific tours

We enjoyed a great cocktail and the Hemingway statue at Papa's Pilar!

Virgin Shore Things vs. Independent Booking: Our Verdict

After two cruises testing different booking strategies, here's what we learned:

Book Through Virgin When:

Safety is the priority:

First cruise ever
Traveling solo
Unfamiliar with the country/culture
Concerned about language barriers
Anxious about getting back to the ship on time

Accessibility matters:

Using mobility devices
Need to know exact walking requirements
Want guaranteed accessible transportation
Require specific accommodations

The port is underdeveloped:

Roatan-style ports with overwhelming crowds
Limited English-speaking infrastructure
Areas requiring significant transportation
Unfamiliar with negotiating taxis/transportation

You want zero logistics:

Don't want to research operators
Prefer someone else handling timing
Like the security of groups
Willing to pay premium for convenience

Book Independently When:

You want the best value:

Comfortable with basic research
Can read reviews on Google/TripAdvisor
Willing to handle your own timing
Want to support local businesses directly

You prefer smaller groups:

Experienced traveler
Don't need hand-holding
Enjoy more intimate experiences
Value flexibility over structure

The activity is near the port:

Key West walking tours
Port-adjacent dive shops
Restaurants and bars in the cruise area
Any activity within easy walking distance

You have specific requirements:

Want private tours
Have dietary restrictions
Need specialized equipment/experience
Prefer customized itineraries

Our Actual Strategy (What Worked Best):

Cruise #1:

Roatan: Booked independent dive shop (saved money, got personal service)
Costa Maya: Booked Virgin spa experience
Bimini: Booked Virgin dive (first time at this port, wanted reliability)

Cruise #2:

Bimini: Booked Virgin cultural tour (unique experience, worth the structure)
Key West: Completely independent (walkable, familiar territory)

The pattern: We mixed strategies based on the specific port and activity type, not loyal to one booking method.

We got to see a shark feeding after we dove in Bimini! It was so cool!

Quick Tips for Virgin Voyages Excursions

Use the Virgin app wisely:

Book popular excursions early (limited spots)
Read detailed descriptions - they tell you walking requirements, accessibility, time commitments, what's included
Check if transportation and food are provided

Don't overbook yourself:

Mix high-activity days (diving) with low-key days (spa, beach club)
You're on vacation. Downtime is okay
Leave room for spontaneous discoveries

For multiple dives on one cruise:

Consider bringing your own gear (everything except tanks/weights)
Rinse gear at dive shops and in ship shower
Hang wet gear on balcony using chairs to air dry at port

Port-specific advice:

Roatan: Have dive shop phone number ready, navigate the crowd carefully
Costa Maya: Be cautious with ice in drinks at developing country ports
Bimini: Pay attention to tram stops, allow extra time at end of day
Key West: Just walk off and explore - zero planning needed

We got to see a conch demonstration and learned to tell the difference between a male and a female.

Our Takeaway: Mix It Up

The best approach? Use all three strategies (Virgin bookings, independent bookings, and winging it) on the same cruise.

Book through Virgin when you want security and convenience
Book independently when you want better prices and smaller groups
Go without a plan when the port is walkable and you're comfortable exploring

Don't feel locked into one approach. Each port and activity is different - choose what makes sense for that specific situation.

Most importantly:Don't overbook every moment. Some of our best experiences (Celtic Conch Public House, the walk-up massage, meeting Ellen) happened because we left room for spontaneity.

More Virgin Voyages Resources:

Planning your Virgin Voyages excursions? Have questions about booking through Virgin vs. independently? Share in the comments!

Listen to the full episode for more details, stories, and our complete Virgin Voyages experience at Marrying Your Passions