8 surprises from my first adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise

After a family-focused first cruise left me ready to quit sailing, I booked a seven-night Mediterranean voyage on Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady to try an adults-only experience. I stayed in a balcony cabin; the starting rate was $5,910. The ship's style caught me off guard.

Multicolored lighting, iridescent panels, bold artwork, and pops of Virgin red gave the public spaces a futuristic, glamorous feel, and colorful glows in the elevators and decks felt like walking through rainbows. My 225-square-foot cabin also surprised me: multipurpose furniture, clever storage, and a balcony with a netted hammock made the space feel roomy and peaceful.

Unexpected amenities kept coming. There was a grown-up playground with oversized seesaws, swings, a human-sized chess set, a boxing ring, and gymnastics equipment, plus an indoor arcade and a board-game room stocked with nostalgic titles.

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