Gym & Tonic

The Logbook — Real Guest Soundings

Depth Sounding: This is a composite account from multiple guest experiences, edited to our venue standards for clarity. Individual sailings vary by ship, itinerary, and crew.

Gym & Tonic Review: Workout First, Cocktails After

Introduction. Gym & Tonic is a bar-meets-wellness concept on select Virgin Voyages ships — a clever mashup of the fitness center and a cocktail bar where you can move from a boxing class to a gin and tonic without changing venues. The concept is quintessentially Virgin: irreverent, design-forward, and a little tongue-in-cheek about the idea of "healthy" cruise living. Bar Tab package applies for alcoholic drinks; wellness juices and smoothies carry their own pricing.

Drinks & Service

The gin and tonic (as the name demands) is the signature drink and it is well-made — premium gin options, Fever-Tree tonic, proper garnishes. The wellness smoothies and cold-pressed juices are the genuine differentiator — the green detox juice (cucumber, celery, apple, ginger) is refreshing after a workout, and the acai bowl smoothie is thick and satisfying. The protein shake menu overlaps with Athletic Club Bar. Where it falls short: the cocktail menu beyond G&Ts is limited and unremarkable. This is a one-trick bar in terms of mixed drinks. The wellness drinks, while appealing in concept, are not cheap — $8-12 for a juice that would cost $6 at a land-based juice bar. The novelty of drinking at a gym bar wears off after the first visit.

Service

Staff are friendly and enthusiastic about the wellness angle — they will recommend post-workout drinks and know the juice menu well. Service is quick because the bar is rarely crowded (most people choose to drink elsewhere after working out). The dual personality of fitness staff and bar staff creates an interesting dynamic — the vibe is encouraging and upbeat rather than the usual bar languor.

Atmosphere

The design integration of gym and bar is clever — sleek, modern, and Instagram-worthy. The concept works better in theory than in practice, though. In reality, most guests use it as either a gym or a bar, not both simultaneously. The space feels slightly confused about its identity. Where it falls short: the gym equipment and workout energy does not naturally complement cocktail drinking. The music is a compromise between workout beats and lounge vibes that satisfies neither fully. On ships where this concept is not available, Athletic Club Bar fills a similar niche.

Conclusion

Rating: 3.5/5. Gym & Tonic is a clever Virgin Voyages concept that works better as a talking point than a daily destination. The gin and tonics are genuinely good, the wellness juices are refreshing, and the design is smart. It falls short on cocktail variety, value (juice pricing is steep), and the conceptual tension between gym and bar. Tip: visit once for the novelty and the G&T, then default to Grounds Club for post-workout coffee or The Dock for evening cocktails.

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