Sip Lounge

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.

Sip Lounge Review: The Ship's Most Sophisticated Pour

Introduction. Sip is Virgin Voyages' premium wine and champagne lounge — a sophisticated, design-forward space that also serves craft cocktails and hosts an afternoon tea service (daily, 1-4 PM). It is the most grown-up bar on the ship, designed for guests who want quality over volume and conversation over bass drops. The wine list is deeper than any other venue onboard, and the champagne selection includes genuine French champagnes rather than just sparkling wine. Bar Tab applies; premium wines and champagnes may carry surcharges.

Drinks & Service

The wine program is the star — a curated selection of 30+ wines by the glass spanning Old and New World regions, with genuine depth in French, Italian, and California options. The sommelier (or wine-trained bartender) can guide you through the list with real knowledge. The champagne selection includes Veuve Clicquot, Moet, and sometimes prestige cuvees — a meaningful step above the standard sparkling wine served elsewhere. The cocktails are the most carefully crafted on the ship: the French 75 (gin, lemon, champagne) is the signature and it is excellent. The afternoon tea is a charming addition — scones, finger sandwiches, and proper tea service. Where it falls short: premium wines carry significant surcharges ($15-40 per glass for top selections), which can surprise guests who assumed everything was covered by Bar Tab. The cocktail menu is small — only 8-10 options. The afternoon tea, while pleasant, is modest compared to what you would find at a proper hotel tea service.

Service

Service at Sip is the most polished on the ship — staff are wine-knowledgeable, attentive, and operate at a lower ratio than the high-volume bars. They pour properly, describe wines accurately, and create an atmosphere of unhurried sophistication. The afternoon tea service is well-paced and charming. Servers remember returning guests and their preferences, which is a lovely touch. This is where Virgin Voyages' service ambition is most fully realized.

Atmosphere

Sip is beautifully designed — velvet seating, warm lighting, elegant glassware, and a quiet that feels almost startling after the energy of the rest of the ship. The space channels a boutique wine bar in SoHo or Mayfair rather than a cruise ship lounge. It is an ideal pre-dinner destination or a late-evening retreat when the party venues become too much. Where it falls short: the sophisticated vibe can feel stiff compared to Virgin's otherwise relaxed brand personality. The lounge is small and can fill up during peak pre-dinner hours (6-8 PM). It attracts a slightly older, quieter crowd, which may not match the energy younger guests are seeking.

Conclusion

Rating: 4.1/5. Sip is the best bar for guests who value quality, sophistication, and a genuine wine program. The French 75 is excellent, the wine list has real depth, and the afternoon tea is a charming bonus. It falls short on premium pricing (surcharges add up fast), cocktail menu breadth, and can feel out of step with Virgin's otherwise casual energy. Tip: visit for the afternoon tea at least once — it is complimentary, genuinely pleasant, and one of the ship's hidden gems. Then return for pre-dinner champagne on your formal night (which is every night on Virgin).

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