The Wake

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.

The Wake Review: Virgin Voyages' Best Table

Introduction. The Wake is Virgin Voyages' modern steakhouse and the ship's most popular restaurant — the one guests book first when reservations open. Located at the stern with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ship's actual wake, it channels 1950s glamour with a tableside martini mixologist, raw bar, and dry-aged steaks. It's included in the fare (no cover charge), with premium supplements for items like the tomahawk steak ($75) and raw bar platters. This is the ship's "special occasion" table, and it delivers.

Food & Drinks

The dry-aged New York strip is the signature — beautifully seared, deeply flavorful, with a proper crust. The bone-in ribeye is the alternative for guests who want more marbling and richness. The aged tomahawk (supplement) is the showpiece: a massive, perfectly cooked cut that justifies the upcharge for the table-wow factor. Starters are strong: the shrimp cocktail is classic, the Wagyu tartare is excellent, and the raw bar platters (especially the Grand Plateau with Maine lobster, oysters, and king crab) are genuinely impressive. Sides are shareable — the loaded baked potato and truffle fries are the popular picks. The sauce flight adds variety without needing to choose. For dessert, the Baked Alaska is the theater pick (meringue torched tableside), while the chocolate mousse named after the restaurant is rich and refined. The martini program is the finishing touch — a tableside mixologist builds your drink to spec. Honest note: the non-steak mains (sea bass, chicken) are competent but pale next to the beef. At a steakhouse this good, ordering chicken feels like a missed opportunity.

Service

The Wake has the ship's most polished service team. Servers are knowledgeable, wine recommendations are sharp, and the pacing is deliberately unhurried — a proper 2–2.5 hour dinner. The tableside martini mixologist is a genuine highlight, not just a gimmick. The raw bar team handles the platters with care and presentation. This is white-glove service without the stuffiness.

Atmosphere

1950s cruise-ship glamour reimagined — rich woods, brass accents, leather banquettes, and those stunning stern windows showing the ship's wake stretching to the horizon. At sunset and evening, the view alone makes the dinner. The room is elegant without being formal — Virgin's adults-only ethos means no kids, which keeps the atmosphere sophisticated. The bar area is worth a pre-dinner drink even if you're eating elsewhere. This is objectively the most beautiful restaurant on the ship.

Conclusion

Rating: 4.5/5. The Wake is Virgin Voyages' best restaurant — the steaks are excellent, the raw bar is impressive, the martini program adds flair, and the stern views are unforgettable. It misses a perfect score only because the non-steak options are underwhelming and it's so popular that getting a prime-time reservation can be challenging. For the quality delivered at zero cover charge, The Wake is one of the best dining values in cruising. Tip: book dinner for sunset, order the New York strip with the sauce flight, and let the martini mixologist surprise you.

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