The Covid measure are solid and reassuring . Inevitably the process causes some anxiety, but this is not on Virgin Voyages. They are legally obliged to protect their sailors.
The minute you are on board the stress stops and the party starts. To the novice sailor/cruiser the choice seems enormous. Bars, restaurants, gyms, venues, spas and the most helpful and polite staff I’ve met. From the minute you step on board the staff present themselves confidently and in the main, very competently. I’m not sure if it’s a policy, but the fact the staff take time, and aren’t wall flowers and this humanises them so they become a lot more than cleaners or servers.
We were in a group, this made it exciting and added to the experience. I would recommend going in groups, but because of the quality of food and service there is plenty of scope for couples too.