Why plus-size travelers are loving this cruise line

Courtney Donovan is a seasoned solo traveler, but she still finds dining alone to be tricky.

The founder of The Queens & Carryons Club, an online community aimed at plus-size women over 40, said she gets scared of being judged or mocked: “Oh my gosh, look at this big girl,” Donovan told USA TODAY. “‘She’s eating alone. How much is she eating?’ You know what I mean?”

But on her last Virgin Voyages cruise, her server made her feel completely comfortable when debating between a chocolate cake and cheesecake for dessert aboard the Scarlet Lady ship in 2023.

“And I was like, I can’t decide,” the 42-year-old Jacksonville, Florida resident recalled. “He was like, ‘Honey, you’re on a cruise. You deserve both.’ … He made me feel like just anybody else that would order two desserts and feel like I deserve it, and I’m allowed to have that. And that was a huge win for me.”

That’s intentional on Virgin’s part. The adults-only cruise line, which launched its fourth ship in September, has worked to create a welcoming atmosphere for passengers of all body types, from the physical design of its ships to its onboard culture. Here’s how.

‘Inclusive by design’

Alex Zeitz, Virgin’s Senior Director of Global Operations, Experience & Belonging, said the company is “adult by design – we design things for adults – but also we’re inclusive by design.”

He pointed to examples such as its accessible cabins, the “cultural training” the company does, and how the line casts and produces its shows.

Zeitz, who previously worked as a dancer, said another cruise company had weighed him in.

How this adult-only cruise line integrated accessibility into its experiences

“That’s not how we roll at Virgin Voyages,” he said. “It’s like, come as you are. We cast for certain roles, and people are able to perform as who they are. And I think that gives everyone else a feeling to say, ‘Oh, I can see myself in there, and I can see myself doing that, or I could have a future doing that, or that person looks like me, and look at them have joy and fun, and I can have that.’”

Donovan, who has sailed with Virgin three times and taken more than a dozen cruises total, also noticed a mix of body types among the other crew members. She felt at ease on board, even at the pool, where she is “usually pretty shy.”

“So, the fact that you’re seeing yourself in the staff, too, really just makes you feel like you’re welcome,” she said.

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What accommodations does Virgin Voyages offer plus-size travelers?

Donovan felt the ship’s hallways were “quite a bit wider” than other cruise ships she’s sailed on and liked that the Virgin offered chairs with and without arms “because there are some people who are plus-size, and they can’t use a chair with arms because it’s not comfortable for them.”

Donovan also noted that the balcony’s signature hammock has a weight limit of 330 pounds. “I’m actually pretty clumsy … so it did take me a little time to get used to getting in there, because I hadn’t been in one either. But it was very comfortable.”

Inside Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Night: The adults-only party at sea where everyone sees red

For guests with mobility limitations, Virgin has two types of accessible cabins. The line’s Ambulatory Accessible Cabins “are designed for use by Sailors who have limited mobility but do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices,” according to its website.

The Fully Accessible Cabins can accommodate those devices, with entry doorways measuring a minimum of 34 inches, a roll-in shower, “full turnaround space of at least” 60 inches in the bathroom and elsewhere in the cabin and more.

Zeitz added that the line’s in-cabin tablets allow guests to close their shades, order Ship Eats room service and more without getting up and down.

Virgin asks that guests who need an accessible cabin fill out a form online. Passengers can also reach its Accessibility and Universal Access team at [email protected] or by calling (954) 372-3721.

All Virgin ships also have pool lifts on Deck 15 and for the Redemption Spa’s water features.

Cruising as a plus-size traveler: ‘The worst part … is getting on the flight’

Tips for plus-size cruise passengers

Donovan recommended booking through a travel agent. “They know the ships they have connections on who to talk to if something goes wrong,” she said. “They can make sure that you’re getting the accessibility that you need, that you’re going into the right cabin.”

Virgin passengers with limited mobility can also rent wheelchairs, scooters and other equipment through authorized vendors Scootaround and Special Needs at Sea.

The cruise line’s staff can also answer questions about the ships. “Their (accessibility) department in-house is very, very (understanding), very warm, and they go the extra mile to make sure that you have everything that you need,” Donovan said of her experience.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why plus-size travelers say Virgin Voyages feels different at sea