What’s the best time to book dinner on Virgin Voyages?
It’s one of the most common questions sailors ask, and the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. The best time for dinner depends on your itinerary, entertainment preferences, and dining style.
This guide breaks it all down—when to book, how to plan around shows and events, and the key mistakes to avoid so you can make the most of your dining experience on board.
Before diving in, remember that dinner and brunch reservations open 45 days before your sailing at midnight, so be ready to book as soon as possible.
Be a smart traveler and make sure you book early. Booking early ensures that you get your top choices without scrambling at the last minute. Virgin Voyages’ dining experiences are part of what makes the cruise special, so taking a strategic approach will enhance your trip.
Be an even smarter traveler and make sure you’re getting the best deal on your sailing by PRICE COMPARING with us.
Before We Dig In…
Dining on Virgin Voyages is more than just eating—it’s an experience. Each restaurant offers a unique atmosphere, curated menu, and distinct style of service.
Virgin Voyages is ABOUT the food. They will make it a great experience. That means if you’re the sailor “that wants to do everything”, KNOW THIS so you can communicate accordingly with the waitstaff (tips on this below).
Whether you want a quick bite or a long, indulgent meal, planning your dinner times wisely will help you maximize your cruise experience.
Dining is a HUGE part of your Virgin Voyages vacation. So let’s make sure we get it right.
I didn’t skimp on the effort I put into this content piece, so I don’t want you to forget there is an entire video that SHOWS YOU what I’m talking about if you hate reading as much as I do.
1. The Guidance Virgin Voyages Gives
Virgin Voyages offers official guidance: the main Red Room showtimes are typically 7:30/8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
The idea is that you should book your dinner around these times so you can catch a show before or after.
But here’s the problem: That’s not the only entertainment happening on the ship.
One of the biggest mistakes first-time sailors make is only considering Red Room shows when booking dinner. But if you do that, you might completely miss out on live music, game shows, pop-up entertainment, and parties happening around the ship.
How to Actually Plan Your Dinner Based on Entertainment
Instead of just using the showtimes as a guide, consider checking past itineraries.
Virgin Voyages changes up the entertainment every sailing, so you’ll want to be prepared.
- Look at sample schedules to get an idea of how often key events happen.
- Decide what’s most important to you (trivia, casino events, drag shows, etc.).
- Plan your dinner reservations based on what YOU want to experience.
A smart approach is to review sample itineraries from past sailings to get a sense of when different events typically occur. This will help you decide on the best dinner times based on what you enjoy most.
Why a Flexible Dining Strategy Works Best
No two Virgin Voyages sailings are identical, and that’s part of the fun. Some nights, there might be a pop-up event you weren’t expecting, or you might decide to catch an impromptu show.
Some shows have DINNER AND A SHOW.
That’s why having some flexibility in your dining reservations can be a game-changer. If you book too rigidly, you might end up stuck at dinner while the best entertainment is happening elsewhere.
Watch the Video for a Full Walkthrough
If you’re a visual learner or want a step-by-step breakdown of these strategies, watch the YouTube video that goes along with this post.
I share my personal experiences, examples, and insider tips to help you plan your perfect Virgin Voyages dining experience.
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2. Why There’s No “One Best Time” to Book Dinner
Your dinner time should be based on your itinerary and how you like to cruise.
- Do you love nightlife? Book an earlier dinner so you can dance and party later.
- Prefer long, relaxed meals? Book later to avoid feeling rushed.
- Want to see multiple shows? Plan strategically so you can fit them in.
This is why I never set a fixed rule for what time you should book dinner. Instead, I adjust based on the sailing and my priorities for that trip.
Example: My Perfect Dinner Strategy on an 8-Night Sailing
- Night 1: 7:00 PM dinner at Extra Virgin (to avoid missing Sail Away events).
- Night 2: 9:00 PM dinner at The Wake (so I can do trivia first and karaoke in The Social Club right after).
- Night 3: 5:45 PM dinner because I know I’ll want to be at The Roundabout at exactly 9 PM for Scarlet Night or possibly even at 8 PM while having drinks at On the Rocks
- Night 4: 8:30 PM dinner at Test Kitchen (because I know it takes longer and this is the night I’ll have second dinner because they’re serving my fave meal at The Galley during their rotating dinners).
- Night 5: 8:45 PM dinner at Pink Agave because I know this is the night of Pink Agave After Dark and I want my dinner to roll into dancing to latin tunes in the restaurant then I’ll go straight to The Manor
- Night 6: 8:30 PM dinner at Razzle Dazzle (all board on this day is 8:00 PM so I know I MUST have a later dinner)
3. The Key Strategy That Will Make Your Dining Experience Smoother
Communicate with Your Waiter
One of the biggest game-changers? Tell your waiter how much time you have.
During my 18th sailing on Scarlet Lady, I was with my mom, who wanted to do everything—see all the shows, play games, and still eat at every restaurant. We had a super tight schedule, and here’s what worked:
- If we needed a quick meal: “Hey, we’d love to be done in an hour if possible.”
- If we wanted to relax: “We have time to enjoy a long meal, no rush.”
- If we had a packed schedule: “Can you bring all the menus at once? We’ll order everything together.”
Most people don’t realize that Virgin Voyages’ dining is designed to be flexible—you just have to communicate what you need.
Pro Tip: Speed Up Your Meal Without Sacrificing Quality
- Ask about shorter courses. Some restaurants allow you to skip certain courses if needed.
- Order everything upfront. Ask for appetizers, mains, and desserts all at once.
- Request faster service if you’re in a rush.
4. Some Restaurants Take More Time Than Others (Plan Accordingly)
Not all restaurants run on the same timeline. Some are naturally longer experiences, while others are quicker.
Understanding HOW DINING WORKS at each restaurant gives context to WHY it might take longer and WHY you *might* (not always! I am speaking from experience, I am not speaking as a Genie in a Bottle) take longer.
Longest Dinners (Plan Extra Time)
Gunbae – Communal dining, where service doesn’t start until the whole table is seated. This can add an unpredictable wait time, and the interactive nature of the meal means it can sometimes take awhile because you are not just waiting on your own party, you’re waiting (or rather THEY are waiting) on the entire table.
Test Kitchen – Multi-course meal, takes longer if you do the full experience (i.e. with wine and cocktail pairings). The courses are carefully timed, and the experience is designed to be immersive, so don’t rush it.
Pro Tip: How to Make Any Meal Faster
Choose off-peak dining times – Dining before 7:00 PM or after 9:30 PM usually means quicker service.
Order everything at once – Let your server know you’d like all courses brought out together.
Ask about quicker options – Some restaurants have express meal options if you’re short on time.
Don’t forget to pack THIS!
Virgin Voyages has reimagined sailing and what you need to pack on for this trip is DIFFERENT than a normal cruise line. There are many items I wish I knew to bring (that I didn’t have with me on my first sailing).
Get a free printable pack list and save yourself the headache!
OR if you’re just looking for some inspo! See the curated list of Amazon items I’ve put together (and use!) for Virgin Voyages.
7. How to Prioritize Dinner Reservations at 45 Days
When reservations open, you should book in this order:
- Brunch – Especially important for sea days. These are Razzle Dazzle and The Wake.
- Keep in mind port times. If all aboard is 8PM, booking your dinner at 5:45PM doesn’t make sense.
- Some restaurants are more popular than others (book The Wake, Pink Agave, Extra Virgin first).
- Remember that shorter sailings allow you to book all restaurants once (and a brunch for each once).
- Longer sailings allow 2 (or more depending on length of sailing). Make sure you’re not dining at The Wake for dinner, then brunch then dinner consecutively (unless you actually want that). I’ve made that mistake.
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Bottom Line
If you skimmed this post, here are the most important things to remember about booking your dinners on Virgin Voyages:
- Book strategically around entertainment – Do not just plan around the Red Room showtimes. Look at the full schedule, including pop-up events and nightlife.
- Some restaurants take longer – Test Kitchen and Gunbae can take 90 minutes or more, while The Galley is your best bet for a quick meal.
- Communicate with your waiter – If you need a fast meal, let them know upfront.
- Your itinerary matters – On port days, book later dinners to allow for delays. On sea days, plan around your poolside relaxation time.
- Reservations open 45 days before sailing
Planning your dinners the right way will make your Virgin Voyages experience seamless and stress-free.
And if you want expert help booking your sailing, reach out to us—we will make sure you get the best deals and insider tips!
