What My FREE Virgin Voyages Cruise Was Really Like (or How I was Able to Get My Greek Isles Glow on for ~$100/Day)
Most Recently Updated August 8, 2025
Originally Published August 8, 2025
As if getting comp cruises through my Casino Status Match Jackpot wasn’t enough – I decided to really stretch the value by booking two side to side European cruises (transferring between two different cruise ships) as things seemed to be falling perfectly into place with the comp cruise offers. Typically, the two biggest expenses for a trip are flights (especially if they are international) and lodging so this plan saves on having to fly across the Atlantic multiple times and the comp cruises would take care of accommodations for a more than half the nights whilst traveling to some very pricey locales!
First up in this month-long adventure was my Iceland & Greenland Passage cruise on Holland America and then I flew down to Athens to embark on this Greek Island Glow sailing on Virgin Voyages.
Note that this post is still a work in progress as it serves as an anchor page for all other related posts and will be updated with notes and links as those are written! These will include posts on what I did in port, port guides and day recaps with detailed information on what’s offered on VV in general and this sailing specifically.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something following a link on this page, I may get a small commission. There is no additional cost to you and helps reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. Thanks for supporting my blog (AKA feeding my ice cream addiction around the world!) Rosemary
- book activities via GetYourGuide(GYG) or Viator & day/spa/pool passes with ResortPass
- combine that with using a shopping portal to earn cashback or miles
- Stay connected/informed with T-Mobile or Airalo
- Read this for info on GYG and this for why I use Viator and this for more on ResortPass
- Details on using Rakuten for cashback and here’s for AA eShopping
- Here’s why I love T-Mobile & the deets on using Airalo
Want to learn more about how to travel for cheaper, better and/or more often?: Intro to Travel Hacking and my 8 Top Tips For Travel Hacking
Before I dive in, here are the other related Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady posts (besides those linked later in the post):
- Wanna learn more about how I got this comp cruise in the first place? Read about my casino status match jackpot here and here’s where you’ll find my haul. For how I specifically obtained this Virgin Voyages comp cruise – upcoming post.
- Since there’s always a debate about if this type of travel is really “free”, read what my free VV comp cruise cost to see what my true costs of this comp cruises were
- Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady trip report deep dive into the cash, miles and points spending and all of the savings (and sources) – essentially how did I travel hack this part of my vacation
- Here’s what I wish I knew about VV comp cruises before booking – upcoming post
- Here’s what sets Virgin Voyages apart from other cruise lines (review of the cruise line) – upcoming post
- Read why VV is a great line for solo travelers
- And here’s my review on the ship: VV Resilient Lady – upcoming post
Welp I had chosen this cruise specifically for the itinerary and the chance to explore Greenland…but some pesky icebergs in the water lead to the (very prudent) but disappointing decision that the ship could not safely travel there. Luckily Holland America made the necessary arrangements to alter our itinerary significantly rather than keeping the itinerary and hoping that conditions would improve as that course of action would have resulted only in more sea days!
Days 1: Reykjavík, Iceland
KEF – FRA
One of the reasons I really love my points and miles are that I am notorious for making impulsive decisions and often change my mind/itinerary. I had booked the cruises so that there would be four days between the two ensuring that I could spend some time in both Reykjavík and Athens but decided last minute to extend my time in Iceland. Being able to change my flights without penalty and also not having to pay last minute flight prices made the choice easy.
Day 2: Frankfurt, Germany + Piraeus (Athens), Greece: Embark VV Resilient Lady
FRA – ATH
I was aware that it was such a gamble to fly into Athens the day that I was embarking on the cruise but was completely prepared to miss the cruise or have to pay to catch up to the ship. There are so many delays and issues that pop up with traveling these days and unless you are similarly prepared, fly in at least the day before (preferably two if international) – this is when the miles and points you have will really come into play to help with lodging (I am really hoping that you have been taking my advice on this). Plus this will allow you to enjoy another city before your cruise!
Day 2: Santorini, Greece
Why Travel Insurance is Important –
Day 3: Rhodes, Greece
What I did in Rhodes –
Day 3 aboard the Resilient Lady recap –
