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Abba: Voyage review – no thank you for the music

After 40 years, the makers of once-sparkling pop are back – but the glamour promised by this album’s two terrific singles goes horribly unfulfilled

T he journey to Voyage, Abba ’s final studio album and their first in 40 years, began with a tweet from their shiny new Twitter account in August, coaxing people to “join us”. Billboards across London followed, featuring images of a sort of solar eclipse, a glitter ball in a sci-fi silhouette. A week later came news of a 10-track album and a “digital avatar” concert residency in a custom-built London arena. The signs were good. Here was a band alive to their legacy as makers of sparkling pop, but also to the spirit of disco’s futurism, understanding that they had to harness the shock of the new.

In September, one of two album taster tracks, Don’t Shut Me Down , fulfilled this brief exquisitely, morphing from vulnerable Swedish noir to piano-and-horn-propelled pop-funk. Its impact was unexpected and exciting and it became Abba’s first Top 10 hit since 1981, charging Voyage with the promise of forward motion and glamour – qualities that felt wildly attractive in our messy, mid-Covid times. And so it is hard to reckon with the disappointment that Abba’s ninth album delivers, as it prefers to languish in often bafflingly retrograde settings.

It begins with I Still Have Faith in You, the other taster track released in September. An epic example of the “bittersweet song” Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Agnetha Fältskog refer to in the lyric – in their different, yet still lovely, older voices – its meditation on how to confront and own the ageing process is precision-tailored, in glistening silver thread. The opening, elegiac string phrase yearns for resolution throughout, before returning wistfully in the song’s final bars. The second verse’s soft drum rolls (by Per Lindvall, veteran of Super Trouper and The Visitors) are among many fine, musical details that urge the women on. It is, admittedly, a little cheesy, but its tenderness still feels triumphant.

But rather than reflecting poignantly on the past, much of the rest of Voyage feels terminally stuck there. When You Danced With Me tells the story of a girl left behind in Kilkenny when a boy she loved “left for the city”. She’s spent years waiting for him to return, we’re told; presumably she’s oblivious to the existence in Ireland of train routes, driving tests or text messages. The Celtic-leaning melody in the intro recalls Abba’s incursions into other global settings, such as the Mexican battlefields in Fernando, or the Spanish-Peruvian musical moodboards of Chiquitita. The overall effect doesn’t prompt folkloric nostalgia, but mild nausea.

Then comes the album’s big crime against sense, sentimentality and sequencing, Little Things, a Christmas song shoved in at track three. All about the delights of the season, it includes a children’s choir singing about their grandma (the St Winifred’s school singers would sound like rebel punks in comparison), but also, in a jolting juxtaposition, intimations about mum and dad’s sex life. Particularly weird is the implication of a grim transactional quality behind a romantic gesture. “You’d consider bringing me a breakfast tray, but there’s a price,” Lyngstad sings, having noticed her partner’s “naughty eyes”. You hope if she’s presented with a breakfast sausage, she’ll impale it then bin it.

Admittedly, Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson have never been the most enlightened lyricists on the feminism front. One of Us and Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) are two Abba songs among many featuring a fraught woman desperate for any man to pop along and quick-fix her loneliness. Now four decades have passed, and one can’t help but despair at the chorus of I Can Be That Woman (“You’re not the man you should’ve been / I let you down somehow”) and that’s after its terrible lyrical twist about a female her husband is sleeping with, who turns out to be … a dog. Keep an Eye on Dan offers another miserable monologue from a pining divorcee, spoiling its fantastic mixture of Visitors-era iciness and Voulez-Vous-era disco propulsion.

Ulvaeus recently said these songs were written “absolutely trend-blind”. It shows. Including tracks such as the rejected 1978 single Just a Notion (a reminder of early, jangly Abba glam, but nothing more) and Bumblebee (a naive attempt to say something universal about climate change) makes you doubt their quality control. At least Voyage’s finale, Ode to Freedom, hints at a grand, closing statement, pastiching and stretching a phrase from a waltz in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. But then its lyric talks about the futility of writing an ode that’s worth remembering, which leaves an odd note, especially when we’re talking about a band whose songs are known around the world.

“If I ever write my ode to freedom / It will be in prose that chimes with me,” it concludes. Maybe it’s a reference to the female members’ preference for privacy, or even Abba’s determination to keep creating their unusual song structures in their Swedish reading of English – but it also suggests Abba feel they can exist in their own bubble. They can’t. In the past, they excelled when they twisted the sounds of their times in their own way, when they were within glam, disco and electronic pop but also apart from these genres; when their idiosyncrasies elevated them, rather than diminished them. If only they had stopped at those two knowing songs, leaving the rest to our dazzling imaginations.

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By Ben Cardew

Pop/R&B

November 5, 2021

Rarely has a reunion seemed as superfluous as ABBA ’s. In Europe and Australasia, 40 years after they first broke up, ABBA remain omnipotent, an ever-present part of the pop landscape, like guitar solos and interminable Coldplay album rollouts. The band’s legacy may have dimmed slightly in the 1980s, after their split at the start of the decade. But since the early 1990s—and particularly following the release of ABBA Gold in 1992—ABBA’s traces can be found in every nook and cranny of cultural life, from musicals to movies, Madonna to museums .

That means the stakes for the band’s comeback, with Voyage , are both impossibly high and curiously low. (As ABBA co-songwriter Benny Andersson recently told The New York Times , “What is there to prove? They’ll still play ‘Dancing Queen’ next year.”) ABBA could return with a song as irrationally perfect as 1975 hit “S.O.S.” and it still wouldn't resonate with the same lived-in emotional significance as the 19 songs on ABBA Gold . At the same time, as long as ABBA 2021 sound vaguely in line with the classically inspired, slightly nerdy Swedish pop overlords of popular memory, their recorded return will be loaves and fishes to their fans, who have already forked out in their thousands to watch digital avatars of Agnetha, Benny, Björn, and Anni-Frid prance around a London stage.

Much like the forthcoming digital residency, the band’s new album falls somewhere between the lure of nostalgia and the pull of the present day. Voyage is a mixture of songs, old and (mostly) new, that have all the glam boogie, scandi-disco bounce, and epic pop construction of the band’s revered catalog, with some tentative nods to the passing of time. They may have kept the music on Voyage “ absolutely trend-blind ” to modern pop production, but Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad's vocals have a slightly world-weary, aged tone to them, their vocal range a touch lower than in their pomp, while the album’s lyrics frequently speak of old times, faithful friends, and the demands of parenthood.

It feels almost rude to ask for anything more. Voyage is as richly harmonic, smartly constructed, and satisfying as you might expect of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, two of the most talented songwriters in the history of pop music. “Keep an Eye on Dan,” “No Doubt About It,” and “Don’t Shut Me Down” are home to some of the best pop melodies of the year—vaguely unpredictable yet glaringly obvious once heard. They’re also fantastically arranged, with hooks piled on top of hooks, gently arranged on a bed of unusual musical choices, like the suggestion of reggae on “Don’t Shut Me Down” or the gnarled-around-the-edges electronics and irregular cowbell on “Keep an Eye on Dan.” The musical winks to the band’s past are a nice touch, too: “Keep an Eye on Dan” closes with the same piano melody that opens “S.O.S.,” while the soaring flute opening of “Bumble Bee” is surely a nod to “Fernando.”

But, as Benny and Björn’s very successful if never entirely satisfying post-ABBA musical Chess demonstrated, without the vocals of Agnetha and Anni-Frid—perhaps pop music’s most durable lead vocal combination—ABBA are just BB. Their voices are what make the group, and they’re still capable—both solo and in duet—of expressing melancholy and ecstasy within the same breath. On “I Still Have Faith in You” when Anni-Frid declares her enduring faith after all these years, as if through gritted teeth, you can feel the maculate defiance, her voice strong but still haunted by the passing of time. And Agnetha’s delivery of "Don't Shut Me Down”’s opening lines—“A while ago, I heard the sound of children's laughter/Now it's quiet, so I guess they left the park”—is nothing short of devastating.

ABBA understand, perhaps better than any other band, the epic importance of pop music against the humdrum rumble of everyday life. Pop matters to ABBA because people and feelings matter. But ABBA know that pop can also be ridiculous, and it is a relief to find that the band haven’t jettisoned the outlandishness that marked some of their best material, even as they reflect on the passing of the years. “When You Danced With Me,” the very second track here, is a crossover between pop and Celtic jig that even Ed Sheeran ’s “Galway Girl” might consider just a bit too much . “Little Things,” which follows, is a Christmas song that ends with a children’s choir singing about “tiny elves with wings.” Maturity might bring wisdom, but Voyage proves you don’t have to be boring with it.

And yet, by ABBA’s own imperial standards, this is more ABBA Silver than ABBA Gold. “Just a Notion,” the album’s third single, was originally rejected for the band’s 1979 album Voulez-Vous (the Voyage version puts the original vocals over a new backing); winningly chirpy as the results are, that kind of knock back would never have happened to “I Have a Dream,” which places “Just a Notion” squarely in the second tier of ABBA recordings. “I Still Have Faith in You,” meanwhile, is two thirds of a brilliant song, let down by the rather earthbound melody in the song’s verse (if, indeed, it is a verse—these things can be hard to define with a band as hook-laden as ABBA), where Anni-Frid sings “Do I have it in me?/I believe it is in there.” “I Still Have Faith in You” is doubtlessly a great song. But you suspect it would not have passed the band’s titanium quality control in the 1970s, given the strength of some of their unreleased material. In ABBA’s best songs, every second is golden.

Still, a second-string ABBA record is far better than most pop groups can muster, and Voyage is the rare post-reformation album to build upon the band’s legacy without abandoning what we loved about their classic records in the first place. That makes Voyage a surprisingly necessary trip into the present from a band who could have coasted on the warm fumes of adulation ad infinitum.

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The First New ABBA Album in 40 Years Was Worth the Wait

By Rob Sheffield

Rob Sheffield

Nearly 40 years ago, Abba were in the studio for one last time, to cut a tragic ballad called “The Day Before You Came.” They knew this was goodbye; both couples in the group had finalized their divorces. Agnetha Fältskog recited a bleak tale of total emotional isolation, words scripted by her ex-husband, doing her vocals in a darkened studio with all the lights out. It was the last thing they ever recorded. A splendidly melodramatic finale for this most melodramatic of pop groups. And that—as far as the world knew—was that for Abba. Until now.

So how the hell did this happen? The Swedish super troupers ride again with Voyage , and there’s never been a comeback story like this one: all four original members of a great pop band, reuniting after 40 years apart, with all their powers intact. This album would be a one-of-a-kind historic event even if the songs blew—but it’s vintage Abba, on par with their classic 1970s run. It evokes the days when the Norse gods ruled the radio, combining two of the Seventies’ hottest trends: heartbreak and sequin-studded pantsuits. 

For Bjorn, Benny, Anna-Frid and Agnetha, their last album was the 1981 gem The Visitors , a frosty electro concept album of synth-pop paranoia and mid-life despair. Their tunes were as cheery and bouncy on the surface as prime Elton John, making them the world’s best-selling act, but loaded with Leonard Cohen levels of angst. Who else would put a song called “Disillusion” on their first album? 

But since then, the Abba legacy has just kept booming. Each generation falls in love with their hits all over again. They helped invent goth—you can’t imagine Joy Division or the Cure or Berlin-era Bowie without “S.O.S.” They taught Kurt Cobain how to write hooks. If the pop-star scale goes from “obscure” to “legendary,” Abba zoom right off the chart and land on “Cher tribute album, right after the scene in * Mamma Mia 2 * where she steps out of a helicopter to belt ‘Fernando.’”

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Voyage piles on the tragic drama—it’s a whole album of “The Winner Takes It All,” without any “Mamma Mia” or “Take a Chance On Me.” They were always in love with adult gloom, going back to the divorced-mom power chords of “Knowing Me, Knowing You” or “Hey Hey Helen.” As Pete Townshend told Rolling Ston e in 1982, when he shocked the world by coming out as an Abba fan, “Abba was one of the first big international bands to actually deal with sort of middle-aged problems in their songwriting.” And that was in their younger days. Now that they’re all past 70, they haven’t exactly lost their appetite for emotional-crisis soundtracks. 

As always, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson write the songs, but now they leave the singing to the ladies, Faltskog and Anna-Frid Lyngstad. They put Voyage together while plotting their 2022 “virtual” live residency in London. These concerts won’t have mere holograms—instead, they’ve got what Benny and Bjorn call “Abba-tars.” 

“Don’t Shut Me Down” is the prize of the new tunes: Agnetha prowls outside her ex’s home, waiting for the right moment to knock on his door for the first time in years and seduce him. It’s a completely over-the-top scenario—just Abba’s specialty—in the style of their Seventies disco bangers, complete with “Dancing Queen” piano frills. Agnetha takes satisfaction in noticing that her ex hasn’t redecorated since she left, because “These rooms were witness to our love / My tantrums and increasing frustration.” (Could there be a more Abba lyric? No, there could not.)

“No Doubt About It” goes for Eighties synth glitz, while “Just a Notion” is a frisky Seventies leftover—a Voulez Vous outtake with vocals recorded in 1978. The fact that vocal tracks from four decades ago fit seamlessly with the new ones—it’s a tribute to Abba’s obsessive machine-tooled precision. “I Could Be That Woman” is a lavish ballad where a woman watches her estranged lover cuddle someone named Tammy—it turns out to be his dog. The couple argues (“You say you’ve had it and you say ‘screw you’”), while the dog watches and judges them. The dog might be the most emotionally stable character on the album. But like all the couples in these songs, this one has a long, tortured history with no happy ending in sight. You can’t say Abba don’t stay true to their vision.

It wouldn’t be an authentic Abba album without some stomach-churning filler, so beware before you brave the Christmas ditty “Little Things.” But otherwise, Voyage reflects how far these four have traveled, musically and emotionally. There’s no embarrassing attempt to get up to date with the bops the kids are into these days, a compliment to their integrity. Instead of chasing trends, they stick to the classic sound they perfected years ago, the sound that has kept influencing modern pop ever since. As they once sang, the history book on the shelf is always repeating itself.

When the woman in “Don’t Shut Me Down” knocks on that guy’s door, her greeting is, “I would believe it’s fair to say you look bewildered.” And indeed, it’s a surprise to have these Swedes back in the game. But it’s a bigger, sweeter surprise that they returned so full of musical vitality. All these years after “Waterloo,” Abba still refuse to surrender.

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ABBA – ‘Voyage’ review: a pop nostalgia trip that’s worth taking

40 years on from their last album, the Swedish superstars are back – but is their comeback more noteworthy than the music itself?

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ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ Review: A More Mature, More Varied, Less Catchy Comeback

The ubiquity of classics like “Dancing Queen” or “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” makes it easy to forget 39 years have passed since ABBA broke up. And yet, their music remains just as inescapable; the trademark catchiness of the group’s songs has made them a party favorite and ensured their continued popularity. It’s difficult to add a new album on top of an intimately familiar canon of discography that, to generations of fans, appears untouchable. But that’s what the group did on Nov. 5 with the release of “Voyage.” The title might evoke “Arrival,” but unlike the 1976 cult classic, the new album doesn’t offer the same energetic, captivating melodies. “Voyage” seems like a natural progression of the 1981 “The Visitors” — a more mature, stylistically diverse album, but one without the disco appeal of ABBA’s greatest hits.

Variety is the defining feature of “Voyage,” apparent from the get-go, best exemplified by “I Still Have Faith In You.” The album’s opening track, released as a single back in September, is already a sharp break from ABBA’s usual genre-mixing repertoire. At the beginning, the song is a slow-paced, nostalgic ballad with a dreamlike quality, reminiscent of Madonna’s version of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.” But as the lyrics refocus from the bittersweet past and doubts toward optimism for the present, the track turns into an energetic celebration of victory with synthesizer and electric guitar. The energy and the instruments carry on to “Keep an Eye on Dan,” an engrossing, almost-rock piece with a strong rhythm.

The album ends on a similarly high note. “Ode to Freedom” is as unusual for ABBA as it is fitting. The magnificent, orchestral closing piece — perhaps a bit too closely copying Tchaikovsky’s waltz from “Swan Lake” — is an inspired reflection on the artists’ relationship with their past work. The last song not only closes the album but also forces a reflection on ABBA’s career. The voices, older and mature but still full of passion, further reinforce that theme.

Unfortunately, the album’s stylistic diversity doesn’t always pay off. “I Can Be That Woman,” a slow ballad, feels like a ABBA rendition of a Dolly Parton song — but with none of the country singer’s appeal. Already suffering from an uninspired tune, the track suffers odd pacing that only makes things worse. Added to that, the lyrics not only fit the meter poorly, but — perhaps fittingly for a Swedish band — seem to be a textbook example of Stockholm syndrome, as the protagonist blames herself for her breakup and vows to change. Strangely, this ballad can’t even hold the title for the album’s most bizarre addition. That dubious distinction belongs to “Little Things,” an unabashed Christmas song with pronounced piano instrumentation that manages to be simultaneously completely out of character for ABBA and present little but blandness.

Granted, some of the more “traditional” songs, such as “Bumblebee” and “When You Danced With Me,” prove duller than their modern counterparts. But ABBA of 2021 is still more than capable of delivering the good old tunes that fans are used to. “Voyage” offers songs that are simply, unmistakably ABBA, with catchy choruses, disco tunes, and the marked contrast between joyous melodies and more somber lyrics.

“Don’t Shut Me Down” is the perfect example. It feels as if it belonged on “Voulez-vous” or “The Visitors,” recorded four decades ago by an ABBA in their prime, and should have been played alongside classics such as “Super Trouper” for years. The lyrics, telling the story of a woman confronting her partner, are acting in unison with the music, highlighting all the accusatory moments and bursting with joyful energy as the protagonist asserts her strength and resilience. The chorus is extremely catchy, the melody forceful and upbeat. And perhaps most importantly for a group famous for disco music: It seems made for dancing.

“Voyage” cannot be snuck between “Super Trouper” and “The Visitors” without anyone noticing. The influence of the four-decade long hiatus is clear. It’s not just more of the same catchy music that fits one mould. With more mature voices and a willingness to break with the familiar, ABBA manages to deliver an album that doesn’t simply capitalize on nostalgia, but rather boldly showcases the group’s skills while remaining true to self.

— Staff writer Zachary J. Lech can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @zacharylech.

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Too hip or just right? Here's what it was really like sailing on Virgin Voyages for the first time

With a nighttime show called "Never Sleep Alone" that awards golden condoms to participants, an onboard tattoo parlor and in-room music and lighting settings with options like "get it on" and "hangover mode," adults-only Virgin Voyages clearly caters to a kid-free crowd. Still, I had no idea what to expect as I stepped onto Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady .

Leading up to its maiden voyage in 2021, Virgin Voyages marketed itself as the cruise line for vacationers who otherwise weren't interested in traditional cruising. It aimed to appeal to those who were young and hip, wanted to party and craved an atmosphere without little kids running around.

Up until recently, I'd only ever sailed with Disney Cruise Line — and with my kids in tow. However, the Virgin Voyages concept has intrigued me since it launched.

Could Richard Branson's edgy Virgin Voyages truly be a perfect match for trips without kids? Or, would I feel completely out of place and overwhelmed by the rock star attitude featured throughout the cruise line's ships?

There was only one way to satisfy my curiosity — I booked a sailing on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady.

Would the four-night cruise from Miami , with stops in both Key West, Florida, and Bimini, Bahamas, impress me enough to consider Virgin Voyages for future trips? Here's what I took away from the experience — and whether I'd cruise with Virgin Voyages again.

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There's a surprisingly diverse crowd on board

Like many people, I went into my cruise expecting most passengers (or "sailors," as the line calls them) to be millennials based on the flashy marketing I've seen from the line. Much to my surprise, though, there was a fair mix of people on my sailing.

Sure, there were millennials in their late 20s, 30s and even early 40s — including me, as I fall within the oldest bracket for that generation — but for every 27-year-old on board, there was also someone close to 70 years old like the cruise line's founder, Richard Branson.

Last year, Tom McAlpin, the president and CEO of Virgin Voyages, told TPG's resident cruise expert Gene Sloan that on early sailings of Scarlet Lady, the average passenger age was in the 50s, with plenty on board in their 60s and 70s. Based on my trip, I'd say that is still a pretty accurate representation.

After a few days on board, it became clear that what passengers had in common wasn't the age listed in their passports but rather the shared desire to have a good time. For the most part, my fellow cruisers were a diverse, inclusive and vibrant group of vacationers who were all eager to strike up conversations with others, regardless of age.

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The adult-oriented persona isn't as extreme as you might expect

While there is a "Scarlet Night" celebration featuring lots of red lights and sailors donning their best scarlet-colored attire, the atmosphere on board is far from what you'll find in Amsterdam's Red Light District.

The entertainment we experienced fell somewhere between PG-13 and R, though we admittedly headed to bed by 11 p.m., so perhaps offerings leaned more X-rated as the night went on.

There were a couple of shows that I wouldn't want to see with, say, my parents, such as the previously mentioned "Never Sleep Alone." During that event, participants were awarded golden condoms that granted access to a post-show VIP party. However, those adult activities were easy to spot on the agenda, so you could easily skip them if you wanted a more tame cruise experience.

Beyond the evening entertainment, the vibe was similar to what you'd find in Las Vegas . The pools, restaurants, spa, casino and exercise classes all featured plenty of skimpy outfits and adult-oriented jokes and innuendos, though you could avoid anything that was too outside your comfort zone.

Related: 5 cruise lines to try if you just can't stand being around kids on vacation

Dining options are plentiful (albeit hit or miss)

As far as I'm concerned, cruises are for eating — and Virgin Voyages offers numerous places to dine on Scarlet Lady.

In addition to featuring more than 20 grab-and-go spots and traditional sit-down eateries, there's the large Galley venue with various vendors arranged in a way similar to what you'd find in a food court or buffet.

Given all the options available, there were more places than we could try on our first Virgin Voyages cruise. Still, we sought to sample as much as possible during our four-night sailing.

If you're looking for a traditional sit-down experience, six onboard restaurants accept reservations for dinner: The Wake (which serves steaks and seafood), Razzle Dazzle Restaurant (a contemporary venue with vegetarian and American fare), The Test Kitchen (a laboratory-style eatery), Pink Agave (where gourmet Mexican cuisine is on the menu), Extra Virgin (an Italian-inspired venue) and Gunbae (which specializes in Korean barbecue).

Your cruise price covers dining at all of these spots, plus the quick bite options on the ship. However, some restaurants offer buy-up options labeled as "treat yourself" dishes that cost extra. For example, a half-dozen oysters at The Wake are going to set you back an additional $20, but the steak and clam chowder are 100% included.

Besides the main restaurants, there's the previously mentioned Galley, where you can savor everything from sushi roll bento boxes to 24-hour diner food. It is a hybrid of a grab-and-go and dine-in experience, meaning how you order will vary depending on which station you visit.

Additionally, you'll find casual spots that serve ice cream, pizza, poke bowls and more. You can also order room service; the food is complimentary, but there's a $5 delivery fee.

While I appreciated the array of options at our disposal, I found the quality of the food and service to be hit or miss. Some restaurants I loved so much that I went back a second time; at others, I took a solitary bite of food before deciding to move on.

For example, the tuna poke bowl I excitedly tried at the Sun Club Cafe was patently awful, and the sushi rolls at The Galley were disappointing, reminding me of what I'd find in my Texas grocery store.

Similarly, The Wake was lackluster, to say the least. While some fellow cruisers we met enjoyed the restaurant, it was extremely underwhelming during our visit, serving the worst shrimp and grits I've ever had. Not to mention, the service was slow and seafood options were surprisingly limited for a restaurant that claims to specialize in steak and seafood.

It wasn't all mediocre, though.

Gunbae's Korean fare was not only delicious but served in a setting that was an absolute blast to experience. It really captured how Virgin markets itself by offering staff-led drinking games and communal seating that encourages socializing. We had such a great time there that when we walked into a quiet and sparsely populated restaurant on our last night, we turned around and went back to Gunbae for a repeat experience that was just as memorable as our first visit.

Pink Agave was another standout restaurant. It didn't offer as much of a party vibe as Gunbae, but it still felt lively and served a solid selection of Mexican dishes.

Related: Cruise ship restaurant nirvana: The 9 best meals you can have at sea

The cabins are decent but could be improved

Unless you splurge on a pricy RockStar suite , you'll be placed in a cabin that looks modern but otherwise seems fairly standard, other than the fancy mood lighting.

Our Sea Terrace cabin was spotless and stayed true to the modern theme featured throughout the ship, but it wasn't the most comfortable spot on the whole.

While we enjoyed the red outdoor hammock that was shockingly comfortable and not merely a cute, Instagram-worthy gimmick, as well as the selection of in-room movies, which ranged from the original "Top Gun" to newer releases like "Elvis," the rest of the cabin left a lot to be desired.

The bathroom was quite small, to the point where it bordered on being a claustrophobic experience.

The bed was also rather hard and uncomfortable for my personal tastes, so much so that by the last night of our trip, I was ready to return to my more inviting setup at home.

Additionally, unlike Disney Cruise Line, where cabin attendants make it a point to get to know you and your preferences, Virgin Voyages lacked the same personalized service. I never interacted with a person in charge of our cabin, as it would be serviced while we were out (after pushing a button that sent the request to the crew) by a person that, to us, remained nameless and faceless.

Related: Virgin Voyages to debut cruise loyalty program in 2023, with temporary perks available now

The private beach club is top-notch

While other ports of call vary based on the sailing, a constant for Scarlet Lady is a stop at its private beach club in the Bahamas.

Situated on the island of Bimini, this spot was, in a word, fabulous.

Although it's not quite a private island like Royal Caribbean's CocoCay and Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay, that doesn't really matter. You'll feel like you're in an exclusive setting after taking the open-air tram from the ship's dock to the modern, beautiful beach club.

The club offers a couple of large pools, ample lounge chairs and towels, plenty of bars and a picture-perfect beach. A swim-up bar would have been nice, but that's being picky.

During your visit to the club, any drinks you order are charged to the ship, so bar tab credits you have during your cruise will work here, too. The food, which ranged from snapper steamed in a banana leaf to a salad featuring Bahamian mango and macadamia, is included, though some dishes were better than others. I loved mixing the curry, rice and snapper I ordered all together to create a pretty tasty bowl.

On-island entertainment is available as well, though I can't speak to what happened as the afternoon wore on, as we hit our sun quota by midday. However, rumor has it there was a pool float party that occurred after our departure.

Related: Virgin Voyages hopes to draw cruise newbies like me: Here's my first impression from its first sailing

You won't find the usual cruise experience on board

Virgin Voyages does not simply give its amenities and activities quirky names — like "Lick Me Til Ice Cream" for the onboard ice cream shop. The overall experience is a bit different than what you'll come across on traditional cruise lines.

To start, there are no drink packages — and that was a big complaint I heard on the ship from folks who were used to sailing with other lines that offer unlimited drink inclusion options . Instead, Virgin Voyages offers a bar tab that you can load before you sail. Sometimes bar tab credit is also included with the sailing as part of a promotion.

Blessedly, there are no keycards and associated lanyards to keep up with but rather adjustable bracelets that look like friendship bracelets from middle school. Unlike the ones from your childhood, these have built-in technology that opens your cabin door, allows you to charge things to your account and more.

There are also no set dining times, restaurant rotations or dress codes, though you can — and should — make dinner reservations. As a result, you can dine at whichever restaurant you prefer at a time that works for you.

Other than the cabin cleanings, the crew was more noticeable, too. We saw crew members on the basketball courts, eating in The Galley and just generally out and about around the ship even when they didn't appear to be on the clock, which helped create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Additionally, we didn't have to worry about extra tips, taxes or fees. Tips for the crew, spa services and more are factored into your cruise price, so what you see on the menu really is what you can expect to pay.

Another noticeable (and welcome) difference was how laid-back the line was with announcements and disembarking. Outside of a welcome announcement from the captain on the first day, we didn't hear another peep. On the last day, you just had to be off the ship by a respectable 10:45 a.m., so you could still go to a workout class, play some air hockey and have brunch without feeling rushed to depart.

Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly

Bottom line

Despite some underwhelming aspects here and there, such as some design choices we didn't love and a very crowded pool area, we had a great time.

The late-night spicy ramen, social atmosphere and fun ports more than made up for any hiccups. For us, it was like a four-day long party without the hangover.

In fact, we had such a great time that before disembarking Scarlet Lady, we put a $300 deposit down on a future Virgin Voyages sailing so we could receive $900 in discounts and credits the next time around.

It's safe to say that overall, the cruise was absolutely worth it — and one we can't wait to do all over again.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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photo credit: Nate Watters

Good Voyage

This spot is Temporarily Closed .

Aimee Rizzo

November 21, 2023

Included In

The Best First Date Spots In Seattle

Editor's Note: Due to an electrical fire, Good Voyage is closed indefinitely. You can find their Gofundme here .

Keep Good Voyage in your rolodex of date spots for when you want to appear impressive without trying too hard. This market and natural wine bar right next to Left Bank (and from the same team) is complete with black walls, stark white subway tile, bistro tables inside and out, dried flower buds hanging from the ceiling, and groovy music, so you really could use it for anything from a relaxed friend catch-up to a high-stakes first date . While the space is what makes the South Park spot so versatile, it also doesn't hurt that they’re an espresso counter by day. Meet up in the morning for a pastry and latte or grab a round of pét-nat at 8pm alongside baguette sandwiches or a handful of marcona almonds.

Suggested Reading

Left Bank is a neighborhood wine bar in South Park with vinyls playing all night.

The Best Wine Bars In Seattle

Wine bars don’t have to be pretentious, scary places. Here are 11 of the best ones in the city.

Loretta’s Northwesterner

Bar Food Burgers

Loretta’s Northwesterner is a dive bar in South Park with a cool backyard and a phenomenal burger.

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What to Expect on Virgin Voyages Compared to Other Cruise Lines (Differences, What to Know, & More)

Never sailed on Virgin Voyages and not quite sure what to expect? Maybe you’ve seen the advertisements and weren’t sure exactly how it compared to other major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.

Or maybe you saw that it was adults only and wanted to know more before you spend your hard-earned money on sailing a relatively new cruise line?

So what’s Virgin Voyages like? How is it different from other lines? And what else should you know before you sail? Below, we dive into these questions and give you the real scoop of everything about the cruise line.

How Is Virgin Voyages Different Than Other Cruise Lines?

Trying to explain all the differences between Virgin and more traditional cruise lines is a challenge. Put bluntly, there are a lot of changes both big and small.

Let’s start with being adults only. That actually means much more than simply there are no kids running around the ship.

Instead, everything about the cruise can be tailored to adult tastes. Entertainment on the ship is more mature, such as drag shows in the nightclub. Many events go on until later at night than on a normal cruise. The food offered is more adventurous and upscale (though traditional options are available). The amenities offered around the ship are also different. Instead of waterslides and putt-putt, it’s yoga classes, tattoo parlors, and fitness equipment.

Along with these changes, Virgin also seems to have taken a hard look at traditional things in cruising and made changes that will appeal to many. For instance, the cruise director, art auctions, and roving photographers are out. Instead of a buffet where everyone serves themselves, the cruise line offers a food hall with a number of spots to eat where food is either prepared as you order or plated for you if already made.

There’s no main dining room or formal night. Instead, Virgin Voyages has several different sit down restaurants that are all included with your fare. Gratuities are included in your fare as well, as is wi-fi service.

Bottom line: It’s much more of an all-inclusive feel on the ship, with more that aims to cater to adults that you simply wouldn’t find on other lines.

What’s Included on Virgin Voyages?

One of the big differences we mentioned above is that a number of items that are typically an extra charge on a cruise are included in your fare. Of course, your room, food, and entertainment on the ship are all included. But so are the following items:

• All restaurants on the ship
• Crewmember gratuities
• Basic non-alcoholic drinks, including soda
• Basic wi-fi
• Fitness classes

What you will still have to pay out of pocket for are things like casino gambling, spa treatments, shore excursions, and alcoholic drinks. Still, between food, gratuities, and wi-fi alone, the included items add up to hundreds of dollars per passenger.

What’s the Crowd Like Onboard?

Step onto the ship and you’ll likely notice that your other passengers overall are a little different than on some other lines. Compared to most lines, we think that Virgin Voyages sees passengers that skew younger and a bit more fashionable.

One thing you don’t have to worry about is fitting in. While marketing for Virgin seems to focus on the “cool” factor with lots of beautiful and trendy people, there are all sorts of people on the ship — young, old, black, white, beautiful and not-so-beautiful, gay, straight.

Overall, the crowd seems very inclusive and everyone was friendly as you’d expect on a normal cruise.

Is There a Difference Between Ships?

Anyone who has sailed before knows that so much of your cruise is actually spent onboard the ship. In many ways, the ship is the actual main destination of your cruise, not the ports of call.

Typically there is a major difference between newer and older ships. However, since Virgin Voyages is still a new line, it only has three ships (with a fourth on the way). These vessels all have the same layout. So whether you are on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady, you’ll have a similar experience.

It also means you don’t have to worry about picking the right ship for your cruise. You really only have one option.

What’s the Atmosphere Like on the Ship?

Every cruise line has its own personality, and Virgin Voyages is no different. In our view, the atmosphere definitely tends to be more modern and a bit more “cool” than what’s seen on other lines. If Instagram built a cruise ship, it might look a bit like Virgin.

There’s a lot of use of color (especially lights) to set the mood for different spaces — even down to the wake coming off the back of the ship.

Around the ship are lots of seating and daybeds built for two, which combined with the red you see everywhere, adds to the “sexiness” of the cruise ship.

In fact, we found that most often the atmosphere can change depending on time of day. During most of the day, the atmosphere seems to focus more on relaxation and wellness. There are yoga classes, the vibe is relaxed, and generally slow-paced.

In the late afternoon and evening, things change up a bit with the evening programming that’s more focused on entertainment and partying, including Scarlet Night when everything is doused in red light and the nightclub can go until 3 a.m.

One other note: Overall, we found the staff to be a step above what’s on other cruise lines. Generally any cruise staff is going to be upbeat and friendly. On Virgin Voyages, it simply seemed more genuine and as if the staff had a strong camaraderie between each other. It’s hard to explain, but it was a feeling of the staff being happy you were there.

What Are the Cabins Like?

As you’d expect given the atmosphere on the ship, that “cool” factor extends to the cabin. You can expect the layout of the cruise cabin to be similar to other lines. You’ll have your bed, the bathroom, closet/storage, and balcony (with a hammock swing) if you choose that room type.

But cabins also have some upgraded touches. In a small (but loved) perk, Virgin offers a carafe of water and glasses. That means you don’t have to bring or buy bottles of water or drink out of the bathroom faucet just to get a swig of water in your cabin.

There are also some higher-end touches. In the cabin shower, there’s a rainfall showerhead included, instead of just the sprayer on the end of a wand. Your room is controlled by a tablet that acts as the remote control and can be used to dim lights, and even activate different colors to set the mood. Of course, if you don’t want to use the tablet, manual controls and a TV remote are also offered.

Bottom line: Much of the cabin will be familiar, but with some upgraded features that make it feel nicer than the average cruise room.

What Is The Band?

If you’ve cruised before, it was likely on a line that has a credit card style room key that served to open your room, check you on and off the ship, and charge items to your onboard account.

On Virgin Voyages, you have “The Band” instead. This is a stylish little bracelet (complete with an anchor clasp) that holds a gray tag. This serves the same function as the room keycard. You swipe it on your door sign to unlock the room. It’s scanned when you come and go on the ship, and it’s scanned whenever you make a purchase onboard.

It’s a bit easier than having to dig out your card each time to need it, but it does have a tendency to want to come off occasionally.

What Sort of Entertainment Is There on the Ship?

You’d expect that a ship focused on adults might have different entertainment, and in this case, you’re right.

First, the biggest difference we noticed is that Virgin doesn’t offer a traditional large theater that seats hundreds and hundreds at one time. Instead, they have smaller venues. As a result, there aren’t the big production shows like you see elsewhere.

Instead, the shows are more intimate in crowd size, but still feature amazing talent. One show we say was an acrobatic program between a red team and blue team that features climbing a 25-foot pole in the middle of the stage with no harness, flips after being launched in the air on a see-saw, juggling, and more.

Other shows included a mentalist and comedian with a quick-witted sense of humor that was able to make off-color jokes since everyone was adults. Virgin also had a resident drag queen with several performances during the cruise.

Are Drinks Included? How Much Do They Cost?

So much is included on your cruise, but one area that isn’t — alcoholic beverages. Virgin Voyages does charge for these, but there are a couple of things to know.

First, when it comes to cost the menu prices range from about $10-14 depending on the drink. We ordered some simple drinks (Moscow mule and a mojito) that were only $9. One nice thing is that because gratuity is included, the menu price is what you pay. There is no additional tip tacked on.

As well, Virgin doesn’t have drink packages. Instead they have a “Bar Tab” that’s credit toward drinks. Depending on your booking, you can get this included in your trip. During our cruise we booked and had $300 already included, so drinks were on the house.

How Does Food Work on the Cruise? Is it Good?

One thing you’ll like about Virgin Voyages is that all food on the ship is included. There are no extra charges for some restaurants.

The dining onboard can be thought of in two groups. First, there is The Galley. While the ships don’t have buffets, The Galley is a large dining hall with a number of different stalls serving different foods. There’s a burger spot, a taco spot, ramen/noodle bar, a sushi area, salad area, dessert spot and more. All of these spots are either grab and go or you simply wait a few minutes while they prepare your meal.

Then there are a number of sit-down restaurants serving anything from upscale Mexican to Italian, steak, and more. These spots typically require reservations (though walk-ins are welcome) and fill up quickly. It’s your choice where to eat, and you can dine at whatever time you are able. There is no assigned seating or dining rooms like on many other cruise lines.

To us, the food was solid to very good. The Galley offers a lot of options, whether you want simple (burger and fries) to more adventurous (sushi, ramen). However, the sit-down restaurants are a step above. We especially enjoyed Pink Agave, the upscale Mexican restaurant where everything was phenomenal.

What’s Good About Cruising Virgin Voyages?

There’s a lot that’s different about Virgin Voyages, and we think that’s what makes it a great cruise line to sail if you’re an adult looking for a getaway.

For one, we think the cruise line earns high marks in reinventing what a cruise can be. If you’re someone that’s been turned off by some of the “kitsch” in cruising, then cruising Virgin will be refreshing. There’s no line dancing on the pool deck or roving photographers or overly-excited cruise director.

As well, by including many things with the cruise, the headache of being nickeled and dimed around the ship is gone. Essentially the only things you’ll pay for onboard are alcohol, spa treatments, and gambling.

Finally, by catering to adults Virgin has shifted the design of everything from the ship to food to entertainment to more mature tastes that are more appealing to many.

What Are the Downsides of Cruising Virgin Voyages?

There’s a lot to like about Virgin, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. So what should you know that’s not so good?

Our biggest complaint is that the pool area seems small given the size of the ship. There are two pools, but the main pool only had seating for a couple of hundred people around it that seemed to fill up quickly when at sea.

As well, the reservation system for restaurants needs work. During our cruise we found that reservations were completely booked days in advance, yet when we went down to see if there was any space for walk-in, the restaurants had plenty of open tables. (We were seated immediately.)

We will also say that compared to other mass market lines with mega ships, there aren’t near as many things to do as you see elsewhere. For instance, there’s no roller coaster, go-kart track, zipline, rock-climbing wall or the like. That’s by design as these are largely included to appeal to kids and teens on the ship. However, if you’re someone that likes to be more active, you might be wanting more things to do.

Is Virgin Voyages Right for Me?

Having sailed the line recently, we think there is a lot for passengers to like about the cruise line no matter who you are. As mentioned, we saw all types on the ship from older couples to bachelorette parties. And the appeal is broad.

Overall, the crowd seems to skew younger — and more upscale — than most cruises. The atmosphere — ranging from the vibe on the ship to food to entertainment — definitely caters more to adult tastes. We think who would love the cruise line the most would be a couple from 30-60 years old celebrating an anniversary, special occasion, or simply wanting a romantic trip away. That, however, also casts too narrow a net as we saw all sorts having a great time.

In fact, outside of families, we have a hard time pinpointing who the cruise line wouldn’t appeal to. Personally we were worried that the cruise would be too trendy and cool for us to feel comfortable (there is a tattoo parlor onboard, after all), but that wasn’t the case at all. Instead, it was a great time with a lot of changes made to the traditional cruise to make it more appealing.

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GO Voyages   Reviews

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Very pleasant surprise.

Actually, I wanted to unsubscribe as soon as my trial month ended because I don't trust online subscriptions due to bad experiences I've had in the past. However, when I called to unsubscribe, the advisor I spoke to, named Mohamed Khaldoune, was very patient and kind. He explained all the benefits of staying subscribed with GO Voyages, which convinced me. Plus, he gave me gifts for my next bookings. I'm convinced I'll have a great experience organizing my travels and those of my loved ones this year.

Date of experience : May 08, 2024

Reply from GO Voyages

Thank you for your positive feedback and for taking the time to post it! We are delighted that you had a great experience and look forward to being of service to you again in the future. Best regards, Customer Care team

it was a good experience

it was a good experience, he lisen to me carefully, help me and propose a solution. I will follow his recommandation and upgrade my prime profil to prime Plus. I forget to note after the call, im sorry for that hope you see my commnets :)

Date of experience : May 07, 2024

Our sincere thanks for your positive words and feedback. As a valued customer, we look forward to serving you again. Best regards, Customer Care team

SCAM! If something goes wrong (e.g. cancel flight), your interlocutor will not be the airline (e.g. United) but govoyages. And let me tell you, your money is gone. I have been messaging them since 2022, among many others, about a canceled flight, and they refuse to pay back (no customer service, no person picking up the phone). AVOID AVOID AVOID, and buy directly from the airline's website.

Date of experience : May 02, 2024

Hi Nicolas, We are truly sorry that your experience with customer service was less than ideal. The way the interaction was handled does not align with our quality standards, which is something we take seriously. We reviewed your case to verify that quality was otherwise met and assure you that your request is in progress and being properly handled. As soon as we have an answer, we will notify you by email at the address used to make your purchase. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Sincerely, John Customer Care Team

Feed back boys king and assistance

I am very satisfied by your service assistance by tel / the person I talked to was extremely kind and helpful. However I was very disappointed by your site internet and the sync with the platform. I lost precious time to book my flight. Also the options on the site were different from the options on the platform further to recent update on the platform.

Aminata was great she helped me…

Aminata was great she helped me understand my abonnement and she was so kind to offer me a reduction I wish everyone was like her Thank you so much

Date of experience : May 10, 2024

Satisfying to the service

Thank to go voyages I got great price for my trip, both the flight and the rent. I was a change to speak to one of customer services. Her name is Noussaiba who is so kind to answer my request. Thank again for your excellent service.

Ibtissem was very nice and friendly

Ibtissem was very nice and friendly, she answered to all our questions or fears about our trip !

Date of experience : May 09, 2024

Thank you for taking the time to write this review! Your feedback is important to us and helps us to continue to improve our service. We are grateful for your business and hope you will choose us again for your future travel. Sincerely, Customer Care team

I liked very much that there was a…

I liked very much that there was a phone number and somebody to talk about the problem that could appear as far as booking with you

Date of experience : May 04, 2024

Nouhaila is very helpful and knew how to find the best options for my trip. She was very professional and very kind, it was a pleasure to be in contact with her. I recommend this site 100%.

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

Good experience

I get my ticket with verry good price, and when I want to have contact I talk with a professional person AMINAT, who make a contact verry clear and successful. Thank you.

Date of experience : May 03, 2024

The wrong indications on your app for…

The wrong indications on your app for example that your customer service would be joignable 24h/24h but that was not true. Also problems for receiving mail for the modification of the flight. Once I got in contact with an agent all was fine with the lady and I got the mail but it last 3 horrible days!

Date of experience : April 30, 2024

Hi Ndiaye, We are truly sorry that your experience with customer service was less than ideal. The way the interaction was handled does not align with our quality standards, which is something we take seriously. We reviewed your case to verify that quality was otherwise met and assure you that your request is in progress and being properly handled. As soon as we have an answer, we will notify you by email at the address used to make your purchase. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Sincerely, John Customer Care Team

I had a great experience with Sagna

I had a great experience with Sagna , he’s very professional and gave me clear explanations.

Date of experience : May 11, 2024

Not buy here tickets on Go voyage…

Not buy here tickets on Go voyage because they totally scam ! I got tickets from Seouls to Miami with stop in LA and they change time if my fly and I lose another tickets because they don’t want to help or even refund me money ! And I get new tickets -800$ be careful ! Better book trip.com for

Hi Elvira, We are truly sorry that your experience with customer service was less than ideal. The way the interaction was handled does not align with our quality standards, which is something we take seriously. We reviewed your case to verify that quality was otherwise met and assure you that your request is in progress and being properly handled. As soon as we have an answer, we will notify you by email at the address used to make your purchase. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. Sincerely, John Customer Care Team

hello I am very satisfied with the…

hello I am very satisfied with the company's service and my advisor was very professional and was able to answer my questions while being very friendly I would advise those around me that the service is top notch Commentaires

Date of experience : April 29, 2024

Thank you very much for your positive review! We appreciate you taking the time to share your kind words. It will be our pleasure to serve you again in the future. Best regards, Customer Care team

Good experience with go voyage and…

Good experience with go voyage and special thanks to Moustapha

Niang Anta was nice and very helpful

Niang Anta was nice and very helpful, she fixed my problem and it was a good experience to communicate with her.

Moura is a very good advisor

Moura is a very good advisor. You are very lucky to have a person like her in your company. 5 stars for Moura

My interlocutor was perfect

My interlocutor was perfect, very helpfull , patient and very pleasant. I hoy all the information I needed.

Fatma Faye, for this first day were amazing...I want to congratule her for his pateince and profesionalism that I appreaciate a lot during our exchange. Well done & thanks for your precious support!!! David

Date of experience : April 25, 2024

Mr Ibrahim SOW was TOP

Mr Ibrahim SOW was TOP ! Thanks for your profesionnalism, kindness and efficiency Ibrahim ! Like a Teranga lion you have taken care of our request to cancel our daughter's yearly GoPrime in order to subscribe to the Family's version. 15911953827

Date of experience : April 24, 2024

2021 Chrysler Voyager Review

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• Low pricing for the minivan class
• Excellent all-around visibility
• Second- and third-row seats aren't as roomy or comfortable as rivals
• Nine-speed transmission occasionally exhibits clunky or slow shifts
• Seat padding is firm

What's new

• Improved collision warning, pedestrian detection and automatic braking systems
• Part of the second Voyager generation introduced for 2020

The Chrysler Voyager is, simply put, a less expensive version of the Chrysler Pacifica. We're all for less expensive, but there are a few trade-offs. For example, you don't get the Pacifica's nifty second-row Stow 'n Go seats that easily fold into the floor when not needed. Instead, to create maximum cargo storage capacity in the Voyager, you must unlatch and remove the second-row seating.

Cost to Drive Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Chrysler Voyager L 4dr Minivan (3.6L 6cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.55 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Now, for the 2021 model year, there is further separation between a Pacifica and a Voyager. The Pacifica gets a styling refresh, wider availability of all-wheel drive, a new Pinnacle luxury trim level and more. The Voyager does not. Aside from improved safety technology, it is the same as it was in 2020.

Chrysler does, however, pass a torch to the 2021 Voyager. Now that the positively ancient Dodge Grand Caravan has gone to that big scrapyard in the sky, the Voyager stands as the least expensive minivan on the market. But you might find that spending a little more to get the more fully featured Pacifica, or other vans such as the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna, will be worth it in the long run.

Which Voyager does Edmunds recommend?

2021 chrysler voyager models.

L Standard equipment for the least expensive Voyager includes:

• 3.6-liter V6 engine (287 horsepower, 262 lb-ft of torque)
• Nine-speed automatic transmission
• 17-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers
• Dark-tinted rear window glass
• Power-adjustable, heated side mirrors
• Remote keyless entry
• Dual-zone manual temperature control
• Cruise control
• Second-row bench seat
• Fold-down third-row bench seat
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Six stereo speakers

LX Select the recommended LX trim level, and the Voyager adds:

• Automatic headlights
• Body-colored door handles
• Chrome grille surround
• Upgraded suspension
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Upgraded interior lighting
• Three-zone manual temperature control
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Removable second-row captain's chairs
• In-floor storage bins
• Steering-wheel audio controls
• Satellite radio

A SafetyTec Group is optional, equipping both versions of the Voyager with:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)

Additionally, with LX trim, a Cold Weather Group installs:

• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
• Remote engine start system

A rear-seat entertainment system with a DVD player is also available for the Voyager LX.

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NHTSA Overall Rating

• Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Overall 5 / 5 Driver 5 / 5 Passenger 5 / 5
• Side Crash Rating Overall 5 / 5
• Side Barrier Rating Overall 5 / 5 Driver 5 / 5 Passenger 5 / 5
• Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings Front Seat 5 / 5 Back Seat 5 / 5
• Rollover Rollover 4 / 5 Dynamic Test Result No Tip Risk Of Rollover 11.6%
• Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test Good
• Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test Good
• Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original Good
• Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated Not Tested
• Side Impact Test – Original Good
• Side Impact Test – Updated Not Tested
• Roof Strength Test Good
• Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint Good

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Yu's Chinese & Sushi Bar

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835 S Broadway

Coos Bay, OR 97420

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‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Review: The Best Franchise Reaches New Heights

After a seven-year hiatus, a new cast and creative team kicks off a new trilogy with one of the strongest films in the series..

In a forest of teetering, overburdened movie franchises, Planet of the Apes stands as a mighty oak. Where other sprawling sagas spread themselves thin, wear out their welcome, or recycle the same characters and ideas again and again, the Apes series slowly but consistently grows in new directions and reaches new heights. Since its 2011 reboot, Planet of the Apes has been an anomaly amidst big-budget studio tentpoles, emphasizing drama over action and utilizing digital performance capture technology in the service of great acting and complicated characters. Now, after a seven-year hiatus, a new cast and creative team kicks off a new trilogy with one of the strongest films in the series. Wes Ball ’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes doesn’t surpass the Shakespearean heights of Matt Reeves’ Dawn , but it does honor its patience and moral complexity, offering an intriguing social thought experiment and exciting ape adventure.

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Kingdom is set centuries in the future, long after humanity has fallen to a plague of its own making that left survivors mute and intellectually stunted. In its place has risen a civilization of chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and orangutans granted human-like intelligence by the same disease. Our world is a distant memory, and Caesar, the 21st century ape messiah, has become just that: a legendary figure whose history and message have been obscured and distorted over time.

Our new protagonist is Noa ( Owen Teague ), a young chimpanzee from a clan that’s never even heard of Caesar. When his village is ransacked by a merciless empire led by Proximus ( Kevin Durand ), who claims to be Caesar’s heir, Noa embarks on a quest across a forbidden valley to rescue his family. Along the way, he encounters a gentle orangutan philosopher ( Peter Macon ) and a young human woman ( Freya Allan ) who may be more than she appears. Their journey is an old-school adventure story, pitting them against natural, manmade, and ape-made obstacles that test their courage, their allegiances, and their ethical boundaries.

Though he demonstrates his bravery early on via a dangerous climb up an ivy-covered skyscraper, Noa is something of an every-ape, sort of a Luke Skywalker to Caesar’s Anakin. (Narratively speaking. They do not share any blood.) Noa’s bland side is a drag on the first act, but the film livens up significantly with the arrival of Peter Macon’s Raka, an instantly likable scholar who preaches a more peaceful (but still inaccurate) interpretation of Caesar’s gospel. All of the ape characters have unusual rhythms to their speech, but Raka’s radiates pure music. Raka can get a laugh out of a shrug or a glance, but it’s his warm presence that gives the movie life when it needs it the most.

There to challenge Raka’s pacifism and moral certainty is the villainous Proximus, who has flattened Caesar’s philosophy to a single sound byte (“Apes! Together! Strong!”) and repurposed it as a slogan for conquest. Kingdom ’s allegory about diverging belief systems from a common source is refreshing in its complexity. Finding or proving what Caesar truly believed isn’t possible, as there are few reliable records of his life. Instead, characters must choose for themselves what they want to do with what little they know.

The back half of Kingdom involves multiple interlocking moral dilemmas that make the most out of the world left over from the previous trilogy. Apes have inherited the world from a humanity that doomed itself. But does that necessarily mean that everything that was once humanity’s now belongs to ape-kind? What are the apes’ obligations to the former rulers of this world? What is humanity’s role now, and what if they don’t like it? Like the best films in the franchise, Kingdom ’s conflict does not map directly to any current events but inspires thought about conflict in general. It’s clear who the bad guy is, but that doesn’t mean that all the good guys share the same interests or are working towards the same outcome.

As for the visual effects, despite nearly every shot including a digitally-rendered character, the hard work of the VFX team is practically invisible, which is the aim of any effects artist. Wes Ball made a point of shooting as much as possible on location rather than using digital environments, upon which modern blockbusters have developed a troubling reliance. With the effects teams able to dedicate their time and budget to where it’s really needed and the actors able to immerse themselves in an environment, the CGI apes become totally convincing characters.

Kingdom provides a rock-solid foundation for a new series of Apes films, leaving the titular planet with its most interesting status quo to date. Though not the best installment of Planet of the Apes (that remains Dawn ), it’s a strong second place, and a fair sight better than the film that launched the last trilogy, Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes . If Wes Ball, screenwriter Josh Friedman , or whoever succeeds them can build on this first chapter as well as Matt Reeves did in 2014, then there’s potential for their follow-up to be every bit as compelling. What a strange feeling it is, amidst the franchise fatigue of 2024, to be excited about the future of a 56-year-old film series and to feel as if its best days might still be ahead of it. Long live the king. 

• SEE ALSO : ‘Under the Bridge’ Review: A Miniseries That Interrogates the True Crime Genre

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‘Mother of the Bride’ Review: An Old Flame in a Tropical Locale

Brooke Shields plays a single mother who comes face to face with her college ex-boyfriend at her daughter’s destination wedding in this tired romantic comedy.

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By Natalia Winkelman

How often do exes get back together at destination weddings? Based on Hollywood rom-coms, one might assume it’s an epidemic. The last few years alone have seen rancorous pairs reconcile on the tropical beaches of Bali ( “Ticket to Paradise” ), the tropical coastline of Sydney, Australia (“Anyone But You”) and in the tropical jungles of the Philippines (“Shotgun Wedding”). What a surprise to see the trend reappear in Netflix’s “Mother of the Bride,” set in Phuket, Thailand, at a tropical resort.

These movies, as critics have pointed out , are themselves rehashing an older Hollywood trope: the comedy of remarriage, in which a separated couple reunites to find their acrimony transformed into revitalized affection. (A classic example is Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in the 1940 rom-com “The Philadelphia Story.”)

In “Mother of the Bride,” that twosome consists of Lana (a committed Brooke Shields) and Will (Benjamin Bratt), ex-beaus who severed ties after college. In Phuket, they discover that their grown children — Lana’s daughter, Emma (Miranda Cosgrove), and Will’s son, RJ (Sean Teale) — are betrothed.

“Mother of the Bride” is directed by Mark Waters (“Mean Girls”) with an apparent allergy to verisimilitude. Early on, we are told that the opulent Thai ceremony will be bankrolled by Emma’s company (she’s an intern) and livestreamed to “millions of eyes.” These fantasies of pomp and circumstance often serve to make Lana and Will’s budding romance feel like a B-story to the action — although that may be a blessing when the best screwball gag this movie can muster is a pickleball shot to the groin.

Mother of the Bride Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 28 minutes. Watch on Netflix .

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help.a.

Andy Serkis, the star of the earlier “Planet of the Apes” movies, and Owen Teague, the new lead, discuss the latest film in the franchise , “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

The HBO series “The Sympathizer” is not just a good story, it’s a sharp piece of criticism on Vietnam war movies, our critic writes .

In “Dark Matter,” the new Apple TV+ techno-thriller, a portal to parallel realities allows people to visit new worlds and revisit their own past decisions .

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