Virgin Voyages:
The Adults-Only Cruise Line That Actually Gets It Right
Think you know what a cruise looks like? Virgin Voyages is here to challenge every assumption. Here's everything you need to know before you sail — from what's included to insider tips that'll make your voyage unforgettable.
The Short Version
Why Virgin Voyages Stands Apart
Virgin Voyages isn't your grandparents' cruise line — and that's entirely the point. Richard Branson's cruise brand launched in 2020 with one crystal-clear mission: create a cruise experience that actually appeals to people who think they hate cruises.
Every ship is adults-only (18+), so you get a vibe that's more boutique hotel meets music festival than floating buffet. The ships are smaller and more intimate than the mega-ships from Royal Caribbean or MSC, which means shorter lines, better service ratios, and a genuine sense of community onboard.
Dining is truly all-inclusive — every restaurant on the ship is included at no extra charge, and there are over 20 unique dining experiences per ship. No specialty restaurant upcharges, no dining packages to stress over. Just show up and eat well.
Know Before You Go
What's Included vs. What Costs Extra
This is the question I get most often. Virgin Voyages markets itself as "almost all-inclusive" — here's exactly what that means in practice.
✓ Included in Every Voyage
- All restaurants & dining venues (20+)
- Group fitness classes (HIIT, yoga, spin)
- Basic Wi-Fi
- Gratuities & service charges
- Non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, juices, sodas)
- Live music & entertainment
- Room service (Excluding $10 Delivery fee, waived if you purchase items $10+)
- Port taxes & fees
+ Costs Extra
- Alcohol & cocktails (see Bar Tab tip)
- Spa treatments & thermal suite
- Shore Things (excursions)
- Tattoo parlor (The Squid Ink)
- Wi-Fi upgrades
- Laundry service
- Private cabanas at Beach Club
💡 Isaac's Take
The included dining alone is a huge value. On most cruise lines, specialty restaurants run $30–$60 per person per meal. On VV, every restaurant on the ship is included — no upcharges, no specialty dining packages. If you eat out even twice, you've already saved $100+.
The Fleet
Meet the Ships
Virgin Voyages currently operates four ships, all in the same class and design family. They're mid-size by modern standards — around 2,770 guests each — which keeps things intimate without feeling cramped.
Scarlet Lady
The original. Sails Caribbean itineraries from Miami.
Valiant Lady
Mediterranean & Caribbean routes. Great for Europe itineraries.
Resilient Lady
Greek Isles, Mediterranean, and Australia sailings.
Brilliant Lady
The newest ship. Pacific & Caribbean sailings.
All four ships share the same design DNA — rooftop pool deck, entertainment venues, and a similar restaurant lineup with signature venues across the fleet. The dining options vary slightly by ship, but the overall experience and vibe are consistent. Once you've sailed one, the others will feel immediately familiar.
Essential Prep
The Virgin Voyages App: Download It Before You Go
The VV app isn't optional — it's your boarding pass, dining reservation system, shore excursion hub, and onboard wallet all in one. Everything is managed through it, including checking in for your voyage.
Here's what you'll use it for:
- Check-in — complete your check-in and choose a boarding time slot before sailing day
- Restaurant reservations — some venues (especially The Wake and Gunbae) book up fast; grab your reservations as soon as the booking window opens
- Shore Things — browse and book excursions in each port
- Bar Tab — purchase or top up your drink package
- Onboard chat — message your crew or travel companions
- Your sailor loot — see any credits or perks applied to your booking
📱 Pro Tip: Get the App Early
Download the app and create your account as soon as you book. Restaurant reservations open 45 days before sailing for most regular bookings — and 60 days for Rockstars (VV's top cabin category). The early bird genuinely gets the table at Gunbae.
Port Days
Shore Things: VV's Take on Excursions
Virgin Voyages calls their shore excursions "Shore Things" — and they're carefully curated to match the brand's adventurous, social vibe. You'll find everything from snorkeling and kayaking to cooking classes and rum-tasting tours.
Booking Windows
Shore Things become available to book at different times depending on your cabin category:
Regular cabin holders — Shore Things open at 120 days before sailing
Rockstar Suite guests — Shore Things open at 135 days before sailing
Popular excursions — especially beach club days and water sports — do sell out. If you have your heart set on something specific, set a reminder and book on day one of your window.
Beach Club at Bimini
If your itinerary stops at Bimini, Bahamas, the VV Beach Club is one of the most talked-about experiences on any sailing. Think pristine white sand, a pool, beach bar, live music, and a lively party atmosphere that carries well into the afternoon.
Drinks On Board
The Bar Tab: How to Drink Smart on VV
Alcohol isn't included in the base fare, but VV offers a pre-purchased "Bar Tab" — essentially a discounted drink credit that you load before sailing. It's the smartest way to budget for drinks onboard.
How It Works
Bar Tab is available in tiers. The key mechanic: you buy credits at a discount before sailing, then spend them like cash at any bar on the ship. Unused Bar Tab credit is non-refundable, so don't over-buy.
🍹 Isaac's Bar Tab Tips
For a couple on a 5-night voyage who drinks moderately, $300–$500 in Bar Tab typically covers it. The higher the tier, the better the bonus — so it pays to size up if you plan to drink well. Remember: unused Bar Tab credit is non-refundable, so don't over-buy. And if you book a Sea Terrace cabin or above through me, I can add up to $200 in free Sailor Loot to your booking (depending on voyage length) — at no extra cost to you.
Where You'll Sleep
Cabin Categories Explained
VV's cabin categories run from cozy and stylish to full-on suite living. Here's how they break down:
Sea View & Insider Cabins
The entry point. Beautifully designed — think boutique hotel room — with no balcony. Insider cabins don't have a window; Sea View cabins have a porthole or window. Both are great value for sailors who plan to spend most of their time exploring the ship and ports.
Sea Terrace Cabins
The sweet spot. A private balcony — called a "sea terrace" — makes a huge difference on a sailing vacation. This is where most sailors land, and it's the minimum tier to qualify for my free Sailor Loot offer (up to $200 depending on voyage length).
Rockstar Suites (including Mega RockStar)
The VIP tier. Expansive suites — with the Mega RockStar being the most lavish on the ship — plus exclusive lounge access, a dedicated concierge, priority boarding, and a 135-day Shore Things booking window. Truly the VV way to sail if the budget allows.
Name Your Price
Level Upgrades: Bid Your Way Into a Better Cabin
Virgin Voyages lets you make an offer on a higher cabin category instead of paying the full price difference. You choose how much you're willing to pay per cabin, and if Virgin accepts, you're moved up. If they don't, nothing changes and you keep the cabin you booked.
How It Works
- Watch for the invite. Eligible sailors get an email from Virgin with a link to the upgrade page. You can also go straight to Virgin's upgrade page with your booking details using the button below.
- Pick the category you want. You'll see each category you're eligible to move into, with photos, square footage, and features.
- Move the slider to set your offer. Each category has a minimum offer, and the slider starts there. Offers are per cabin, not per person. The Offer Strength meter tells you how competitive your number is, from Poor to Excellent.
- Submit your offer. You enter a card to submit, but you're only charged if your offer is accepted.
- Wait to hear back. Virgin reviews offers closer to sailing, based on what cabins are still open. You'll get an email either way.
Opens Virgin Voyages' upgrade page in a new tab.
This is a practice version for learning the controls. Prices are examples only, and no offer is sent anywhere.
What the Offer Strength Meter Means
The meter compares your offer against what Virgin is likely to accept. Poor or Fair offers rarely win unless the ship is sailing with lots of empty cabins in that category. Good is a reasonable shot. Very Good and Excellent are strong, but you're paying close to the maximum. The far right end of the slider is roughly the full price difference, so there's no reason to go all the way.
Good to Know
- You can't choose or change the cabin you get. You bid on a category, and Virgin assigns the specific cabin. If your offer is accepted, you can't swap it for a different cabin, deck, or location.
- You can make offers on more than one category.
- If you win, the upgrade replaces your current cabin, and your cabin number will change.
- You can usually go back and change or cancel an offer until Virgin starts processing upgrades for your sailing.
- Winning offers are generally non-refundable, so only bid what you'd be happy to pay.
- Offers are per cabin, so a $400 offer for two people works out to $200 each.
⚠️ Skip the XL Sea Terrace
I don't recommend bidding on an XL Sea Terrace. Since you can't pick your cabin, you could end up next to a noisy venue, with no hammock, or with a metal balcony railing instead of glass. You're usually better off putting that money toward a standard Sea Terrace or saving it for a RockStar category.
💡 Isaac's Upgrade Strategy
Contact me before you bid. I can check how many cabins are still open in the category you want, and that should drive your number. If there are lots of empty cabins, even a "Poor" offer at the minimum has a real chance. If the category is nearly full, you'll need to go higher or skip it. Full details and terms are on Virgin's upgrade page.
Honest Assessment
Is Virgin Voyages Right for You?
You'll love VV if...
- You're 18+ and traveling adult-only
- You want variety in dining without extra charges
- You appreciate a sleek, modern aesthetic
- You like live music and a social vibe
- You prefer a smaller ship with fewer crowds
- You want included Wi-Fi and gratuities
- You're a couple, solo traveler, or group of friends
VV might not be the best fit if...
- You're traveling with kids under 18
- You want a full all-inclusive drink package
- You prefer mega-ship activities (waterparks, etc.)
- You like traditional cruise entertainment (Broadway shows)
- You want a casino-forward experience
Ready to Sail? Let's Plan Your Virgin Voyage.
My travel planning services are 100% free to you — the cruise line pays my commission. I'll help you find the right itinerary, cabin, and timing, handle all the booking details, and make sure you don't miss a thing before you board.
Booking through my agent portal means Isaac gets credit for your booking — at no extra cost to you.