Is Virgin Voyages Worth It?
Thinking about sailing with Virgin Voyages for the first time?
After sailing with Virgin Voyages twice, we learned that this cruise line does things a little differently. And honestly, that’s part of what made us want to go back.
No kids. No traditional cruise dining rooms. No formal nights. No racing to a buffet at a specific time. Instead, Virgin Voyages feels more like a floating adults-only resort with great restaurants, entertainment, nightlife, wellness, beautiful destinations and plenty of opportunities to make the vacation as relaxed or as lively as you want it to be.
But there are definitely a few things we wish we had known before our first sailing.
So if you’re wondering whether Virgin Voyages is worth it, what’s actually included, how the food works, how much drinks cost, which cabin to choose, what to pack, or what you should reserve before boarding, this guide is for you.
Here’s what we learned after two Virgin Voyages cruises.
IS VIRGIN VOYAGES WORTH IT?
For us, yes.
We enjoyed our first Virgin Voyages cruise enough to sail again, and we would spend our own money to sail with Virgin again.
One of the biggest reasons is the overall experience.
Virgin Voyages combines many of the things we enjoy about traveling: great food, music, nightlife, adults-only spaces, interesting destinations, activities and enough freedom to create your own version of the vacation.
You can spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and then completely change the energy at night.
Dinner.
Drinks.
Entertainment.
Scarlet Night.
Dancing.
Or simply sitting on your Sea Terrace watching the ocean.
It doesn’t feel like you have to experience the ship one particular way.
And for couples or groups of adults who enjoy having both relaxation and nightlife available, that flexibility is a major part of the appeal.
WHAT’S INCLUDED ON VIRGIN VOYAGES?
One of the things that initially surprised us about Virgin Voyages was how much of the experience already felt built into the cruise fare.
Instead of paying separately for every restaurant, we were able to experience a variety of dining concepts throughout the ship.
Depending on your sailing and current Virgin Voyages terms, your fare may include features such as dining at Virgin’s onboard restaurants, entertainment, group fitness classes and other standard onboard experiences.
On our trip, the dining alone added a lot of value because we weren’t choosing between the restaurant we really wanted to try and another restaurant because one carried an additional specialty-dining charge.
We could actually experience the ship.
IMPORTANT: Virgin Voyages inclusions, promotions and policies can change. Always verify the inclusions for your specific voyage before booking.
WHAT COSTS EXTRA?
This is where first-time sailors should pay attention.
Just because Virgin includes quite a bit doesn’t mean you’ll never spend another dollar once you book.
Depending on your sailing and what you choose to do, additional expenses can include:
- Alcoholic and specialty drinks
- Bar Tab
- Shore excursions
- Certain onboard activities or special experiences
- Spa services
- Upgraded Wi-Fi options
- Shopping
- Casino spending
- Premium packages or enhancements
- Transportation and expenses before or after your cruise
The easiest way to think about it is this:
Your cruise can already include a lot, but you still control how many extras you add.
And we added some.
HOW MUCH DID OUR VIRGIN VOYAGES CRUISE COST?
One of our Virgin Voyages trips came to $2,545 for two people for the cruise booking, and our broader experience remained under $3,000 for two based on what we personally purchased and chose to do.
That included a lot of the experience we wanted: our cabin, dining, drinks through our Bar Tab and promotional credit, entertainment, activities and other vacation spending within the way we traveled on that particular trip.
That’s one reason we felt the value was strong.
But I would never use our price as a guarantee of what your Virgin Voyages vacation will cost.
Cruise pricing changes based on:
- Sailing dates
- Ship
- Destination
- Cabin category
- Length of voyage
- Promotions
- Demand
- Bar Tab offers
- Excursions
- Airfare
- Hotels
- Your personal spending
Our experience is best used as an example of what we were able to do, rather than a quote for what the same vacation would cost today.
VIRGIN VOYAGES FOOD: ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PARTS
If food matters to you on vacation, this is one of the areas where Virgin Voyages really stands out.
There isn’t one giant traditional cruise dining room where everyone is eating essentially the same menu.
Instead, the ship gives you different restaurant experiences.
During our Virgin Voyages sailings, we experienced restaurants and dining options including:
Test Kitchen
Razzle Dazzle
Extra Virgin
The Wake
Pink Agave
The Galley
Pizza
And food at The Beach Club at Bimini.
Some restaurants surprised us more than others.
Test Kitchen became one of those experiences that was as much about the evening as the actual meal.
Razzle Dazzle was another pleasant surprise.
Extra Virgin had dishes we enjoyed, although the New York strip we ordered during our second sailing didn’t impress us as much as some of our other meals.
And that’s part of the fun.
You get to try them and decide which restaurants become your favorites.
FIRST-TIMER TIP:
Make your dining reservations early.
We learned quickly that waiting until you’re already onboard isn’t the best strategy when there’s a restaurant or dining time you really want.
That also applies to brunch.
If there’s something you know you want to experience, reserve it as early as your sailing allows.
HOW DOES THE VIRGIN VOYAGES BAR TAB WORK?
Virgin Voyages approaches drinks differently from cruise lines that sell traditional unlimited beverage packages.
Instead, Virgin offers a Bar Tab, which essentially gives you prepaid credit to use toward eligible drinks.
On one of our sailings, we started with a $300 Bar Tab plus promotional bonus credit.
And we went through it.
Based on how we like to vacation, we’d probably consider something closer to $500 next time.
That does not mean everyone needs $500.
Someone who has an occasional glass of wine with dinner may spend far less.
Someone who enjoys cocktails throughout the day, specialty drinks, wine with dinner and nightlife could go through a smaller Bar Tab surprisingly quickly.
The important question isn’t:
How much Bar Tab does everyone need?
It’s:
How do YOU drink when you’re on vacation?
Plan around that.
OUR SEA TERRACE CABIN REVIEW
We’ve stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin twice, and we’d book it again.
For two people, we found the room comfortable and surprisingly functional.
And we do not travel light.
Between the two of us, we’ve traveled with around five or six bags, so storage matters.
The cabin gave us several ways to make the space work.
What helped:
Under-bed storage
Get the suitcases out of the walking space as soon as you unpack.
Hooks
These became much more useful than we expected for clothing, bags and things we wanted within reach.
Tablet controls
The in-room tablet controls several cabin functions, including lighting and curtains.
Take a few minutes to learn it.
The Sea Terrace hammock
Yes, use it.
There’s something about sitting in that hammock looking at the ocean that makes you remember exactly why you booked a balcony.
We’ve sailed in Sea Terrace cabins on different decks, including Deck 9 and Deck 11, and we’d comfortably choose the category again.
Next time?
We may be ready to see what Rockstar life is about.
THE BATHROOM IS SMALL
This deserves its own section because first-time sailors should know.
The bathroom is compact.
For us, that wasn’t a deal breaker.
The shower worked well and the overall cabin still functioned comfortably for two people.
Just don’t walk into a standard Sea Terrace expecting the bathroom of a luxury hotel suite.
You’re on a ship.
Space is being used very intentionally.
ENTERTAINMENT & NIGHTLIFE
Virgin Voyages is especially fun when you allow yourself to experience the ship after dark.
One of the signature experiences is Scarlet Night.
Bring something red.
Seriously.
You’ll see people dressed at completely different levels, so you don’t need to turn it into the Met Gala unless that’s your personality.
But having something red gives you the option to participate.
There’s also music, dancing, parties, performances and other entertainment depending on the ship and itinerary.
We also enjoyed the fact that you can participate as much or as little as you want.
Some nights can become a full night out.
Others can end with drinks and an ocean view.
Both count as vacation.
WHAT SHOULD YOU PACK FOR VIRGIN VOYAGES?
Start with what you’d normally bring for a warm-weather vacation or the destinations on your itinerary, then add a few Virgin-specific items.
Definitely consider:
Something red for Scarlet Night
You will be glad you packed it.
Nighttime outfits
Virgin has a fun evening atmosphere, so bring clothes you’ll actually want to wear to dinner, drinks and entertainment.
Comfortable walking shoes
Ships are big. Ports can involve even more walking.
Swimwear
Obviously.
A light layer
Indoor spaces can feel cooler after you’ve spent all day outside.
Useful organization items
Small travel organizers and permitted hooks can make a compact cabin easier to manage.
And don’t forget to leave a little room in your luggage.
You know you’re probably bringing something home.
THE BEACH CLUB AT BIMINI
If your itinerary includes Bimini, don’t treat it like an afterthought.
The Beach Club was part of the experience we enjoyed.
You get the combination of beautiful water, beach-club atmosphere, food, music and the feeling that the vacation has temporarily moved from the ship onto an island.
For travelers who like resort and beach-club environments, Bimini fits naturally into the Virgin Voyages experience.
25 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR FIRST VIRGIN VOYAGES CRUISE
Here are some of the biggest lessons we’d give a first-time Sailor:
1. Download the Virgin Voyages app before your trip.
2. Complete your required pre-sailing information ahead of time.
3. Don’t wait until the last minute to think about dining.
4. Reserve the restaurants you really want as soon as you’re eligible.
5. Remember brunch reservations too.
6. Book limited excursions and special experiences early.
7. Understand what’s included in your specific fare before sailing.
8. Don’t assume alcoholic drinks are included.
9. Estimate your Bar Tab based on how you actually drink on vacation.
10. Check current promotions before purchasing extras.
11. Learn how your cabin tablet works.
12. Use the storage underneath the bed.
13. Bring useful cabin organization items that comply with Virgin’s current policies.
14. Expect the Sea Terrace bathroom to be compact.
15. Spend some time in the hammock if you book a Sea Terrace.
16. Bring something red for Scarlet Night.
17. Pack outfits for evenings aboard the ship.
18. Don’t assume every restaurant will have availability at your ideal time.
19. Try restaurants you wouldn’t normally choose. Some of our favorites surprised us.
20. Don’t overlook The Galley and casual food options between restaurant meals.
21. If your sailing includes Bimini, make time for The Beach Club.
22. Review Wi-Fi options for your sailing if staying connected matters to you.
23. Review port transportation and excursion logistics before arriving.
24. Leave room in your schedule to simply enjoy the ship.
25. Don’t try to do everything. You can always sail again.
We did.
VIRGIN VOYAGES MISTAKES WE MADE
After two sailings, there are definitely things we’d do differently.
Waiting too long on reservations
Dining and limited experiences can fill up.
If something is important to you, don’t build your entire strategy around figuring it out once you’re onboard.
Underestimating our Bar Tab
Our $300 Bar Tab plus bonus promotional credit didn’t stretch as far as we expected based on our vacation habits.
Next time, we’d plan differently.
Assuming we’ll figure everything out onboard
Technically, you can.
But understanding the app, dining, entertainment, excursions and your priorities before sailing makes the first day much easier.
Trying to fit too much into the trip
This may be the biggest lesson.
You paid to be on vacation.
You don’t need to turn relaxation into another project plan.
Make reservations for your priorities and leave some room for whatever happens next.
WHO IS VIRGIN VOYAGES BEST FOR?
Based on our experience, I’d particularly consider Virgin Voyages for:
Couples
Friends traveling together
Girls’ trips
Birthday trips
Bachelor and bachelorette groups
Adults celebrating milestones
People who enjoy good food
Travelers who enjoy nightlife and music
People who want an adults-only cruise
Travelers who like modern resorts and beach clubs
First-time cruisers who don’t necessarily want a traditional cruise atmosphere
It’s especially appealing if you want the convenience of cruising but still want your vacation to feel contemporary, social and flexible.
WHO MAY WANT A DIFFERENT CRUISE EXPERIENCE?
Every cruise line has its personality.
Travelers looking specifically for a family vacation with children will obviously need another option because Virgin Voyages is adults-only.
Likewise, someone who loves very traditional cruising may simply prefer another style.
That’s why we don’t believe there is one perfect cruise line for everyone.
The goal is finding the cruise experience that matches how you actually like to travel.
SO, WOULD WE SAIL VIRGIN VOYAGES AGAIN?
Absolutely.
We’ve already sailed twice.
That probably answers the question better than anything else.
We enjoyed the food, the adults-only atmosphere, the Sea Terrace, the entertainment, the destinations and the flexibility of creating our own version of the trip.
Was everything perfect?
Of course not.
But we’re not looking for perfect.
We’re looking for experiences we’ll remember.
And Virgin Voyages gave us plenty of those.
READY TO FIND YOUR VIRGIN VOYAGE?
If you’ve been thinking about trying Virgin Voyages and aren’t sure which itinerary, cabin or sailing makes sense for you, TravelAsLux can help you explore your options.
Tell us what kind of trip you’re imagining, who’s traveling and what matters most to you.
Then let’s find the voyage that fits.
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Planning your first Virgin Voyages cruise? Discover 25 things to know about food, drinks, Bar Tab, Sea Terrace cabins, costs, reservations and more. virgin-voyages-first-timers-guide
