This weekend, Virgin Voyages released shore excursion bookings for cruisers on its first sailings. Now, individuals with booked cruises can call the cruise line to reserve these different tour offerings. Currently, shore things for Virgin Voyages are available for stops in Key West, FL, Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, and the cruise line’s private resort at Bimini, Bahamas. Shore Things for Puerto Plata and San Juan will be featured soon. As the Princess and I are booked on the inaugural cruise on April 1st, we were able to get a sneak peek at all these experiences. Of course, we wanted to share our first impressions with you in this exclusive first look at the Virgin Voyages Shore Excursions.
Exclusive First Look at Virgin Voyages Shore Excursions
Our First Impressions of the Offerings
Reviewing the different Shore Things, there are certainly similarities with popular tours offered by other cruise lines. For example, activities like Jeep tours, ATVs, and snorkeling adventures visiting popular sites like the Mayan ruins and nature reserves.
However, Virgin Voyages appears to also offer more unique tours focused on the destinations and cultural enrichment. For instance, there are a variety of tours to historic locales and food and drink classes and demonstrations. While we have yet to experience these tours, the descriptions indicate greater attention to detail and a local’s perspective. At first glance, these excursions seem to be somewhat less touristy and more immersive than other cruise lines.
There also seems to be an emphasis on nature and eco-friendly activities like kayaking tours, snorkeling, and interacting with marine life in their natural habitats.
From a pricing standpoint, we are pleasantly surprised that tours are all moderately priced. Compared to other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages Shore Things seem to be less expensive. Many of the cruise line’s shore excursion are priced at or below $100 a person.
The only disappointing thing is the inability to book the tours on the website. Currently, cruisers booked on Virgin Voyages need to call a toll-free number to book these experiences. Plus, you can not browse the available offerings to see start times, etc.
Shore Excursions for Beach Club at Bimini
In total, there are 10 shore excursion offerings to book at this private resort. These range in price from $15 to $350.
The cruise line’s private destination in the Bahamas is home to your typical beach club options. There are a few different cabana options available to rent, currently priced at $350 for up to 6 guests. We were informed that cruisers have the cabanas for the entire day, even when the ship is docked late into the night!
In addition, cruisers can book cultural and historic tours of Bimini, including a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Meanwhile, all cruisers do have the option to leave and return to the Beach Club at Bimini at their leisure even without booking a shore excursion.
For those looking to explore the shoreline, certified scuba divers will have a few options to choose from while at the island. Or, the daring might want to try snorkeling with sharks, considered one of the more intense shore excursions at the Beach Club at Bimini.
Below is a list of all of the shore excursions and current pricing as of February 16th.
| Shore Excursion Name | Current Price |
| Cultural Tours | |
| Bimini Heritage and Cultural Tour | $55.00 |
| Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Bimini | $15.00 |
| Private Island Experiences | |
| Bimini Beach Cabana | $350.00 |
| Bimini Grove Cabana | $350.00 |
| Bimini Lagoon Cabana | $350.00 |
| Bimini RockStar Cabana | $350.00 |
| Water-Based Excursions | |
| Guided Two-Tank Scuba Dive | $150.00 |
| Sapona Shipwreck and Shark Snorkeling | $115.00 |
| Wild Dolphin Safari in Bimini | $175.00 |
| Great Hammerhead Safari and Scuba Dive | $350.00 |
Shore Excursions at Key West, FL
This southernmost point of “mainland” US is home to several different tours during a Virgin Voyages cruise. Right now, cruisers can book one of 12 different shore things through the cruise line. Pricing ranges from $35 to $150 for the variety of land, sea, and air tours.
Again, these tours have more of a focus on the history and culture of Key West, whether it is through its food or its people.
History buffs can learn more about this island on excursions such as a narrated tour via beach cruiser bikes or a historic walking tour.
Foodies have the ability to experience some of the island’s signature cuisine in tours such as the “Island Bites, Sites and (More) Sights” tour. For those seeking some adventure, sailors can get a bird’s eye view of the island via helicopter tours or parasailing off the coast.
Below is a list of all of the shore excursions and current pricing as of February 16th.
| Shore Excursion Name | Current Price |
| Adventure Tours | |
| Helicopter and Champagne Tour | $135.00 |
| Parasail the Painted Island Skies | $75.00 |
| Cultural Tours | |
| The Florida Keys Nature Tour | $95.00 |
| Hemingway’s Island Hideaway Tour | $45.00 |
| Historic Key West Walking Tour | $50.00 |
| Key Lime Beach Cruiser Bike Tour | $55.00 |
| Foodie Tours | |
| The Duval Crawl: Key West’s Pub Crawl | $40.00 |
| Key West Rum and Cigar Tasting Tour | $145.00 |
| Island Bites, Sites and (More) Sights | $35.00 |
| Water-Based Tours | |
| Dolphin Watch and Wildlife Snorkel | $100.00 |
| The Very Chill Kayaking Experience | $50.00 |
| Backcountry Catamaran and Kayak Tour | $150.00 |
Shore Excursions at Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Western Caribbean. Therefore, it is no surprise that cruises to this island offer the most options for shore excursions with Virgin Voyages. Currently, there are 44 different tours to choose from with prices ranging from $50 to $550.
There are several Cozumel shore excursion options for all types of travelers with a heavy focus on exploring the natural beauty and historic landmarks of the region. First, sailors can enjoy several natural wonders, such as the Punta Sur natural preserve, the Jade Caverns, take a dip in one of the cenotes, or some typical snorkeling and scuba options.
Related Post: Best Things to Do in Cozumel on a Cruise
Moreover, there are several different options to visit nearby Mayan ruins sites. Sailors can explore Tulum in combination with other adventures. Or, you can head to the mainland to explore the massive Chichén Itzá on a full day tour, including an express tour that flies you to and from the ruins so you don’t spend all day on buses and a ferry!
For those who like to rough it, you can enjoy a number of all-terrain tours, from jeeps, to ATVs, and speedboats.
Lastly, Virgin Voyages offers several authentic food and drink tours. From cooking classes with native chefs, to tequila experiences and mixology demonstrations, those looking for some authentic Mexican cuisine will be right at home with these offerings.
Below is a list of all of the shore excursions and current pricing as of February 16th.
| Shore Excursion Name | Current Price |
| Adventure Tours | |
| Punta Sur Jeep Adventure and Snorkel | $120.00 |
| Need 4 Speed—ATV and Speedboat Ride | $125.00 |
| Off-Roading to Jade Cavern, Cozumel | $75.00 |
| To a Tee: Cozumel Country Club Golf | $250.00 |
| Monster Jeep to Oceanside Mayan Ruins | $140.00 |
| Cozumel’s Punta Sur Park Exploration | $50.00 |
| Cozumel, Your Way—In a Private Van | $325.00 |
| Havin’ a Swell Time—Surf Lessons | $150.00 |
| VIP Day at Anemona Beach in Punta Sur | $300.00 |
| Cultural Tours | |
| The Amazing Secret River: Nature’s Crystal Museum | $100.00 |
| Tulum and Río Secreto Natural Reserve | $150.00 |
| Chaak Tun Cenote and Playa del Carmen Tour | $100.00 |
| Chichén Itzá, Cenote Ik Kil and Lunch | $150.00 |
| Chichén Itzá and Mayaland for Lunch | $285.00 |
| Chichén Itzá by Plane from Cozumel | $550.00 |
| Chichén Itzá and Sacred Cenote Tour | $140.00 |
| Mayan City of Ek’ Balam and Cenote Dip | $145.00 |
| Mayan Ruins of Tulum and Kaan Luum Lagoon | $110.00 |
| Mayan Bee Sanctuary and Senses Tour | $70.00 |
| Muyil Maya Site and Secret River | $160.00 |
| Tulum and Sian Ka’an Airplane Tour | $400.00 |
| Tour of the Mayan Ruins of Tulum | $75.00 |
| Tulum Ruins Tour and Cenote Swim | $140.00 |
| Foodie Tours | |
| Chocolate and Alebrije Painting Workshop | $65.00 |
| Cozumel’s Caribbean Bar Crawl | $55.00 |
| Tequila and Chocolate Tasting Tour | $75.00 |
| Margarita and Chocolate Mixology | $95.00 |
| Cooking Lesson and Mezcal Tasting in a Tulum Home | $150.00 |
| Mexican Cuisine Workshop and Tasting | $75.00 |
| Taco Workshop and Tequila Tasting | $85.00 |
| The Jose Cuervo® Tequila Experience | $55.00 |
| Water-Based Tours | |
| Playa Del Carmen’s Underground River | $100.00 |
| Two-Tank Scuba Diving in Cozumel | $85.00 |
| Clear Kayak, Snorkel and Beach Day | $55.00 |
| Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration | $50.00 |
| Cozumel Shore Snorkeling for Newbies | $25.00 |
| Cozumel Snuba Diving Adventure | $65.00 |
| Scuba Diving for Newbies in Cozumel | $85.00 |
| Sea Trek Helmet Diving in Cozumel | $85.00 |
| Snorkeling Beach Club Day in Cozumel | $50.00 |
| It’s Sunset Somewhere Catamaran | $65.00 |
| Watercolor Skies and Sunset Cruise | $75.00 |
| VIP Yacht and Snorkel to El Cielo | $315.00 |
| Swim and Snorkel with Whale Sharks | $250.00 |
Shore Excursions at Costa Maya, Mexico
Similarly, there are a variety of Costa Maya shore things offered by Virgin Voyages. In total, there are 25 different tours ranging in price from $35 to $275.
Above all, these tours focus on the outdoors and adventure. Many of the excursions are water-based activities like exploring the crystal clear waters in a catamaran, kayak, paddle-board, or a glass-bottom boat. You can also snorkel, scuba, or swim in the water right off the coast.
Related Posts: Best Things to Do in Costa Maya, Mexico on a Cruise
Other more typical shore excursions in Costa Maya include ATVs and a day pass to the waterpark The Lost Mayan Kingdom Adventure. Another popular locale is the Mayan ruins site of Chacchoben.
Below is a list of all of the shore excursions and current pricing as of February 16th.
| Shore Excursions | Current Prices |
| Adventure Tours | |
| ATV Jungle and Beach Adventure | $100.00 |
| Coastline Dune Buggy Adventure | $100.00 |
| Uchbenkah Jungle Retreat and Blue Lagoon | $100.00 |
| 4×4 Off-Roading and Beach Adventure | $100.00 |
| La Bamba Beach Club Getaway | $75.00 |
| The Lost Mayan Kingdom Adventure | $80.00 |
| Cultural Tours | |
| Tour of the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins | $65.00 |
| VIP Exclusive Drive to Chacchoben and Chu’Huk | $100.00 |
| Chacchoben Tour and Blue Lagoon Lunch | $120.00 |
| Kohunlich and Dzibanche Mayan Ruins | $145.00 |
| Kohunlich Mayan Ruin Expedition | $100.00 |
| Mayan Wellness Retreat with a Xaman | $75.00 |
| Foodie Tours | |
| Beachside Salsa Cooking and Dancing | $75.00 |
| Port Pass: Birds, Cacao and Tequila | $35.00 |
| Water-Based Tours | |
| Bacalar Seven Colors Lagoon | $150.00 |
| Snorkel at the Beach Escape Club | $50.00 |
| Clear-Bottom Kayak and Scenic Bike Tour | $60.00 |
| Catamaran Sail and Snorkel Experience | $75.00 |
| Barrier Reef Two-Tank Scuba Diving | $150.00 |
| Clear-Bottom Kayak and Beach Escape | $75.00 |
| Newbie Scuba Diving | $135.00 |
| Exclusive Fly-Fishing Tour | $275.00 |
| Glass Bottom Boat and Snorkel Tour | $65.00 |
| River Tubing at Seven Colors Lagoon | $105.00 |
| Stand Up Paddleboard and Beach Club | $70.00 |
Miami, FL Shore Excursions
You will not want to miss out on extending your vacation. While many cruise lines offer transfers and a few tours upon disembarkation, Virgin Voyages has upped the ante for post-cruise shore excursion options from Miami, FL. After disembarking Scarlet Lady, sailors can choose from 7 different tours, ranging from $55 to $250 in price.
Of course, there are city tours including drop offs at Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport. For those with late day flights or plans to spend extra time in the Magic City, the shore things also offer culturally immersive experiences, featuring food, arts, and dance like the Wynwood Graffiti Art Experience.
Below is a list of all of the Miami, FL shore excursions and current pricing as of February 16th.
| Shore Excursions | Current Prices |
| Cultural Tours | |
| POST Hop-On Hop-Off Miami + MIA Transfer | $55.00 |
| POST Hop-On Hop-Off Miami + FLL Transfer | $55.00 |
| POST Wynwood Graffiti Art Experience | $250.00 |
| Foodie Tours | |
| POST Miami Pizza Cooking Class | $125.00 |
| POST Latin Classics Cooking Class | $225.00 |
| POST Tapas Tasting Tour and Salsa Dancing | $175.00 |
| POST Mixology Class in South Beach | $225.00 |
Comments
So, there is our exclusive first look at the shore excursions on Virgin Voyages. What do you think of the new shore things offered by the cruise line? Drop us an anchor below with your reactions to these tour options for sailors cruising on Virgin Voyages new Scarlet Lady.
Images courtesy of Virgin Voyages
