Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages toes the line between being a standard mainstream cruise brand and an all-inclusive cruising experience. It has more inclusions than most cruises, but does not go as far as being a truly all-inclusive product.

To help sailors planning a trip on this unique cruise line, we have put together this Complete Guide to What’s Included on Virgin Voyages.

Complete Guide to What’s Included on Virgin Voyages (2024)

Accommodations

Your cruise fare on Virgin Voyages covers the cost of your stateroom for the duration of the trip. Cabins are designed to optimize space and ocean views. On all three of its currently sailing cruise ships (Scarlet, Valiant, and Resilient Lady), 93% of cabins feature an ocean view and 86% feature a balcony.

Many of these rooms also offer a Seabed. This transformational piece of furniture can serve as a sofa for lounging during the day and a bed for rest and relaxation at night. Though, we have found that most cruisers leave it as a bed throughout the day like in a standard cruise cabin.

The rooms include plenty of in-cabin technology like mood-matching lights, several USB outlets, and a tablet to control room functions and request services. In addition, the cabins have a rain shower, a flat-screen TV, and even a hammock on almost all balconies. There are a variety of cabin categories available to suit all types of sailors, including the Insider rooms, Sea Terrace rooms, and RockStar Suites.

Food and Drinks

Taking a cue from Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages offers the utmost dining flexibility. The cruise line provides a variety of complimentary dining options onboard its ships.

In fact, you can enjoy 20+ eateries for no additional cost. With no main dining room, no set dinner times, and no up-charge specialty restaurants, Virgin Voyages has revolutionized the whole dining experience on a cruise ship.

From casual options to elegant dining experiences, sailors have the ability to dine whenever they want, wherever they want for no additional cost.

The Wake offers upscale steak and seafood options, while Pink Agave serves Mexican favorites with a modern twist. In addition, there’s the Test Kitchen which is a cooking lab-themed venue with an experiential tasting menu, Gunbae which is a lively Korean BBQ, and Extra Virgin which is an Italian trattoria.

Though, if you want to ensure that you can dine at all of these international venues, we do recommend making reservations before your cruise.

There is also The Galley food hall, the Pizza Place which provides small pizzas in to-go pizza boxes, and other locations serving snacks around the ship.

On Virgin Voyages, all cruise fares also include basic beverages. There is no additional fee for soda, still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, drip coffee, and tea. However, alcoholic beverages and premium coffee from the Grounds Club do cost extra.

Onboard Activities

With a focus on well-being, Virgin Voyages offers several ways to stay active onboard Scarlet Lady. The B-Complex gym offers your traditional cardio and strength training equipment in addition to spin classes.

In addition, the Athletic Club is an outdoor workout space. This area features a training zone with a boxing ring, a basketball court, space for outdoor yoga, a halo-like jogging track, and a well-being pool.

The best news is that all of this, as well as group fitness classes, are all part of what’s included on Virgin Voyages.

There’s also a traditional main pool surrounded by daybeds with a large shallow shelf for lounging. Further, The Manor is Virgin Voyages’ signature nightclub, and The Social Club features tabletop games as well as The Arcade which has nostalgic arcade games that are free to play.

Of course, there are some other traditional cruise activities like trivia and crafts that are complimentary too.

Nightly Entertainment

In keeping with its theme of throwing all the cruise rules out the window, Virgin Voyages takes entertainment to the next level offering alternative “happenings,” or pop up performances, around the ship. So, you’ll never know “what to unexpect onboard!”

The Red Room is the transformational main theater. This venue can take on different configurations to allow for completely different experiences throughout the cruise.

You won’t find Broadway-style shows here though. Instead, the main theater shows on Virgin Voyages are unlike anything you have ever experienced on a cruise. The two main shows include Duel Reality and UNTITLED DANCEPARTYSHOWTHING. 

You can also expect to find DJs spinning top hits both onboard the ship and at the Beach Club at Bimini. Not to mention, there are pool parties and even Scarlet Night, so be sure to pack a touch of red.

WiFi

Basic WiFi is part of your cruise fare on all Virgin Voyages itineraries. The internet can be accessed from your personal devices in your cabin as well as all public areas. WiFi also works while at the Beach Club on Bimini.

This WiFi is sufficient for checking emails and social media, so you can share all the highlights of your voyage at no additional charge. Keep in mind that internet connectivity and speed will vary depending on location. Also, be sure to keep your device on airplane mode so you do not incur cellular charges while at sea. 

Sailors can choose to upgrade to premium WiFi for an additional charge for faster speeds and streaming. This upgrade is only $10 per day and worked nearly as well as internet on land.

Gratuities

While most cruise lines, even luxury lines like Viking, automatically add a daily service charge to your shipboard account, Virgin Voyages does not.

All cruise fares include gratuities/tips, even on services such as spa treatments. Of course, you are always welcomed to provide additional gratuities for exceptional service to your cabin attendant, waitstaff, bar servers, etc.

What’s Not Included in Your Cruise Fare

While cruises with Virgin Voyages do provide a great vacation value, not everything is covered in the cruise fare. There are other amenities that can be purchased if cruisers choose to do so.

Thermal Suite and Spa

For cruisers seeking the ultimate redemption, you can pay for access to the ship’s thermal suite. Day passes are available which include unlimited access to the facility for the day. Though prices may vary depending on the cruise, it costs $49 on port days and $69 on sea days.

Sailors can enjoy the heated stone loungers, a therapy pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, salt room, and more.

Of course, other enhancements like massages and facials will also cost additional fees, as will manicures, pedicures, and other salon services.

Tattoo Parlor

Yes, Virgin Voyages has a tattoo studio at sea. Squid Ink features resident tattoo artists that can provide lifelong memories of your trip. Sailors can choose from featured designs for a set price or get a quote for custom designs.

Guests can also get body piercings or permanent makeup treatments at this shop for additional fees.

If this is your thing, make sure to book an appointment as soon as you board the ship, as it does fill up quickly.

Shore Excursions

Virgin Voyages will transport you to several exciting ports of call. Unfortunately, shore excursions are not part of the cruise fare. Sailors can book these tours and additional experiences through the cruise line or through third party retailers for additional costs.

Shore excursions can range from inexpensive walking tours to several hundreds of dollars for unique experiences. These prices are also very dependent on destination, with Caribbean and Bahamas tours usually being slightly cheaper.

Alcoholic and Some Non-Alcoholic Beverages

While Virgin Voyages includes basic bevvies, all alcoholic drinks and some non-alcoholic drinks cost extra.

If you want to enjoy a cocktail from one of the master mixologists on the ship or a brew from the Draught Haus, you will need to pay. Additionally, if you shake for champagne or want to enjoy your favorite latte or nitro cold brew from the Grounds Club, this will cost an additional fee as well.

The next question you might be wondering is Does Virgin Voyages have a drink package? Though the cruise line does not offer traditional drink packages like other major cruise lines, they do have a Bar Tab offer.

Here’s how the Bar Tab works. You can pre-pay $100, $200, or $300 towards drinks ahead of your cruise. This acts as onboard credit but it can only be used on beverages. If you pre-pay a $100 Bar Tab, Virgin Voyages will add $10 to it. If you do a $200 Bar Tab, VV adds $25 to it. And if you do a $300 Bar Tab, a bonus of $50 is added. You are free to use the Bar Tab for beverages as you wish, including buying drinks for your friends.

Remember, sailors are also welcome to bring two 750mL bottles of wine per cabin in carry-on bags.

Other Add-Ons

Like all cruise lines, any additional onboard shopping or gaming in the casino will all be at your own expense. Whether you want to see if Lady Luck is on your side or purchase some Scarlet Lady swag from the retail shops, it will cost you money.

Transportation to and from the cruise port is also above and beyond the standard cruise fare unless you are staying in a Mega RockStar suite.

Comments

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