Planning a birthday, a bachelorette, a reunion, or a trip with friends? Virgin Voyages has a group program with real perks once you book 8 or more cabins, including a Bar Tab for every cabin, group dining, and even a free cabin for bigger groups. Virgin overhauled the program in June 2026, so here's how the current version works.
Details in this guide reflect Virgin's Groups Offer terms as of October 2026 and are subject to change.
The best part of a group sailing? Long lunches with your favorite people and an ocean view.
What Counts as a Group
Minimum: 8 cabins on the same sailing
Maximum: up to 75 cabins through the group program. Larger events, up to full-ship charters, are planned separately.
Every sailing can take groups, though space is limited, and the best group discounts are only on select sailings.
Group Perks
Bar Tab for Every Cabin
Each cabin in the group gets a Bar Tab based on the length of the sailing:
4 to 5 nights: $50 per cabin
6 to 9 nights: $100 per cabin
10+ nights: $200 per cabin
It can be used for drinks onboard and at The Beach Club at Bimini, but not for the spa or Shore Things, and it can't be cashed out. See Virgin Voyages Bar Tab Explained.
A Free Cabin for Bigger Groups
For every 16 paid cabins, the group earns one complimentary cabin, with no limit. For example, 32 cabins earns two. The free cabin covers the cruise fare, has to be used by someone in the group, and matches the group's most-booked category, up to Sea Terrace.
Group Dining
Virgin's group dining team will arrange dinners for your group at Virgin's signature restaurants, not a banquet room:
4 to 5 nights: 1 group dinner
6 to 9 nights: 2 group dinners
10+ nights: 3 group dinners
See the Virgin Voyages Restaurant Guide for the options.
Free Morning Event Space
Groups get complimentary event space between 8 AM and noon, for up to 2 hours (4 to 5 nights), 4 hours (6 to 9 nights), or 6 hours (10+ nights). Evening space may cost extra.
Group Discounts and a Price Lock
On select sailings, groups can save 5% to 15%. Your pricing and any promotions that combine with groups are locked when the group is set up, so you won't be hit by price increases while your friends decide.
How Holding Cabins Works
This is the part that makes Virgin's group program so useful for organizers:
No deposit to hold cabins. I can hold a block of Sea Terrace and Central Sea Terrace cabins for your group without anyone paying up front.
Essential and Premium fares only. Base fares and Lock It In rates can't be held as part of a group.
Cabins are released if they aren't booked. Unbooked cabins go back to Virgin 120 days before sailing for groups up to 16 cabins, or 150 days before for 17 to 75 cabins.
Groups need steady bookings. Virgin expects at least one booking per month for every 8 cabins held, so the sooner people commit, the better.
Deposits and Payment
More than 120 days before sailing: each cabin pays a 20% deposit when names are added.
120 days or less before sailing: full payment is due at booking, and cabins can't be held.
Final payment for the group is due 120 days before sailing.
Each cabin pays for itself. Every sailor pays their own deposit and balance.
Things to Know Before You Book
The group locks in at 120 days. If the group drops below 16 cabins after that, it loses the free cabin, but every cabin keeps its own perks.
Some promotions don't combine with groups and are removed when a cabin joins.
Friends who already booked can join. Existing bookings on Base, Essential, or Premium fares can be added to the group and count toward the 16-cabin free cabin, but they don't get the group Bar Tab or discount.
Name changes are free. If someone drops out, their cabin can be transferred to another person at no cost, though their own flights or insurance may not transfer.
My Next Virgin Voyage works with groups on Sea Terrace and Central Sea Terrace cabins with Essential or Premium fares. See My Next Virgin Voyage Explained.
Dining requests open 120 days before sailing, and event space requests open 90 days before.
Why Book Your Group With a First Mate
Running a group means a lot of moving pieces: holding cabins, chasing deposits, tracking who's paid, and planning dinners. When you book your group through me:
I set up and manage the group with Virgin, so you don't have to.
I choose exact cabins so your group can be close together.
I track deposits and payment deadlines for every cabin.
I coordinate group dinners and event space with Virgin's group team.
It costs the same as booking direct.
You just tell your friends to book with me, and I'll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cabins do you need for a Virgin Voyages group?
8 cabins on the same sailing.
Do Virgin Voyages groups get a free cabin?
Yes. Groups earn one complimentary cabin for every 16 paid cabins.
Is there a deposit to hold a group on Virgin Voyages?
No deposit is needed to hold cabins. Each cabin pays a 20% deposit when names are added, if booked more than 120 days before sailing.
What perks do Virgin Voyages groups get?
A Bar Tab for every cabin, group dining at Virgin's restaurants, free morning event space, and a free cabin for every 16 paid cabins. Select sailings also have group discounts.
Can Lock It In cabins be part of a group?
Lock It In rates can't be held as part of a group, and they don't count toward the free cabin.
Can I use a travel agent for a Virgin Voyages group?
Yes. A First Mate can set up and manage your group, at the same price as booking direct.
Planning a Group Trip?
Celebrating something special? See Virgin Voyages Add-On Packages for birthday and romance packages, or visit my Group Sailings page and request a free quote. I'll set up your group, hold your cabins, and handle the details, at the same price as booking direct.
