Virgin Voyages does cruising differently. It's adults only, there's no buffet or main dining room, and more is included in your fare than on most cruise lines. This guide covers everything you need to know in one place, with links to my in-depth guides on each topic.
Details in this guide are current as of October 2026 and are subject to change.
Scarlet Night, Virgin's signature party. Pack something red.
What Makes Virgin Voyages Different
Adults only. Every sailor is 18 or older.
20+ restaurants, all included. No specialty dining fees and no set dining times.
No buffet. The Galley has made-to-order food stations instead.
Wi-Fi included on every fare.
Essential drinks included, like coffee, tea, juice, soda, and sparkling water.
No formal nights. The vibe is relaxed and stylish.
Award-winning. Virgin was named the No. 1 Large Cruise Line in Condé Nast Traveler's 2026 Readers' Choice Awards. See Virgin Voyages Named No. 1 Large Cruise Line.
New to Virgin? Start with Virgin Voyages for First-Timers.
The Ships
Virgin has four ships, which Virgin calls "Lady Ships":
Scarlet Lady
Valiant Lady
Resilient Lady
Brilliant Lady
They're similar in size and layout, with the same core restaurants and venues and a few ship-specific differences. Homeports change by season and include Miami, San Juan, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and ports in Europe.
Deck plans: Valiant Lady Deck Plans
Where Virgin Voyages Sails
Caribbean and Bahamas from Miami and San Juan, with most Miami sailings stopping at Virgin's private beach club in Bimini
Mediterranean and Greek Isles in summer
Alaska on Brilliant Lady. See my Alaska Cruise Guide.
Mexican Riviera and the Pacific Coast
Transatlantic and repositioning sailings between seasons
Helpful guides:
What's Included (and What's Not)
Included:
All 20+ restaurants and eateries
Essential drinks
Wi-Fi
Group fitness classes
Most onboard entertainment, including every headline show. See my Virgin Voyages shows guide.
Not included:
Gratuities: $20 per person, per night if you prepay, or $22 onboard
Alcohol and specialty coffee
Shore Things (excursions)
Spa treatments
A few "Treat Yourself" upcharge menu items
Full breakdown: What's Included in Your Virgin Voyages Fare
Budget guide: How Much Does a Virgin Voyages Cruise Really Cost?
Fare Types
Virgin offers four fare types: Lock It In, Base, Essential, and Premium. They change your flexibility, Wi-Fi level, dining reservation window, and extras like an included Bar Tab on Premium.
One big thing to know: when you book direct, Virgin assigns your cabin on every fare. As a First Mate, I can choose your exact cabin on Base, Essential, and Premium fares. Lock It In is always assigned by Virgin and can't be changed.
Full comparison: Lock It In vs. Base vs. Essential vs. Premium
Cabins
Virgin's cabins range from cozy Insider cabins to Sea Terraces with a hammock to RockStar suites with a private rooftop. Most cabins have a terrace.
Dining
There's no main dining room. Instead, you choose from 20+ restaurants and eateries, like The Wake for steak and seafood, Pink Agave for Mexican, Gunbae for Korean barbecue, and Extra Virgin for Italian. Reservations for the main restaurants are made in the Virgin Voyages app.
Full guide: Virgin Voyages Restaurant Guide
Drinks
Virgin doesn't sell an unlimited drink package. Instead, you prepay a Bar Tab and get bonus credit on top, which you can use for cocktails, beer, wine, and specialty coffee. My Bar Tab Calculator shows which tab saves you the most.
Virgin Voyages Add-On Packages, including Splash of Romance and A Splash for Your Bash
Parties and Theme Nights
Instead of formal nights, Virgin throws parties. Every ship has Scarlet Night and the PJ Party, and each ship adds its own theme nights, like Sun Society, the new retro pool party on Valiant Lady.
Sailor Loot
Sailor Loot is Virgin's onboard credit. It often comes with promotions and can be used for drinks, spa treatments, shopping, and more.
Full guide: How to Use Your Virgin Voyages Sailor Loot
Shore Things (Excursions)
Shore Things are Virgin's excursions. Booking opens 120 days before sailing (135 days for RockStars), and popular ones sell out.
Full guide: Virgin Voyages Shore Things Guide
The Band
The Band is Virgin's wearable wristband. It's your room key, onboard wallet, and boarding pass.
Full guide: Virgin Voyages' The Band
Documents and Passports
Whether you need a passport depends on your itinerary. Closed-loop sailings from U.S. ports have different rules than sailings that start or end abroad.
Full guide: Do You Need a Passport for a Cruise?
Deals and Promotions
Virgin runs promotions year-round, like Sailor Loot sales, Bar Tab bonuses, and discounts for your second sailor. Many can be combined.
Virgin Voyages Hits Two Million Sailors and Extends Sailing Club Perks
Virgin Voyages Group Cruises: Perks and How Group Bookings Work
How to Book Virgin Voyages
You can book direct with Virgin or through a First Mate, Virgin's name for certified travel advisors. Booking with a First Mate costs the same, and you get someone in your corner who can:
Choose your exact cabin on Base, Essential, and Premium fares
Stack every promotion you qualify for
Sometimes add extra Sailor Loot or Bar Tab, depending on the sailing
Watch for price drops and new offers after you book
Help with Shore Things, add-ons, and changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virgin Voyages adults only?
Yes. All sailors must be 18 or older.
Is food included on Virgin Voyages?
Yes. All 20+ restaurants and eateries are included, with only a few upcharge menu items.
Are drinks included on Virgin Voyages?
Essential drinks like coffee, tea, juice, and soda are included. Alcohol is extra, and you can prepay a Bar Tab for bonus credit.
Are tips included on Virgin Voyages?
No. Gratuities are $20 per person, per night if you prepay, or $22 per night if you pay onboard.
Does it cost more to book Virgin Voyages through a travel agent?
No. Booking through a First Mate costs the same as booking direct.
Ready to Plan Your Virgin Voyage?
Request a free quote and I'll find the right sailing, fare, and cabin for you, at the same price as booking direct. Check my current deals to see what's running now.
