Your first Virgin voyage, sorted.
Virgin is adults only, has no buffets and no formal nights, and includes every restaurant. There are a few things that changed in late 2025, though, and a few mistakes I see first-timers make. Here's the short version from a Top 100 First Mate.
Questions? Text or call 202-802-0990
Photos courtesy of Virgin Voyages.
What your fare covers.
- All 20+ restaurants, with no specialty surcharges
- Essential drinks: water, soda, juice, drip coffee and tea
- Wi-Fi (the level depends on your fare)
- Group fitness classes like spin, yoga and HIIT
- Shows, parties, Scarlet Night and the PJ Party
- Ship Eats room service (a small delivery fee unless waived)
What’s extra
Alcohol and specialty coffee (a prepaid Bar Tab helps), Shore Things excursions, spa treatments, premium Wi-Fi on Base and Essential fares, and gratuities on bookings made since October 7, 2025: $20 per Sailor per night prepaid, or $22 onboard.
Do the drink math with my Bar Tab calculator.
Base, Essential or Premium?
Virgin's fare tiers apply to Sea Terrace cabins and below. RockStar suites get their own perks and a 120-day dining window.
| Base | Essential | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Basic, 1 device | Classic, 1 device | Premium, 2 devices |
| Dining window | 15 days | 45 days | 60 days |
| Changes | Non-refundable | Future Voyage Credit | Most flexible |
| Bar Tab | No | No | Included |
From Virgin Voyages' VoyageFair Choices announcement, for new bookings from October 7, 2025. For most first-timers I recommend Essential: the 45-day dining window matters.
Seven things I tell every first-timer.
Book dinners on day one
When your window opens, book The Wake, Gunbae, Test Kitchen and Pink Agave first.
Get the Sailor App early
Check in, upload your photo and pick a boarding time at home, not at the terminal.
Pack red
Scarlet Night is the big party. A red shirt counts.
Skip the formalwear
There are no formal nights. Pack like you're going to a nice dinner.
Prepay a Bar Tab
Virgin often adds bonus value to prepaid Bar Tabs, and it's shared per cabin.
Pace day one
Sail-away is a party. Don't burn out before Scarlet Night.
Book with a First Mate
Same fare, Sailor Loot on eligible bookings, and someone to text when plans change.
Not sure which ship?
All four Lady Ships share the same design, but their homeports, shows and restaurants differ.
What sailors say.
5.00 average from 38 client reviews on Fora.
Derek was knowledgeable and very easy to talk to especially since this was my first cruise. … He worked within my budget and was able to elevate the experience. … It was a relief knowing I could contact him with any questions.
Derek was incredibly helpful from start to finish. He answered all my questions, was so prompt, and truly eased my worries around planning our first ever cruise.
… Dealt with our many questions and made the cruise the best it could be.
First-time Virgin Voyages FAQ
Is Virgin Voyages all-inclusive?
Not fully, but a lot is included: all 20+ restaurants, Wi-Fi, group fitness classes, entertainment, and essential drinks like water, soda, drip coffee and tea. Alcohol, specialty coffee, spa treatments, Shore Things and premium Wi-Fi are extra unless your fare or promotion includes them.
Are tips included on Virgin Voyages?
For bookings made on or after October 7, 2025, gratuities are a separate line. You can prepay them at $20 per Sailor per night or pay $22 onboard. Once they're covered, there's no tipping expected anywhere on the ship.
What are the Base, Essential and Premium fares?
These tiers apply to Sea Terrace cabins and below. Base is non-refundable with Basic Wi-Fi and a 15-day dining window. Essential adds Classic Wi-Fi, a 45-day dining window and date changes through a Future Voyage Credit. Premium adds Premium Wi-Fi for two devices, a 60-day dining window and an included Bar Tab.
How old do you have to be to sail Virgin Voyages?
Every sailing is adults only. Sailors must be 18 or older.
Is there a dress code or formal night?
No formal nights. Pack what you'd wear to a nice restaurant, plus something red for Scarlet Night, Virgin's signature ship-wide party, and pajamas if you want to join the PJ Party.
What should first-timers book first?
Dinner reservations the moment your window opens: The Wake, Gunbae, Test Kitchen and Pink Agave fill fastest. Then any Shore Things and spa time. Download the Sailor App before you leave home and check in there.
Do you pay less booking Virgin directly?
No. You pay the same fare through a First Mate, and I charge $0 planning fees. Eligible bookings with me also get Virtuoso Sailor Loot.
More Virgin Voyages guides.
Ready for your first one?
Send me your dates and where you'd like to sail. I'll pick the ship, cabin and fare tier that fit, and stack the current offers with my Sailor Loot.
Or call 202-802-0990 · derek@ateasetravel.co