Sailor Loot vs Bar Tab vs Future Voyage Credit
Loot, Bar Tab and FVC are where sailors leave the most money on the table. Here is exactly what each one pays for, the order Virgin uses them in, and how I set them up so my clients spend every dollar.
The short answer
- Bar Tab is drinks only, gets used first, and earns a bonus of up to $250 if you prepay.
- Sailor Loot covers almost anything on board, but nothing before you board.
- Neither is refundable. Plan to spend it all, or share it with your cabin mate.
Side by side
| Sailor Loot | Bar Tab | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Onboard spending money from a promotion, your travel advisor or Virgin | Prepaid drink money you buy before sailing |
| What it pays for | Almost anything on board: drinks, spa, tattoos, retail, Shore Things booked on board, most casino play | Drinks only (alcoholic or not), on board and at The Beach Club at Bimini. It can cover the $25 corkage fee. |
| What it cannot pay for | Anything before you board, including Bar Tab and Splash of Romance. Casino winnings cannot be cashed out from it. | Food, retail, packaged bottles to take home, and some ticketed drink events such as Grog Walk, as reported by sailors |
| Order used | Second | First, automatically |
| Refundable or rolls over? | No | No |
| Bonus | None | $200 gets $25, $300 gets $50, $500 gets $100, $750 gets $175, and $1,000 gets $250 |
| How to get it | Booking promotions, or Virtuoso through me on eligible bookings | App, My Account, your travel advisor, or Sailor Services, up to 24 hours before sailing |
From Virgin’s Bar Tab, drinks and payments FAQs. Event exclusions can vary by sailing.
Future Voyage Credit is different
Future Voyage Credit (FVC) comes from cancelling an eligible fare, or from goodwill after a disruption. It is per sailor, must be used within a year, and can go toward a future fare or a Bar Tab, but not toward Sailor Loot (Virgin pre-voyage policies). If you have FVC, tell me before we book, so I can apply it correctly.
The extras that come with your booking
- Premium fare: third-party sources report about $15 per sailor, per night in Bar Tab value. Virgin does not publish the amount, so I confirm it on your quote.
- Virtuoso Sailor Loot through me: $50 per cabin on 4 to 5 night voyages, $100 on 6 to 8 nights and $200 on 9 or more nights, for eligible bookings made at least 121 days before sailing.
- Mega RockStar: drinks up to $25 each and two bottles of wine a day up to $90 are included, with 25% off anything above that (Virgin drinks FAQ).
- RockStar Quarters: a stocked in-room bar and a first round on Virgin.
Is a Bar Tab worth it? The math
The bonus is extra value on drinks you would buy anyway. A $500 tab with the $100 bonus gives you $600 to spend, which works out to about 17% off. The catch is that unused Bar Tab money disappears.
Run your own numbers in my Bar Tab calculator, which uses real menu rates from each ship.
Other ways to earn extras
- Refer a Sailor: if you have sailed with Virgin and a friend who is new to Virgin books, you each get a $150 Bar Tab, depending on eligibility. Your friend can still book with me. Use Virgin’s First Mate referral page so the booking stays with me. It doesn’t combine with Lock It In, group fares or resident rates.
- Sailing Club: you join after one eligible voyage. Blue Extras start on your second sailing, and Deep Blue Extras start at five or more sailings.
- Status Match: if you hold airline, hotel or cruise status, you can apply through October 31, 2026 for one-time Blue Extras on your next voyage, like a bag of laundry and a specialty coffee a day. You submit your own proof of status, and I can help with the booking.
Official program rules from Virgin Voyages, checked October 2026. These programs change, so I confirm what applies before you book.
How I make sure no Loot goes to waste
What I do for my clients
- I list every Loot, Bar Tab and FVC amount on your booking (promotion, Virtuoso, Premium Bar Tab, FVC) before you sail.
- I size any Bar Tab to your real drinking habits, not the biggest bonus.
- I remind you of the 24-hour cutoff, because Bar Tab cannot be bought on board.
- On the last full day, check My Wallet in the app and spend what is left on the spa, the shops or a final dinner.
Quick answers
Can Sailor Loot be used for drinks on Virgin Voyages?
Yes. Sailor Loot covers drinks and almost everything else on board. If you also have a Bar Tab, the Bar Tab is used first.
Is unused Bar Tab refunded?
No. Bar Tab and Sailor Loot are not refundable and do not roll over to another voyage.
What are the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab bonus tiers?
$200 earns $25, $300 earns $50, $500 earns $100, $750 earns $175 and $1,000 earns $250. You can buy more than one tab.
Can I buy a Bar Tab on board?
No. Virgin sells Bar Tab until 24 hours before sailing through the app, My Account, your travel advisor or Sailor Services.
Can Future Voyage Credit buy Sailor Loot?
No. Future Voyage Credit can be used for a fare or a Bar Tab, but not for Sailor Loot.
Sources I checked
Policies change. I checked these on October 20, 2026, and you should confirm anything time-sensitive with me before you rely on it.
Want me to plan this one with you?
I'm a Top 100 Virgin Voyages First Mate (2024 and 2025). Virgin sets the fare, so the same cabin, fare type and promotion is the same fare with me as on virginvoyages.com, and I charge no planning fee. What you get is a person: I hand-pick your cabin where your fare allows, book dining and Shore Things the day your windows open, watch for upgrades and fare changes, and answer your texts before and during the trip. I also arrange hotels before and after the cruise, private excursions and group plans, and I deal with Virgin for you when a booking or benefit needs sorting out. I take the stress. You take the photos.
Derek Gebelhardt, At Ease Travel Co. · derek@ateasetravel.co · 202-802-0990. Sailor Loot through Virtuoso is $50 per cabin on 4–5 night voyages, $100 on 6–8 nights and $200 on 9+ nights, for eligible bookings made at least 121 days before sailing; promotions and eligibility can change, so I confirm yours in writing before you pay.