Everything You Need to Know
Before You Sail
No buffets. No kids. No formal nights. Virgin Voyages does cruising completely differently. your complete need-to-know before you step onboard.
18+ Exclusively. No Exceptions
Every sailor onboard must be at least 18. No children, ever. This means entertainment, menus, pool decks, and nightlife are all designed with adults in mind. The atmosphere is closer to a boutique hotel at sea than a traditional family cruise ship.
20+ Real Restaurants, All Included
Virgin Voyages has zero buffets on any of its ships. Instead, you get 20+ sit-down restaurants and eateries with menus developed by Michelin-starred chefs, all fully included in your fare. No specialty dining surcharges, no daily dining packages to purchase separately.
Over $1,000 in Value Per Sailing
- All 20+ restaurants (full menus, unlimited ordering)
- WiFi on every fare tier (speed depends on fare class)
- Still and sparkling water, coffee, tea, sodas, non-pressed juices
- All group fitness classes (yoga, cycling, HIIT, boxing, and more)
- All shows, performances, and onboard entertainment
- All themed parties: Scarlet Night, PJ Party, and more
- The Happenings Cast, your 12-person entertainment and events crew
Good to Know Before You Board
- Alcoholic drinks and cold-pressed juices (Bar Tab system)
- Gratuities: $20/night prepaid or $22/night onboard
- Redemption Spa treatments
- Shore excursions (called Shore Things)
- Casino chips (separate from onboard credit)
- The Grog Walk bar crawl ($50/person)
- Behind-the-scenes ship tour ($200, 2.5 hours)
- Certain premium events like Another Rose
Download the app as soon as you book. Everything before and during your voyage runs through it.
What to Do in the App Pre-Voyage
- Complete check-in and select your Terminal Arrival Time
- Download your digital boarding pass (available 24 hrs before sailing)
- Book dining reservations when your window opens
- Purchase your Bar Tab to earn bonus drink credit
- Browse and pre-book Shore Things excursions
- Check your Sailor Loot balance and add-ons
What the App Does Once You're Sailing
- Full daily entertainment schedule (Discover → Lineup)
- Restaurant reservations (slots open up as people cancel)
- Book spa, Shore Things, events, and fitness classes
- Check your cabin folio and spending balance anytime
- Shake your phone for a bottle of Moet to be delivered ($95)
- Contact your cabin steward and find your muster station
- Watch the mandatory safety video before your muster check-in
Turn off your VPN before connecting to ship WiFi or the app will not work. If the login page does not appear automatically, go to www.vv-wifi.com in your browser. Log in using your birthday and cabin number if prompted. Bar Tab and Sailor Loot balances can take a short while to appear after boarding, so give it a few minutes before contacting Sailor Services.
No Window, Best Value
Smartly designed with no natural light. Great for sailors who plan to spend most of their time out and about rather than in the cabin. Most affordable category. Note: not eligible for all Sailor Loot promotions.
Window, No Balcony
Natural light without outdoor space. A comfortable mid-range option. Same amenities as an Insider but with an ocean view.
Private Balcony with Hammock
The sweet spot for most first-timers. Private balcony with a hammock, stunning ocean views, and the best cabin for enjoying sea days. The most popular category onboard and the one most advisors recommend for a first sailing.
Top-Tier with Exclusive Perks
Larger spaces with a dedicated Rockstar Agent concierge, priority boarding, 60-day dining reservation window (vs. 45 for standard), and access to the exclusive Richard's Rooftop sun deck. Includes Mega RockStar, RockStar, and other suite categories.
- Your cabin is ready as soon as you board. No afternoon waiting like on other cruise lines
- Ask your steward on day one for: bed configuration (king vs. two twins), still or sparkling water, extra hangers
- Cabins come stocked with toiletries, a hair dryer, and a coffee maker
- Richard's Rooftop is exclusive to Rockstar and suite guests only
Order as many courses as you like. Multiple appetizers, mains, and desserts are all included. The only extras are alcoholic drinks, cold-pressed juices, and optional premium add-ons. Menus are crafted by Michelin-starred chefs including Brad Farmerie of NYC's PUBLIC restaurant.
- Reservations open at midnight Miami time, 45 days before sailing (60 days for Rockstar cabin holders)
- On a 5–7 night sailing you can dine at each restaurant once. On 9+ nights, up to three times each
- About 40% of tables are held back and released onboard, so keep checking the app throughout your voyage
- Walk-ins are welcome. Show up 30–45 minutes before you want to eat and add your name to the list
- On embarkation day, head to the Dining Concierge desk at Razzle Dazzle to grab any remaining slots
- Booking priority order: The Wake → Extra Virgin → Pink Agave → Gunbae → Test Kitchen
💰 Sailor Loot: Onboard Credit
Sailor Loot is onboard credit added to your cabin folio. It activates when you board and can be spent on:
- Redemption Spa treatments
- Shore Things excursions
- Special events (Grog Walk, Another Rose, etc.)
- Merchandise and onboard shopping
- Wine pairings and premium dining add-ons
Expires at voyage end. Cannot be converted to Bar Tab. Cannot be used for pre-boarding purchases.
🍻 Bar Tab: Drink Credit
Bar Tab is specifically for drinks and must be purchased before sailing. Pre-purchasing earns bonus credit:
| You Pay | You Get | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | $225 | +$25 |
| $300 | $350 | +$50 |
| $500 | $600 | +$100 |
| $750 | $900 | +$150 |
Covers cocktails, cold-pressed juices, bottomless brunch drinks, afternoon tea, and more. Not available for purchase onboard. Buy before you sail.
Still and sparkling water, drip coffee, tea, sodas, and non-pressed juices are included at no cost at The Galley and all ship bars. You do not need Bar Tab for these. Cold-pressed juices and all alcoholic drinks require Bar Tab or a charge to your folio.
Sailor Loot is typically added when booking through a travel advisor during active promotions. Current 2026 offers: 4–5 night voyages receive $50, 6–9 nights receive $100, and 10+ nights receive $200. Must be booked 121+ days before departure. Does not apply to Lock-It-In rates, Solo, Insider, or Sea View cabin categories. Ask your travel advisor to confirm eligibility.
All shows, performances, and themed parties are included in your fare with no cover charges. The nightclub (The Manor, Decks 6–7) stays open every night. The Happenings Cast, a 12-person team of hosts, entertainers, and party starters, runs events throughout each day and gives out exclusive pins to sailors who engage with them.
PJ Party: Night One
Happens on the very first night at The Athletic Club (Deck 16) or The Manor. A low-pressure icebreaker that often runs past 2 AM. Push through the tiredness. once per voyage and is consistently rated one of the highlights of the entire sailing.
- Pajamas, onesies, silk sets, robes
- Fun prints and bold patterns welcome
- Optional but very much encouraged
Scarlet Night: The Signature Event
The most iconic night on any VV sailing. Usually falls on Day 2 or 3. Begins around 8 PM at The Roundabout (Deck 6), builds through pop-up performances across Decks 6 and 7, and culminates in a pool party at 10:45 PM where you can literally dance in the water.
- Anything red, head-to-toe or just a splash
- Elegant, casual, or anything between
- Visit the Glam Station onboard for sparkle
- Don't be the person not wearing red!
Your Ship's Signature Party Night
Beyond Scarlet Night and the PJ Party, every ship has its own additional themed party nights that rotate and vary by vessel. Check the app once onboard for what's on your specific sailing. Some examples across the fleet:
- Klub Rubiks (Scarlet & Resilient Lady): High-energy 80s night with neon lights and laser show
- We Fancy (Resilient & Valiant Lady): Upscale club night, dress your best
- Electric (Brilliant Lady): Neon glow party with pulsing beats
- Disco Circus (Brilliant Lady): 70s-inspired disco with acrobatic performers
- Club Caliente (Scarlet & Valiant Lady): Latin music, salsa, bachata, reggaeton
Lineups change by ship and season. Always check the app for your exact schedule.
Virgin's signature bar crawl led by the Happenings Cast. $50/person gets you 4 cocktails, a guided tour of the ship's best bars, VIP lounge seating, and games along the way. It ends at the PJ Party on Night 1. Book it in the app the moment you board. It sells out every sailing without exception.
Book Entertainment at the Box Office Onboard
Unlike dining, shows cannot be booked before you sail. The moment you board, go to the Box Office near Sailor Services (Deck 5) to reserve seats for headline shows like Duel Reality and Ships in the Night. They sell out every voyage. The Supper Club (dinner and a show combo) can also be booked via the app onboard.
The Manor: The Heart of Nightlife
Named after Richard Branson's first recording studio, The Manor spans Decks 6 and 7 with three bars, a proper dance floor, and a glitter-walled entrance. Open every night with DJs, live performances, and themed events. No cover charge, ever. Also the home of Scarlet Night's after-party.
Book Immediately After Boarding
The most popular paid experience onboard and appointment slots go fast on embarkation day. Free spa tours are available when you first board. Popular treatments include massages, facials, and body wraps. The Thermal Suite (heated loungers, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy pools) can be booked as a day pass or weekly voyage pass ($378, payable with Sailor Loot).
Fitness Classes Are Always Free
All group fitness classes are included in your fare at no extra charge. Classes cover yoga, Pilates, cycling, HIIT, boxing, and more. Spaces are limited so book through the app. The gym is open 24 hours with modern equipment. The Athletic Club also hosts the Sail-Away Party and the PJ Party on Night 1.
Virgin Voyages calls their shore excursions Shore Things. Bookable through the app, they range from snorkeling and waterfall hikes to cultural food tours and beach club days. Pay with Sailor Loot or a card. Most can be cancelled up to 48 hours before for a full refund.
- Book before you sail. Popular tours (snorkeling, waterfall climbs) sell out weeks in advance
- VV-organized Shore Things guarantee the ship will not leave without you if your tour runs late
- Going independently? Be back at the gangway at least 30 minutes before departure or risk being left behind
- Check port arrival and departure times in the app, as some ports have late-night departures giving you extra time ashore
Never put your passport in checked luggage. Keep it in your carry-on at all times. Your carry-on should also include medications, phone charger, swimsuit, and sunscreen. Your checked bags can take 2+ hours to reach your cabin after you board.
Sailing Alone? Virgin Voyages Is One of the Best Lines for It
The adults-only atmosphere, open social events, and structured solo meetups make meeting people genuinely easy. Here is how to make the most of it:
- Solo meetups: Organized at 9 AM and 4 PM daily by the Happenings Cast. Check the app each morning for exact times and location
- Dining reservation swap: At solo meetups, sailors exchange single-seat reservations at popular restaurants like The Wake and Extra Virgin with other solos who have conflicting time slots. This is the best way to get into sold-out restaurants
- The Grog Walk: The easiest way to make friends on the ship. Couples and solos naturally mix throughout the bar crawl
- PJ Party and Scarlet Night: Both are built for social mixing. Show up alone and you will leave with a group
- The Happenings Cast: Introduce yourself early in the voyage. They give exclusive pins to engaged sailors and are natural connectors for meeting other people onboard
- Solo cabin category: VV offers dedicated Solo Insider cabins with no single supplement. Note that Solo cabins are not eligible for some Sailor Loot promotions
- Richard's Rooftop: Reserved exclusively for Rockstar and suite guests. Not accessible on a standard cabin booking
- ✓Download the Virgin Voyages app and complete your full account setup
- ✓Select your Terminal Arrival Time in the app as early as possible
- ✓Pre-purchase your Bar Tab before sailing to earn bonus drink credit (minimum $300 recommended)
- ✓Book dining reservations at midnight Miami time when your window opens: 45 days out for standard cabins, 60 days for Rockstar
- ✓Browse Shore Things excursions and pre-book any must-dos before they sell out
- ✓Pack something red for Scarlet Night (mid-voyage)
- ✓Pack pajamas or a onesie for the Night 1 PJ Party. Keep them in your carry-on so they're accessible right away
- ✓Fly in the night before embarkation day if you are traveling by air
- ✓Confirm gratuities are prepaid at $20/night to avoid the $22/night onboard rate
- ✓Review the prohibited items list in the app: no hard liquor, no drones, some electrical items restricted
- ✓Keep your passport and boarding pass in your carry-on. Never in checked luggage
- ✓Bring reef-safe sunscreen. It's available onboard but more expensive than bringing your own
- ✓Ask your travel advisor about active Sailor Loot promotions for your booking
Have Questions?
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Information current as of May 2026. Policies, pricing, and promotions are subject to change without notice.
Always confirm final details in the Virgin Voyages app or with your travel advisor.