Choosing between the virgin voyages base tier vs lock it in rate is one of the most common booking decisions sailors face, and getting it wrong can cost you flexibility, cabin control, or savings depending on which direction you go. Both fare types sit at the budget end of the Virgin Voyages pricing spectrum, but they work very differently. Base Tier is part of the VoyageFair Choices system launched on October 7, 2025, and gives you cabin selection at a low price with minimal flexibility. Lock-It-In is a guarantee (GTY) fare where Virgin Voyages assigns your cabin later in exchange for the lowest possible price. This guide breaks down every difference between these two fares across all four ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady — so you can choose the right one for your sailing.
The Base Tier is the entry-level option within Virgin Voyages’ VoyageFair Choices fare structure. When you book Base, you select your exact cabin number at the time of booking — you know exactly which deck, location, and cabin you are getting before you pay. This makes Base the most affordable way to book a specific cabin on Virgin Voyages.
Base Tier includes:
The key advantage of Base is certainty. You know your cabin before you pay, so you can reference the cabins to avoid guide and the best cabins by traveler type breakdown to make an informed choice. If cabin location matters to you — avoiding noise from the theater, securing a mid-ship position to reduce motion, or picking a higher deck with better views — Base gives you that control at the lowest VoyageFair Choices price.
The Lock-It-In rate is Virgin Voyages’ guarantee (GTY) fare. Instead of choosing a specific cabin number, you book a cabin category — Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace, or RockStar Suite — and Virgin Voyages assigns the specific cabin number closer to your sailing date. The trade-off for giving up cabin selection is the lowest available price on any given sailing.
Lock-It-In includes:
The key advantage of Lock-It-In is price. It is consistently the cheapest fare available for any cabin category. The disadvantage is that you have zero control over which specific cabin you receive within your chosen category. Understanding this trade-off is central to the virgin voyages base tier vs lock it in comparison.
Here is a direct comparison of every feature that differs between these two fare types. Understanding the virgin voyages base tier vs lock it in differences at a glance helps you decide quickly which one fits your priorities.
Cabin selection: Base lets you choose your exact cabin number. Lock-It-In assigns your cabin closer to sailing — you only choose the category (Insider, Sea View, Sea Terrace, or RockStar).
Price: Lock-It-In is typically cheaper than Base by $50 to $200 per person depending on the sailing and cabin category. The exact difference varies by ship, itinerary, and demand.
WiFi: Both include Basic WiFi (one device per sailor, browsing speeds). Neither includes Classic, Premium, or Work from Sea WiFi upgrades.
Dining window: Both open dining reservations 15 days before sailing. This is the shortest window — Essential opens at 45 days, Premium at 60, and RockStar at 120.
Cancellation and changes: Neither Base nor Lock-It-In allows cancellation, date changes, or itinerary changes. Both are non-refundable. The difference is that Base allows cabin selection upfront, while Lock-It-In does not allow any cabin-related changes at all.
MNVV eligibility: Base Tier bookings on Sea Terrace or higher qualify for MNVV redemption. Lock-It-In bookings do not qualify for MNVV on any cabin category. This is one of the most important differences for repeat sailors who buy MNVVs onboard.
Upgrade bids: Both Base and Lock-It-In bookings are eligible for Level Upgrade bids. The automated upgrade system works identically regardless of fare type.
Repricing: Both fares are eligible for repricing if the fare drops before your sailing. The same 120-day cash refund and 45-to-119-day Future Voyage Credit rules apply to both.
Base Tier is the better choice in several specific scenarios. Understanding when it makes sense to pay slightly more helps you evaluate the virgin voyages base tier vs lock it in decision correctly:
You have MNVVs to redeem. If you purchased MNVVs on a previous sailing and want to apply that $150 credit to your next booking, you must book at a standard fare tier (Base or higher) on a Sea Terrace or higher cabin. Lock-It-In blocks MNVV redemption entirely. Booking Base to use your MNVV often offsets or eliminates the price difference between the two fares.
Cabin location matters. Sailors who are motion-sensitive should book mid-ship, lower-deck cabins to minimize rocking. Sailors who want ocean views from a specific angle need to pick their side. Sailors traveling with children in an adjacent cabin need to ensure proximity. The Sea Terrace vs Sea View vs Insider comparison and the Sea Terrace sub-type guide help you identify the best locations worth paying for.
You want to avoid bad cabins. Every ship has cabin locations that experienced sailors avoid — near the theater, above the nightclub, or with obstructed balcony views. With Lock-It-In, you could be assigned any of these. With Base, you control the choice entirely.
Lock-It-In is the better choice when maximum savings outweigh cabin control:
Price is your top priority. If you are booking on a tight budget and every dollar matters, Lock-It-In delivers the lowest fare available. On high-demand sailings, the savings can be significant.
You do not have MNVVs to redeem. If you are not sitting on MNVV credits from a previous voyage, the MNVV eligibility difference between Base and Lock-It-In does not affect you. In this case, the price difference is pure savings.
You genuinely do not care about cabin location. Some sailors spend all their time at the pool, in restaurants, at the bars, or at shows and only return to the cabin to sleep. If that is you, cabin location is irrelevant and Lock-It-In makes perfect sense.
You are booking an Insider cabin. Since Insider cabins have no window or balcony, the view from your specific cabin does not matter. The main consideration is noise and location, which are less variable for interior cabins. Lock-It-In on an Insider category carries less risk than Lock-It-In on a Sea Terrace where balcony view quality varies widely.
Base and Lock-It-In are the two most restrictive fare options on Virgin Voyages. For sailors who want more flexibility, the Essential and Premium tiers offer significant upgrades. Essential adds Classic WiFi, a 45-day dining window, name changes for Sailors 2 through 4, cabin changes, and standard cancellation flexibility. Premium adds Premium WiFi with two devices, a 60-day dining window, a $15 per sailor per day Bar Tab, all name changes including the lead sailor, and full cancellation flexibility.
The price jump from Base to Essential is often modest — $50 to $150 per person on many sailings. If you value any flexibility at all, Essential is worth the upgrade. The jump from Base to Premium can be $150 to $300 per person, but the included Bar Tab and WiFi upgrades alone can offset that cost depending on your onboard spending. Factor in Sailor Loot promotions that sometimes come with higher tiers, and the total value calculation shifts further in favor of upgrading.
It depends on your priorities. If you have MNVVs to redeem or care about cabin location, Base is worth the extra cost. If price is your only concern and you do not have MNVVs, Lock-It-In saves you money with no meaningful downside for sailors who are flexible on cabin placement.
No. Lock-It-In bookings are not eligible for MNVV redemption regardless of cabin category. To use your MNVV, book at Base tier or higher on a Sea Terrace or higher cabin. This is one of the biggest practical differences between the two fare types.
Yes. Both Base and Lock-It-In open dining reservations 15 days before sailing. This is the shortest window available on Virgin Voyages. Essential opens at 45 days, Premium at 60 days, and RockStar at 120 days.
Yes. Both Base and Lock-It-In bookings are fully eligible for Level Upgrade bids. The automated upgrade system operates independently from fare type restrictions, so you can bid for higher cabin categories regardless of which fare you booked.
The virgin voyages base tier vs lock it in decision comes down to cabin control versus maximum savings. Base gives you the ability to choose your exact cabin, qualifies for MNVV redemption on Sea Terrace and higher categories, and provides certainty about where you will sleep. Lock-It-In gives you the lowest price but removes cabin choice and MNVV eligibility. Both share the same WiFi tier, dining window, and upgrade bid eligibility. Once you understand the full virgin voyages base tier vs lock it in breakdown, the choice becomes clear. For repeat sailors with MNVVs, Base is almost always the smarter choice. For budget-focused first-timers without MNVVs, Lock-It-In delivers unbeatable value. Compare fares on your next sailing and choose the option that fits your priorities.
