The question of whether you should buy mnvv onboard Virgin Voyages has a straightforward answer: yes. My Next Virgin Voyage certificates are one of the best-value purchases available during any sailing. At $100 each, every MNVV certificate converts into $150 of future cruise credit — a guaranteed 50 percent return that you can apply toward your next booking. Whether you are a first-time sailor or a seasoned repeat cruiser, understanding how MNVVs work, when to buy them, and how to use them strategically can save you hundreds of dollars across multiple voyages. This guide covers everything you need to know about purchasing MNVVs onboard, including pricing, limits, repricing strategies, and common mistakes to avoid.
A My Next Virgin Voyage certificate is a prepaid cruise credit that you purchase during your current sailing for use on a future voyage. Each certificate costs $100 and provides $150 in booking credit — a $50 bonus per certificate with no strings attached. You can buy up to two MNVVs per sailing at the Sailor Services desk onboard any Virgin Voyages ship.
MNVVs are valid for 24 months from the date of purchase, giving you two full years to apply them toward a new booking. The credit applies to the base fare of your future voyage and can be combined with other promotions, Sailor Loot, and travel advisor perks. Once you purchase an MNVV, it is linked to your Sailor profile and can be transferred to another person if needed — making them flexible for gifting or sharing with travel companions.
The decision to buy mnvv onboard is one of the lowest-risk financial decisions you can make during a Virgin Voyages cruise. Here is why experienced sailors purchase two certificates on every voyage:
Guaranteed 50 percent return. No other onboard purchase delivers this kind of value. You pay $100 and receive $150 in booking credit. That is a 50 percent bonus applied directly to your next cruise fare. Over multiple sailings, this adds up to significant savings — sailors who buy two MNVVs on every voyage effectively reduce the cost of each subsequent cruise by $100.
Repricing protection. MNVVs can be used to rebook your future voyage at a lower fare if prices drop after you book. This is one of the most powerful strategies available to Virgin Voyages sailors. When you use an MNVV to book a sailing and the fare subsequently decreases, you can contact Sailor Services or your travel advisor to reprice the booking. The difference is returned as a Future Voyage Credit that can be applied to another sailing or converted to Bar Tab or Sailor Loot on a future voyage.
Zero risk. If you decide not to sail again within the 24-month validity period, MNVVs are transferable. You can give them to a friend, family member, or sell them to another sailor. The secondary market for MNVVs is active, and certificates in good standing sell quickly. However, buying your own onboard is always preferable to purchasing from unknown third-party sellers online.
Purchasing MNVVs onboard is straightforward. Visit the Sailor Services desk on any day during your voyage and request to purchase My Next Virgin Voyage certificates. The process takes less than five minutes:
The maximum is two MNVVs per sailor per sailing. If you are traveling as a couple, each sailor can purchase two — giving you four total certificates worth $600 in future cruise credit for a $400 investment. A Serious Sailors First Mate can help you apply these certificates to your next booking and coordinate repricing if fares drop.
While MNVVs are transferable, buying from unknown online sellers introduces risks that purchasing onboard avoids entirely. Here is why you should always buy mnvv onboard rather than from third-party resellers:
Refund routing. Virgin Voyages applies the First-In, First-Out accounting principle when processing price decreases or adjustments. Any refund goes back to the original form of payment tied to the MNVV. If you use someone else’s certificate, the refund goes to their credit card — not yours. When you own the certificate, every dollar flows back to you.
Unknown history. Certificates purchased from third parties may have been used or adjusted in ways that reduce their effective value. The seller may have already applied the MNVV to a booking and canceled, which can affect the credit amount or Sailor Loot bonus associated with the certificate. When you buy onboard, you receive a fresh, unused certificate with its full $150 value intact.
Agent assignment. MNVVs purchased online may be assigned to another travel advisor or First Mate whom you do not know and may not want to work with. While this can be changed, the process requires three steps and takes three to five business days. Buying onboard lets you assign the certificate to your preferred advisor immediately.
One of the most valuable ways to use MNVVs is for repricing protection. Here is how the strategy works:
The critical detail is that each MNVV can only be repriced once. If the fare drops a second time after you have already repriced, you cannot reprice again with the same certificate. This is why experienced sailors recommend buying two MNVVs per sailing — the second certificate serves as a backup for additional repricing opportunities. If your first MNVV has already been used for a reprice and the fare drops further, you can apply the second MNVV to capture the additional savings.
This repricing strategy is especially valuable when combined with VoyageFair Choices fare tiers. Sailors who book at the Base or Lock-It-In rate and then reprice when fares drop can save substantially over the original booking price. The repricing guide covers the full process in detail.
Understanding the rules prevents common mistakes that reduce the value of your certificates:
For sailors who cruise frequently, the math is simple. Two MNVVs per sailing at $200 total delivers $300 in future cruise credit. Over three sailings in a year, that is $600 invested for $900 in credit — $300 in pure savings that directly reduces the cost of your Virgin Voyages habit.
MNVVs work best when combined with other Virgin Voyages programs and perks. Here is how they fit into a comprehensive booking approach:
Combine with Sailor Loot. When you book a future voyage using an MNVV, some promotions include bonus Sailor Loot that adds onboard spending credit. The MNVV reduces your fare while the Sailor Loot covers drinks, spa treatments, WiFi upgrades, and other onboard purchases.
Stack with fare tier perks. If you book at the Premium VoyageFair Choices tier, you receive a $15 per day Bar Tab, Premium WiFi, and wider dining reservation windows. The MNVV discount on the fare plus the included perks from the Premium tier create significant overall value.
Use for holiday sailings. Holiday cruises tend to be priced higher than standard voyages. Applying MNVV credits to a holiday sailing maximizes the dollar impact of your certificates because the $150 credit offsets a larger percentage of the premium pricing during off-peak versus peak comparisons.
Plan with your advisor. A Serious Sailors First Mate can monitor fare fluctuations, coordinate repricing, and help you apply MNVVs at the optimal time. The when to book guide and how to book in 3 steps cover timing strategies in detail.
If you purchase MNVVs and decide not to sail within the 24-month validity period, you have several options. You can transfer the certificate to another sailor — a friend, family member, or anyone with a Virgin Voyages account. You can also book a sailing using the MNVV and then cancel the voyage. This converts the $150 face value into a Future Voyage Credit, which can be applied to a different booking or used as onboard credit on another voyage. The MNVV cancellation policy guide explains every scenario in detail.
The key takeaway is that MNVVs are not a sunk cost. Even in the worst-case scenario where your travel plans change completely, the certificate retains value through transfer or conversion. This is why the recommendation to buy mnvv onboard is so universal among experienced Virgin Voyages sailors — the downside risk is minimal while the upside savings are substantial.
Each My Next Virgin Voyage certificate costs $100 and provides $150 in future cruise credit. You can purchase up to two per sailor per sailing. The $50 bonus per certificate represents a guaranteed 50 percent return on your investment.
Yes. MNVVs are available for purchase at the Sailor Services desk on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady. The pricing, terms, and limits are identical across all four ships.
MNVVs are valid for 24 months from the date of purchase. There are no extensions. If you do not use the certificate within two years, you can transfer it to another sailor or book and cancel a voyage to convert the value to a Future Voyage Credit.
Yes. If you book a voyage using an MNVV and the fare drops before sailing, you can request a reprice through Sailor Services or your travel advisor. Each MNVV can be repriced once. This is why buying two certificates per sailing is recommended — the second serves as a backup for additional repricing opportunities.
The decision to buy mnvv onboard is one of the smartest financial moves you can make during any Virgin Voyages sailing. At $100 per certificate with $150 in booking credit, the 50 percent return is unmatched by any other onboard purchase. Buy two per sailing, use them for repricing protection, and combine them with Sailing Club loyalty perks and fare tier benefits for maximum savings. Always purchase onboard rather than from online resellers to ensure your refunds route correctly and your certificates retain full value. Book your next Virgin Voyages sailing and pick up your MNVVs at Sailor Services on day one.
