Every cruise line has its own vocabulary, but Virgin Voyages takes it further than most. This virgin voyages glossary covers every term, phrase, and piece of insider jargon you will encounter when booking, boarding, and sailing on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, or Brilliant Lady. Whether you are a first-time sailor trying to decode the website or a returning guest looking up a specific program, this cheat sheet translates Virgin Speak into plain language so you always know exactly what you are reading.
People and Roles: Virgin Voyages Glossary Basics
- Sailor — What Virgin Voyages calls its passengers. Everyone onboard is a Sailor, not a guest or passenger.
- First Mate — A travel advisor who books Virgin Voyages cruises. Agencies like Serious Sailors are First Mates who help you find the best fares, cabins, and perks.
- Crew — The onboard staff across all departments, from dining to entertainment to housekeeping.
- Sailor Services — The guest services desk onboard where you handle account questions, purchase MNVVs, adjust gratuities, and resolve any issues.
- Happenings Cast — The immersive entertainment team that pops up throughout the ship with surprise performances, games, and interactive moments.
Cabins and Ship Spaces
- Insider — An interior cabin with no window or balcony. The most affordable option. See the full Insider cabin guide.
- Sea View — A cabin with a window but no balcony. Offers natural light at a lower price than Sea Terrace.
- Sea Terrace — A cabin with a private balcony. Available in regular, Central, XL, and Limited View variants. See the Sea Terrace comparison guide.
- RockStar Quarters — Suite-level cabins with exclusive perks including Richard’s Rooftop access, priority boarding, a stocked in-room bar, and a dedicated RockStar Agent. See the RockStar suite guide.
- Richard’s Rooftop — A private sun deck and lounge exclusively for RockStar suite guests. Features daybeds, a hot tub, and dedicated bar service.
- The Band — A wearable bracelet that serves as your room key, onboard payment device, and identification. Replaces traditional cruise cards.
- The Galley — Virgin’s alternative to a traditional buffet. A food hall with multiple made-to-order stations covering different cuisines.
- The Manor — The signature nightclub onboard every Virgin Voyages ship. Live DJs, themed parties, and late-night dancing.
- The Roundabout — The central atrium area that connects shops, lounges, and venues. A hub for socializing and people-watching.
- The Dock — A Mediterranean-inspired outdoor lounge area for relaxing with ocean views.
Dining Terms in the Virgin Voyages Glossary
- Always Included — Virgin’s policy of including all dining at no extra charge. Every restaurant onboard is part of your fare, with no specialty dining surcharges.
- The Wake — A steakhouse and seafood restaurant with an upscale atmosphere and views over the ship’s wake from the stern.
- Pink Agave — Mexican-inspired fine dining with creative cocktails and elevated dishes.
- Test Kitchen — An experimental multi-course dining experience that changes format periodically. One of the most popular reservations onboard.
- Gunbae — Korean BBQ with tableside grilling and interactive drinking games built into the meal.
- Extra Virgin — Italian trattoria-style dining with fresh pasta, seafood, and Mediterranean flavors.
- Razzle Dazzle — A vegetable-forward restaurant that also offers a “naughty” menu with meat options. Bright, colorful, and playful.
- Lucky Lotus — Asian-inspired cuisine available on select ships. Noodles, dumplings, and wok dishes.
- Sip — A champagne lounge serving Moet and cocktails in an intimate setting.
- Shake for Champagne — A feature in the Sailor App where you shake your phone and a crew member delivers champagne to your location onboard.
Dining reservations open based on your fare tier — 15 days for Base, 45 for Essential, 60 for Premium, and 120 for RockStar. This virgin voyages glossary of dining terms just scratches the surface of how dining works onboard. Book early using the restaurant reservation guide to secure your preferred times at popular venues like Test Kitchen and The Wake.
Booking and Financial Terms
- Sailor Loot — Flexible onboard credit that covers drinks, spa, excursions, shopping, WiFi, and more. Comes from booking promos, MNVV bonuses, travel advisor perks, and Sailing Club rewards. See the Sailor Loot guide.
- Bar Tab — Prepaid drink-only credit. Used first on beverage purchases before Sailor Loot. Pre-purchase packages come with bonus value. See the Bar Tab guide and Bar Tab vs Sailor Loot comparison.
- MNVV (My Next Virgin Voyage) — A $100 onboard purchase that gives $150 in future cruise credit. Transferable, up to 2 per sailing. See the MNVV buying guide.
- Lock-It-In Rate — A lower-priced fare where your cabin category is guaranteed but the specific cabin number is assigned by Virgin Voyages closer to sailing. See Base vs Lock-It-In.
- VoyageFair Choices — The fare tier system launched October 7, 2025, with Base, Essential, Premium, and RockStar options. Each tier includes different levels of flexibility, WiFi, dining windows, and perks.
- Sailing Club — Virgin Voyages’ loyalty program. Earn status through completed voyages for perks like priority boarding, complimentary WiFi upgrades, and Sailor Loot bonuses.
- Level Upgrade Bidding — A system where you can bid to upgrade your cabin category before sailing. Not available on Lock-It-In bookings. See the upgrade bidding guide.
- Circle — The group booking program for 10 or more sailors, with perks like bonus Sailor Loot and dedicated coordination.
- Sailor Number — Your unique Virgin Voyages ID that tracks your bookings, Sailing Club status, and onboard account.
Experiences and Entertainment
- Sail Away — The high-energy departure party held on the pool deck as the ship leaves port. A signature Virgin Voyages moment.
- Scarlet Night — A ship-wide themed celebration where sailors wear red. Includes a pool party, performances, and late-night festivities. The most anticipated event on every voyage.
- Shore Things — What Virgin Voyages calls shore excursions. Bookable through the Sailor App or website.
- Red Room — A transformational theater space that reconfigures for different show formats — standing, seated, cabaret, and more.
- Redemption Spa — The full-service spa and wellness center onboard, with thermal suite, treatments, and a salon. Sailor Loot can be used here.
- Squid Ink — The onboard tattoo parlor. Yes, you can get a real tattoo at sea. Sailor Loot accepted.
- Athletic Club — The fitness center with gym equipment, outdoor workout spaces, and group classes.
- The Perch — An outdoor yoga and wellness deck with ocean views.
- Aquatic Club — The main pool area designed for lounging rather than swimming laps.
Tech and Logistics in the Virgin Voyages Glossary
- Sailor App — The official Virgin Voyages mobile app for booking dining, shows, Shore Things, onboard messaging, and checking your Sailor Loot and Bar Tab balances.
- PAT (Port Arrival Time) — Your assigned check-in window at the departure terminal. Select your preferred time through the app. See the boarding time guide.
- Terminal V — Virgin Voyages’ dedicated cruise terminal in Miami. Designed to feel more like an airport lounge than a traditional cruise port.
- WiFi Tiers — Classic (free, basic browsing), Premium ($30/day voyage rate, streaming and video calls), and Work from Sea ($50/day, VPN and full connectivity). See the WiFi guide.
Ship Names and Fleet
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Sailor” mean on Virgin Voyages?
Sailor is Virgin Voyages’ term for any passenger. Instead of “guests” or “cruisers,” everyone onboard is a Sailor. The terminology extends to programs like Sailor Loot (onboard credit) and Sailing Club (loyalty program).
What is a virgin voyages glossary term every new sailor should know first?
The Band. It is your wearable bracelet that replaces a traditional cruise card — serving as your room key, payment method, and identification onboard. You receive it at check-in and use it constantly throughout the voyage.
What is the difference between Sailor Loot and Bar Tab?
Sailor Loot is flexible onboard credit that covers almost everything — drinks, spa, excursions, shopping, WiFi, and gratuities. Bar Tab is drink-only credit used first on beverage purchases. Both expire at the end of your voyage with no rollover.
Where can I find a complete virgin voyages glossary for booking terms?
This page covers every major term. For deep dives into specific topics, follow the linked guides throughout this glossary — each one expands on the term with detailed strategies, tips, and current pricing for 2026 voyages.
Bottom Line
Virgin Voyages has built an entire vocabulary around its brand, and knowing the lingo makes every step of your journey smoother — from booking through disembarkation. This virgin voyages glossary gives you the foundation to navigate the website, app, and onboard experience with confidence. Bookmark this page and refer back whenever you encounter a term that does not quite make sense. And when you are ready to book, a Serious Sailors First Mate can help translate all of this into the perfect Virgin Voyages sailing for your next adventure.
