Virgin Voyages room service — officially called ShipEats — is one of the most convenient perks onboard, and one of the most misunderstood. It’s available 24/7, delivers to your cabin door, and runs through the Sailor app (and, on some sailings, the in-room tablet). But there’s a $10 delivery fee that catches Sailors off guard, a breakfast pre-order system worth knowing about, and a few smart workarounds that can save you money on every order.
This guide covers exactly how ShipEats works, what’s on the menu, how to avoid the delivery fee, and whether it’s actually worth ordering versus walking to The Galley.
ShipEats is Virgin Voyages’ answer to traditional room service — streamlined, app-based, and delivered in sealed bags with reusable containers. There’s no calling the front desk and reading off a paper menu. Everything runs primarily digitally.
You’ll receive notifications as your order moves through three stages: received/processing, on the way, and delivered.
ShipEats can also be ordered through the in-room tablet in your cabin on some sailings. Some Sailors have reported that Virgin Voyages’ newer mobile app doesn’t currently support ShipEats ordering. If that happens, the tablet is your backup — or you can call using the in-cabin phone. The number is typically listed in the Red Book in your cabin.
Pro Tip: Calling in is also the move if you need to make special modifications to your order. The app and tablet don’t always support custom notes, but the crew on the phone can accommodate requests like removing an ingredient or adjusting a dish.
ShipEats delivers to Sailor cabins, suites, and onboard cabanas. That’s it. Some third-party guides claim delivery works “anywhere on the ship,” but Virgin Voyages’ official FAQ limits delivery to those three locations. Don’t expect a burger delivered poolside.
ShipEats orders have a $10 delivery charge. But there are two ways it gets waived automatically:
For everyone else, the $10 threshold is easy to hit — and this is where your Bar Tab becomes your best friend.
Pro Tip: If your food order comes in just under $10, add a premium drink to the order. Specialty coffees, fresh-pressed juices, energy drinks like Red Bull, and bottled kombucha are all available through ShipEats and all count toward the $10 threshold. If you have a Bar Tab, these drinks typically draw from your existing credit — so you’re not spending extra money, you’re just using credit you’ve already paid for to eliminate the delivery fee. A $5 specialty coffee added to a $7 food order means free delivery and a drink you were going to order anyway.
ShipEats has its own dedicated menu — you’re typically not ordering from the ship’s restaurants. The menu rotates, but the structure stays consistent across the fleet.
The breakfast menu includes options like scrambled eggs, energizer bowls, and carb-forward plates. It’s solid, uncomplicated breakfast fare — think comfort food delivered to your door while you’re still in your robe.
The main ShipEats menu covers lunch through late-night and includes:
The menu isn’t published online by Virgin Voyages, so exact offerings may vary by sailing. Check the app or in-room tablet once you’re onboard for the current selection.
The cheeseburger and the charcuterie board are consistent crowd-pleasers. For late-night cravings — especially after a night of shows — the burger is hard to beat. The desserts are fine but not destination-worthy. If you want exceptional sweets, you’re better off making a reservation at one of the onboard restaurants.
One of the best ShipEats features is breakfast pre-ordering. Place your order the night before — cutoff is 2:00 AM — and choose a delivery window between 5:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Your breakfast arrives at your cabin door without you lifting a finger in the morning.
This is especially useful on port days when you want to eat before heading ashore for a Shore Thing. Schedule your delivery for earlier than you think you need it — community reports suggest deliveries sometimes arrive toward the end of the selected window, and you don’t want to be rushing out the door while your coffee is still in transit.
Pro Tip: Breakfast pre-orders are not available on disembarkation day. Plan your final morning accordingly — The Galley will be your go-to for that last meal onboard.
The app shows an estimated delivery time before you confirm your order. In practice, delivery commonly ranges from 15–30 minutes during quieter periods to 45–60+ minutes at peak times — especially around dinner hours. This varies by sailing and demand.
If you’re ordering during prime dinner time (roughly 7:00–9:00 PM), expect the longer end of that range. Late-night orders and mid-afternoon snacks tend to arrive faster.
This is the real question — and the answer depends on your style.
| ShipEats | The Galley | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $10 fee (waivable) + any priced items | Included in your fare |
| Availability | 24/7 except disembarkation | 24-hour diner + food hall hours |
| Delivery | To cabin, suite, or cabana | You walk there |
| Menu | Dedicated ShipEats menu | Multiple food-hall stations |
| Best for | Late nights, port mornings, lazy days | Full meals, variety, no fee |
The Galley’s 24-hour American diner means you always have a free, walk-up option — even at 3:00 AM. If you’re already up and moving, there’s no reason to pay for delivery. But if you’re winding down after a late show, nursing a Sea Terrace sunset, or want breakfast waiting outside your door before a port day — ShipEats earns its keep.
A common workaround: grab food from The Galley during the day and stash it in your in-room mini-fridge for late-night snacking. Save ShipEats for when you genuinely don’t want to leave your cabin.
If you change your mind, open the Sailor app → “Services” tab → ShipEats → “Recent Orders.” Orders still being prepared should show a “Cancel” option. Once the order is processed and on its way, cancellation may no longer be available.
If something is missing from your delivery, contact Sailor Services through the app or use the in-cabin phone. They’ll sort it out.
If you’re staying in any RockStar Quarter — from a Posh Suite to a Mega RockStar — the $10 delivery fee is waived on every order, regardless of size. Order a single coffee at 2:00 AM? No fee. Midnight charcuterie board? No fee. It’s one of the quieter RockStar perks, but over the course of a voyage, it adds up.
Sailors with a Mega RockStar Bar Tab can also typically use that credit toward drinks added to ShipEats orders — making the entire experience effectively included.
Yes. ShipEats delivers to cabins, suites, and cabanas around the clock, every day of your voyage — except disembarkation day, when no deliveries are available.
Yes. Pre-order through the Sailor app or in-room tablet by 2:00 AM and select a delivery window between 5:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Not available on disembarkation morning.
ShipEats is Virgin Voyages’ branded in-cabin delivery service. It functions like room service but is ordered digitally through the Sailor app (and, on some sailings, the cabin tablet) rather than by traditional phone order.
The app sends push notifications at three stages — received/processing, on the way, and delivered. You can also check status anytime in the “My Orders” section or via the purple tracking banner.
Cabins, suites, and onboard cabanas only. Despite what some guides suggest, ShipEats does not deliver to pool decks, bars, or other public areas of the ship.
Virgin Voyages room service is convenient, well-executed, and genuinely useful — especially for port mornings, late nights, and lazy sea days. The $10 delivery fee is easy to avoid once you know the trick, and the breakfast pre-order system is one of the smartest features onboard. For the full picture of every dining option across the fleet, check our complete restaurant hub — and when you’re ready to book your next voyage, your First Mate at Serious Sailors is here to help.
