Virgin Voyages markets over $1,000 in included value with every fare — but what does that actually mean once you’re onboard? Understanding what’s included on Virgin Voyages matters because the line doesn’t follow the traditional cruise model. There’s no buffet, no main dining room, no kids, and no nickel-and-diming for things like WiFi or group fitness classes. The base fare covers more than most cruise lines, but it’s not an all-inclusive resort either. This guide breaks down exactly what you get without paying extra, what costs more, and where the real value lies — especially after the October 2025 VoyageFair Choices update.
Every restaurant on every ship is included in your fare. No specialty dining surcharge. No packages to buy. No “free restaurant vs. paid restaurant” hierarchy. This is the single largest inclusion that separates Virgin Voyages from the rest of the cruise industry.
On traditional cruise lines, specialty dining runs $35–$75 per person per meal. Over a 7-night sailing, that’s $300–$600+ per couple just to eat at the “good” restaurants. On Virgin Voyages, those restaurants are the dining experience — and they’re already baked into the fare.
The fleet offers 20+ eateries across each ship, and the food is sustainably sourced, made fresh-to-order, with menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs. This isn’t “included” in a cafeteria sense. It’s genuinely premium, restaurant-quality dining at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night.
There are no buffets anywhere on the ship. This is a deliberate brand choice and a genuine differentiator — every meal is restaurant-based, not cafeteria-based. Reservations can be made in advance based on your fare tier’s dining window, and more slots open once onboard.
Pro Tip: Not all dining slots are released before your voyage. If you can’t get your top pick pre-sailing, check the app again once you board — new availability opens up, and cancellations create same-day openings throughout the voyage.
While all dining is included, certain premium add-ons within restaurants carry a surcharge — caviar service at SIP Lounge, seafood towers, and some specialty menu items. “All dining included” is overwhelmingly true, but not absolutely everything on every menu is free. Don’t overclaim it, but don’t overthink it either — the vast majority of what you’ll eat costs nothing beyond your fare.
Essential non-alcoholic drinks are included throughout the ship at no charge:
Many cruise lines charge a daily fee just for soft drinks. Virgin includes them. Water carafes in your cabin are also included.
What’s not included: alcoholic beverages, barista-crafted specialty coffee from The Grounds Club, fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, and energy drinks. Virgin Voyages is not a fully open-bar all-inclusive resort.
For alcoholic drinks, the Bar Tab is your best option — pre-purchased drink credit (not a drink package) that you buy before sailing. Virgin adds bonus credit on top of your purchase. It works on any drink, and you can even use it to buy rounds for other Sailors. The Bar Tab must be purchased before sailing and is non-refundable once the voyage starts.
Pro Tip: Casino bar drinks can be complimentary for Casino Cabin offer recipients while you’re actively playing — one of the few places onboard where alcoholic beverages are free without a Bar Tab.
Every Sailor gets WiFi included in their fare — a major differentiator when almost every other cruise line charges per device. The tier of WiFi depends on your fare choice under VoyageFair Choices:
| Fare Tier | WiFi Level | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Basic WiFi | Messaging, social media, browsing — 1 device per Sailor |
| Essential | Classic WiFi | Faster browsing, WiFi audio calls — 1 device per Sailor |
| Premium | Premium WiFi | Streaming, video calls — 2 devices per Sailor |
Basic WiFi is sufficient for most Sailors who want to stay connected without streaming. Upgrades are available onboard or by booking a higher fare tier.
All gym classes are included — spin, yoga, HIIT, barre, bungee fitness, the VHS workout, and more. Full gym access, the outdoor running track, boxing ring, basketball court, and the well-being pool are also included. This is one of the more underrated inclusions on Virgin Voyages because many cruise lines charge $15–$30 per group fitness class.
Every headline show, themed party, Scarlet Night, the PJ Party, club nights at The Manor, Festival Stage performances, and everything in the daily Lineup are included. The only paid entertainment exceptions are Another Rose (an immersive dinner show), It’s a Ship Show, and certain eat-and-drink events like cocktail masterclasses and tasting experiences.
This is the most important policy shift for anyone booking in 2025 and beyond. For bookings made on or after October 7, 2025, gratuities are now a separate line item — no longer bundled into the fare.
The rate is flat across all cabin categories — suite guests don’t pay more, unlike most cruise lines. No additional tipping is expected anywhere on the ship. No tips on drinks, dining, or spa services beyond this daily rate.
Legacy bookings made before October 7, 2025 typically still have gratuities bundled in the original fare. If you’re comparing prices to a booking you made earlier this year, factor this difference in.
Booking Tip: Prepaying saves $2 per night per Sailor. For two Sailors on a 7-night voyage, that’s $28 you keep in your pocket — enough for a round of cocktails onboard.
Every cabin — from Insider to Mega RockStar — includes amenities that feel premium without an upcharge:
The Beach Club at Bimini is Virgin Voyages’ exclusive private beach destination. When Bimini is on your itinerary, access is included in your fare — no excursion fee, no entry charge.
Premium drinks, cabana/Airstream rentals, and Shore Things activities at Bimini cost extra. Your Bar Tab works at the Beach Club.
No cruise line includes everything, and Virgin Voyages is upfront about what falls outside the fare. Here’s what you’ll pay extra for:
The VoyageFair Choices system launched October 7, 2025 for Sea Terrace and below categories. Dining, entertainment, WiFi, fitness, and essential drinks remain included across all three tiers. The tiers change your flexibility, WiFi speed, dining reservation window, and a few perks:
| Feature | Base | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Basic (1 device) | Classic (1 device) | Premium (2 devices) |
| Dining Pre-Book | 15 days before | 45 days before | 60 days before |
| Flexibility | Non-refundable, no changes | FVC eligible, limited date/name changes | FVC eligible, most flexibility |
| Drinks Credit | — | — | $15/Sailor/night Bar Tab |
| Priority Support | — | — | Dedicated phone line |
Suite pricing (RockStar and Mega RockStar) isn’t part of VoyageFair Choices. Suites get a 120-day dining reservation window.
On most mainstream cruise lines, specialty restaurants, WiFi, gratuities, soda packages, and group fitness classes all cost extra — often $100–$200+ per person per day when you add them up. Virgin Voyages rolls all of those into the fare. Comparing sticker prices between cruise lines isn’t apples-to-apples. A Virgin Voyages fare that looks higher often includes hundreds of dollars in value that other lines charge as add-ons.
No formal dress code anywhere. No formal nights. Adults-only on every voyage, every ship — not an upgrade or a special sailing. These aren’t upsells. They’re the default experience.
For repeat Sailors, the Sailing Club loyalty program unlocks additional inclusions at higher tiers — an invitation to a Sailing Club cocktail event, priority boarding, and other status-based perks that increase the value of every subsequent voyage.
ShipEats charges a $10 delivery fee per order. The fee is waived if your order totals $10 or more in food items, or if you’re staying in RockStar Quarters. ShipEats delivers 24/7 except on disembarkation day.
All headline shows and entertainment are included. The only paid exceptions are Another Rose (an immersive dinner show), It’s a Ship Show, and select eat-and-drink experiences like cocktail masterclasses.
Entry, tram transportation, two lagoon-style pools, private beach access with lounge chairs and daybeds, all-you-can-eat dining, complimentary soda and water, WiFi, lockers, and shower facilities. Premium drinks, cabana rentals, and excursion activities cost extra.
For Sea Terrace and below, three tiers exist under VoyageFair Choices: Base (lowest price, least flexibility), Essential (standard fare with change options), and Premium (top-tier WiFi, included drink credit, full flexibility). Suites are priced separately. A Lock It In rate also offers discounted fares with guaranteed category but no cabin selection.
Virgin Voyages isn’t all-inclusive in the resort sense, but it includes far more than any mainstream cruise line in the base fare — premium dining at 20+ restaurants, WiFi, fitness classes, all headline entertainment, and essential drinks all come standard. The things that cost extra are genuinely optional, not essential to enjoy the voyage. If you want help choosing the right fare tier or figuring out which add-ons are actually worth it, your First Mate at Serious Sailors can walk you through every detail — it’s all part of booking made easy with Serious Sailors™.
