Virgin Voyages tips for first timers
The short answer
Virgin Voyages is adults only (18 and over), with no buffet-style mass dining, no formal nights, basic WiFi included and a simple gratuity of $22 per Sailor per day, or $20 if prepaid, with nothing added to drinks. There's no drinks package; you can pre-load a Bar Tab instead.
What a Virgin Voyages cruise feels like
Virgin set out to make a cruise line that didn't feel like one: adults only, a younger, social atmosphere, restaurants instead of one giant dining room, and design-led ships. Virgin calls its guests 'Sailors'.
First-timer tips specific to Virgin
- Everyone must be 18 or over, to book and to sail.
- Gratuities are simple: one daily amount per Sailor, with no extra percentage on drinks, dining or spa.
- There's no drinks package. Water, juices, sodas, tea and drip coffee are included; a pre-paid Bar Tab can come with bonus credit.
- Basic WiFi is included, with a faster paid tier on board.
- No formal nights and no strict dress code.
- Wine is limited: two 750 ml bottles per cabin, in carry-on bags; no spirits or beer.
Virgin is my pick for adults who'd never cruise because they imagine it as a floating buffet. It isn't that.
Virgin's rules, from its own pages
Virgin Voyages: the rules, from Virgin Voyages's own pages
- Daily gratuities
$22 per Sailor per day, or $20 if you prepay before you sail
Applied automatically to your onboard folio.
Nothing else is added — no gratuity on drinks, dining or spa.
A prepaid gratuity is locked in and non-refundable.
Source: Virgin Voyages, checked September 21, 2026
- Drink packages
No drink package — a pre-paid Bar Tab instead
Essential drinks are always included: still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, tea and drip coffee.
Tips on drinks are already covered — Virgin does not add a gratuity to the bill.
A Bar Tab is onboard credit you pre-purchase. Bonus credit is offered on purchases from $200 to $1,000.
Source: Virgin Voyages, checked September 21, 2026
- Dress code
No formal nights and no strict dress code
Virgin states it does not do formal nights and asks only that you keep other Sailors' comfort in mind.
Dress up or stay casual — the line explicitly leaves it to you.
Source: Virgin Voyages, checked September 21, 2026
- WiFi
Basic WiFi is included; connect to the VirginVoyages-SailorWiFi network
A faster paid tier is available on board.
Log in at the captive portal if it does not open automatically.
Source: Virgin Voyages, checked September 21, 2026
- Bringing alcohol
Two 750ml bottles of wine per cabin — no spirits or beer
Each cabin may bring two 750ml bottles of wine, in carry-on bags.
Hard liquor, spirits and beer are not permitted.
Alcohol found in checked luggage is collected at embarkation and returned at the end of the voyage.
Source: Virgin Voyages, checked September 24, 2026
- Minimum age
18 and over — every sailing is adults only
The minimum age to book and to sail is 18 years old.
Virgin creates every voyage exclusively for adults.
Source: Virgin Voyages, checked September 21, 2026
First-timer questions
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