Is this your first time hearing about Virgin Voyages? No problem, friend. They are low-key amazing and one of the best options for an adults-only cruise.
Yes, this might surprise you, but Virgin Voyages (VV) is actually one of the few adults-only cruise lines out there. They have other tricks up their sleeve, like no dress codes, no set dining times, and a lot of fun stuff included in your fare, like gratuities, basic Wi-Fi, and free beverages as well.
Virgin Voyages is like the hipster cruise line that is trying to be different, and I say this in the best way possible. We have some fantastic in-depth tips for first-time cruisers in our Planning a Cruise on Virgin Voyages guide, but you can continue reading here for a complete overview of what makes cruising with Virgin truly unique.
Here is what we are going to cover:
- What can I Expect from Virgin Voyages?
- How Many Ships Does Virgin Voyages Have?
- How Much Does a Virgin Voyages Vacation Cost?
- What is Included in a Virgin Voyages Vacation?
- What is NOT Included in a Virgin Voyages Vacation?
- The Unique Features of a Virgin Voyages Cruise
What can I Expect from Virgin Voyages?
In one word… a rockstar experience at sea.
In two words… no children and no dress codes.
Those are the two main features that set this cruise line apart from the others.
Virgin Voyages is all about elegant yet cool parties, and you just being… you. That’s one of the reasons why there isn’t a dress code. Want to walk into a restaurant late at night in shorts and a T-shirt and enjoy a nice filet mignon? That’s totally fine. Eat well before heading to one of their parties, like Scarlet Night or the PJ Party. Or maybe you’d rather hit The Manor nightclub and meet the love of your life?
Romance is also a big deal on Virgin Voyages, and it’s common to see young adults and groups of friends traveling together to meet new people. The vibe is different from Carnival, by the way, which is known as a major party line. While Carnival is more American Pie, Virgin Voyages is more like 500 Days of Summer… without the letdowns, hopefully. Poor Tom.
Another great perk is that so much is included in your Virgin Voyages fare. Gratuities, basic Wi-Fi, and free beverages are all covered, options that are almost never included on other cruise lines. Even their restaurants are free. While some menu items in certain restaurants come with an extra cost, the restaurants themselves are all complimentary, which is absolutely amazing.
So, Virgin Voyages is all about cool parties, no one under 18 onboard, and you just being yourself. If that all sounds great, I bet you’ll have an amazing time with these guys. Just remember to pack something red to wear, and also your favorite pajamas for the late-night party!
How Many Ships Does Virgin Voyages Have?
Virgin Voyages is a relatively small cruise line, and by the end of 2025, they will have only four ships. Hey, the best perfumes come in small bottles, right?
One thing to keep in mind is that all their ships are basically the same. They feature the same bars, restaurants, and vibes, with the main differences being the décor, the atrium, and the types of shows available on each ship.
Here are the four ships. Click the links to read our exclusive reviews of them:
- Scarlet Lady
- Valiant Lady
- Resilient Lady
- Brilliant Lady (Launching September 2025)
Virgin Voyages Homeports
Scarlet Lady is the main North American ship and sails out of Miami. Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady also sail out of Miami from time to time but spend part of the year in Europe.
One thing you should know: Virgin Voyages doesn’t sail from Port Canaveral or Port Everglades, two very popular departure ports for other cruise lines.
Brilliant Lady launches in 2025 and will significantly increase the number of homeports available for the North American market. It will offer itineraries departing from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle, Quebec City, and Vancouver.
How Much Does a Virgin Voyages Vacation Cost?
I will say that Virgin Voyages is usually a little more expensive than a standard cruise with Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line. However, keep in mind that Virgin Voyages is all-inclusive: they provide free soda, basic Wi-Fi, and include gratuities.
Here are some cruise prices. Prices are per stateroom for a party of two
- 4-Nights Fire & Sunset Soirées onboard Resilient Lady: $1200
- 4-Nights Valiant's Haunted Halloween Soirée onboard Valiant Lady: $1950
- 8-Nights Eastern Caribbean Antilles onboard Scarlet Lady: $2,600
- 8-Nights Barcelona to France, Italy & Greece onboard Resilient Lady: $4,850
- 14-Nights Transatlantic from Miami to Spain & Morocco onboard Scarlet Lady: $2,700
What is Included in a Virgin Voyages Vacation?
Good news, my friend! A lot is included in your base Virgin Voyages fare. This is one of the best cruise lines when it comes to included services, as your fare covers basic Wi-Fi, gratuities, dining at every restaurant, and much more.
Let’s break down what’s included:
- Your Stateroom
- All Restaurants
- All Soft Drinks and Water
- Gratuities
- Basic Wi-Fi
- Complimentary gaming lessons on the casino floor.
- Live Shows & Parties
- Fitness Center
- Group Fitness Classes
What is NOT Included in a Virgin Voyages Vacation?
Not much, really. This is a list of what costs extra when travelling with Virgin Voyages:
- Alcohol and specialty drinks
- Premium Food Items
- Shore Excursions
- Spa
- Casino
- Tattoo Parlor
The Unique Features of a Virgin Voyages Cruise
So, here is when things get interesting and Virgin Voyages differentiates itself from the rest. We told you some features that really make Virgin what it is, so let’s dive deep into it and explore why Virgin might be your next favorite cruise line.
Adults Only
Virgin Voyages is adults-only, period. If you aren’t eighteen at the time of booking, you can’t travel with them. That’s one of the main trademarks of this cruise line, and they actually say it upfront on their official website. This makes it an excellent option for those who want a more peaceful experience and care about meeting others in their age range.
No Dress Code
Another big trademark of Virgin Voyages: there isn’t a dress code onboard, so you’re free to dress however you want. Well… they don’t have a dress code, but you also can’t dine in swimwear at their restaurants. C’mon, people, it’s a relaxed dress code, so at least put on some shorts and a t-shirt, deal?
The Virgin Voyages App
Every cruise line has its own app for onboard use, and Virgin Voyages is no exception. Their app is called… The Virgin Voyages App. Original, I know.
Before your cruise, make sure to download it. The app is the primary way to book restaurants onboard. In fact, guests report that only 30% of restaurant reservations are available before sailing, while the remaining 70% opens once you’re onboard. So, as soon as you board, grab your phone, open the app, and make your reservations!
The Band
The Band is a wristband you’ll receive during check-in, just minutes before boarding your cruise. It serves as your stateroom key, credit card, and even pinpoints your location when you order food or drinks through the app.
Free Wi-Fi & Included Gratuities
As we mentioned before, a lot is included in your base fare, and it’s awesome that free basic Wi-Fi is one of them. If you want video streaming, you’ll need to pay extra, but at least you can browse the internet and send text messages with what’s included.
Gratuities are also covered, meaning you won’t have to worry about extra fees at the end of your cruise. This might not sound like much on paper, but gratuities can sometimes add up to $200 to $400 USD, depending on your cruise.
Dining
Dining works a little differently on Virgin Voyages, and in my opinion, it’s better. There’s no fixed dinner time or main dining room, which is pretty unique for a cruise. You eat wherever you want, whenever you want. All restaurants are also free. However, some menu items come with an extra charge, and you’ll want to make reservations for the most popular spots.
Check out our Dining Options Onboard Virgin Voyages guide for more info about Dining and Restaurant options onboard VV!
No Drink Package, but there is the Bar Tab
There isn’t a traditional drink package on Virgin Voyages, but there’s something called the Bar Tab. The Bar Tab is a prepaid system where you add money in advance and use it to buy specialty drinks.
The advantage of this pre-paid system is that you get a free $50 credit for every $300 you add to your Bar Tab.
Rockstar Quarters
The Rockstar Quarters are the best suite options on Virgin Voyages. Staying in one of these suites gives you access to a private sundeck where you can enjoy complimentary champagne and snacks.
There are also the Mega Rockstar Quarters, which are even more luxurious than the standard suites and come with extra perks like free premium Wi-Fi, free laundry, and more.
For an in-depth look at staterooms on Virgin Voyages, be sure to check out our Room Options Onboard Virgin Voyages guide.
Virgin Voyages Parties
Virgin Voyages is known for its awesome, elegant parties, including Scarlet Night and the PJ Party.
Scarlet Night is exactly that, a vibrant, high-energy party where everyone dresses in red and dances on the top deck until the first rays of morning. The PJ Party is all about dancing in your favorite pajamas. I mean, can you imagine meeting the love of your life in pajamas? That could happen.
Let’s not forget The Manor, the main nightclub onboard Virgin Voyages, which hosts a variety of exciting events and themed parties.
For an in-depth look at all the parties and special activities on Virgin Voyages, be sure to check out our Activities Onboard Virgin Voyages guide.
Shake for Champagne
Virgin Voyages offers a fun feature in its official app called Shake for Champagne. Simply shake your phone three times, and a crew member will deliver a bottle of champagne right to you. You must be wearing your Virgin Voyages band so the crew can locate you. This service costs about $105.
Tattoo Parlor
Yes, you can get a tattoo while traveling with Virgin Voyages. They offer specific designs to choose from, or you can bring in your own design. Tattoos can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000. Just don’t head to the tattoo parlor after having 7 Piña Coladas!
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