Virgin Voyages includes basic drinks, all dining, gratuities, and group fitness classes in every fare — but shore excursions, premium spirits, spa treatments, and Wi-Fi cost extra, so 'all-inclusive' needs an asterisk.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Virgin Voyages markets itself as 'almost all-inclusive,' and that qualifier is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The base fare genuinely covers more than most mainstream cruise lines — but savvy travelers need to know exactly where the free stuff ends and the upselling begins before they book.
What's Actually Included in Every Virgin Voyages Fare
Here's what you get without paying another dime after boarding:
- All dining across 20+ restaurants (no specialty dining surcharges — this is the real standout)
- Basic beverages: still and sparkling water, drip coffee, hot tea, and select juices
- Soft drinks at all bars and restaurants
- Gratuities/tips — baked into the fare, no auto-gratuity surprise at the end
- Group fitness classes: yoga, cycling, HIIT, and more at the Groupie fitness studio
- Basic Wi-Fi (one device — more on this below)
- Virgin-produced entertainment and nightlife events
That's genuinely impressive. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian would charge you $30–$55/person/day just for the dining equivalent, and Celebrity charges $16–$22/day for gratuities alone.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
The Real Cost Breakdown: What You'll Still Pay
| Category | Included? | Typical Cost If Not |
|---|---|---|
| All dining (all restaurants) | ✅ Yes | Saves ~$30–$55/day vs. competitors |
| Basic soft drinks & coffee | ✅ Yes | — |
| Gratuities | ✅ Yes | Saves ~$16–$20/day vs. others |
| Group fitness classes | ✅ Yes | — |
| 1-device basic Wi-Fi | ✅ Yes | — |
| Premium alcoholic cocktails | ❌ No | Bar Tab packages from ~$30–$45/day |
| Premium spirits & wine | ❌ No | À la carte pricing |
| Faster/multi-device Wi-Fi | ❌ No | $10–$25/day upgrade |
| Shore excursions | ❌ No | $50–$250+/person/excursion |
| Spa treatments | ❌ No | $150–$300+/treatment |
| Sailor Loot (onboard credit promos) | Varies | Sometimes included in promotions |
| Tattoo studio (yes, there's one) | ❌ No | $150–$500+ |
| Casinos | ❌ No | Bring your own budget |
| Laundry | ❌ No | ~$4–$7/item |
| Mini-bar restocking beyond basics | ❌ No | Market rate |
The Alcohol Situation: The Biggest Gap in the 'All-Inclusive' Story
This is where most Virgin Voyages passengers get surprised. The line does not include a full beverage package in the standard fare. You get non-alcoholic drinks — that's it.
If you drink, your realistic options are:
- Bar Tab pre-purchase: Virgin sells these in chunks — $300 Bar Tab for ~$250 (roughly a 15–20% discount when bought in advance). This is the best value approach.
- The Mega Rockstar Quarters cabin category: Includes a full bar tab and other perks, but you're paying a significant cabin premium (often $500–$1,500+ more per cabin).
- À la carte at the bar: Cocktails run $14–$18 each, beer $8–$12, wine by the glass $12–$18. A couple of moderate drinkers can easily spend $60–$100/day just on alcohol.
For context, Norwegian's Premium Plus Beverage Package runs $89–$109/person/day and Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is $75–$95/person/day. If you're a heavy drinker, those packages at competitor lines might actually work out cheaper per drink.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
How Virgin Voyages Compares to Other 'All-Inclusive' Lines
| What's Included | Virgin Voyages | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian | Celebrity (All-Included fare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All dining | ✅ | ❌ (specialty costs extra) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Alcohol | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Gratuities | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Basic Wi-Fi | ✅ (1 device) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Group fitness | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Shore excursions | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Virgin beats most mainstream lines on dining and gratuities. Celebrity's All-Included fares beat Virgin on alcohol. Nobody includes shore excursions — don't let any line's marketing fool you on that.
Practical Tips to Keep Costs in Check on Virgin Voyages
1. Buy Bar Tab before you sail. Virgin frequently offers 15–25% off Bar Tab when purchased in advance through the Sailor app. Buy the max you think you'll spend — unused balance is refunded.
2. Watch for 'Sailor Loot' promotions. Virgin regularly runs promos that bundle onboard credit, Bar Tab, or Wi-Fi upgrades into the fare. Booking during a sale can net you $200–$600 in added value.
3. Skip the spa package upsell. The spa pitch starts before you even board. The treatments are luxurious but brutally priced. Set a firm budget or just skip it entirely.
4. Use the included Wi-Fi strategically. The one-device basic Wi-Fi handles messaging apps fine. If you need video calls or multiple devices, upgrade to Social or the fastest tier — but it's an added cost.
5. Book shore excursions independently. Virgin's curated 'Shore Things' excursions are well-designed but premium-priced. At Cozumel or Puerto Plata, you can book comparable local tours for 30–50% less.
6. Consider the Mega Rockstar cabin if you drink heavily. The math sometimes works if you're a couple who would otherwise spend $100+/day on drinks plus want the suite perks. Run the numbers before dismissing it.
The Verdict: Who Virgin Voyages Is (and Isn't) Right For
Virgin Voyages is genuinely excellent value if you're a foodie who doesn't drink much. All those restaurants at no extra charge is a real differentiator — on Royal Caribbean, dining at specialty restaurants alone could cost you $30–$60/person/visit.
If you're a cocktail-forward traveler who budgets $80+/person/day on drinks, run a side-by-side comparison. Celebrity's All-Included fares or even a cruise line with an included beverage package might put more money back in your pocket.
Realistic budget for a 7-night Virgin Voyage (per person):
| Spending Type | Estimated Total Add-On Cost |
|---|---|
| Non-drinker, no excursions | $0–$50 (incidentals) |
| Light drinker, 1–2 excursions | $150–$350 |
| Moderate drinker, 2–3 excursions | $400–$700 |
| Heavy drinker, spa day, multiple excursions | $800–$1,500+ |
The base fare covers more than almost any mainstream line. But if you board expecting a true all-in experience like an all-inclusive resort, you'll be reaching for your credit card more than you planned.
Use CruiseMutiny to compare what Virgin Voyages actually costs versus other lines for your specific travel style — including what you'll realistically spend beyond the base fare. If you're ready to book, check current Virgin Voyages availability and deals through our booking partner CruiseHub.