Yes, Virgin Voyages can still be worth it for non-drinkers — but only if you're the right type of traveler. The included 'Always Hoppy' non-alcoholic beer, Basic Bar (sodas, juices, coffee), gratuities, and dining at specialty restaurants mean you're not paying for things you'll never use, unlike most competitors where alcohol packages are bundled into 'deals.'
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Most cruise lines treat non-drinkers as an afterthought — you're still subsidizing the open-bar crowd through inflated fares. Virgin Voyages is different, but not in the way their marketing suggests. Here's the honest breakdown of whether skipping alcohol tanks your value proposition on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady.
What's Actually Included for Non-Drinkers on Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages includes things most lines charge extra for — and those inclusions hit differently when you're not a drinker:
- All specialty dining (15+ restaurants) at no extra charge
- Gratuities fully included
- Sodas, still and sparkling water, juices, drip coffee, and hot tea — free at any bar or restaurant
- "Always Hoppy" non-alcoholic beer — on tap, included
- Basic Bar (non-alcoholic cocktail-style drinks) — available but this is where it gets complicated (see below)
- Fitness classes — many included (yoga, spinning, meditation)
- No kids onboard — adult-only means a genuinely different atmosphere
- WiFi — sold separately, NOT included (a real gap)
What you don't get free: alcoholic drinks (obviously), premium non-alcoholic cocktails (yes, some "mocktails" cost money), WiFi, and shore excursions.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Cost Comparison: Virgin Voyages vs. Competitors for Non-Drinkers
| Cost Category | Virgin Voyages | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian (NCL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base fare (7-night Caribbean, inside cabin, per person) | $1,100–$1,800 | $700–$1,200 | $650–$1,100 |
| Specialty dining (per night) | Included | $30–$60/person | $20–$55/person |
| Gratuities (7 nights) | Included | ~$133/person | ~$147/person |
| Sodas & non-alcoholic drinks | Included | $12–$15/day or package | $10–$15/day or package |
| WiFi (7 nights) | $25–$35/day | $20–$30/day | $25–$35/day |
| Estimated all-in cost (non-drinker) | $1,400–$2,100 | $1,300–$2,200 | $1,200–$2,100 |
The math is closer than you think. Once you add dining upgrades, gratuities, and drink packages to Royal Caribbean or NCL, a non-drinker's total spend lands in nearly the same range — and you still won't get 15 specialty restaurants.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Affect Your Value as a Non-Drinker
1. The "Drink It All" package is not your friend — and you're not pressured into it. Virgin doesn't bundle booze into inflated fare tiers the way NCL's "Free at Sea" does. You're not paying a hidden tax on alcohol you won't drink. That's a genuine win.
2. The non-alcoholic beverage situation is mostly good, but not perfect. Basic non-alcoholic drinks (sodas, juices, water, coffee) are free. But if you want a fancy zero-proof cocktail from their craft menu — think non-alcoholic mojitos with premium ingredients — some of those are priced at $8–$14 each. A dedicated non-alcoholic beverage package doesn't exist (as of 2025), so heavy mocktail drinkers should budget $20–$40/day for premium non-alc drinks.
3. Specialty dining is the crown jewel — and it's all yours. This is where non-drinkers genuinely win on Virgin. Dinner at The Wake (their steakhouse), Extra Virgin (Italian), Razzle Dazzle (vegetarian-forward), Pink Agave (Mexican) — all included. On any other premium line, you'd spend $200–$400+ per couple on these meals across a week.
4. The vibe matters — and it skews toward drinkers. Let's be real: Virgin Voyages markets itself as a party ship for adults. The pool deck has a DJ. Nightlife is central. If you're a non-drinker who genuinely enjoys that energy sober, you'll love it. If you want a quieter, more relaxed cruise, you may find the atmosphere exhausting — regardless of what's in your glass.
5. WiFi is a surprise budget hole. Unlike some competitors who bundle WiFi into premium fares, Virgin charges separately. At $25–$35/day, a 7-night cruise adds $175–$245 per device. Non-drinkers who thought they'd pocket savings here might be surprised.
Practical Tips to Maximize Value as a Non-Drinker
Book during a "Mega Sale" or "Swashbuckler" promotion. Virgin Voyages runs frequent promotions where they throw in extra sailor loot credits (onboard credit), WiFi, or cabin upgrades. Since you're not chasing a drink package deal, these promotions often add more proportional value for non-drinkers.
Use Sailor Loot credits on WiFi first. If your booking comes with onboard credit, burn it on WiFi — it's your biggest unexpected out-of-pocket cost.
Don't buy the Drink It All package out of FOMO. The alcoholic beverage package runs $35–$55/person/day (roughly $245–$385 for a 7-night sailing). There is no hybrid non-alc version that makes financial sense. Skip it entirely.
Budget $15–$25/day for premium non-alcoholic drinks if you're a mocktail or specialty coffee person. It won't break the bank, but it's not free.
Take advantage of every included dining venue. Non-drinkers often get more value from food than alcohol-focused guests. With 15+ restaurants included, you can eat somewhere different every night — easily $400–$600 in dining value compared to what you'd spend on other lines.
Consider a shorter sailing first. Virgin offers 3- and 4-night Caribbean itineraries from $500–$900/person. It's a lower-stakes way to test whether the vibe works for you before committing to a 7-night fare.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Book Virgin Voyages as a Non-Drinker
| Traveler Type | Virgin Voyages Worth It? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Foodie non-drinker | ✅ Absolutely | 15+ specialty restaurants included is a huge value |
| Budget-conscious non-drinker | ⚠️ Maybe | Total cost is competitive but not dramatically cheaper |
| Party-atmosphere lover (sober) | ✅ Yes | Adult-only, energetic, great entertainment |
| Quiet/relaxation seeker | ❌ Probably not | The vibe skews loud and nightlife-forward |
| Families with kids | ❌ No | Adult-only policy, full stop |
| Frequent specialty-coffee drinker | ✅ Yes | Drip coffee free; specialty options affordable |
| Mocktail enthusiast | ⚠️ Budget carefully | Premium zero-proof drinks cost $8–$14 each |
Bottom line: Virgin Voyages is worth it for non-drinkers who care about food, atmosphere, and not being nickel-and-dimed on dining and tips. It's not worth it if you're looking for a bargain-basement cruise price or a relaxing, low-energy week at sea. The alcohol equation is nearly neutral — you're not penalized for not drinking, which is more than you can say for most cruise lines.
Want to see how Virgin Voyages stacks up against your actual budget? Run the numbers with CruiseMutiny — it breaks down your real all-in cost based on what you actually plan to spend onboard, not what the cruise line wants you to think you're saving.