Virgin Voyages starts around $150–$250/person/night and includes Wi-Fi, all dining, and gratuities — making it genuinely all-inclusive for most travelers. Margaritaville at Sea runs $50–$100/person/night on paper but stacks on gratuities, drink packages, and dining extras that push real costs much higher. They're targeting completely different travelers.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
Two cruise lines. Two very different promises. Virgin Voyages says "everything's included" and mostly means it. Margaritaville at Sea says "affordable" — and that's technically true for the base fare, but your final bill will tell a different story. Here's how the real numbers shake out.
The Core Cost Comparison
These two lines are almost opposites in how they structure pricing. Virgin Voyages builds most costs into the fare upfront. Margaritaville at Sea uses a low entry price and then monetizes everything onboard. Neither model is inherently evil — but you need to know which you're dealing with before you book.
| Cost Category | Virgin Voyages | Margaritaville at Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Base Fare (per person/night) | $150–$250 | $50–$100 |
| Gratuities | Included (or ~$20–$22/day if not pre-arranged) | ~$16–$18/person/day added automatically |
| Wi-Fi | Included | ~$20–$30/day extra |
| All Restaurants / Dining | Included (20+ venues) | Limited — specialty dining extra |
| Drink Package | Bar Tab credit system (optional top-up) | Traditional package: $60–$90/person/day |
| Estimated Real All-In Cost | $175–$280/person/night | $140–$220/person/night |
That bottom row is the honest number. Once you normalize for what's actually included, the price gap between these two lines shrinks dramatically — and in some cases disappears entirely.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
What Drives the Cost on Each Line
Virgin Voyages — the "all-in" model with caveats
Virgin's pitch is clean: your fare covers Wi-Fi, all dining across 20+ restaurants, and gratuities. No specialty dining cover charges. No tipping stress. The main variable expense is drinks. Virgin doesn't sell a traditional beverage package — instead you buy a "Bar Tab" with bonus credits added (think: pay $300, get $350 in bar credit). This actually works better for moderate drinkers who don't want to commit to a daily package rate and then feel compelled to drink $90 worth of alcohol to "break even."
The gratuity situation deserves a note: Virgin began charging approximately $22/person/day for gratuities if not pre-arranged, or $20/day if pre-paid before sailing. Verify the current policy when you book — this is a relatively recent change and the details matter.
Virgin is also adults-only (18+), which is a hard filter. If you're traveling with kids, this conversation is over.
Margaritaville at Sea — the budget-entry model
Margaritaville at Sea operates the Paradise (formerly the Island Breeze) out of Palm Beach, Florida — a 2-night Bahamas run that's genuinely one of the cheapest cruise options in the market. The base fares are real. You can book a 2-night cruise for well under $200 total per person. But:
- Gratuities are added automatically: $16–$18/person/day
- Wi-Fi is not included: budget $20–$30/day if you need it
- Drink packages run $60–$90/person/day pre-cruise
- The ship and experience are significantly more modest than Virgin
The target here is clearly "first cruise" travelers, bachelorette groups, and anyone who wants a floating party in the Bahamas for a long weekend without spending real money. And it delivers that. Just don't walk in expecting Virgin-level finishes.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Determine Which Is Right for You
Itinerary: Margaritaville at Sea is essentially one product — 2-night Bahamas from Palm Beach. Virgin Voyages sails Caribbean, Mediterranean, Transatlantic, and more, with 3 to 15+ night sailings. If you want more than a weekend trip, Virgin wins by default.
Drinking habits: Heavy drinkers should price out both carefully. Virgin's Bar Tab system rewards moderate drinkers. Margaritaville's package pricing ($60–$90/day) is competitive if you're drinking consistently all day.
Ship experience: Virgin's Lady ships (Lady ship class) are genuinely stunning — design-forward, no kids, good nightlife, strong culinary program. Margaritaville at Sea's Paradise is an older vessel with a party-first atmosphere. Both are fine for what they are. They are not comparable products.
Adults vs. families: Virgin is 18+ only. Margaritaville at Sea allows families. If you have children with you, Margaritaville is the only option of these two.
Practical Tips to Spend Less on Either Line
On Virgin Voyages:
- Book early and watch for "Sailor Loot" promotions — Virgin frequently runs deals that add onboard credit or Bar Tab credits to your booking
- Pre-purchase your Bar Tab before sailing to lock in bonus credit rates
- Verify the current gratuity policy at booking and pre-pay if it saves you money
- Check fares at CruiseHub — Virgin rates can vary significantly by sailing date and cabin category
On Margaritaville at Sea:
- Buy the drink package pre-cruise — onboard pricing is always higher
- Skip Wi-Fi on a 2-night sailing unless you genuinely need it for work
- Watch for flash sales — this line discounts aggressively, especially last-minute
- Factor in the full cost before comparing to Virgin: base fare + gratuities + Wi-Fi + drinks is the real number
Which Type of Traveler Should Book Each
| Traveler Type | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| Couples wanting a premium getaway | Virgin Voyages |
| First-time cruisers on a tight budget | Margaritaville at Sea |
| Party weekend / bachelorette group | Margaritaville at Sea (shorter, cheaper) |
| Solo travelers (adults-only atmosphere) | Virgin Voyages |
| Families with kids | Margaritaville at Sea (only option here) |
| Foodies who care about dining quality | Virgin Voyages (it's not close) |
| Mediterranean or longer itineraries | Virgin Voyages (Margaritaville doesn't go there) |
| Travelers who hate nickel-and-diming | Virgin Voyages |
The honest summary: Margaritaville at Sea is a solid budget option for a very specific trip — 2 nights, Bahamas, party vibe, low commitment. Virgin Voyages is a premium product that justifies its higher base fare with genuine inclusions and a better overall experience. They're not really competing for the same customer. Use CruiseMutiny to run the actual numbers for your specific sailing dates, cabin type, and drinking habits — because the "cheaper" line on paper is rarely the cheaper line once you're back home reviewing your credit card statement.