Virgin Voyages Cruises
Adults only, restaurants included, no buffet in sight.
Richard Branson's take on cruising: 18-plus only, boutique-hotel design, 20-plus restaurants included in the fare, a tattoo parlor, drag brunch and a Bimini beach club party.
What Virgin is like.
Virgin Voyages launched in 2021 to build a cruise for people who say they do not like cruises. The ships are adults only (18 and up), there is no buffet and no main dining room, no formal nights, no announcements, and the crew is called "crew" not staff. What you get instead: 20-plus restaurants all included, a boutique-hotel look designed by a team from land-based hospitality, and a schedule of fitness classes, drag brunch, a tattoo studio and late-night parties.
The four ships are sisters: Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, each around 2,700 guests. Cabins ("RockStar Quarters" for suites, "Sea Terrace" for balconies with a hammock) skew smaller than the mass-market lines but are smartly designed, and the fare includes Wi-Fi, gratuities, soda, drip coffee and group fitness, which erases most of the usual add-ons.
Most sailings run four to five nights from Miami to Bimini, where Virgin's Beach Club throws a pool party and offers a quiet beach on the other side, plus a Caribbean or Mexican port. Longer six- to eight-night Caribbean routes, Mediterranean summers and seasonal Australia and Asia sailings round it out.
Pricing looks higher than Carnival or Royal until you add up what Virgin includes. Once you compare all-in, a Virgin long weekend usually lands close to a mass-market fare with a drink package and Wi-Fi, with far better food. We pick the cabin, preload a Bar Tab at the bonus rate and reserve the restaurants that fill.
Ship classes, and which one to pick.
Newer is not always better. The right ship depends on the itinerary, your group and what you want to do on a sea day.
Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, Brilliant Lady
Identical sisters: Richard's Rooftop for suite guests, the Manor nightclub, Redemption Spa, Athletic Club with the largest daybed at sea.
The Beach Club at Bimini (Bahamas): a pool party with DJs on one side, a quiet lagoon and beach on the other, and a nightly beach bonfire before the ship sails.
Where Virgin goes, and what it typically costs.
Starting fares per person, double occupancy, before taxes, packages and flights. They move with season and demand; we price your exact dates.
| Itinerary | Nights | Sails from | Ports | Season | Typical fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire and Sunset Soirees | 4 | Miami | Key West, Bimini Beach Club | Year round | from about $700 to $1,300 pp |
| Riviera Maya | 5 | Miami | Costa Maya or Cozumel, Bimini | Year round | from about $850 to $1,600 pp |
| Dominican Daze | 5 | Miami | Puerto Plata, Bimini | Year round | from about $850 to $1,600 pp |
| Eastern or Western Caribbean | 6 to 8 | Miami | San Juan, St. Croix, Roatan, Costa Maya, Bimini by route | Nov to April | from about $1,200 to $2,400 pp |
| Mediterranean | 7 | Barcelona, Athens, Rome | Ibiza, Cannes, Mykonos, Santorini by route | May to October | from about $1,800 to $3,500 pp |
Which cabin, and who should book it.
Compact inside cabin with mood lighting and a smart layout.
Friend groups splitting cost, out until 3 a.m.
Window cabin, same clever layout.
Light sleepers who want daylight.
Balcony with the famous red hammock; the convertible bed turns into a lounge by day.
Most couples. Book the hammock.
Suites with a RockStar agent, Richard's Rooftop access, in-room bar and priority everything; Mega RockStar adds an unlimited bar tab.
Celebrations and anyone who wants the rooftop.
- The Wake (steak and seafood)
- Razzle Dazzle (veggie-forward, drag brunch)
- Pink Agave (Mexican)
- Gunbae (Korean BBQ)
- Extra Virgin (Italian)
- The Test Kitchen (tasting menu)
- The Galley food hall, The Pizza Place, Dock House
- Room service and late-night snacks
- Nothing costs extra at the restaurants; premium wines, champagne and a few steaks are surcharged
What a sea day looks like.
What is in the fare, what is extra, and which packages pay off.
Names and inclusions change by sailing. We confirm the current terms before you buy anything.
- All restaurants
- Group fitness classes
- Basic Wi-Fi
- Soft drinks, drip coffee, filtered water, tea
- Gratuities
- Entertainment and shows
- Alcohol and specialty coffee (Bar Tab)
- Premium Wi-Fi
- Shore Things excursions
- Spa treatments and thermal suite
- Tattoos
- A few premium menu items
All restaurants, group fitness, basic Wi-Fi, soft drinks, drip coffee, filtered water and gratuities are in the fare. That removes most of the usual add-ons.
Prepaid drink credit rather than an unlimited package, with bonus credit when bought before sailing (often $50 free on $300).
Suite tier with a private sundeck lounge, in-room bar and a RockStar agent who handles reservations. Mega RockStar adds an unlimited bar.
Virgin's excursions, curated and smaller-group; we add private options in Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Plata and Key West.
Upgrade for streaming and video calls.
Day passes and treatments at Redemption Spa; the mud room is the talked-about one.
- Load the Bar Tab before sailing for the bonus credit; you can top it up on board.
- Book The Test Kitchen and Gunbae in the app as soon as reservations open; they are the smallest rooms.
- Sea Terrace hammocks are real; port-side cabins on Miami-Bimini runs get the sunset.
- Scarlet Night: pack something red. Everyone does.
- Bimini: the quiet beach is a short walk past the pool party.
Our take How we plan Virgin.
Virgin is our answer for couples and friend groups who want great food and a fun crowd with none of the traditional cruise trappings. The fare looks higher until you add up what is included elsewhere. We choose the cabin, preload a Bar Tab at the bonus rate, and book the restaurants worth the reservation.
Before you book Virgin.
Is Virgin Voyages really adults only?
Yes, 18 and over with no exceptions, which is exactly why many guests choose it.
Is Virgin more expensive?
The base fare is higher than mass-market lines but includes dining, Wi-Fi, soft drinks and tips. Once you compare all-in costs, it is often close to a Royal or Norwegian fare with packages.
How long are the sailings?
Mostly four and five nights from Miami to Bimini plus a Caribbean port, with some six to eight night itineraries and seasonal Mediterranean and Australia sailings.
Is it a party ship?
It can be, especially Scarlet Night and the Bimini pool party. It is also easy to avoid: the spa, Richard's Rooftop, the quiet beach and the restaurants are the calm side of the ship.
How much does a Virgin cruise cost all in?
A five-night Caribbean sailing for two in a Sea Terrace typically lands at $2,200 to $3,500 including a modest Bar Tab and one excursion. Tips and Wi-Fi are already in.
What is the dress code?
Whatever you like. Most people dress up a little for dinner because the restaurants feel like real restaurants, and red for Scarlet Night.
Compare with the rest.
Ready to sail Virgin?
Tell us who is going and when. A person who has sailed it replies with the right ship, cabin and ports. No fee to you.