Virgin Voyages Launches New Fare Levels - Base, Essential, & Premium, and Breaks Out Tips

Virgin’s new booking fare options mirror airline pricing models, in which guests have different tiers to choose from based on the perks and amenities they want to include in their experience. This new structure, called VoyageFair, will go live on October 7, 2025. Tips will also now be separate from Virgin’s included amenities and will be available to pre-pay at a discounted rate or will be added to the Sailor’s folio at the end of their cruise.

VoyageFair Choices: Base, Essential, and Premium

What’s included in Base fare?

This fare offers value for Sailors who are set on a date and flexible with their dining plans. This is the most restrictive fare at the lowest cost. No date changes, cabin location changes, or name swaps will be allowed for bookings in the Base class. This is a fully non-refundable fare with no flexibility for cancellations as well. The cabin location will be assigned at the time of booking; however, Virgin reserves the right to change the cabin location up to 7 days prior to sailing. The dining reservation window will open 15 days prior to the sail date, and Basic WiFi will be included for bookings in the Base class. Important to Note: Basic WiFi is a new tier that will be slower than the current WiFi that’s included onboard. Virgin has stated that Basic WiFi will be sufficient for messaging, social media, and light web browsing on a single device. Click here to see more information on Virgin’s WiFi options. For those familiar with Virgin Voyages, the Base class is very similar to a Lock It In Rate; however, Lock It In cabin locations may be assigned as little as 2 days before a sailing and are also subject to change at Virgin’s discretion.

What’s included in Essential fare?

This is basically the same fare class that Sailors are accustomed to today, with one important new caveat. Sailors booked into Essential class will receive Classic WiFi (which is what is included as the standard Basic WiFi onboard Virgin ships today) on one device, dining reservations beginning at 45 days pre-Voyage, one Voyage date change permitted within the timeframe outlined in the booking terms and conditions, and name changes for Sailors 2, 3, or 4 on the booking up to 48 hours before the sailing. The biggest change is that Sailor One cannot be changed on a booking in the new Essential class. This mirrors how most other cruise lines handle name changes on an existing booking with a ship and sail date. Classic WiFi is twice as fast as basic and is sufficient for messaging, social media, web browsing, and WiFi audio calling. Click here to see more information on Virgin’s WiFi options. Bookings in the Essential class tier will be eligible for Future Voyage Credit, per the timeline in the booking terms and conditions.

What’s included in Premium fare?

This fare class features more inclusions and more flexibility than other fare tiers. Sailors booked into the new Premium class will receive Premium WiFi on two devices, dining reservations beginning at 60 days pre-Voyage, $15 of Bar Tab per person per night, and the flexibility for one Voyage date change within the timeframe outlined in the booking terms and conditions, as well as Sailor name changes for anyone on the booking, including Sailor One, up to 48 hours before the sailing. Premium WiFi is five times faster than base WiFi and is suitable for WiFi audio and video calling as well as entertainment streaming. Click here to see more information on Virgin’s WiFi options. Cabin location changes are permitted, and bookings in the Premium class tier will be eligible for a Future Voyage Credit, as outlined in the booking terms and conditions. Sailors booked in a Premium fare will also receive access to a priority support line, although as your First Mate, we will take care of any pre-Voyage help you may need.

What cabin categories can book the new VoyageFair Choices tiers?

These three new voyage class tiers are bookable for Insiders, Sea Views, Sea Terraces, and XL Sea Terraces. Rockstars and Mega Rockstars will not need to select a fare class, as their perks come standard with their suite. 

How does this impact guests sailing in suites?

Rockstars and Mega Rockstars will now have even earlier access to book their dining beginning at 120 days pre-Voyage. Rockstar Suites will come with Classic WiFi for two devices, and Mega Rockstars will continue to receive Work from Sea, Virgin’s fastest connection speed, which is suitable for VPN and meeting conferencing platforms, for two devices. The onboard experience remains the same with priority boarding, dedicated Rockstar agents, access to the suites-only area, Richard’s Rooftop, with a daily happy hour, and all the same in-suite amenities to ensure you’re living your best life onboard.

Here’s an overview comparison of the new booking fare classes and what’s included within each. Reach out here to plan your Virgin Voyage with us to lock in incredible perks, including a discounted cruise fare and Sailor Loot onboard credit for new bookings in a Sea Terrace cabin or above!

When do the new fare levels start?

The new fare classes go live on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. Any bookings made on or after this date will fall into one of the new booking tiers. Any My Next Virgin Voyages bookings converted with a ship and sail date on or after October 7 will also fall into the new fare classes. Existing bookings and those made before October 7, 2025 will receive the current “legacy” perks that come standard on all bookings, as well as the enhanced booking window for dining.

What’s included on Virgin Voyages now?

Virgin has maintained almost all of its included amenities with the exception of gratuities. Tips are now an option to pre-pay at $20 per Sailor per day, or they will be charged onboard at $22 per person per day, which will appear at the end of the voyage in the Sailor’s folio. This change aims to provide greater price transparency regarding what is actually allocated to Virgin’s crew and crew initiatives onboard. Voyage has stated the voyage fare will decrease to account for this change, so overall fares are not going up — Sailors will now have the choice to pre-pay this item at a discounted rate or pay onboard at the end of their cruise. Service gratuities will continue to be included in the price of onboard offerings, including bar drinks and spa treatments, so Sailors will never be asked for a tip onboard.

Virgin’s other included amenities and onboard experiences remain the same — dining at more than 20 eateries, essential drinks (water, soda, non-speciality coffee, tea, and non-pressed juices), group fitness classes, entertainment, and basic WiFi. As always, these details are subject to change, so be sure to refer to your specific booking terms for the latest information. 

Why is this a good thing for Sailors? 

Sailors now have more options for how to voyage with Virgin. If a Sailor is absolutely certain they’ll be traveling on a specific date with a specific person and they don’t mind keeping dining plans flexible, they may choose to opt for a lower-priced Base fare. If a Sailor is looking for a bit more flexibility and some enhanced perks, Essential fare is likely a good option. And if a Sailor is looking for the most flexibility, with even more amenities and perks, Premium fare is the right choice. As always, sailing in a Rockstar quarters or Mega Rockstar quarters will provide the ultimate pre-Voyage and onboard experience, truly fit for a rockstar. Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu said this updated pricing model is meant to create more freedom, confidence, and ways for Sailors to enjoy a Virgin Voyage vacation.

How does the new fare tier structure layer with Virgin’s Loyalty Program?

Sailing Club members will continue to receive their loyalty perks at the level they have achieved through cruising with Virgin or a status match with another travel brand. Loyalty perks have been announced through the end of 2025, so stay tuned for potential updates to this program here.

How does VoyageFair Choice combine with My Next Virgin Voyages placeholders?

My Next Virgin Voyages placeholders (MNVVs) converted to a ship and sail date before October 7, 2025 will maintain Virgin’s current booking terms and perks. MNVV placeholders converted on or after October 7 will fall into Virgin’s new booking fare classes and will have the specific perks and booking conditions outlined within the selected fare class.

What’s the best way to book a Virgin Voyages cruise?

Booking early with a Gold Knot First Mate remains the best way to secure the best rates. You can have confidence that if the price of your voyage decreases, we can make a one-time price adjustment outside of 45 days before your cruise. Curated by Laura Poe also continues to secure the best pricing and perks (like Sailor Loot onboard credit!) by keeping Virgin’s onboard booking offer in stock for our clients. Reach out here to start planning your Voyage with us to lock in incredible perks. We’ll work with you to determine the best fare class, cabin or suite, and itinerary to ensure you have the absolute best vacation. We’ve voyaged more than 20 times, sailed all four ships, and continue to rank in Virgin’s top 30 travel advisors in North America, so you’re in great hands planning your vacation with us.