Age Policy
The Minimum Age to Sail
- 18 Years Old: You must be at least 18 years of age on the day of embarkation to board the ship.
- Booking Requirement: You must also be at least 18 years old to book a voyage. Unlike some cruise lines that require someone in the cabin to be 21 or 25, Virgin allows 18-year-olds to book and sail independently.
Drinking & Gambling Ages
While you only need to be 18 to sail, the age for certain activities depends on where the ship is located:
- Alcohol:
- US Waters: You must be 21+ to consume alcohol while the ship is in US ports or within 12 miles of the US coast.
- International Waters: Once the ship is in international waters (and for most European/Australian itineraries), the drinking age typically drops to 18.
- Gambling: The minimum age to play in the Casino @ Sea is 18.
Other Key Considerations
- Verification: You will need to provide a valid government-issued photo ID (usually a passport) during check-in to verify your age.
- The Responsible Adult: If a guest is not legally competent to contract (for reasons other than age), they must be accompanied by a Responsible Adult who is at least 21 years old.
- Vibe Check: Although 18-year-olds are welcome, the core demographic often leans toward the 30s–50s range. However, shorter Caribbean sailings and Spring Break windows tend to attract a younger, high-energy crowd.
Dining Information
Virgin Voyages completely ditches the traditional cruise main dining room and buffet model. Instead, they offer over 20+ boutique eateries, all of which are included in your cruise fare—no cover charges or specialty dining fees.
The Signature Restaurants (Reservations Recommended)
These are sit-down, curated experiences. While there is no extra cost, you should book these via the Virgin Voyages app before you sail.
| Restaurant | Cuisine Style | Vibe & Highlights |
| The Wake | Steak & Seafood | Glamorous supper club at the back of the ship with incredible views. |
| Pink Agave | Elevated Mexican | Moody, sophisticated, and famous for its mezcal and duck tacos. |
| Gunbae | Korean BBQ | High-energy, social dining with built-in grills and drinking games. |
| Extra Virgin | Italian | Fresh handmade pasta and a legendary affogato cart. |
| Test Kitchen | Experimental | A laboratory-style tasting menu where the menu is just a list of ingredients. |
| Razzle Dazzle | Veg-Forward | Fun, bold decor with creative vegetarian dishes (and naughty meat add-ons). |
Casual & 24/7 Bites (No Reservations)
- The Galley: This is Virgin’s answer to the buffet. It’s a modern food hall with separate shops (tacos, sushi, burgers, noodles, 24-hour breakfast) where everything is made to order.
- The Pizza Place: Fresh, thin-crust pizzas made while you watch. Open late for those post-party cravings.
- The Dock House: Mediterranean-inspired mezze and grilled skewers, perfect for grazing while lounging on the aft deck.
- Lick Me Till Ice Cream: Hand-scooped artisanal ice cream (the Red Velvet and Malted Milk flavors are fan favorites).
What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra
- Included: All food, still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, drip coffee, and tea.
- Extra Cost: Alcohol, specialty coffees (lattes/espressos), fresh-pressed juices, and Ship Eats (room service) delivery fees.
Tip: If you order Ship Eats, there is a small delivery fee, but it’s waived if you order at least one paid item (like a $5 specialty coffee or a beer).
Fuel Surcharge Policy
The Right to Charge Clause
According to Virgin Voyages’ terms and conditions, the company reserves the right to reinstate a fuel supplement (surcharge) if the price of fuel exceeds certain market benchmarks.
- The Threshold: Typically, if the price of Brent Crude oil rises above $65.00 – $70.00 per barrel (depending on the specific legal jurisdiction of the contract), they reserve the right to add a daily fee.
- The Cost: If implemented, the surcharge is generally capped at $10.00 to $15.00 per person, per day.
- Existing Bookings: Even if you have already paid for your voyage in full, the fine print usually allows the cruise line to collect this additional fee prior to embarkation if the fuel market spikes significantly.
Payments / Refunds
Virgin Voyages has a relatively flexible payment structure compared to legacy cruise lines, but their refund policy gets stricter the closer you get to your sail date.
Payment Timeline
- Deposit: A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your cabin.
- The 24-Hour Breather: If you aren’t ready to commit, you can hold a cabin for 24 hours without any money down (available for sailings 45+ days away).
- Final Payment: The remaining balance is due 120 days before your voyage begins. If you book within 120 days, the full fare is due immediately.
Cancellation & Refund Tiers
The amount you get back depends on when you cancel and how you want the refund.
| Timing of Cancellation | Refund Options |
| Within 7 days of booking | 100% Full Refund (Grace period) to original payment. |
| 121+ days before sailing | Refund of everything except the 20% deposit. The deposit becomes a Future Voyage Credit (FVC). |
| 120 to 45 days before sailing | No cash refund. 100% of the fare becomes a Future Voyage Credit (FVC). |
| 44 days or less | No refund and no credit. All payments are forfeited. |
Exception: Taxes and Port Fees are generally refunded to your original payment method regardless of when you cancel.
Important Policy Details
- Lock-It-In Rates: These are restricted, discounted fares. If you book one of these, all payments are non-refundable and do not qualify for the 7-day grace period or voyage credits.
- Future Voyage Credit (FVC): These credits are usually valid for one year from your original sailing date. They are attached to the individual Sailor and cannot be transferred to someone else.
- Sailor Loot & Bar Tab: If you cancel, any Sailor Loot (onboard credit) provided as a promotion is lost. If you purchased a Bar Tab with your own money, that is typically refunded.
- The Sailor Swap: While you can’t get a refund within 44 days, Virgin is quite cool about name changes. You can transfer your booking to someone else up to 48 hours before sailing for no extra fee (as long as one original person stays on the booking, or you call to arrange a full swap).
Payment Methods
They accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover), Apple Pay, and PayPal. They also offer FlexPay, which allows you to break the balance into monthly installments leading up to that 120-day final deadline.
Smoking Policy
Virgin Voyages has a strict smoking policy designed to keep the air fresh for all Sailors. While the ships are mostly smoke-free, there are specific spots where you can light up.
The No-Go Zones
- Staterooms & Suites: Smoking is strictly prohibited inside your room.
- Terraces (Balconies): Even though you are outside, smoking on your balcony is not allowed.
- Public Indoor Areas: This includes restaurants, bars, hallways, and the gym.
- The Casino: Unlike many other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages does not allow smoking in the casino.
The Designated Smoking Areas
If you need to smoke or vape, you must head to one of these two locations:
- The Smoking Room (Deck 6): An indoor, ventilated lounge located near the Red Room (forward).
- Deck 16 Forward: An outdoor area on the starboard side, near the entrance to Richard’s Rooftop (the VIP sun deck).
Vaping and E-Cigarettes
The policy for vapes and e-cigarettes is identical to traditional cigarettes. You are only allowed to use them in the designated areas mentioned above. Using a vape on your balcony or in your room is still a violation of the policy.
Fines and Enforcement
Virgin takes this very seriously, primarily due to fire safety—the biggest risk on a cruise ship.
- The Fine: If you are caught smoking in a non-designated area (including your balcony), a $500 fee will be added to your onboard account.
- Disembarkation: In extreme cases or for repeat offenses, the cruise line reserves the right to remove you from the ship at the next port of call at your own expense, with no refund for the remainder of your trip.
A Note on Marijuana and CBD
Even if you are sailing from a port where marijuana is legal (like Florida or California), it is strictly prohibited on board. This includes medicinal marijuana and CBD products. Because ships operate under maritime and federal laws, bringing these items on board can result in denied boarding or legal trouble with port authorities.
Travel Protection
Virgin Voyages offers a specific plan called Voyage Protection, administered by Aon Affinity. Because their standard refund policy is quite strict once you are within 120 days of sailing, having protection is generally recommended to avoid losing your entire investment.
What is Covered?
- Trip Cancellation: Reimburses up to 100% of your trip cost (up to $50,000) for covered reasons like illness, injury, or jury duty.
- Trip Interruption: Reimburses up to 150% of the cost if you have to leave the cruise early due to a covered emergency.
- Medical & Evacuation: Provides up to $25,000 for emergency medical/sickness expenses and up to $50,000 for emergency medical evacuation.
- Baggage Protection: Covers up to $1,500 for lost or stolen bags and $500 for baggage delays of 24+ hours.
- Trip Delay: Reimburses up to $1,000 ($250/day) for travel delays of 6 hours or more.
The Cancel For Any Reason Gap
It is important to note that Virgin’s internal Voyage Protection does not typically include a Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) cash refund.
- If you cancel for a non-covered reason (e.g., you just changed your mind), Virgin’s standard policy gives you Future Voyage Credit (FVC) instead of cash, provided you are between 120 and 45 days out.
- If you want 75%–100% cash back for literally any reason, you would need to purchase a third-party CFAR policy (like those from Allianz or John Hancock) within 14–21 days of making your initial deposit.
How to Add Coverage
- At Booking: You can select Voyage Protection during the checkout process on the Virgin Voyages website.
- After Booking: You can add it anytime before your final payment (120 days out) by contacting Sailor Services or your travel advisor.
- The Lock-it-In Catch: If you booked a Lock-it-In rate (restricted fare), your payment is non-refundable from day one. In this case, travel protection is even more critical because you don’t even get the standard FVC options.
Cost of Protection
The cost is not a flat fee; it is calculated based on your total voyage fare and age. Generally, you can expect to pay between 7% and 10% of your total trip cost.
Comparison: Virgin Protection vs. Third-Party
| Feature | Virgin Voyage Protection | Third-Party (e.g., Allianz/AIG) |
| Ease of Use | Integrated into your booking. | Requires separate setup. |
| Pre-existing Conditions | May have stricter look-back periods. | Often waived if bought within 14 days of deposit. |
| Medical Limits | Generally lower ($25k–$50k). | Can be much higher ($100k–$500k+). |
| Default Coverage | Covers Virgin’s financial default. | Check covered supplier lists. |
Tipping Policy
The Daily Service Gratuity
As of late 2025, Virgin moved to a system where gratuities are a separate line item rather than being hidden in the base fare.
- Pre-Paid Rate: $20 per Sailor, per night if you pay before you board.
- Onboard Rate: $22 per Sailor, per night if you wait to settle it on your final bill.
- What it Covers: This daily fee covers all your behind-the-scenes crew, including cabin stewards, dining staff, and general service.
The No Extra Tips Rule
The biggest difference between Virgin and other cruise lines is that they do not add a 18%–20% service charge to individual purchases.
- Drinks: If a cocktail is listed for $12 on the menu, you pay exactly $12.
- Spa Treatments: If a massage is $150, your bill will be $150.
- Dining: There are no cover charges for the 20+ restaurants, and no tip is expected at the end of the meal.
Cash Tipping
While the daily gratuity covers the staff, you are still welcome to tip extra in cash if someone goes above and beyond.
- Is it expected? No. Crew members are paid a salary that does not rely on these extra tips.
- Who usually gets tipped? Some Sailors choose to give a small cash tip to their Room Steward at the end of the cruise or their favorite Bartender early in the trip, but it is entirely optional.
- External Staff: You should still bring a few small bills (USD) for the porters at the cruise terminal who handle your luggage—they are generally unionized port workers, not Virgin Voyages crew members.
Showing Appreciation Without Cash
Virgin Voyages places a massive emphasis on their internal crew recognition program.
Pro Tip: The absolute best way to tip a crew member without spending a dime is to mention them by name in your post-cruise survey. These mentions are tracked and directly impact the crew member’s ability to get promotions, better contracts, or extra time off.
Why Virgin Voyages?
- Adults-only cruising with a fresh, sophisticated vibe
- All-included dining, entertainment, fitness, and Wi-Fi
- Over 20 unique restaurants with no buffet lines
- Vibrant nightlife and themed events tailored to grown-ups
- Flexible dining and no formal dress codes
- Award-winning entertainment and live performances
- Wellness-focused spaces, spas, and group activities
- Stylish modern cabins and designer ship interiors
- Transparent pricing with minimal hidden fees
- Ideal for couples, solo travelers, and groups seeking unique cruise experiences
FAQ
What age do I need to be to sail on Virgin Voyages?
Virgin Voyages is a strictly adults-only cruise line. All Sailors must be 18 years of age or older at the time of sailing.
Are meals included in the cruise fare?
Yes, dining at all onboard restaurants is included in your cruise fare. Virgin Voyages features a variety of specialty dining venues with no buffets, no assigned dining times, and no additional charges.
Is Wi-Fi included?
Basic Wi-Fi is included in the cruise fare, allowing Sailors to browse the web and stay connected. Upgraded Wi-Fi options are available for purchase for faster speeds and streaming.
Are gratuities included?
Gratuities are listed as a separate line item and can be prepaid before sailing or charged onboard. Once gratuities are covered, no additional tipping is expected, though discretionary tipping for exceptional service is optional.
What kind of entertainment is available onboard?
Virgin Voyages offers a wide range of award-winning entertainment, including live shows, immersive theater, themed parties, live music, and late-night nightlife across multiple venues.
Is Virgin Voyages suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, Virgin Voyages is an excellent choice for solo travelers. The adults-only atmosphere, social activities, and dedicated solo cabins create a welcoming and engaging experience for those traveling alone.
Can I bring children on Virgin Voyages?
No, Virgin Voyages does not permit children or minors on overnight sailings, ensuring a relaxed and exclusively adult cruise environment.