Typically when booking a cruise, you have the option of choosing a drink package to go along with your vacation. The drink packages and costs vary depending on the cruise line you choose. If you don’t have a drink package, alcohol prices can be quite expensive per drink.
However, Virgin Voyages’ alcohol package & drink price policy is different from traditional cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. If you’re interested in booking an adults-only Virgin Voyages cruise, this article will tell you all about it.
Virgin Voyages Alcohol Package & Drink Prices: Overview
Virgin Voyages tries to set itself apart from traditional cruise lines. The adult-only cruise line has a small fleet of four ships that are sleek in design and offer a stylish approach to cruising. The atmosphere is hip, the dining is chic, and the cabins and suites are modern.
The young cruise line also has a different approach when it comes to drinking and dining. Many cruise lines have buffets and a range of a la carte restaurants, some of which are included and others which cost extra. Virgin Voyages has no buffets and more than 20 eateries to choose from, which are all included in your fare.
Does Virgin have an alcohol package? No, it doesn’t. There are no Virgin Voyages drink packages. Instead, all essential refreshments such as water, tea, soft drinks, coffees, and juices are complimentary and can be found anywhere on the ship. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased separately, and are reasonably priced.
To give you an idea of the difference, Royal Caribbean offers four different drink packages, including a water package, a classic soda package, a refreshment package, and a deluxe beverage package (which includes alcohol). With Virgin Voyages, you don’t need to worry about figuring out which package is the most cost-effective and can choose to purchase alcohol as you go.
Virgin Voyages also says, “Cheers to fair pricing,” so drinks aren’t marked up in price like on other cruise lines. Instead, you can get a beer for $5-$6, basic cocktails for under $9, and 42% of their wine by the glass is under $10. Of course, you can buy expensive wine and champagne by the bottle if you want.
Guests on Virgin Voyages don’t need to worry about tipping the servers or bartenders, as all gratuities are included in the fare.
Is Virgin Voyages Bar Tab Worth It?
As you can see, Virgin Voyages drink packages and drink price policy is different from their competitors. We like that you don’t have to worry about getting a drink package beforehand. Instead, if you don’t feel like drinking alcohol one day, no problem; you can drink all of the water, soft drinks, coffees, and juices you’d like.
With other cruise lines, if you purchased an alcohol package, you may feel like you need to get your money’s worth. With Virgin Voyages, you can choose to buy only what you want and not feel like you wasted money. If you do decide to drink alcohol throughout the trip, then you may want to consider buying a Virgin Voyages Bar Tab.
The Virgin Voyages Bar Tab is a non-refundable $300 fee, which is applied to any alcoholic beverages purchased during the cruise. You can use it anywhere on the ship and at the Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini.
Keep in mind that you can’t purchase the bar tab on the ship–you have to get it in advance. But when you buy it before you get on the ship, Virgin Voyages will give you a $50 bonus credit. If you have leftover credits on your bar tab, you can use them to buy drinks for others.
Go to the “My Account” section on the Virgin Voyages website to purchase a bar tab.
What Are Virgin Voyages Drink Prices?
Since Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer unlimited alcohol packages, you may wonder if you will go overboard on your budget (pun intended). Don’t worry, Virgin Voyages drink prices are reasonable.
For beers, guests can choose from Amstel Light, Heineken, Narragansett, and Kalik, which are $5-$6 each. For basic cocktails that have whiskey, vodka, rum, and gin, you can expect to pay around $9 each. While Virgin Voyages does have wine and champagne by the bottle, they also have a good selection of wines by the glass that cost less than $10.
By looking at these prices, if you get the Virgin Voyages bar tab, you would get 5-10 drinks for free, thanks to the $50 bonus credit.
Virgin Voyages “Shake for Champagne”
As the saying goes, “You can’t drink all day if you don’t start in the morning,” and Virgin Voyages can help with that. Something unique that Virgin Voyages offers is “Shake for Champagne,” an on-demand champagne delivery service available anywhere on the ship.
If you want to celebrate or are in the mood for bubbly, you can shake your phone with the Virgin Voyages Sailor app and have a 750ml bottle of Möet Chandon Impérial delivered to you in minutes. The $95 bottle of champagne will be served on ice in a red champagne bucket with two flutes.
If you want to start your vacation off on a festive note, or if you want to surprise someone special, Shake for Champagne is the perfect way to do it.
From beer and basic cocktails to wine and champagne, Virgin Voyages has you covered when it comes to alcoholic beverages. You don’t have to spend a ton on a Virgin Voyages alcohol package to have a good time.
If you’re a champagne connoisseur, you’ll enjoy the onboard champagne bar “Sip.” With a wide variety of champagnes, you can find costs ranging from $9 a glass to $1,000 a bottle.
Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol on a Virgin Voyages Cruise?
Many cruise lines prohibit guests from bringing their own alcohol onboard. Some are so strict that travelers look for ways to cheat the drink packages to save money. However, Virgin Voyages understands that if you have a vintage bottle of wine from your wedding, then you may want to bring it on the cruise.
However, wine is the only thing you are allowed to bring on board. Guests 21 and older are limited to two 750ml bottles of wine per cabin in carry-on bags. Your bags will be checked for other alcohol, so if you have beer or liquor, you will have to surrender it until the cruise is complete.
If you want to buy specialty liquors from a port of call, then it’s no problem. However, you will need to check the bottles with the Virgin Voyages security team, and they will hold them for you until your final night.
Can I Bring Non-Alcoholic Drinks on Board Virgin Voyages?
Virgin Voyages does allow small quantities of non-alcoholic drinks. For example, you can bring 12 sealed, unopened 12-ounce cans of water, non-alcoholic beer, soft drinks, juices, or protein drinks.
It’s important to note that Virgin Voyages takes the use of plastic very seriously. You will notice when aboard one of the “Lady Ships” there are zero plastic straws and water bottles onboard. So if you try to bring your own plastic bottled drinks or even glass bottles, they will not be allowed.
Can You Drink Under 21 on Virgin Voyages?
Even though Virgin Voyages has cruises departing from the United States, persons aged 18, 19, and 20 are allowed to drink alcohol onboard. However, Virgin Voyages waits until they are far enough from the U.S. coast and in international waters before the bars will be open for those under 21 years old.
Virgin Voyages Alcohol Package & Drink Prices: Conclusion
Overall, the Virgin Voyages drinks package and price policy is unique in the cruise industry. It’s a relief to know that once you get on board, all of your non-alcoholic drinks are included in the fare. If you do plan on drinking, then we recommend taking advantage of the bar tab promotion to save some money.
If you’re wondering whether or not Virgin Voyages is right for you, we have lots of cruise-related articles to help you decide: Uniworld Cruises for Young Adults, Cruise vs. All-Inclusive Resort: Which Is Best for You?, 10 Best Honeymoon Cruises & Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean vs. MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean vs. Celebrity, Royal Caribbean vs. Princess Cruises, Viking vs. Oceania, Why Are Disney Cruises So Expensive?, Norwegian vs. Princess, and Carnival Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean.