Because Virgin has no traditional main dining room, you can eat in a different spot every night with no specialty dining fees. However, this creates the need for a reservation system, which has caused frustration for past guests. Today we pull back the curtain on Virgin Voyages dining reservations. We share how to book dining on Virgin Voyages.
You may have heard complaints about the difficulties of making reservations. It’s true, it can be difficult at times, but Virgin has been making it better recently.
Fortunately, we have some hacks and work-arounds for you so you can enjoy your fabulous Virgin Voyage.
Shrimp at the Dock
Tip 1: Booking Before You Sail
If you have a regular cabin, you can begin booking reservations at midnight E.S.T. at 45 days before your sailing. If you are a Far Far Away Travels client, we send you a reminder email the day before. If you are a Rockstar (suite) guest, this begins 60 days out.
Virgin only opens about 30% of the reservations before your sailing so when you get on board you can often get many more. Don’t fret if you don’t get what you want immediately.
You can book dining through the app or your online web account. We think the web account is easier and faster. If your reservations are linked with friends in other cabins you will be able to make reservations for others at the same time. If you want bookings linked ask your travel advisor or call Virgin.
Pro Tip: If you do not get what you want, keep checking back as people cancel and change all the time.
How Many Reservations Can You Make? It depends on the length of your voyage:
Up to five nights: You may make one reservation per restaurant
Six to eight nights: You may make two reservations per restaurant
Nine nights and more: You may make three reservations per restaurant
But that’s how many reservations you can hold. You could eat in the same restaurant every night as a walk up if you wanted. But we don’t recommend it as the variety is what makes Virgin fun.
Tip 2: Virgin Voyages Dining Booking On Board
Remember, about 70% of the reservations will open up on boarding day.
As soon as you get on board, go into airplane mode and get on the ship’s wi-fi. Make as many reservations as you can.
Another option is to visit Razzle Dazzle on deck 5 where there will be staff to assist you.
Pro Tips:
-As soon as you are on board just sit at the first place you see and start booking. You can see your cabin later.
-If you are traveling with others and your reservations are linked, divide up the work.
–During the cruise things will open often so keep checking if you don’t have what you want.
–If you have a reservation and decide not to use it, be kind and cancel it in the app so someone else can have it.
Baked Alaska at the Wake
Tip 3: Walk Up
Failing all else, try a walk-up. If they can get you in, they will. Two people dining together have the advantage here as larger tables are more likely to be filled.
We prefer to dine early but I book late reservations when they are all that is available. Then we go to the restaurant(s) early and see if we can do a walk in. More often than not, they can accommodate us. Of course, when I get in earlier, I go into the app and cancel the later reservation so someone else can have it.
Tip 4: If All Else Fails
Finally, if you fail to get a reservation some night, you still have options. The Galley now serves full dinners (prime rib, beef wellington, butter chicken, turkey, etc.). The entrees for each night will be posted in the printed daily schedule you can pick up at the deck 7 Grounds Club or the Shore Things desk.
Now that you know how to book dining on Virgin Voyages, it’s time to discuss your other food options.
Tip 5: Other Options
Of course there is the Galley with it’s many great choices. But there’s more.
Pro Tip: At the Galley you can line up at each food spot to order. But you can also just sit at a table, raise the little red flag and someone will come take your order and serve you.
The pizza place makes fresh to order pizza. They box it so you can eat it there or take it anywhere you like. So much better than the heat lamp pizza one often gets on other cruise lines.
And there is 24/7 room service, called Ship Eats. There is a $10 delivery charge for Ship Eats but if you order $10 worth of drinks, specialty coffees, or other extra charge items, the fee is waived.
The Dock on deck 7 has delightful appetizers at no charge. People love the shrimp, polenta, beef skewers and more. There is a daily Opa hour with Mediterranean specialties.
Most people never find it, but on deck 15, near Richard’s Rooftop, is the Sun Club. They have poke and bao. It is open most afternoons.
Desserts at the Galley
Tip 6: Virgin Voyages Dining In Rooms
There is no rule against having food in your room that you did not order from room service. In fact, you will have a dorm style mini-fridge.
There are to-go boxes at the entrances to Galley to take to your room. There is also one at the entrance to the Dock. There are bento style boxes of sushi, fruit, veggies, deserts, salads and charcuterie.
The Social Club has candy, popcorn, pretzels and hot dogs you can take or eat there.
The Grounds Club Coffee shop on deck 7 has many pastries you can take to your room. We have a special love for the almond croissants. You can also get desserts from the Galley.
No one says a word if you get food in the Galley and take it to your room.
Ice Cream Included on Virgin Voyages
Tip 7: Ice Cream Included
Many cruise lines charge you extra for gelato style ice cream, but not Virgin.There is a steady rotation of flavors each day with key lime pie and brown butter being two special favorites. Enjoy the friendly service and the name “Lick Me Till Ice Cream.”
And if that’s not enough, there are handmade popsicles in the Galley.
Learn More about Virgin Voyages:
Virgin Scarlet Lady Lucky Lotus Review
Virgin Voyages Splash of Romance – Is it worth it?
Want to book a Virgin Voyage cruise with us as your travel advisor?
