This is your guide to Virgin Voyages deals. Virgin Voyages is shaking up the cruise industry with its bold new approach. Setting itself apart from traditional cruise lines, Virgin has a strict No-Kids policy, leads the way in environment-friendly cruising, and includes more in the base fare than any similar cruise line. Discover the latest Virgin Voyages deals for an unforgettable cruise experience.

Virgin Voyages continually rolls out an assortment of offers and promotions—some combine, others not. Keeping track of these deals can be complicated. Here’s our up-to-date guide, designed to keep you informed.

Please note: Virgin Voyages deals often include sales on select sailings which only last a few days. They won’t be included in this article.

If you would like to find special group rates, or special individual sales, check out this SubReddit.

Current Primary Virgin Offer

Buy one, get 70% off the second sailor for eligible cabins, XL sea terrace and below to insider cabins.

The current primary promotion is for new booking made until May 28.

This combines with the MNVV use, loyalty offers (see referral bar tab below), Paid in Full discount, resident rates, and military-first responder rates. Lock it in rates do not qualify.

Sail on the any of the four Lady Ships with Virgin Voyages deals.

What’s a Bar Tab? What’s Sailor Loot?

Bar Tab is prepaid credit you have received through a promotion or purchased before the cruise.  It is credit you can spend onboard toward the cost of alcohol, smoothies, mocktails, energy drinks,  specialty coffees and teas, and fresh pressed juice.

Sailor Loot is what is typically called onboard credit or OBC. This money can be spent on bar tab items but can also be spent on shore excursions (if you book them while on board), spa services, extra cost items in the restaurants such as a tomahawk steak, tattoos, room service charges, specialty coffees and teas, mocktails, bingo cards, gambling, onboard events that come with an extra charge, or to purchase items in the gift shops. You can even buy a hammock! Once you have spent your Bar Tab money, they will charge the remaining drinks to your Sailor Loot. When that runs out, they will charge your credit card.

In both cases, if you do not spend it by the end of the trip, you lose it.

This is what you’ll spend bar tab on.

If you wish to purchase more bar tab before the cruise, there are bonuses: Virgin Voyages offer sailors the opportunity to buy a ‘Bar Tab’ before they sail. Bar Tab can be purchased in several ‘chunks’ each with a corresponding bonus if you buy it before the cruise. While Virgin often sells these at the terminal as you board, it is safest to buy it at least a few days before your sailing. Once you are onboard the bonuses are not available.

• $200 Bar Tab: Bonus $25 (12.5% extra)
• $300 Bar Tab: Bonus $50 (16.7% extra)
• $500 Bar Tab: Bonus $100 (20% extra)
• $750 Bar Tab: Bonus $175 (23.3% extra)
• $1000 Bar Tab: Bonus $250 (25% extra)

If you would like to look at bar menus to get an idea of prices, we have put this together (dinner menus too).

Virgin’s Standard Discounted Rates

Virgin has long-standing discounted rates for specific types of sailors. They often don’t combine with other offers but can provide some of the lowest fares. These are not offered on every sailing and usually appear only a few months or weeks before the sailing date.

1. Resident Discount Rates. For any of these rates, you will need to show proof of residency.
   • Florida
   • Georgia
   • Puerto Rico
   • New York
   • New Jersey
   • Connecticut
   • Mexico
   • Canada
2. U.S. or Canadian First Responders or Active or Retired Military. These include active, veteran, spouses, or surviving spouses of any branch of the military. First responders include firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police. ID proof will be necessary when checking in at the port.
3. Solo Travelers. Solo travelers often get stuck paying double as cruise lines tend to charge per cabin. Virgin often offers Solo sailor rates at discounted prices. Read more below.

Is this your first time sailing Virgin? Get Free Bar Tab!

Virgin Voyages has a referral program which can get you extra free Bar Tab on your first sailing. Ask us for a referral code BEFORE you book, and you can qualify for a free $150 bar tab on any cabin except for a lock-it-in rate or Mega Rock Star.

This offer does not combine with many other offers.

If you have sailed Virgin before, you can get a referral code link to share with your friends. You can earn $150 free bar tab for every successful referral you make and can spend them on your sailings for up to a year. You can use up to of 2 per sailing for up to $300 free bar tab.

My Next Virgin Voyage Certificates (MNVVs)

There are two kinds of MNVVs, however, Virgin discontinued the older version, which was more generous, so only the new version is regularly available.

We often have new style MNVVs available for our clients’ use. If you’re interested, find our contact us links at the bottom of this article.

My Next Virgin Voyages (MNVV) certificates which can only be purchased while sailing on Virgin. It is what other cruise lines call a future voyage deposit, but Virgin’s is more generous than most. We buy batches when we sail with Virgin so that we can share them with our clients. They can be transferred to another person once, and because they represent such great perks. To use one, you reimburse us the $150 we paid for it, and we use it to make a new booking in your name. The $150 is then applied as payment toward your deposit when we use the certificate.

• If you book a cruise of 4-5 days with your MNVV: You get $150 discount off the price of your cabin and $150 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 6-8 days with your MNVV: You get $200 discount off the price of your cabin and $200 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 9 days or more with your MNVV: You get $250 discount off the price of your cabin and $250 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)

These certificates only work on a sea terrace (balcony) or better, not a lock-it-in rate. They expire after two years and are non-refundable. If you have one you will not use, we and other travel advisors often reimburse for them for the use of other clients.

Important: Buy these while on board. If you buy them after you sail they usually have the loot but not the discount.

The old style MNVVs cost $300 but provided a $300 discount and added $600 on board credit sailor loot.

There are plenty of “sweet” deals to be had!

There is another type called a “Lasting Glow.” If you missed buying one onboard you can sometimes buy one after you sail but it typically includes only the sailor loot, not the discount. We recommend always buying onboard to get the best value.

Lock-It-In Rates

When these are offered, they are the lowest prices you will see. But they come with many restrictions. The internet is littered with tales of woe from people who booked a lock-it-in rate without understanding the fine print and who later need to cancel or change.

While the rate is good there are serious restrictions to consider before you choose any lock-it-in rate:

• No Cabin Changes: Once assigned, cabin changes are not allowed, this means you could be left with a less desirable cabin such as a noisy cabin. Or, booking a sea terrace, one that has no hammock or has a metal balcony.
• No Date Changes: Cruise date changes are restricted, and no future voyage credit will be provided if you change your cruise date.
• No Refunds: There are no refunds available once booked and  they are not eligible for flexible policies. This means the usual 7 day period to cancel for a full refund does not apply with a lock-it-in rate.
• Unknown Cabin: You might not know your cabin number until you sail, as assignments can occur up to and including the day you sail.
• No Referral Code Bonuses.
• MNVV Restrictions: You can not use a My Next Virgin Voyage Placeholder on Sea Terrace Lock It In Rates (it can be used on Rockstar and Mega Rockstar Lock It In Rates)

If you do decide to book, we strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance from an outside vendor. We have had many clients who had a last-minute health emergency, or who had to cancel due to family illness.

Pay In Full and Save

Paid In Full Discount. If you book a cruise more than a year before sailing, on most sailings you can pay in full and save 10% off the price after port fees and taxes. This does not apply to suites or lock-it-in rates.

Reduced Single Supplement Rates

Solo travelers love Virgin Voyages as the Virgin provides many opportunities for solo meet-ups and activities. Contact us and we’ll tell you which sailings have this discount.

More information

If you’re still wondering about Virgin Voyages or have specific questions, some of our most popular articles might help.

• Virgin Voyages Dining Guide
• Splash of Romance
• Virgin Voyages Fitness
• Scarlet Lady Lucky Lotus
• Sailing as a Mega Rockstar

Of course, if you don’t see the exact question you’re interested in, contact us and we’ll help.

The post Guide to the Best Virgin Voyages Deals – May 2026 Edition appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

New Restaurant on the Valiant Lady

Just a matter of days ago, Virgin Voyages announced that they will be making an update to the Razzle Dazzle restaurant on the Valiant Lady. The fact that they are changing the restaurant isn’t news at this point, since they announced that they would be changing it quite some time ago, but we hadn’t learned what cuisine it would be until now.

The new establishment will be called Ariya and it will feature Indian dishes “reimagined with contemporary flair.” Frankly, I’m a bit clueless as to what that last part means and I’ve worked in food service to know puffery when I see it. Don’t misconstrue this, though, I am very much looking forward to trying the new restaurant.

Virgin Voyages’ New Restaraunt – Ariya

Virgin posted some delicious sounding previews from the menu:

• Golgappa Shot: crisp pani puri, chilled spiced herb water
• Malabar Coconut Crab Cake: golden crab cake, coconut spice, green papaya slaw
• Lamb Shank Biryani: papadum, fragrant saffron basmati
• Eggplant Saag Napoleon: roasted eggplant, creamy spinach saag, crisp papadum
• Gulab Jamun Stuffed Cheesecake: cheesecake, saffron-cardamom donut bites

There will also be a complimentary jaljeera, which they describe as, “a chilled blend of tamarind, cumin, mint, and lemon.” This will be served to greet sailors as they arrive at the restaurant, similar to the beverage served when you dine at Test Kitchen.

It’s long been speculated that Virgin would announce an Indian restaurant to update Razzle Dazzle. Previously they created Lucky Lotus and Rojo, which I wrote about and had very high praise for. The roots of Razzle Dazzle, were in vegan and vegetarian forward dishes, which Indian cuisine is exceptionally good at, making Aryia a wisely chosen successor.

Pier Changes in New York

The inaugural New York season for Virgin Voyages was centered at Pier 90 in Manhattan, where the ship’s departed from and returned to. However, Pier 90 is closed to receive infrastructure updates, creating capacity issues at the Manhattan terminal. Virgin moved their 2026 operations to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal as the capacity issues forced them to move.

Passengers who had booked impacted itineraries have been notified by the cruise line of the changes, but if you’re thinking about taking a New York sailing this Spring or Fall you should know that the departing location has changed. Here’s which sailings are impacted:

April of 2026

• 5-night Sailing: The Big Apple to Bermuda – April 6, 2026
• 5-night Sailing: Virgin Voyages Comedy Fest New York – April 11, 2026
• 9-night Sailing: Bermuda Beauty to East Coast Elegance – April 16, 2026
• 14-night Sailing: New York Transatlantic Crossing to Spain – April 25, 2026

September of 2026:

• 8-night Sailing: Fall Foliage in Canada & New England – September 19, 2026
• 5-night Sailing: The Big Apple to Bermuda – September 27, 2026

October of 2026:

• 5-night Sailing: The Big Apple to Bermuda – October 2, 2026
• 6-night Sailing: New York to Bermuda (& Back) – October 7, 2026
• 6-night Sailing: New York to Bermuda (& Back) – October 13, 2026
• 12-night Sailing: NY to San Juan: Bermuda & Caribbean – October 19, 2026

The difference in leaving from Brooklyn as opposed to Manhattan isn’t that much of an impact – as long as you go to the correct pier.

The Brilliant Lady Docked at Pier 90 in New York City

Having sailed from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, I can confidently say that, yes, it needs these updates. Literally, whatever they are updating it needs it. The staff handled everything wonderfully and boarding was incredibly smooth, but the infrastructure was obviously in need of refurbishment and replacement. The overhaul is more than replacing carpets and benches, this will be significant.

New York Sailings Disappear

What’s more concerning is that after the fall of 2026, New York appears nowhere on their deployment chart, which is a cruise line’s plan for where their ships will be deployed. That means that for 2027, Virgin Voyages will not be sailing from the Big Apple. The deployment chart that we have goes until March of 2028, so it is possible that New York may be restored in Spring and Summer of that year, but we cannot be sure.

As of writing Virgin has made no public comment on why they are abandoning one of their “home ports.” In 2024, when the Brilliant Lady was announced, Virgin proclaimed, with no small amount of fanfare, that New York would be a new East Coast home for them. The popular New York – Bahamas/Carolinas cruises make a strong seasonal market and the scarlet cruise line wanted a piece of it. It makes their backing out all the more mysterious and disappointing.

Virgin Voyages 2026-Mar 2028 Deploayment Chart

We have reached out to Virgin for comment and will update this piece if we get a response.  Until we are told otherwise, however, we can only speculate on why they are pulling out of this market – which is what I shall now do!

I suspect that this has something to do with the cruise terminal overhaul at Pier 90. When cruise companies make their schedules, they are looking 12-24 months out. The updates to Pier 90 are expected to take several years to complete and that is going to crunch the capacity of the New York market for the duration. That could mean that docking fees are rising in the area because of the reduction in capacity. It’s also possible that the availability of docks is incompatible with the other schedules that Virgin has already lined up.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Virgin has been forced to abandon a market due to forces outside their control. When the line launched, Australia and New Zeeland were very popular itineraries for them. They were selling well and people raved about the line in that market. Then, conflict broke out in Yemen and it made traversing the Red Sea quite a bit more dangerous, causing Virgin to cancel Australia and New Zeeland sailings. That conflict has not subsided and, as I’ve written about, the Middle East region hasn’t proven to be safer since then.

Hopefully we’ll see a restoration of the sailings from old New York, since I adored my time on one of them. Until then, there’s plenty of other reasons to visit the city.

The post Virgin Voyages New Restaurant and New York Changes appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

This is your guide to Virgin Voyages deals. Virgin Voyages is shaking up the cruise industry with its bold new approach. Setting itself apart from traditional cruise lines, Virgin has a strict No-Kids policy, leads the way in environment-friendly cruising, and includes more in the base fare than any similar cruise line. Discover the latest Virgin Voyages deals for an unforgettable cruise experience.

Virgin Voyages continually rolls out an assortment of offers and promotions—some combine, others not. Keeping track of these deals can be complicated. Here’s our up-to-date guide, designed to keep you informed.

Please note: Virgin Voyages deals often include sales on select sailings which only last a few days. They won’t be included in this article.

If you would like to find special group rates, or special individual sales, check out this SubReddit.

Current Primary Virgin Offer (The Wave Continues)

If you book by March 31, 2026, you get 80% off the second sailor. If you book a sea terrace (balcony) or Rockstar suite, you will get extra free bar tab ranging from $25 to $300 depending on your cabin type and length of sailing.

Regular Rockstars receive $300 bar tab per cabin on sailings of 10+ nights, $250 per cabin on sailings of 6-9 nights and $100 per cabin on sailings of 4-5 nights.

Sea Terrace sailors receive $150 per cabin on sailings of 10+ nights, $100 per cabin on sailings of 6-9 nights and $25 per cabin on sailings of 4-5 nights.

Sail on the any of the four Lady Ships with Virgin Voyages deals.

This offer combines with the use of an MNVV, resident rates, military/first responders rates, pay in full offers, groups and circles, and loyalty (refer-a-friend) offers.

This offer does not work with lock-it-rates, Mega Rockstar cabins, Sea View (window) or Inside cabins. It does not work with charters.

What’s a Bar Tab? What’s Sailor Loot?

Bar Tab is prepaid credit you have received through a promotion or purchased before the cruise.  It is credit you can spend onboard toward the cost of alcohol, smoothies, mocktails, energy drinks,  specialty coffees and teas, and fresh pressed juice.

Sailor Loot is what is typically called onboard credit or OBC. This money can be spent on bar tab items but can also be spent on shore excursions (if you book them while on board), spa services, extra cost items in the restaurants such as a tomahawk steak, tattoos, room service charges, specialty coffees and teas, mocktails, bingo cards, gambling, onboard events that come with an extra charge, or to purchase items in the gift shops. You can even buy a hammock! Once you have spent your Bar Tab money, they will charge the remaining drinks to your Sailor Loot. When that runs out, they will charge your credit card.

In both cases, if you do not spend it by the end of the trip, you lose it.

This is what you’ll spend bar tab on.

If you wish to purchase more bar tab before the cruise, there are bonuses: Virgin Voyages offer sailors the opportunity to buy a ‘Bar Tab’ before they sail. Bar Tab can be purchased in several ‘chunks’ each with a corresponding bonus if you buy it before the cruise. While Virgin often sells these at the terminal as you board, it is safest to buy it at least a few days before your sailing. Once you are onboard the bonuses are not available.

• $200 Bar Tab: Bonus $25 (12.5% extra)
• $300 Bar Tab: Bonus $50 (16.7% extra)
• $500 Bar Tab: Bonus $100 (20% extra)
• $750 Bar Tab: Bonus $175 (23.3% extra)
• $1000 Bar Tab: Bonus $250 (25% extra)

If you would like to look at bar menus to get an idea of prices, we have put this together (dinner menus too).

Virgin’s Standard Discounted Rates

Virgin has long-standing discounted rates for specific types of sailors. They often don’t combine with other offers but can provide some of the lowest fares. These are not offered on every sailing and usually appear only a few months or weeks before the sailing date.

1. Resident Discount Rates. For any of these rates, you will need to show proof of residency.
   • Florida
   • Georgia
   • Puerto Rico
   • New York
   • New Jersey
   • Connecticut
   • Mexico
   • Canada
2. U.S. or Canadian First Responders or Active or Retired Military. These include active, veteran, spouses, or surviving spouses of any branch of the military. First responders include firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police. ID proof will be necessary when checking in at the port.
3. Solo Travelers. Solo travelers often get stuck paying double as cruise lines tend to charge per cabin. Virgin often offers Solo sailor rates at discounted prices. Read more below.

Is this your first time sailing Virgin? Get Free Bar Tab!

Virgin Voyages has a referral program which can get you extra free Bar Tab on your first sailing. Ask us for a referral code BEFORE you book, and you can qualify for a free $150 bar tab on any cabin except for a lock-it-in rate or Mega Rock Star.

This offer does not combine with many other offers.

If you have sailed Virgin before, you can get a referral code link to share with your friends. You can earn $150 free bar tab for every successful referral you make and can spend them on your sailings for up to a year. You can use up to of 2 per sailing for up to $300 free bar tab.

My Next Virgin Voyage Certificates (MNVVs)

There are two kinds of MNVVs, however, Virgin discontinued the older version, which was more generous, so only the new version is regularly available.

We often have new style MNVVs available for our clients’ use. If you’re interested, find our contact us links at the bottom of this article.

My Next Virgin Voyages (MNVV) certificates which can only be purchased while sailing on Virgin. It is what other cruise lines call a future voyage deposit, but Virgin’s is more generous than most. We buy batches when we sail with Virgin so that we can share them with our clients. They can be transferred to another person once, and because they represent such great perks. To use one, you reimburse us the $150 we paid for it, and we use it to make a new booking in your name. The $150 is then applied as payment toward your deposit when we use the certificate.

• If you book a cruise of 4-5 days with your MNVV: You get $150 discount off the price of your cabin and $150 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 6-8 days with your MNVV: You get $200 discount off the price of your cabin and $200 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 9 days or more with your MNVV: You get $250 discount off the price of your cabin and $250 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)

These certificates only work on a sea terrace (balcony) or better, not a lock-it-in rate. They expire after two years and are non-refundable. If you have one you will not use, we and other travel advisors often reimburse for them for the use of other clients.

Important: Buy these while on board. If you buy them after you sail they usually have the loot but not the discount.

The old style MNVVs cost $300 but provided a $300 discount and added $600 on board credit sailor loot.

There are plenty of “sweet” deals to be had!

There is another type called a “Lasting Glow.” If you missed buying one onboard you can sometimes buy one after you sail but it typically includes only the sailor loot, not the discount. We recommend always buying onboard to get the best value.

Lock-It-In Rates

When these are offered, they are the lowest prices you will see. But they come with many restrictions. The internet is littered with tales of woe from people who booked a lock-it-in rate without understanding the fine print and who later need to cancel or change.

While the rate is good there are serious restrictions to consider before you choose any lock-it-in rate:

• No Cabin Changes: Once assigned, cabin changes are not allowed, this means you could be left with a less desirable cabin such as a noisy cabin. Or, booking a sea terrace, one that has no hammock or has a metal balcony.
• No Date Changes: Cruise date changes are restricted, and no future voyage credit will be provided if you change your cruise date.
• No Refunds: There are no refunds available once booked and  they are not eligible for flexible policies. This means the usual 7 day period to cancel for a full refund does not apply with a lock-it-in rate.
• Unknown Cabin: You might not know your cabin number until you sail, as assignments can occur up to and including the day you sail.
• No Referral Code Bonuses.
• MNVV Restrictions: You can not use a My Next Virgin Voyage Placeholder on Sea Terrace Lock It In Rates (it can be used on Rockstar and Mega Rockstar Lock It In Rates)

If you do decide to book we strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance from an outside vendor. We have had many clients who had a last minute health emergency, or who had to cancel due to family illness.

Pay In Full and Save

Paid In Full Discount. If you book a cruise more than a year before sailing, on most sailings you can pay in full and save 10% off the price after port fees and taxes. This does not apply to suites or lock-it-in rates.

Reduced Single Supplement Rates

Solo travelers love Virgin Voyages as the Virgin provides many opportunities for solo meet-ups and activities. Contact us and we’ll tell you which sailings have this discount.

More information

If you’re still wondering about Virgin Voyages or have specific questions, some of our most popular articles might help.

• Virgin Voyages Dining Guide
• Splash of Romance
• Virgin Voyages Fitness
• Scarlet Lady Lucky Lotus
• Sailing as a Mega Rockstar

Of course, if you don’t see the exact question you’re interested in, contact us and we’ll help.

The post Guide to the Best Virgin Voyages Deals – March 2026 Edition appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

This is your guide to Virgin Voyages deals. Virgin Voyages is shaking up the cruise industry with its bold new approach. Setting itself apart from traditional cruise lines, Virgin has a strict No-Kids policy, leads the way in environment-friendly cruising, and includes more in the base fare than any similar cruise line. Discover the latest Virgin Voyages deals for an unforgettable cruise experience.

Virgin Voyages continually rolls out an assortment of offers and promotions—some combine, others not. Keeping track of these deals can be complicated. Here’s our up-to-date guide, designed to keep you informed.

Please note: Virgin Voyages deals often include sales on select sailings which only last a few days. They won’t be included in this article.

If you would like to find special group rates, or special individual sales, check out this SubReddit.

Current Primary Virgin Offer (The Wave Continues)

If you book by February 26, 2026, you get 80% off the second sailor. If you book a sea terrace (balcony) or Rockstar suite, you will get extra free bar tab ranging from $50 to $350 depending on your cabin type and length of sailing.

Regular Rockstars receive $350 bar tab per cabin on sailings of 10+ nights, $250 per cabin on sailings of 6-9 nights and $100 per cabin on sailings of 4-5 nights.

Sea Terrace sailors receive $200 per cabin on sailings of 10+ nights, $150 per cabin on sailings of 6-9 nights and $50 per cabin on sailings of 4-5 nights.

Sail on the any of the four Lady Ships with Virgin Voyages deals.

This offer combines with the use of an MNVV, resident rates, military/first responders rates, pay in full offers, groups and circles, and loyalty (refer-a-friend) offers.

This offer does not work with lock-it-rates, Mega Rockstar cabins, Sea View (window) or Inside cabins. It does not work with charters.

Plus If You Book by February 11^th There’s More

Virgin will give you $300 sailor loot per cabin If you book a Rockstar (regular) or $50 sailor loot if you book a Sea Terrace (Balcony and Hammock). There are some restrictions so check with your First Mate travel advisor.

What’s a Bar Tab? What’s Sailor Loot?

Bar Tab is prepaid credit you have received through a promotion or purchased before the cruise.  It is credit you can spend onboard toward the cost of alcohol, smoothies, mocktails, energy drinks,  specialty coffees and teas, and fresh pressed juice.

Sailor Loot is what is typically called onboard credit or OBC. This money can be spent on bar tab items but can also be spent on shore excursions (if you book them while on board), spa services, extra cost items in the restaurants such as a tomahawk steak, tattoos, room service charges, specialty coffees and teas, mocktails, bingo cards, gambling, onboard events that come with an extra charge, or to purchase items in the gift shops. You can even buy a hammock! Once you have spent your Bar Tab money, they will charge the remaining drinks to your Sailor Loot. When that runs out, they will charge your credit card.

In both cases, if you do not spend it by the end of the trip, you lose it.

This is what you’ll spend bar tab on.

If you wish to purchase more bar tab before the cruise, there are bonuses: Virgin Voyages offer sailors the opportunity to buy a ‘Bar Tab’ before they sail. Bar Tab can be purchased in several ‘chunks’ each with a corresponding bonus if you buy it before the cruise. While Virgin often sells these at the terminal as you board, it is safest to buy it at least a few days before your sailing. Once you are onboard the bonuses are not available.

• $200 Bar Tab: Bonus $25 (12.5% extra)
• $300 Bar Tab: Bonus $50 (16.7% extra)
• $500 Bar Tab: Bonus $100 (20% extra)
• $750 Bar Tab: Bonus $175 (23.3% extra)
• $1000 Bar Tab: Bonus $250 (25% extra)

If you would like to look at bar menus to get an idea of prices, we have put this together (dinner menus too).

Virgin’s Standard Discounted Rates

Virgin has long-standing discounted rates for specific types of sailors. They often don’t combine with other offers but can provide some of the lowest fares. These are not offered on every sailing and usually appear only a few months or weeks before the sailing date.

1. Resident Discount Rates. For any of these rates, you will need to show proof of residency.
   • Florida
   • Georgia
   • Puerto Rico
   • New York
   • New Jersey
   • Connecticut
   • Mexico
   • Canada
2. U.S. or Canadian First Responders or Active or Retired Military. These include active, veteran, spouse, or surviving spouses of any branch of the military. First responders include firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police. ID proof will be necessary when checking in at the port.
3. Solo Travelers. Solo travelers often get stuck paying double as cruise lines tend to charge per cabin. Virgin often offers Solo sailor rates at discounted prices. Read more below.

Is this your first time sailing Virgin? Get Free Bar Tab!

Virgin Voyages has a referral program which can get you extra free Bar Tab on your first sailing. Ask us for a referral code BEFORE you book, and you can qualify for a free $150 bar tab on any cabin except for a lock-it-in rate or Mega Rock Star.

This offer does not combine with many other offers.

If you have sailed Virgin before, you can get a referral code link to share with your friends. You can earn $150 free bar tab for every successful referral you make and can spend them on your sailings for up to a year. You can use up to of 2 per sailing for up to $300 free bar tab.

My Next Virgin Voyage Certificates (MNVVs)

There are two kinds of MNVVs, however, Virgin discontinued the older version, which was more generous, so only the new version is regularly available.

We often have new style MNVVs available for our clients’ use. If you’re interested, find our contact us links at the bottom of this article.

My Next Virgin Voyages (MNVV) certificates which can only be purchased while sailing on Virgin. It is what other cruise lines call a future voyage deposit, but Virgin’s is more generous than most. We buy batches when we sail with Virgin so that we can share them with our clients. They can be transferred to another person once, and because they represent such great perks. To use one, you reimburse us the $150 we paid for it, and we use it to make a new booking in your name. The $150 is then applied as payment toward your deposit when we use the certificate.

• If you book a cruise of 4-5 days with your MNVV: You get $150 discount off the price of your cabin and $150 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 6-8 days with your MNVV: You get $200 discount off the price of your cabin and $200 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 9 days or more with your MNVV: You get $250 discount off the price of your cabin and $250 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)

These certificates only work on a sea terrace (balcony) or better, not a lock-it-in rate. They expire after two years and are non-refundable. If you have one you will not use, we and other travel advisors often reimburse for them for the use of other clients.

Important: Buy these while on board. If you buy them after you sail they usually have the loot but not the discount.

The old style MNVVs cost $300 but provided a $300 discount and added $600 on board credit sailor loot.

There are plenty of “sweet” deals to be had!

There is another type called a “Lasting Glow.” If you missed buying one onboard you can sometimes buy one after you sail but it typically includes only the sailor loot, not the discount. We recommend always buying onboard to get the best value.

Lock-It-In Rates

When these are offered, they are the lowest prices you will see. But they come with many restrictions. The internet is littered with tales of woe from people who booked a lock-it-in rate without understanding the fine print and who later need to cancel or change.

While the rate is good there are serious restrictions to consider before you choose any lock-it-in rate:

• No Cabin Changes: Once assigned, cabin changes are not allowed, this means you could be left with a less desirable cabin such as a noisy cabin. Or, booking a sea terrace, one that has no hammock or has a metal balcony.
• No Date Changes: Cruise date changes are restricted, and no future voyage credit will be provided if you change your cruise date.
• No Refunds: There are no refunds available once booked and  they are not eligible for flexible policies. This means the usual 7 day period to cancel for a full refund does not apply with a lock-it-in rate.
• Unknown Cabin: You might not know your cabin number until you sail, as assignments can occur up to and including the day you sail.
• No Referral Code Bonuses.
• MNVV Restrictions: You can not use a My Next Virgin Voyage Placeholder on Sea Terrace Lock It In Rates (it can be used on Rockstar and Mega Rockstar Lock It In Rates)

If you do decide to book we strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance from an outside vendor. We have had many clients who had a last minute health emergency, or who had to cancel due to family illness.

Pay In Full and Save

Paid In Full Discount. If you book a cruise more than a year before sailing, on most sailings you can pay in full and save 10% off the price after port fees and taxes. This does not apply to suites or lock-it-in rates.

Reduced Single Supplement Rates

Solo travelers love Virgin Voyages as the Virgin provides many opportunities for solo meet-ups and activities. Contact us and we’ll tell you which sailings have this discount.

More information

If you’re still wondering about Virgin Voyages or have specific questions, some of our most popular articles might help.

• Virgin Voyages Dining Guide
• Splash of Romance
• Virgin Voyages Fitness
• Scarlet Lady Lucky Lotus
• Sailing as a Mega Rockstar

Of course, if you don’t see the exact question you’re interested in, contact us and we’ll help.

The post Guide to the Best Virgin Voyages Deals – February 2026 Edition appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

This is your guide to Virgin Voyages deals. Virgin Voyages is shaking up the cruise industry with its bold new approach. Setting itself apart from traditional cruise lines, Virgin has a strict No-Kids policy, leads the way in environment-friendly cruising, and includes more in the base fare than any similar cruise line. Discover the latest Virgin Voyages deals for an unforgettable cruise experience.

Virgin Voyages continually rolls out an assortment of offers and promotions—some combine, others not. Keeping track of these deals can be complicated. Here’s our up-to-date guide, designed to keep you informed.

Dec. 19, 2025 Flash News! Virgin Has Announced a Short Term Status Match Program! Match your airline, hotel, or cruise status and get perks on you next Virgin Cruise. Read more below.

Please note: Virgin Voyages deals often include sales on select sailings which only last a few days. They won’t be included in this article.

If you would like to find special group rates, or special individual sales, check out this SubReddit.

Current Virgin Offer

If you book by January 29, 2026, you get 80% off the second sailor. If you book a sea terrace (balcony) or Rockstar suite, you will get extra free bar tab ranging from $50 to $400 depending on your cabin type and length of sailing.

This offer combines with the use of an MNVV, resident rates, military/first responders rates, pay in full offers, groups and circles, and loyalty (refer-a-friend) offers. For details on these discounts, keep reading.

This offer does not work with lock-it-rates, Mega Rockstar cabins, Sea View (window) or Inside cabins. It does not work with charters.

Relax knowing you’ve got the best deal.

Virgin’s Standard Discounted Rates

Virgin has long-standing discounted rates for specific types of sailors. They often don’t combine with other offers but can provide some of the lowest fares. These are not offered on every sailing and usually appear only a few months or weeks before the sailing date.

1. Resident Discount Rates. For any of these rates, you will need to show proof of residency.
   • Florida
   • Georgia
   • Puerto Rico
   • New York
   • New Jersey
   • Connecticut
   • Mexico
   • Canada
2. U.S. or Canadian First Responders or Active or Retired Military. These include active, veteran, spouse, or surviving spouses of any branch of the military. First responders include firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and police. ID proof will be necessary when checking in at the port.
3. Solo Travelers. Solo travelers often get stuck paying double as cruise lines tend to charge per cabin. Virgin often offers Solo sailor rates at discounted prices. Read more below.

Is this your first time sailing Virgin? Get Free Bar Tab!

Virgin Voyages has a referral program which can get you extra free Bar Tab on your first sailing. Ask us for a referral code BEFORE you book, and you can qualify for a free $150 bar tab on any cabin except for a lock-it-in rate or Mega Rock Star.

This offer does not combine with many other offers.

If you have sailed Virgin before, you can get a referral code link to share with your friends. You can earn $150 free bar tab for every successful referral you make and can spend them on your sailings for up to a year. You can use up to of 2 per sailing for up to $300 free bar tab.

My Next Virgin Voyage Certificates (MNVVs)

There are two kinds of MNVVs, however, Virgin discontinued the older version, which was more generous, so only the new version is regularly available.

We often have new style MNVVs available for our clients’ use.

My Next Virgin Voyages (MNVV) certificates which can only be purchased while sailing on Virgin. It is what other cruise lines call a future voyage deposit, but Virgin’s is more generous than most. We buy batches when we sail with Virgin so that we can share them with our clients. They can be transferred to another person once, and because they represent such great perks. To use one, you reimburse us the $150 we paid for it, and we use it to make a new booking in your name. The $150 is then applied as payment toward your deposit when we use the certificate.

• If you book a cruise of 4-5 days with your MNVV: You get $150 discount off the price of your cabin and $150 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 6-8 days with your MNVV: You get $200 discount off the price of your cabin and $200 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)
• If you book a cruise of 9 days or more with your MNVV: You get $250 discount off the price of your cabin and $250 Sailor Loot (On Board Credit)

These certificates only work on a sea terrace (balcony) or better, not a lock-it-in rate. They expire after two years and are non-refundable. However, if you have one you will not use, we and other travel advisors often buy them for the use of other clients.

Important: Buy these while on board. If you buy them after you sail they usually have the loot but not the discount.

The old style MNVVs cost $300 but provided a $300 discount and added $600 on board credit sailor loot.

There is another type called a “Lasting Glow.” If you missed buying one onboard you can sometimes buy one after you sail but it typically includes only the sailor loot, not the discount. We recommend always buying onboard to get the best value.

Sweet Deals

Lock-It-In Rates

When these are offered, they are the lowest prices you will see. But they come with many restrictions. The internet is littered with tales of woe from people who booked a lock-it-in rate without understanding the fine print and who later need to cancel or change.

While the rate is good there are serious restrictions to consider before you choose any lock-it-in rate:

• No Cabin Changes: Once assigned, cabin changes are not allowed, this means you could be left with a less desirable cabin such as a noisy cabin. Or, booking a sea terrace, one that has no hammock or has a metal balcony.
• No Date Changes: Cruise date changes are restricted, and no future voyage credit will be provided if you change your cruise date.
• No Refunds: There are no refunds available once booked and  they are not eligible for flexible policies. This means the usual 7 day period to cancel for a full refund does not apply with a lock-it-in rate.
• Unknown Cabin: You might not know your cabin number until you sail, as assignments can occur up to and including the day you sail.
• No Referral Code Bonuses.
• MNVV Restrictions: You can not use a My Next Virgin Voyage Placeholder on Sea Terrace Lock It In Rates (it can be used on Rockstar and Mega Rockstar Lock It In Rates)

If you do decide to book we strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance from an outside vendor. We have had many clients who had a last minute health emergency, or who had to cancel due to family illness.

Pay In Full and Save

Paid In Full Discount. If you book a cruise more than a year before sailing, on most sailings you can pay in full and save 10% off the price after port fees and taxes. This does not apply to suites or lock-it-in rates.

Reduced Single Supplement Rates

Solo travelers love Virgin Voyages as the Virgin provides many opportunities for solo meet-ups and activities.

Click here to see the list of current offers.

If you have status on an airline or hotel other other cruise line, keep reading.

Virgin has just announced a short term program. You must apply by January 16, 2026.

People with high status on airlines, hotels and other cruise lines can make a new booking and qualify for Blue Extra Perks on their next sailing. Blue extra perks mean: one (large) free bag of laundry, one specialty coffee daily, and an invite to a free cocktail party (sparkling wine and sangria).

Visit here for details.

We Love Virgin So We Write About It:

Virgin Voyages Dining Guide

Splash of Romance

Virgin Voyages Fitness

Scarlet Lady Lucky Lotus

Sailing as a Mega Rockstar

And of course you can always book with Far Far Away Travels as your travel advisor with this link.

Confused about which Virgin Voyages deals are best for you? Contact us and we’ll help.

The post Guide to the Best Virgin Voyages Deals and Offers appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Despite it being more than a year away, planning ahead and booking soon might be the only way to get on some of these cruises!

An eclipse is a life-changing event.

Why is Eclipse Cruising the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

For a long time, solar eclipse cruises were something only done by small, boutique cruise lines or charters at exceedingly high prices. However, the 2017 eclipse that went across the USA sparked a real interest in eclipses for many Americans. In 2024, a few lines offered an eclipse cruise, which we were a part of, and they were a smash hit. Now a growing list of cruise lines are unveiling total solar eclipse cruises for August 2027.

The rising popularity of eclipse cruises means that lines, such as Princess, are selling out of the itineraries for 2026, and cabins on 2027 sailings are moving just as fast. In the past, we observed an increase in cost the closer eclipse cruises got to the departure date, so if you are interested in doing one, you’ll want to get a deposit in as soon as you can.

Important!

The safest way to secure the best price is to book now but with a REFUNDABLE deposit. Typically, cruise prices will increase over time, sometimes significantly. In the rare event the fare goes down, having a refundable deposit makes it much easier to reprice to the lower cost.

The 2017 eclipse that started the craze.

What Cruises are Available?

Here are some of the announced total solar eclipse sailings for July 2027. Since this is the hottest type of cruise right now, we expect more to be coming. 

Regent Seven Seas has a 2027 solar eclipse cruise. For an exquisite time, Regent is one of the best in small luxury cruising. If you’d like to learn more about the Regent experience, check out our look at it.

Virgin Voyage’s Eleven-night sailing out of Barcelona will be a fantastic time, as they are making sure to be out at sea for the Eclipse proper, as well as going along to Portugal and Morocco.

Cunard is offering a solar eclipse cruise on the Queen Victoria with a ton of stops at beautiful European ports. Departing from England, you will get a wide variety of places including France, Portugal, and Spain.

For something truly unique, Viking River Cruises is offering a Solar Eclipse cruise on the Nile in Egypt. Experiencing ancient Egypt and a cosmically powerful event all in one trip. But don’t get your hopes up as they are currently sold out. But you can still hope spaces open up.

How Do I Get in on the Hottest Cruise Right Now?

If you want to learn more about what sailing a solar eclipse cruise is like, and why it’s one of the hottest cruises right now, check out our blog post of our experience on Princess Cruises off Mexico’s coast. 

While we expect other lines might join in on the eclipse craze, these are available now. They are all selling out quickly. So, if you are even thinking about this, consider reaching out to us to help get pricing and put down a refundable deposit to lock in your cruise now! 

The post What is the Hottest Cruise for 2027? appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

This was a change that both guests and travel agents were pushing for, ourselves included. The original schedule frustrated so many travelers that they began choosing other cruise lines over Virgin. Obviously, it seems, the company took notice of the comments (read polite, if angry, urging) and made the necessary changes to the schedule.

Why Do So Many People Care?

Scheduling the eclipse day in a port may not immediately be a clear fumble, but it really is the cruise line equivalent of washing red clothes with white towels. Eclipses are amazingly beautiful astronomical events that occur with some regularity, but where they occur shifts quite broadly around the world. If you travel thousands of miles to another part of the globe, specifically to see an eclipse, only to have the weather be cloudy… well, that’s a bit frustrating. Hence, the eclipse cruise.

By viewing the eclipse from sea (if possible), you greatly reduce the chance of it being cloudy because the ship can move. The path of totality, where the complete solar eclipse is experienced, can be more than 100 miles wide. That gives lots of room for a ship to sail away from a band of clouds.

The experience of seeing an eclipse is something that cannot be adequately described with anything less than a novella. However, the land-based eclipse crowds and traffic jams are as irritating as the eclipse is magical. Why, then, would a cruise line schedule a port day for the eclipse? Nobody knows.

Second Time

The most frustrating part of this whole thing is that it’s an unforced error (apologies for my use of baseball terms to all our non-baseball fan readers).

Virgin Voyages already had two other itineraries on their schedule for the 2026 eclipse. Those cruises also had port days during the eclipse and, just like with the 2027 eclipse cruise, many of us had to push them to change the plans. In other words, we’d been through this already.

Fortunately, the plans for the Virgin Voyages eclipse cruises changed and they are now at sea for the eclipse.

If you are interested in sailing on the 2027 eclipse cruise, reach out to us for information. Space is limited, as it has been very popular, but we may be able to book you. Many 2026 solar eclipse cruises for the much shorter eclipse are already sold out.

By the way, in 2024 we were at sea off the coast of Mexico on the Emerald Princess. It was fantastic.

The post Virgin Voyages 2027 Eclipse Cruise: New Update appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

A Wonderful Surprise

Virgin had made it clear that the Brilliant Lady would have a new and unique, to the ship, dining option. Months of speculation by Virgin Voyages fans followed, all wondering what sort of cuisine would be featured. My personal bet was on an Indian restaurant. None of us in Far Far Away guessed Spanish, though.

Fortunately, Virgin Voyages Rojo puts its best foot forward and mostly nails it. Nichole and I had three dinners for our Rojo review on our voyage (that way, we could space out the dishes we ate) and we never tired of it.

Just like my article on Lucky Lotus, I’ll take you through the menu one course and one dish at a time and share my thoughts.

Jamon, Quesos, Pintxos (pincho)

Pintxos are small, snack size plates served in bars, especially in northern Spain. They are often served with a skewer or toothpick in them.

Having genuine Jamon Iberico on a cruise ship was amazing. I did not expect that when I went to do my Rojo review.

Jamon Iberico – Iberico ham is a mainstay in Spain and easily one of the most famous foods from the country. It’s also expensive to get in the U.S. If you’ve never had it, you really should try it while on the ship. They have real Iberico ham and it’s just so good. I encourage you to overorder this dish.

Chorizo Seco – A tasty mix of sweet and spicy (only slightly spicy) by combining dates and chorizo.

The conservas was the best surprise of the menu. I loved it!

Conservas – The description on the menu is exactly what you are going to get and it’s my personal favorite from this section of the menu. I’m not even much of a fan of olives, but I just ate this up.

Gambas en Escabeche – Since Nichole does not like shrimp, but I do, I was the only one to try this dish. The shrimp are delicious, as they have consistently been on Virgin’s ships, but not quite as good as the shrimp served at The Dock.

Jamon Croquettes – If you’ve never had a croquette, you absolutely must give them a try. A breaded, fried mix of cheese and ham. Do I really need to say more? Word of warning, it is possible to eat too many of these.

Get the oxtail, you won’t regret it.

Oxtail Montadito – These were a major standout and Nichole’s favorite of the pintxos. Amazingly tender, slightly sweet with the caramelized onions, served atop a crunchy crostini. We ordered this dish each meal, because they were just that good.

Tapas

If you missed the tapas craze from about a decade ago here in the U.S., you might not be familiar with the style. Tapas are small dishes meant to be appetizers or snacks and can be served hot or cold.

To answer the question that many of you are likely asking, yes, tapas and pintxos are similar and are related. Together they do make up two important parts of traditional Spanish cuisine.

Roasted Cauliflower Catalan – In Razzle Dazzle, they serve a deep-fried cauliflower, which I love. This is a, arguably, healthier alternative to the deep-fried dish. It is also very tasty. Like many of the options on the menu, it has a bit of sweet and savory in it. The biggest surprise is how much I liked the golden raisins, which I usually don’t.

A highlight of our Rojo review, the Patatas Bravas.

Patatas Bravas Ahumadas – Seasoned potatoes with a pimenton aioli drizzled on top. The snappy skin of the spuds cracking as you bite in. These were Nichole’s favorite tapas plate and another dish we ordered each time we were dining for our Rojo review. You cannot order enough of this in our opinion.

Beef Tartare – The second-best beef tartare I’ve had on a cruise ship. The only one better came from Chartreuse on Regent Seven Seas. Rojo still delivered a truly great tartare, and we heard many other patrons raving about it. If you like tartare, this will be a must order.

Pimenton Cheese – A lighter dish than you might think it is. The pimenton cheese is served with crostini, but I would recommend that you ask for some extra crostini. The plating is very pretty, but it leaves the ratio of cheese to bread tilted slightly too far toward cheese.

I was so happy to find that they knew how to cook octopus well during our Rojo review.

Pulpo a la Grill – I love octopus, and I’m used to being disappointed when I order it. More often than not, it’s grilled to rubbery, chewy imperfection. Not here, though, no. At Rojo, they know how to prepare octopus, and I loved having it readily available. I would encourage you to give this a try as it was my favorite tapas.

Platos Grandes

The large plates are the entrees of Virgin Voyages’ Rojo.

Calabaza Asada – A lighter dish that doesn’t sacrifice any flavor as it dances on your palette. Squash is sort of my veggie GOAT, so I’m slightly biased here. The combination of everything here makes for a deeply savory dish, taking butternut squash away from more common and sweet preparations. I am going to figure out how to make this at home because I loved it so much. It does have cilantro in it, so if you are someone that doesn’t like cilantro, just skip this dish.

Char Artico Asado a la Plancha – Arctic char has become quite a popular fish lately. I’m seeing it pop up on lots of menus. I don’t know exactly why that is, perhaps it’s just a trend. Regardless, I like arctic char, and this is a nice preparation. The salsa verde, though, is what really makes this seared fish sing. It’s a simple serving that you can’t go wrong with.

The arrox con pitu de caleya. Nichole’s favorite dish during our Rojo review.

Arroz con Pitu de Caleya – Perhaps the heartiest of the dishes served, it will fill you up. A creamy rice serves as a bed to a roasted cut of chicken. Straightforward and simple. Each element done well. Nichole ordered this twice and it’s definitely her favorite of the entrées.

Costillas de la Matanza is a must try and it’s something that I wish was on the brunch menu.

Costillas de la Matanza – Not as heavy an order as you might think baby back ribs would be, which is good in my opinion. If you want more, you can always order another helping and they’ll be happy to bring it to you. The meat fell right off the bone, just like it should, and the harissa honey sauce combined with za’atar is divine. Funny enough, I’ve been making a similar sauce to this at home for several years.

Chuleton a la Parrilla – Ribeye steak prepared with Spanish flavor. The steak itself was nicely marbled, neither too fat nor too lean for the cut for a ribeye. It was very well prepared and certainly tasty, but both Nichole and I couldn’t help but feel that you’re shorting yourself by skipping the other options for this entrée.

Desserts

Sorbete de Maracuya – It’s not surprising that the passionfruit sorbet was smooth and refreshing. Afterall, Virgin makes their own ice cream and sorbets, and we all know those are delicious.

Arroz con Leche is not my usual favorite dessert but Rojo absolutely perfected this! I ate it at every dinner for our Rojo review.

Arroz con Leche – My personal favorite, which was surprising. It’s a rice pudding, which is a dessert I don’t usually care for, with coconut, which I also don’t usually care for. However, it’s topped with a brulee style cap of cinnamon sugar. That little addition made all the difference. I know that there are people who just can’t with rice pudding, but I would encourage you to give this one a shot. It really is different.

Basque Cheesecake – This was the most popular dessert we saw being served, so it’s obviously a crowd pleaser. This is not a New York style cheesecake, so it’s more fluffy and less creamy. Nichole and I both agreed that this was our second favorite option.

Flan de Queso de Cabra – I like goat cheese, but not everyone does. I’ve had a few flans made with goat milk over the years and they’ve never been as popular with others as they are with me. If you like goat cheese, it really comes through in this dessert and you’ll be enjoying yourself. However, if you are not a fan, I wouldn’t recommend.

Churros are a dessert that everyone sort of loves.

Churros – These were Nichole’s favorite dessert choice. Razzle Dazzle has done churros since they started, and their version has often been a divisive take on the dessert. At Rojo, though, the churros are a classic churro. Served in a tall cup with a hazelnut chocolate fondue at the bottom of the vessel. They are simple, delicious, and easy to order way too many of. This option will NEVER disappoint.

The One Failing

After Lucky Lotus, I was eager to try the brunch menu for this Rojo review. The new options on the Razzle Dazzle brunch menu made it really pop. I loved having the Lucky Lotus pan roasted vegetable dumpling in the morning. Savory dishes in the morning are frequently underappreciated in the U.S., so having some available in the mornings brightened up my day.

That’s why the choices on Rojo’s Razzle Dazzle brunch menu left me feeling like we were missing out on some better possibilities. The additions to brunch menu were; the jamon croquettes, which are always welcome; the roasted cauliflower Catalan, which also seems to fit the theme of Razzle Dazzle (a vegetarian focused menu); and the calabaza asada roasted butternut, which also fits the vegie theme.

At a glance, this seems like a good choice to go in the morning, but the flavors of all three dishes are largely the same. Mellow, smooth, and rich without going deep into savory notes. They’re not bad dishes, but it felt like they removed more diverse choices and put three similar plates in their stead.

A real waiting area for diners at Rojo. It’s a nice upgrade over every other restaurant on the ship.

What isn’t there from Razzle Dazzle, the avocado toast, the mushroom tartare, and the impossible burger all catered to different desires. They hit the palette in varied ways. The three choices for Rojo replacing them really limited what the menu can cater toward as far as diner choices. We didn’t find ourselves craving to go back each morning and opted to go to other breakfast spots. I hope that they tweak this menu a bit over time to bring some diversity back to the tastes.

A split conclusion

Virgin has also made small adjustments to the design of the restaurant to improve its function. There’s a small seating area for people to use while they wait for a table if there’s a backup. That’s an excellent change for walk-ins especially. No more waiting, awkwardly, in the hall.

The floor is a smoother surface than other Razzle Dazzles, so chairs slide in and out from the table quite nicely. I know that’s a small thing, but it’s nice to be able to easily adjust how close you are to the table.

Service was busy and quick. They don’t rush you at Rojo, but you won’t be waiting either.

The lighting is the nicest of any Razzle Dazzle version. Neither too dark in the evening nor too bright in the morning.

Rojo offers an amazing dinner. Even after eating there three times in just over a week, we hadn’t tired of it. Numerous choices and small plates, a signature of Spanish cuisine, is a perfect way to dine on a cruise. This goes double for groups because everyone can easily get things they like.

All that is why the disappointing brunch is a letdown. The good news is that it’s something that can easily be improved over time and, if it isn’t, there are other options. Still, I would not sleep on Rojo if you’re sailing the Brilliant Lady, it’s too good to miss. Maybe, sleep in though.

The post Rojo Review – Virgin Voyages New Restaurant appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Lock-It-In

Lock-It-In rates aren’t going anywhere. We thought this was clear when the initial changes were announced but we’ve seen online chatter than tells us otherwise. So, let’s state it plainly, Lock-It-In rates still exist. They won’t be available on every sailing, but they will still be deployed when Virgin wants to.

Cost of Premium

The Virgin Voyages updates didn’t initially have a price for the Premium fare. Now, though, we do, and the price is $45 per person per day.

Lots of people are asking if that’s worth paying and I always like to look at the math for things like this.

With the Premium fare, you get the Premium Wi-Fi (which allows you to stream media) and buying that as an addon for the voyage costs $30 per day. Also included in the Premium fare is $15 per day in Bar Tab. If you add those two together it would cost $45 per day.

The Premium fare also comes with the ability to book dining reservations 60 days before sailing and a dedicated phone support line.

That means that you’re, essentially, paying for the Wi-Fi and the Bar Tab as a package and you get some bonus time to book dining on top of it. Whether that makes it worth it for you is something only you can determine. I can say that the math works out just fine on it though.

My Next Virgin Voyage Certificates (MNVVs)

Another point of note is that the MNVVs will work with the Base fare. We’ve observed many people online worry that the much-loved booking certificate won’t work with the new Base fare, but it will.

They still won’t work with Lock-It-In rate, though.

Resident Rate Discounts

Since Base, Essential, and Premium are all categories of fare and are not promotional rates, regional resident discounts can be applied to them. That means that if you live in Florida, Georgia, the North East (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut), or Puerto Rico, then you qualify for a resident rate discount on all three fare categories.

This is also true for the first responder and military discount.

Deep Blue Extras

There’s also been some chatter about Deep Blue Extras and the Premium fare. I’m guessing that some people reading this may not know why those two things matter for each other, so let me explain before we go further.

Virgin Voyages has a loyalty program, like most major cruise lines, and the top tier of that loyalty program is called Deep Blue Extras (DBE). If you have sailed enough to have DBE, you get the following complimentary benefits on each sailing you book after that:

• Premium Wi-Fi
• $100 in Bar Tab
• A bag of laundry (a $55 value) and two pressed items
• Priority boarding

Obviously, those are some nice perks (and not the only ones you get from DBE) and they overlap slightly with the Premium fare benefits. At this time, Virgin has not indicated there will be any sort of discount for those with DBE if they purchase the Premium fare. The argument for doing so would be that those with DBE already have the Premium Wi-Fi and that the equivalent cost of $30 per day should be taken off the cost of the Premium fare.

It’s worth clarifying that even though the Premium Wi-Fi access would be duplicative, you would still receive the $15/day in Bar Tab.

The biggest benefit to booking Premium fare to someone who has Deep Blue Extras would be the 60 days dining reservation window. If that is worth $45/person/day to you, then approach it as paying the extra to help ensure you get the dining you want on the ship.

RockStar

One complaint that we’ve seen crop up is that RockStar sailors (that means you’ve booked a suite on the ship), do not get Premium Wi-Fi access and they don’t have an option to book a Premium fare. On the surface, I understand the reaction, but it’s not a reasonable complaint.

RockStar sailors can purchase Premium Wi-Fi à la carte at $30 per day for the voyage. They can also add $15 per day in Bar Tab. They also can book dining reservations 120 days out. Finally, they have their own priority support phone line to call.

That means that RockStars can literally buy the same perks (and get to book dining sooner) for the same price that Premium fare can in non-RockStar cabins.

If you want to argue that RockStar sailors should simply have Premium Wi-Fi included because they are already paying more and/or that their fare should come with some bonus Bar Tab, that’s between you and Virgin. Let them know in the post voyage feedback when you sail, they really do listen to it.

To be clear, for Mega RockStars (the most expensive suites) they get the fastest internet access available as part of their fare and all drinks under $25 are included.

Final Thoughts

Virgin is a growing cruise line and it’s gaining popularity quickly. We expect that there will be more Virgin Voyages updates in the future. There may be further changes to these packages down the road as they get sailor feedback, and we’ll keep our eyes open for it.

That’s why we’re here, though, to help break down what these changes mean and help you navigate them.

The post Virgin Voyages Updates – More Information appeared first on Far Far Away Travels.

Virgin Voyages just launched their newest ship and that means that it’s time for our Brilliant Lady review.

• Differences include a brand-new restaurant, Rojo.
• There were a few rough edges that’ll need to be sorted.
• Small touches and redesigns make a big difference.

Is the Virgin Voyages experience just as good?

That question is what many Virgin Voyages fans wondered about. Lots of speculation went into the online discourse. Fortunately, the answer is a very simple, yes. The experience on the Brilliant Lady is just as good as the other ships in Virgin’s fleet, which is to say it’s wonderful.

This Brilliant Lady review will be brilliant! (Sorry!)

There are very thoughtful redesigns to some common areas of the ship as well as the cabins. Staff are just as friendly and helpful as always. The food is delicious, as are the drinks. Entertainment is top notch. Trust me when I say that Virgin Voyages hasn’t lost their touch.

Common Area Differences

Starting with the biggest changes, we go to the Draught Haus and Shore Things areas.

Draught Haus, on the other ships, has a decent seating area with some dividers between seats. There’s also a vinyl record shop along one wall. Overall it’s a nice area but perhaps a bit bland.

On the Brilliant Lady this space has been refreshed to upgrade the seating with plush, lounging couches and tables. The vinyl shop has been replaced with more seating, including cozy cubbies set into the wall. It’s far more inviting, at least by my taste, and I saw more people using it.

The Shore Things area has also received a glow up by introducing more cubby style seating and good chairs. While the Shore Things space has never been much of a social gathering area, this made it a place people could lounge, and they did just that.

The Draught Haus got some big improvements to decor.

Less dramatic public area changes can be found in The Social Club. They’ve reduced the number of public gaming tables to increase the number of regular tables that can be set up. There’s only one indoor shuffleboard table set up on the Brilliant. No air hockey tables either. Personally, this is probably a good thing because the number of people that L-O-V-E trivia is quite large and fitting more of them in to play is nice.

The Brilliant Lady’s stairwells are decorated with rope knot tying messages, similar to the semaphore messages on the Valiant Lady. Decoding what they say is more fun if you do it yourself though, so don’t come looking for help from me with that.

On deck 16, the Athletic Club has had a big update to the bar lounging areas. The large bed style loungers around the ship’s outer edge now face outward, rather than inward. I know it’s small, but it’s also big. Facing out makes the whole bed so much better. Additionally, while speaking of seating, the chairs at The Dock have been updated. They’ve replaced the very heavy wooden seats with more movable loungers.

The glass wall and facing outward make the Athletic Club updates a major positive point in this Brilliant Lady review.

Among other small changes, there’s more signage around the ship. It’s not plastered everywhere, but there’s certainly more than there was. Simple things like restaurant and bar names on some doors along with direction arrows. It’s not a lot, but it might help a lost sailor here or there.

Changes in the Cabins

Inside the cabins there are several small changes that both Nichole and I really liked.

I think the lamp shade is a small but important update to the rooms on the Brilliant Lady.

The least significant of these updates is the lamp shade to the desk lamp. On the other ships, the desk lamp is a sort of saucer shaped object. On the Brilliant Lady, it’s a directional lamp with a swivel head and a lamp shade that allows for a bit of ambient light. It’s a subtle change, but it made the room feel homier.

The tray by the bed was also changed and, we think, massively improved. The new tray is larger, rectangular, and has an edge with handles to hold things inside. It’s far more practical and helpful than before.

Very important part of our Brilliant Lady review is the USB-C charging ports in the cabin. Really! We get asked all the time if the wall outlets have USB-C and the Brilliant Lady does.

Last, there is an important update to the outlets in the room. They have added in wall, USB-C charging ports. These ports will do fast charging, if your cable and device allow for it. For a lot of people, this is going to be quite a relief by easing the number of cords or connectors you need to bring.

Slightly Smaller Sea Terrace

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to look inside one of these new rooms. When Virgin announced the Slightly Smaller Sea Terraces, they said that they would have two – TWO – hammocks. This led to overwhelming joy among many sailors because there is near universal love for Virgin’s hammocks.

The reality of these rooms has damped the excitement somewhat…

The reason that these rooms have two hammocks instead of the single hammock and chairs is because the chairs would not fit in the space. The standard Sea Terrace balcony is around 40 sq ft. The Slightly Smaller Sea Terrace balcony is around 10 sq ft, going by the published figures. That’s tiny.

Here’s a side by side comparison of a standard Sea Terrace (right side) against the Slightly Smaller Sea Terrace (left side). It’s a lot smaller.

I’m not sure that I would like that sort of space. It’s basically enough to shimmy through and that’s it. These cabins are also obstructed view cabins. That’s because the life boats needed to be taken further in so that the Brilliant Lady can go through the Panama Canal. That, in turn, made the balconies smaller than the other ships. The end result is a smaller balcony with a limited view.

Yes, these rooms are priced lower than a standard Sea Terrace, but keep the downsides in mind. If you don’t really care about balcony space or an obstructed view, then this might be the room for you.

Rough Edges

Not everything is perfect yet. This is still very early life of this ship and there’s a bit of shakedown going on.

We noticed that there was a scratch on our balcony sliding door. It wasn’t a big deal and I’m guessing it happened during installation. There were several fittings that hadn’t been set in quite right around the ship as well, things like two railings joining together and they don’t line up perfectly. These all seem fairly normal to deal with for a new ship but they were also very innocuous.

The more noticeable bumps happened with the crew but I want to be very clear about this, the crew is fantastic and it is 100% acceptable to make small mistakes and correct them. That being said, we found that in several restaurants and quick bite areas, the staff didn’t always seem completely at ease with the menu and flow of service. We had a brunch where our order was doubled by a mix-up between the kitchen and servers, for example.

I worked in food service for years and I speak with experience; these sorts of things are normal when you have new staff. It takes time to train them up and get them used to the culture and process of your restaurant. In a couple of months it’ll feel like clockwork, and everything will be running smoothly.

Rojo

I’m working on a full write up of Rojo, just like I did with Lucky Lotus, but I should probably say a few things here.

When we were privately speculating on what type of restaurant Virgin would add to the Brilliant Lady, Spanish wasn’t one that we guessed. I’m glad they did choose Spanish, though, since they nailed it!

Ibérico is so good!

Real Jamón ibérico, croquettes, and oxtail are just a small part of a fantastic menu. We ate there three times and did not get tired!

Cold Weather

Perhaps the most important part of any Brilliant Lady review is talking about the cold weather.

If you haven’t heard, the Brilliant Lady is Virgin Voyage’s first ship capable to sailing through the Panama Canal. Virgin intends to do just that and take her northward for the cruising season in Alaska. That’s why talking about cold weather and the Brilliant Lady is pretty crucial.

Many sailors have raised concerns about how comfortable Virgin’s ships would be in an environment like Alaska. Virgin’s ships are built mostly for warm weather. Lots of open areas on deck, no covered pool, I get it. On our sailing, the weather turned cool for several days, between 40-60 F (4.5-15.5 C), and windy. It was not pleasant on the running track nor was it comfortable poolside.

The Athletic Club was fairly sheltered from the wind, but it too was fairly chilly. It’s the same story at The Dock, sheltered but cold. This meant that most people stayed inside the ship. The increased number of people indoors meant that the changes I mentioned to the Social Club were very helpful. The Roundabout, On The Rocks, and the Draught Haus were all quite busy with people these days, much more than in warm weather.

The extra seating in The Social Club is really nice to have.

Virgin also seemed to really pack in the activities on the ship. There’s always been a lot to do onboard, but there was even more than usual. The Happenings cast stayed very busy, there was always a musical performance somewhere, and all sorts of trivia and speed puzzle games.

There were definitely parts of the ship that the cold made undesirable. Virgin seemed to prepare for that with some smart changes to the interior spaces and filling the schedule up, though. The reality is that every cruise ship that sails colder places faces these challenges as well. When I sailed on the Seven Seas Explorer, there were parts of that ship that no one used in the Alaskan weather.

Entertainment

The entertainment on the ship is, frankly, hard to get into right now. I don’t mean that it’s hard to connect with or enjoy, no. I mean, it’s hard to get a seat in the venues.

With the musicians that play at the various stages or DJs at the parties, it’s easy to get a seat or find a spot to dance. The stage performances, on the other hand, were packed. The shows are mostly new and people are clamoring to see them (Duel Reality is part of the lineup and appears on the other ships).

It is true that lines to get into the shows in the Red Room or Manor started as early as two hours before the show. It is also true that quite a few people couldn’t get into the shows, including ourselves. The comments we heard from everyone who saw the shows praised the performers and loved what they saw.

Our advice to sailors on the Brilliant Lady, for now, is to plan accordingly for the shows. If you really want to see them, be prepared to wait.

I’m very glad that we got to see Up With A Twist for our Brilliant Lady review. I think it’s well worth the money.

We did get to see the new paid show, Up With a Twist. It was $50 a seat and came with a four-course meal and five cocktails. The drinks all met the standard of Virgin’s bars, which is to say they were very well crafted. Further, the meal included a choice of grilled swordfish or tenderloin for the entrée. Clearly, they provide good value for the money.

The show itself was an exuberant, Cabaret inspired, interactive performance. Yes, the audience plays a part in the show, even determining how some of it goes.

I was mostly amazed at how smoothly it was all timed. The drinks and plates came out just as you want some more. Of course, that makes sense. It’s not like the idea of a dinner show is new, but this one is very well executed.

Conclusion

The newest ship in Virgin Voyages fleet doesn’t mess with the formula, but that’s a good thing. All the best parts that you expect from Virgin are there – the food, the crew, the entertainment. Wherever there was room for improvement from the other Lady Ships, the Brilliant found it.

Small changes to venues and seating make the spaces much better. It shows that Virgin is paying attention to how their guests use the ship. I especially appreciated the updates to the cabins. A more usable tray and a better desk lamp offered an improved guest experience. Virgin clearly keeps learning as they go and the Brilliant Lady is another excellent ship.

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