Virgin Voyages’ New VoyageFair Choices Explained

George and Dan
Sep 26
3 min read

Updated: Sep 29

Virgin Voyages has just made one of the biggest updates to its pricing since launch, introducing VoyageFair Choices – a new way to book your cruise that gives you more choice, more flexibility, and more transparency.

If you’ve been wondering what this means for your next Virgin cruise (or your existing booking), here’s everything you need to know in one place.

What Has Changed?

From 7 October, Virgin Voyages will offer three new fare options for all Sea Terrace cabins and below. This is a big shift from the single fare we’re used to, but Virgin is keeping its “always included luxury” – so the core experience remains the same no matter what you choose.

The three fare options are:

Fare	What It Is	Key Features
Base	The best-value fare	Non-refundable, Basic WiFi, dining reservations open 15 days before sailing, no name/date changes.
Essential	The same as today’s fare (most popular)	Classic WiFi, 45-day dining reservations, eligible for Future Voyage Credit, name changes allowed for Sailors 2–4.
Premium	More perks & maximum flexibility	Premium WiFi for two devices, 60-day dining reservations, daily $15 drinks credit per Sailor, priority support phone line, name/date changes allowed.

What Does Not Change

Whichever fare you pick, you’ll still get everything Virgin is known for:

20+ eateries (no buffet, no extra charges)
Award-winning entertainment (including Duel Reality)
WiFi (from Basic to Premium, depending on fare)
Unlimited group fitness classes
Soda, still and sparkling water
No surprise charges or gratuity add-ons on board

In other words, this is still a luxury, all-inclusive cruise – just with more choice around price and flexibility.

Service Gratuities – Now Listed Separately

Another big update launching 7 October is transparency around service gratuities.

Previously, gratuities were hidden inside your fare. Now, they will appear as a separate line item on your invoice – but the price of your holiday hasn’t changed.

You can choose to:

Pre-pay before sailing at $20 per Sailor, per night (best value)
Pay onboard at $22 per Sailor, per night (auto-added to your folio)

100% of gratuities still go to the Crew, and you’ll still never need to tip for drinks, spa, or dining once onboard.

How This Affects New Bookings

If you’re making a booking on or after 7 October, you’ll be able to choose between Base, Essential, and Premium fares at checkout.

This is great news if:

You’re on a budget and want the lowest possible fare
You want earlier dining reservations and a drinks credit
You want full flexibility with date and name changes

It’s a win-win: you can book in a way that suits your budget and travel style, without compromising the onboard experience.

What If You Already Have a Booking?

If you’ve booked before 7 October, nothing about your price, fare, or inclusions has changed.

But Virgin has added a bonus for existing Sailors:

Sea Terrace and below bookings now get a 60-day dining reservation window (instead of 45 days).
Suites now get a 120-day window – more time to lock in your favourite restaurants.

You don’t need to do anything – this update will be automatic.

Why This Change Matters

This new pricing structure makes Virgin Voyages more competitive with other cruise lines, and it gives you more control over what you pay for and how flexible your booking is.

For many Sailors, this will make Virgin an even easier choice - especially when you compare everything that’s included against other cruise lines who add on dining, WiFi, and gratuities separately.

Virgin Voyages VoyageFair Choices – FAQs

What is the difference between Base, Essential, and Premium?

Base is the lowest price but with less flexibility (non-refundable, later dining booking). Essential is the same as today’s fare. Premium includes more perks like drinks credit, earlier dining bookings, and priority support.

Do I still get all the Virgin inclusions if I choose Base?

Yes! You still get dining at 20+ eateries, entertainment, WiFi (Basic), fitness classes, and soda/water. The difference is mainly booking flexibility and WiFi level.

I already have a booking. Do I need to do anything?

No – your fare and inclusions stay the same. The only change is you now get a longer dining booking window (60 days for Sea Terrace and below, 120 for suites).

Will I pay more because gratuities are listed separately?

No – your total voyage price has not changed. The new line item is just for transparency.

Can I upgrade to Premium if I already have a booking?

Yes, you can contact Sailor Services or your travel agent to change your fare to one of the new options (subject to availability and today’s pricing).