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Virgin Voyages Cruises - Tips For First-Time Sailors

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We booked a last-minute trip for our very first cruise with Virgin Voyages, and we were blown away. You can read our full review of the 4-day Fire & Sunset Soirées voyage here. But since Virgin does things a little differently from traditional cruise lines, we quickly realized there were a few things we wish we’d known ahead of time. So we’ve put together this list of tips for first-time Virgin Voyages sailors: helpful tips, small surprises, and what to expect before you set sail. This is Virgin Voyages 101.

A Virgin Voyages cruise ship docked at a port under blue and yellow shade sails, with a clear sky and a few people nearby. Text overlay reads Tips for First-Timers: Your Guide to Virgin Voyages.

If you have any questions we didn’t cover, feel free to drop them in the comments. We’re happy to help!

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1. The ships are all basically the same

Virgin Voyages are focused on continuity and consistency. Their cruise ships, Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, are all very similar in terms of layout and design with only minor differences. The restaurants are the same across all ships. The shows and artwork can differ from ship to ship. All the tips in this post apply to all three of the above ships.

(Virgin Voyages newest ship, the Brilliant Lady, is set to make its maiden voyage in September 2025, and if reports are to be believed it will differ the most from the others. The boat is narrower (to help with its passage through the Panama Canal), and apparently will boast a new type of cabin, exclusive restaurant concepts, and brand new entertainment. Hopefully one day soon we’ll get to sail on the Brilliant Lady and provide a full review!)

A large Virgin Voyages cruise ship with red lifeboats is docked at a pier under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The turquoise water reflects the ship and sky, while part of the pier with white posts is visible in the foreground.

2. Download the App ASAP

The app will be your best friend throughout your experience, from restaurant reservations, booking excursions, room service, entertainment info, even controlling the lighting features in your cabin. One of the most important tips for first-Time Virgin Voyages sailors is to download the app before you set sail. In fact, make sure you download long before you set sail so you can make reservations (see below).

A neatly made bed with white linens and red accents adds a touch of Virgin Voyages flair to this modern, sunlit room. A chair and desk face large windows with curtains, while folded towels rest on the bed.
A Virgin Voyages cruise ship deck features cushioned benches, round stools, and lounge chairs arranged for relaxation. The ship’s exterior and balcony cabins are visible beneath the blue sky.

3. Don’t Wait to Book Reservations

Reservations for restaurants open up 45 days prior to departure (60 days for Rockstar Suite sailors). Familiarize yourself with the restaurant options and get reservations in early. If you don’t manage to get reservations do not panic. Once you board the ship they open up more availability.

Restaurant reservations can fill up, particularly on busy voyages, but the restaurants do reserve some walk-in spots.

People sitting around a blue table at a Gunbae Korean BBQ restaurant, grilling shrimp on a built-in grill—surrounded by dipping sauces, side dishes, and drinks. One hand holds tongs over the grill.
A cooked steak topped with melted cheese, sauce, and dried peppers is served on a pink plate. In the background, another dish with sliced meat and radishes appears slightly out of focus.

4. There is no buffet or main dining room, but a variety of dining options

We made the point in our Honest Review of our Valiant Lady review, but it is the food that really makes the Virgin Voyages experience exceptional. There is no formal dining room or banquet hall. On the Valiant Lady there were six unique restaurants plus other smaller eateries including a grab-and-go food hall, pizzeria, and homemade ice cream bar. You can read all about the food in our Restaurant Review here.

A hand holds a metal tray with two tacos topped with slaw and a round yellow dessert adorned with a blackberry, aboard Virgin Voyages. The tray sits by a window overlooking balcony chairs and a stunning blue ocean view.
A small, round white pizza with herbs and cheese, served in an open cardboard takeout box on a blue surface with part of a towel nearby—perfect for enjoying a taste of Virgin Voyages at home.

5. Gratuity is Included

Gratuity is included in your Virgin Voyages booking, so there’s no need to tip, and it’s not expected at any point during your trip. We found the service consistently friendly and welcoming, from restaurant servers to the “Happenings Cast” running the entertainment. A few staff members even told us that Virgin was their favorite of all the cruise lines they’d worked on. It gave us the sense that the great service came from genuine job satisfaction, not from chasing tips.

6. Reserve Your Place for Excursions

Virgin Voyages call their excursions ‘Shore Things.’ Reservations for these open up 120 days before sailing. Some of the more popular excursions do book up, so have a look ahead on the website and if there are any that you really fancy make sure to sign up early.

A red brick historic Key West building stands among palm trees under a blue sky, with people walking along a red brick path.
A hand holding a clear plastic container with a slice of Key Lime pie topped with swirls of whipped cream, over a perforated round table and chair.

7. The Virgin Voyages Wi-Fi is VERY Basic, but you have options

Wi-Fi is included on your voyage but it is limited. You cannot stream music or videos on the ships complimentary Wi-Fi, but you can purchase Premium Wi-Fi on board which allows you to do those things. There is also ‘Work from Sea Wi-Fi’ if you are travelling for work. Visit https://wifi-vv.com when you are on board to access these options.

8. Don’t Stress About the Dress Code

The Virgin Voyages philosophy is all about expression and creativity. They want sailors to be themselves—which means you can wear whatever you feel comfortable in. There’s no traditional “formal night” like you’ll find on many cruises. That said there are themed nights, so it’s a good idea to check those out and plan ahead if they look fun. On our voyage the themed nights were ‘Pajama party’, ‘We Fancy’ and ‘Scarlet Night’. Scarlet Night is the big one where everyone wears red, and it’s the only night you might risk feeling out of place if you don't join in. So pack something red!

A smiling man and woman take a selfie together at night on Virgin Voyages, both in red shirts. The background glows with red and pink lights, with other people and a large structure visible behind them.
A lively crowd dressed mostly in red watches a poolside performance at night on the brightly lit Virgin Voyages cruise ship deck, featuring dancers and a large octopus decoration with glowing eyes.

9. Consider the Drink Packages

Alcohol, freshly made juices and certain milkshakes do cost extra, but if you are planning to indulge onboard, check out the bar tab options. You can put certain amounts on your bar tab and get an extra bonus. For example if you put $300.00 on your tab you get an extra $50. If you put $1000.00 on your tab you will receive an extra $250.00. That’s quite a few drinks! If you are travelling as part of group consider designating a bar tab holder and have everyone chip in to get the free drinks to share.

Tip:- One fun feature on the App is ‘Shake for Champagne’. If you open the App and give it a shake a feature will popup offering you the chance to order a bottle of champagne straight to wherever you are on the ship, usually within 30 minutes. It's an example of how Virgin Voyages go the extra mile to make sure experience memorable and special (and convenient!).

A hand with painted nails and a red bracelet holds a glass of green juice by the turquoise Virgin Voyages swimming pool, with lounge chairs in the background.
A hand holding a coconut with a straw on a sandy beach. People are sunbathing and relaxing near the shore, with the ocean stretching out in the background.

10. The Pool Is Small

Enjoying a trip is all about managing expectations. A frequent gripe from Virgin Voyages sailors is the size of the pools, so it’s good to be aware of this before you set sail (if a priority for you when cruising is the ability to swim laps on-board, then Virgin might not be for you). There are two pools, the main pool and a wellness pool, both are small, and can certainly get crowded on busy voyages. However, we did find that there were plenty of sun loungers and towels available. For us it wasn't a big deal.

A Virgin Voyages cruise ship pool deck features purple lounge beds, a small central pool, and a red ship structure in the background under a cloudy sky. City buildings are visible beyond the deck.
People relax on lounge chairs around a sunny pool deck aboard a Virgin Voyages cruise ship, with blue sky above. The photo is taken from the perspective of someone lying down with their legs in the foreground.

11. Solo Sailor? Check out social sailor events

Our tips for first-time Virgin Voyages sailors isn't just for couple travelers. If you are sailing solo you might worry that without the main formal dining room there won’t be opportunities to interact with other sailors. This is not the case. Virgin Voyages have an Evening Meet-up dinner event on the first night and a Morning Meet-up. A letter with all the info will be waiting for you in your cabin.

Enjoyed our Tips for First-Time Virgin Voyages Sailors? Check out our other blog posts about our Virgin Voyages experience!

Virgin Voyages Restaurant Review
Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini: All You Need To Know
Valiant Lady Honest Review