Virgin Voyages Launches Three-Tiered Pricing System, Unbundles Gratuities

Virgin Voyages is responding to past passenger and travel advisors feedback by implementing a new three-tiered pricing system – aka VoyageFair Choices – that includes a non-refundable, reduced fare, the standard fare that’s nearly identical to what’s currently available, and a premium fare that comes with some extra inclusions.

The new fare system is only available for Sea Terrace cabins or below. Suite pricing remains the same.

“Travelers expect clarity and choice from airlines and hotels, and Virgin Voyages is the first to bring that same simplicity and pricing model to cruising,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “This isn’t about gimmicks or fine print. We’re making it easier to book a voyage with confidence while knowing that once you’re onboard, the experience is unmistakably Virgin: elevated and unforgettable.”

Gratuities No Longer Included

Simultaneously, the line is removing gratuities from the fare (for all accommodation categories, including suites) and bringing all fares down by $20 per person, per day.

“Will the price point be lower on October 7 than it was on October 6? Yes, it will be dropping $20 plain and simple, on a per person, per day basis,” Saverimuttu said.

Gratuities can either be pre-paid at $20 per person, per day, or paid onboard at $22 per person, per day.

Like everything else that guests can pre-book, gratuities that are pre-paid are commissionable to travel advisors.

According to Saverimuttu, the change is in response to a request for more transparency on whether crew receive gratuities or not. By separating them out, guests can see how much crew are actually getting. It also makes it easier for travel advisors to compare Virgin Voyages pricing with other premium cruise lines that don’t include gratuities, making for a more apples to apples type comparison.

“The feedback was loud and clear from our First Mates and from our Sailors, who kept telling us, it’s very confusing for us when you say your include gratuities in your fare,” he said during a virtual press briefing.

He added that though the line is breaking out gratuities from the fare, “There are no changes being made to the way that we compensate and reward our crew.”

Virgin’s Onboard Experience Remains Unchanged

Saverimuttu emphasized that the new fares do not change anything about the onboard experience.  

“I want to clarify one thing,” he said. “The onboard experience is not changing one bit. We’re very proud of the onboard experience. It’s the reason we win all our awards.”

All restaurants are still included, regardless of which fare class a guest has paid for. Non-alcoholic drinks are still included.

Wi-Fi is still included as well, though as part of the new system, Virgin is introducing a three-tiered Wi-Fi offering. Each tier corresponds to the fare paid.

At the lowest end is basic Wi-Fi, which includes access to social media, messaging, and light browsing. At the highest end is Premium Wi-Fi, which includes access to everything, including music and video streaming. A Work from Sea plan, which enables things like video conferencing and VPN, is available for $50 per day for one device ($25 for a second device), and it can only be purchased onboard.

Virgin Voyages’ VoyageFair Choices

Starting Oct. 7, 2025, the three VoyageFair choices will be:

Base Fare

The most value-driven of the three options, the Base Fare is a non-refundable fare that includes a new Basic Wi-Fi package, good for one device per person and access to dining reservations at no more than 15 days before sailing. Additionally, changes to names, cabins, and sales dates are not permitted once the booking is made.

While Virgin Voyages isn’t the first cruise line to offer a discounted non-refundable fare, those are typically only available with guarantee cabins. That is not the case with Basic fares.

Virgin’s existing Lock It In rates, also non-refundable, will still be available on a promotional basis at various times throughout the year. Like the Base Fare, Lock It In bookings include Basic Wi-Fi.

Essential Fare

This is closest to what past Virgin Voyages guests are familiar with. It includes Classic Wi-Fi, good for one device per person, as well as access to dining reservations at 45 days prior to sailing. The fare also permits clients to adjust voyage dates using a Future Voyage Credit; name changes are permitted for guests two through four.

Premium Fare

The more expensive Premium Fare comes with access to dining reservations at 60 days prior to sailing – something previously only available to suite guests. The fare also comes with premium Wi-Fi for two devices per person, an included Bar Tab ($15 per person, per night), and access to a priority support line for pre-voyage booking.

RockStar and Mega RockStar

For RockStar and Mega RockStar cruisers, the only differences are the removal of gratuities from the fare and a new 120-day window for restaurant reservations.

Regarding Wi-Fi, RockStar suites come with Classic Wi-Fi for one device per person, while Mega RockStar suites include a Work from Sea package (essentially Premium Plus) for two devices per person.

All other elevated inclusions – from Richard’s Rooftop and priority boarding to curated in-room bars, dedicated RockStar Agent service and daily Bar Tabs for Mega RockStars – are still included their fare.

According to the cruise line, the goal of the new VoyageFair Choices is four-fold:

• To give Sailors better price transparency
• To make fares easier to compare across the industry
• To offer more flexible and competitive options for different budgets
• To respond to feedback calling for more choice.

“We’ve been listening to our Sailors. Listening to people that haven’t booked us or are considering booking us,” Saverimuttu said. “A common theme kept coming up. People wanted more flexibility, more choices, and more transparency… We’re responding to exactly what they’ve been asking for.”

The new fares go live on Oct. 7, 2025. All bookings made prior to Oct. 7, 2025, will come with the same inclusions and policies they always have – including classic Wi-Fi. However, as a “nice little surprise,” anyone who has booked a Sea Terrace or lower cabin prior to Oct. 7 will be given a 60-day booking window for restaurant reservations.