If you’re getting ready for your first Virgin Voyages sailing, the Bar Tab is probably one of the things you’re Googling right now. “Should I buy one? How much do I need? Is it worth it?” We hear these questions constantly, and the answer is almost always yes — but with a few smart moves, you can squeeze a lot more value out of it.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the Bar Tab, Exactly?
Virgin Voyages doesn’t do traditional drink packages — you know, the unlimited-drinks-for-$80-a-day deal you see on other cruise lines. Instead, they use a prepaid Bar Tab system. Think of it like loading a gift card before your voyage. You pick an amount, Virgin adds bonus credit on top, and you spend it however you want on cocktails, wine, beer, specialty coffee, fresh juices, smoothies, and mocktails across every bar and restaurant onboard.
Virgin Voyages Bar Tab is prepaid onboard credit specifically for premium drinks. You choose a tier, get a bonus added for free, and spend it at your own pace throughout the voyage. There’s no daily limit and no pressure to “drink your money’s worth” like with traditional packages.
The Bar Tab Tiers and Bonuses
Here’s where it gets good. Every tier comes with free bonus credit:
- $200 Bar Tab → $25 bonus (total $225) — 12.5% extra
- $300 Bar Tab → $50 bonus (total $350) — 16.7% extra
- $500 Bar Tab → $100 bonus (total $600) — 20% extra
- $750 Bar Tab → $175 bonus (total $925) — 23.3% extra
- $1,000 Bar Tab → $250 bonus (total $1,250) — 25% extra
The higher you go, the better the return. That $1,000 tier is essentially giving you $250 in free drinks — that’s a lot of Espresso Martinis.
What’s Already Included (No Bar Tab Needed)
Before you start calculating, remember that Virgin Voyages already includes a bunch of beverages in your fare at no extra cost: still and sparkling water, drip coffee, non-pressed juices, sodas, and basic teas. If you’re mostly a water-and-coffee person, you might not even need a Bar Tab at all.
How Much Should You Budget?
Drink prices on Virgin Voyages are reasonable — roughly what you’d pay at a nice bar on land. Beers run $7–9, cocktails and spirits hover around $11–14, and 40% of wines by the glass are under $11. And here’s a detail many people miss: tips are already included in every drink price. No awkward math, no extra charges.
For a 4–5 night Caribbean sailing, we’d estimate most couples spend somewhere between $300 and $600 total on drinks. If you’re big cocktail fans or plan to spend a day at Bimini Beach Club (where your Bar Tab also works), lean toward the higher end.
Pro Tip: Buy Before You Board
This is the move that separates savvy sailors from everyone else. The bonus credit only applies to Bar Tabs purchased before your voyage — at least 24 hours before sailing. If you add money to your tab once you’re onboard, you get zero bonus. Pre-purchase through the Virgin Voyages app or website and lock in that free credit.
Also worth knowing: unused Bar Tab credit is non-refundable at the end of your voyage. So don’t overbuy. It’s better to start with a mid-range tab and add more onboard (without the bonus) than to leave $200 unspent.
One More Thing — Watch for Promotions
Virgin Voyages regularly runs Bar Tab Boost promotions that stack additional credit on top of the standard bonuses. In early 2026, select voyages included an extra $50 Bar Tab Boost per cabin. These deals pop up during wave season and flash sales, so keep your eyes on the deals page and book through a travel agent who can alert you when promotions drop.
Ready to start planning your Virgin Voyages sailing? Search available VV voyages here and lock in your dates — then don’t forget to add that Bar Tab before you board.
Want more Virgin Voyages tips? Check out our cruise planning page for help booking the perfect voyage.
VirginVoyages.blog is an independent fan blog. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Virgin Voyages or any Virgin Group company. All opinions are our own.