by Steve Griswold | Jul 1, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
Virgin Voyages is one of the very few cruise lines built for people traveling alone: it has purpose-designed solo cabins that carry no single supplement, and daily onboard programming to help solo sailors meet each other. Instead of paying 150–200% of the fare like...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 29, 2026 | Planning Guide
Quick answer: Does it cost more to book Virgin Voyages with a travel agent? No. A Virgin Voyages “First Mate” is a travel agent, and booking through one costs exactly the same as booking direct on virginvoyages.com — Virgin pays the commission, not you....
by Steve Griswold | Jun 29, 2026 | Destinations, Planning Guide
Virgin Voyages’ first-ever Alaska season is sailing right now. Brilliant Lady — the newest ship in the fleet — runs 17 adults-only voyages from Seattle and Vancouver between May and September 2026, bringing the no-kids, tip-free, 20-restaurant VV experience to...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 28, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
The Band is Virgin Voyages’ smart wearable wristband, and it does three jobs: it’s your cabin key, your ship entry pass, and your wallet. Virgin Voyages is fully cashless onboard, so instead of carrying a key card or a credit card around the ship, you just...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 28, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
Here’s the short version: Virgin Voyages asks for a 20% deposit of your voyage fare (the cruise ticket only, not taxes and fees) to lock in a booking, and your final balance is due 120 days before you sail. Book inside that 120-day window and the full fare is...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 28, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
Short answer: Virgin Voyages is an adults-only (18+), design-forward premium cruise line where almost everything is bundled into the fare, including WiFi, tips, and all the restaurants. Carnival is a family-friendly, mass-market “Fun Ship” line with the...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 28, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
The short answer: on Virgin Voyages, RockStar and Mega RockStar are the two tiers of the line’s suite collection, called RockStar Quarters. Both get you a bigger room, VIP priority boarding, a personal RockStar Agent, and access to the exclusive Richard’s...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 20, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
Yes, Virgin Voyages has a full spa — it’s called Redemption Spa, and it sits on Deck 5 of every Lady ship. The treatment menu (massages, facials, acupuncture) is paid à la carte, and the relaxation area known as the Thermal Suite requires a separate pass...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 20, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
Extra Virgin is Virgin Voyages’ Italian restaurant — fresh handmade pasta, shared antipasti, grilled meats and seafood — and it’s included in your fare with no cover charge. You’ll find it on Deck 6, with a warm trattoria feel and an...
by Steve Griswold | Jun 20, 2026 | Planning Guide, Tips & Tricks
Razzle Dazzle is Virgin Voyages’ vibrant, plant-forward American restaurant — famous for its playful “naughty vs nice” menu — and it’s included in your fare with no cover charge. Found on Deck 5, it serves a largely...
