Virgin Voyages is stepping into a new chapter, and shaking up how we book cruises in the process. With the launch of its fourth ship, Brilliant Lady, and record demand across its adult-only fleet, Virgin is in growth mode. But the big news is a brand-new fare structure called VoyageFair Choices, debuting October 7, 2025.
It promises more transparency, more flexibility, and easier comparisons with other cruise lines. Sounds good on paper, but let’s unpack what’s really changing, and what it means for those of us who love sailing with Virgin.
For Sea Terrace cabins and below, Virgin is rolling out three distinct pricing options:
For RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters, the main upgrade is dining reservations opening 120 days out – the earliest access yet. Everything else that makes those cabins special (Richard’s Rooftop, priority boarding, in-room bars, RockStar Agents) remains intact.
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One of the biggest changes is how gratuities are displayed. Until now, Virgin bundled them into the fare. You never saw them as a separate line item, and the promise was simple: no tipping, no hidden charges, no awkward envelopes.
With VoyageFair Choices, gratuities will now appear separately when you book. You’ll pay $20 per Sailor per night if prepaid, or $22 per night onboard. Virgin insists the overall cost of your voyage hasn’t changed, it’s just being presented differently.
Read this: Cruising 101 – What are Gratuities?
Here’s where it gets interesting. If you were to pull historical pricing and compare it against the new tiers, the expectation should be:
At first, fares probably won’t shift dramatically. But when new itineraries roll out, that’s when we’ll see if the tiers really affect value.
The risk? Two things could happen:
And honestly, I think it’s an alarming sign that Virgin might be edging closer to the traditional cruise model. Gratuities baked into the fare was one of the brand’s strongest selling points. It felt like genuine added value compared to the nickel-and-diming on other lines.
That said, I get why Virgin made the move. Browse Reddit or Facebook after any sailing and you’ll find endless threads asking: “Do I need to tip?” or “How much should I tip?” Many Sailors didn’t even know gratuities were already included. By surfacing the line item, Virgin is making it obvious, even if the total hasn’t changed. If they enforce gratuities as non-removable, this could actually help reduce confusion. If not… well, that’s when things could start to unravel.
No matter which tier you choose, Virgin is still keeping its signature Always Included Luxury at the core. That means:
So while the booking model has changed, once you’re onboard, the Virgin vibe remains the same: stylish, playful, and refreshingly adult-only.
On the surface, VoyageFair Choices makes sense. Travellers today want transparency, flexibility, and the ability to compare prices without hidden catches. But, I’m not sure. One of the things that made Virgin stand out was the “we don’t do gratuities – we’re better than that” sort of element. By breaking fares into tiers and separating gratuities, they’re walking a fine line between “clearer pricing” and “just like everyone else.”
If prices stay stable and gratuities remain mandatory, this could end up being a positive change that clears up confusion. But if the tiers start driving costs up, or gratuities start slipping into optional territory, Virgin risks losing the very thing that made it different.
But to be honest, I’m still not ready to book with Virgin Voyages. Not until they bring out a ship with a bigger pool.
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You can usually find me on a cruise ship, somewhere in Europe, or sneaking a beach day. I share beautiful photos, travel tips, and the occasional ‘why did I book this?’ moment.
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