Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages is a newer cruise line, founded in 2014 as Virgin Cruises and renamed in 2016, owned by Richard Branson's Virgin Group together with Bain Capital. Its four ships, Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady, each carry roughly 2,700 adults, and the line calls its guests Sailors. Brilliant Lady, which entered service in September 2025, is the fleet's first ship that can transit the Panama Canal, opening up the West Coast and Alaska.

The onboard experience deliberately breaks cruise conventions. There is no buffet and no main dining room; instead more than 20 eateries, including Korean barbecue, a Mexican restaurant and a tasting-menu test kitchen, are included in the fare. Basic drinks and Wi-Fi are included too. Entertainment leans toward cabaret, immersive and late-night performances rather than big Broadway productions, and there is even a tattoo parlor.

Virgin suits adults who want a hip, social, design-focused cruise without kids on board, including couples, friend groups and solo travelers. It is not for families with children, travelers who want a traditional cruise with formal nights and set dining, or anyone who prefers a quiet, early-to-bed ship.

The vibe: Adults-only and boutique-hotel cool, with a playful, sometimes cheeky edge and a late-night social scene.

What Virgin does best

All eateries included

More than 20 places to eat are covered by the fare, including the specialty restaurants that other lines charge for.

The Beach Club at Bimini

Virgin's adults-only beach club in the Bahamas, with a lagoon-style pool, Bahamian-inspired food, DJs and included Wi-Fi.

Adults-only ships

No kids on board, no kids' clubs and a social, grown-up atmosphere throughout.

Wi-Fi and basic drinks included

Wi-Fi, soda, juices, drip coffee, tea and still and sparkling water are part of the fare.

Brilliant Lady on the West Coast

The newest ship brings Virgin to Alaska from Seattle, the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles and Panama Canal sailings.

Dining

All eateries are included and there is no buffet or main dining room. Venues vary by ship but include Gunbae (Korean barbecue), Pink Agave (Mexican), Razzle Dazzle, Extra Virgin (Italian), the Test Kitchen tasting menu and The Wake (steak and seafood) on most ships, plus The Galley food hall for casual meals. Reserve the sit-down restaurants in the app before sailing.

Entertainment and activities

Shows are smaller and more experimental than standard cruise productions, with immersive theater, cabaret and comedy staged in flexible venues. Expect DJs, late-night parties, a Scarlet Night celebration on each voyage, karaoke and live music. There is also a tattoo parlor on board and a casino.

Families and kids

Virgin Voyages is adults-only: all Sailors must be adults, so there are no children's facilities or programs. Families with kids should consider other lines.

Dress code

No formal nights and no dress code beyond common sense. Scarlet Night, held once per voyage, is a ship-wide party where Sailors are encouraged to wear red, and some evenings have optional themes.

Gratuities and drinks

As of October 2025 Virgin adds a gratuity of $22 per Sailor per day for all cabin types, according to The Points Guy's October 2026 tipping roundup. Other tips are bundled into the fare. (Published rates as of 2026-10-13; source. Lines change these, so we confirm the current amount in every quote.)

Soda, non-pressed juices, drip coffee, tea and still and sparkling water are included. Virgin does not sell an unlimited drink package; instead you can prepay a Bar Tab (often with bonus credit) that covers cocktails, wine, beer and specialty coffees. Each cabin may bring two bottles of wine on board.

Loyalty program: Virgin Voyages Sailing Club. Tell us your number when you request a quote so past-guest offers and status perks are applied.

Private destinations

• The Beach Club at Bimini

Specialist tips for booking Virgin

• Book dining reservations in the Virgin Voyages app as soon as your booking window opens. You can still walk in to most eateries, but popular venues like the Test Kitchen fill quickly.
• Prepay a Bar Tab if you plan to drink. Virgin regularly offers bonus credit on top of what you load, which effectively discounts your drinks.
• The Beach Club at Bimini is included, but cabanas, premium drinks and some activities cost extra. Bring a reef-safe sunscreen and a cover-up for the tram ride.
• Your second and fourth completed voyages unlock Sailing Club perks for the following trip, so log in to see what you have earned before booking again.
• Scarlet Night is one of the big social nights. Pack something red.