Virgin Voyages Fare Options Explained: What’s Changing in 2025

Virgin Voyages has always stood out for keeping things refreshingly simple: no surprise gratuities, plenty of dining options, and WiFi included for everyone. Starting with bookings made on or after October 7, 2025, they’re adding a new layer of customization with a program called VoyageFair Choices. This update gives Sailors the ability to choose how much flexibility and how many perks they want when booking. It also introduces a few new wrinkles that can feel confusing at first glance, which is exactly why booking through Rainbow Getaways makes the process so much easier.

Virgin Voyages' Fair Choices Chart

Introducing Base, Essential, and Premium

At the heart of the change are three fare types for Sea Terrace cabins and below: Base, Essential, and Premium. Think of them as three different ways to approach your voyage—commitment-heavy, balanced, or all-inclusive flexibility.

The Base Fare is designed for Sailors who are absolutely certain about their travel plans. It comes in at the lowest cost, but there’s a catch: it’s non-refundable, non-transferable, and no name changes are allowed. Once you book, you’re locked in. Dining reservations open 15 days before sailing.

For most travelers, the Essential Fare will feel the most familiar. It mirrors the Virgin Voyages system we’ve known until now, with a little room to adjust along the way. You’ll have 24 hours after booking for a full refund, can receive a Future Voyage Credit if you cancel before the final payment date, and you can make a name change for a small fee. Dining reservations open 45 days before sailing.

Then there’s the Premium Fare, which comes loaded with perks and flexibility. You’ll be able to cancel up to 30 days before sailing and still receive a Future Voyage Credit, enjoy premium WiFi for the entire voyage, and even score $15 per Sailor, per night as an onboard bar credit. Dining reservations open 60 days in advance, and you’ll have a dedicated support line for added peace of mind.

Not sure which tier fits your travel style? That’s exactly where Rainbow Getaways steps in; we’ll guide you through the options and book the one that aligns best with your priorities.

No matter which fare class you choose, you're in for a vacation of a lifetime!

Base Fare vs. Lock-It-In Rates

One point of confusion is the difference between the new Base Fare and Virgin’s long-standing Lock-It-In Rates. Both are value-driven, but they work differently.

• Base Fare: You pick and secure a specific cabin type when you book. That means you know exactly what you’re getting in terms of category and location. Your cabin is assigned at booking, but can be changed by Virgin up to 7 days before sailing if they need to make a swap.

• Lock-It-In Rate: Works on a guarantee basis. You’re promised a cabin in the category you book, but Virgin assigns the exact location later. This can mean your room ends up in a less central spot or near busier areas, but you’ll still enjoy the same Virgin experience. Your cabin may not be assigned until 2 days before the sailing.

Lock-It-In is perfect for Sailors who just want to get on the ship, while Base gives you more control and an assigned cabin earlier. When you book with Rainbow Getaways, we’ll help you decide which route makes the most sense for your budget and preferences.

What About Suites?

RockStar and Mega RockStar Suites don’t fall under these fare classes, but they aren’t left out of the update. Starting with these changes, suite guests will enjoy a longer runway for planning meals, with dining reservations opening a full 120 days before sailing. That’s a major advantage when you’re eyeing the most sought-after restaurants onboard.

When you book your suite with Rainbow Getaways, we’ll make sure those early reservations are locked in for you, no scrambling, no stress.

Dining: Timing Is Everything

Dining has always been a cornerstone of the Virgin Voyages experience, and now, when you can book depends on the fare you choose. Premium Sailors can start making reservations 75 days before departure, Essential and Base Sailors at 60 days, and RockStars at 120 days.

This staggered system means that if you’re eager to secure a table at The Wake or Extra Virgin, choosing Premium or having us handle the details for you can make all the difference.

WiFi: Standard vs. Premium

Every Sailor still enjoys WiFi included in their fare, but now the type depends on what you book. Base and Essential Sailors get standard WiFi, while Premium fares and all suites include premium service with faster speeds and more devices.

If staying connected matters to you, Rainbow Getaways will ensure you’re booked into the right fare so you don’t end up with sluggish speeds when you need to stream, work, or share your adventures in real time.

A Toast to Premium Fares

The Premium Fare comes with a built-in bonus that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a cocktail by the pool or a latte in the morning: a $15 per Sailor, per night bar credit. On a 7-night voyage, two Sailors in one cabin would enjoy $210 in credits to spend on drinks of their choice.

It’s these little perks that can add up quickly, and we’ll help you maximize them so you never leave value on the table.

Gratuities: What’s Changing

One thing that set Virgin Voyages apart from the start was that gratuities were bundled into the fare. You didn’t have to think about them, and there were no awkward add-ons at the end of your trip. With this new system, gratuities are no longer hidden inside the fare but will now appear as their own line item, more in line with what you see on other cruise lines.

The actual cost hasn’t changed for Sailors who choose to prepay, which remains $20 per person, per night. What is new is that those who wait to settle on board will now pay $22 per person, per night. Every dollar still goes directly to the Crew, but the way it’s presented—and in some cases, the price—has shifted.

For Sailors used to the “always included” simplicity Virgin promised in the past, this change may feel like a step backward. When you book with Rainbow Getaways, we’ll walk you through your options, explain the benefits of prepaying, and make sure it’s all arranged in a way that avoids surprises later.

Use your Bar Tab at bars, restaurants, and ship eats

Change and Cancellation Rules

One of the most significant differences between the new fare options is what happens if your plans change. For Sailors booking a Lock-It-In or Base Fare, the rules are strict: there are no refunds, no credits, and no changes allowed. Once you book, you’re committed.

Essential Fares offer a much greater degree of flexibility. You can cancel or move the date of your voyage up to forty-five days before sailing, and if you do cancel, you’ll receive a Future Voyage Credit that’s valid for one year from the original sailing date. If your travel party changes, the names of Sailors two through four can be updated as late as forty-eight hours before departure, and if you’d prefer a different location on the ship, you even have the option to change your cabin assignment.

Premium Fares build on everything offered with Essential but add even more flexibility. In addition to being able to adjust your sailing date, switch cabins, or update the names of Sailors two through four, Premium allows you to transfer the booking to a completely new set of Sailors. That means if your original travel party can’t make it, you won’t lose the value you’ve already paid—you can hand the reservation to another crew instead. For travelers who want maximum freedom and peace of mind, Premium provides the widest safety net Virgin Voyages currently offers.

If reading fine print isn’t your idea of fun, booking with Rainbow Getaways means we’ll take care of the details for you. We’ll match your fare to the right level of flexibility, explain the rules in plain language, and make sure you’re protected if life happens.

Sailing Club: Your Loyalty Perks Remain

If you’re already a member of the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club, you might be wondering if the new VoyageFair Choices will affect your perks. The answer is simple: they won’t. Your Blue Extras (BE) and Deep Blue Extras (DBE) remain intact, no matter which fare class you choose. Every full-fare booking still counts toward your Sailing Club tally, and you’ll continue to enjoy your earned benefits whether you sail on a Base, Essential, or Premium fare—or even on a Lock-It-In Rate.

Whether this is your very first voyage or your tenth, your loyalty perks travel with you. And when you book through Rainbow Getaways, we’ll make sure those perks are applied correctly so you always get the recognition and extras you’ve earned.

My Next Virgin Voyage: Still Combinable

Virgin’s popular My Next Virgin Voyage program, which rewards Sailors who book their future trips while onboard, remains fully combinable with the new fare structure. Those savings can be applied to Base, Essential, or Premium fares in the Sea Terrace categories and higher, including RockStar and Mega RockStar Suites.

This means you don’t have to choose between securing perks while you’re onboard and enjoying flexibility later; both work hand in hand. When you book with Rainbow Getaways, we’ll make sure your credits are applied seamlessly so your next adventure is already waiting by the time you disembark.

Virgin Voyages has introduced its biggest booking update yet with VoyageFair Choices. From the new Base, Essential, and Premium fares to updated dining windows, WiFi access, and gratuity handling, there’s more to think about when booking than ever before. Add in the nuances of Lock-It-In Rates, Sailing Club perks, and My Next Virgin Voyage credits, and it’s clear this system takes some navigating.

The good news is you don’t have to figure it out on your own. When you plan with Rainbow Getaways, we’ll guide you through the options, match you with the right fare, and make sure you get the most out of every perk.

Ready to see which fare is right for you? Start planning your Virgin Voyage with Rainbow Getaways today. And if you’d like to dig deeper into what makes Virgin Voyages such a unique cruise line, don’t miss our free resource: The Ultimate Cruiser’s Guide to Virgin Voyages.

Because you deserve a vacation as unique as you.