Virgin Voyages has made waves in the cruise industry by offering complimentary Wi-Fi for all passengers—a rarity among large cruise lines. However, with the start of 2025, the cost of their paid Wi-Fi options has increasing, sparking a debate among cruisers about the value of staying connected at sea. Here’s a breakdown of the updated pricing and what each package offers, so you can decide if it’s worth the splurge on your next Virgin Voyages adventure.
The Basics: Virgin Voyages’ Wi-Fi Options
Virgin Voyages stands out by including what they call Classic Wi-Fi for free with every booking. This entry-level option is perfect for casual use like messaging, light browsing, and even calling apps. But if you’re looking to stream movies, host Zoom meetings, or game at sea, you’ll need to upgrade to one of their two premium packages: Premium Wi-Fi or Work From Sea Wi-Fi. Here’s how they stack up:
Virgin Voyages Wi-Fi Packages
| Wi-Fi Tier | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Wi-Fi | Free | Messaging, light browsing, and calling apps |
| Premium Wi-Fi | From $30/day | Streaming, video calling, and faster speeds |
| Work From Sea Wi-Fi | From $50/day | Gaming, virtual meetings, and VPN access |
Classic Wi-Fi (Included for Free)
Every sailor on a Virgin Voyages cruise has access to Classic Wi-Fi at no additional cost. This tier offers:
- What It Covers: Messaging, calling apps, and basic web browsing.
- Number of Connections: Limited to one device per sailor.
- Speed: Around 2 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload.
While it’s not ideal for heavy streaming or large downloads, it’s a great freebie for staying in touch and casually scrolling social media.
Premium Wi-Fi
- Cost: $40/day for a 24-hour pass, or $30/day for a Voyage Pass (the latter covers the remainder of your trip).
- Additional Devices: $15/day per extra device.
- Enhanced Features: Premium Wi-Fi unlocks full audio and video streaming, video calling, and access to additional websites. Does not support VPN access.
- Speed: Roughly 5 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload—double the speed of Classic Wi-Fi.
Premium Wi-Fi doubles the speed of Classic Wi-Fi, making it the go-to choice for entertainment and remote work.
Work From Sea Wi-Fi
- Cost: $50/day plus $50/day per extra device.
- Availability: Only offered as a Voyage Pass (no 24-hour option).
- What It Offers: The fastest speeds available onboard, includes access for VPNs, and is perfect for virtual meetings, and online gaming.
- Speed: Around 10 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload—five times faster than Classic Wi-Fi.
This tier provides five times the speed of Classic Wi-Fi, ensuring a seamless experience for passengers needing a reliable connection for work or high-bandwidth activities.
What’s Changed?
Virgin Voyages recently announced an increase in pricing for their Premium and Work From Sea Wi-Fi packages. Previously, Premium Wi-Fi started at $20/day for a Voyage Pass and Work From Sea was $40/day. For those who need to use a VPN for work, the only plan that allows VPN access is the Work from Sea plan.
For those accustomed to Virgin’s more inclusive pricing model, the increased cost could be seen as a hiccup in their otherwise luxurious and guest-friendly experience.
Is Upgrading Worth It?
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
- Stick with Classic Wi-Fi if…
- You only need to send messages, check emails, or browse lightly.
- Upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi if…
- You plan to stream Netflix, make video calls, or use multiple devices.
- Go for Work From Sea Wi-Fi if…
- You’re a digital nomad, gamer, or need a VPN for secure work.
While the cost of staying connected has gone up, Virgin Voyages still offers excellent Wi-Fi options compared to other cruise lines. The inclusion of free Classic Wi-Fi remains a standout feature, and the higher tiers ensure there’s something for everyone, from casual browsers to remote workers.