Airlines have been doing it for years: offering you a choice between basic, regular, and premium fares with different levels of perks and flexibility. Now, Virgin Voyages is bringing that same concept to the cruise industry with the launch of VoyageFair Choices.
Rolling out for all new bookings beginning October 7, 2025, this new fare model is designed to give Sailors (Virgin’s fancy term for passengers) more flexibility and transparency when booking their voyages. According to the cruise line, the system was created in response to feedback from Sailors and travel advisors, and for the first time, gratuities will be shown as a separate line item at the time of booking.
Four Options for Standard Cabins
For Sea Terrace and below, Virgin Voyages is rolling out a structured lineup of fares, each with different inclusions, reservation windows, and flexibility.
- Lock It In Rate – The most restrictive option, this fare is non-refundable, includes Basic WiFi (messaging, social media, browsing) for one device, and allows dining reservations only 15 days before sailing. Sailors won’t be able to make changes to dates, names, or cabins. Cabin assignments are made up to two days before departure, so there’s no guarantee of location until close to sailing.
- Base Fare – Also non-refundable, the Base Fare comes with the same Basic WiFi for one device, and a 15-day dining window. Unlike the Lock It In Rate, cabins are assigned at booking, though Virgin reserves the right to shuffle the assignment up to seven days before sailing. Like the Lock It In Rate, no modifications or cancellations are allowed.
- Essential Fare – Closest to Virgin’s current model, Essential adds in more flexibility. Sailors receive Classic WiFi for one device, which supports social, browsing, and audio calling. Dining reservations open 45 days before the voyage, and modifications are allowed: Sailors Two through Four can have name changes, dates can be shifted, and Future Voyage Credits can be applied. Cancellations are also eligible for a Future Voyage Credit.
- Premium Fare – This is the highest tier for standard cabins and comes with plenty of perks. Premium includes Premium WiFi for up to two devices per Sailor, capable of streaming and video calling, plus an included Bar Tab (valued at $15 per Sailor per night), and priority support before your voyage. Dining reservations open 60 days prior—a window previously reserved for suite guests. Like Essential, Premium is refundable via Future Voyage Credit, and all Sailors can change names and adjust dates.
RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters
For suite guests, the changes are a bit smaller.
- Dining reservations now open 120 days prior to sailing.
- Both fare categories continue to include Classic WiFi (for RockStars) or Work From Sea WiFi (for Mega RockStars), which covers everything from streaming to VPN access and multiple devices.
- RockStars enjoy in-room bars, Richard’s Rooftop access, priority boarding, and dedicated RockStar Agent support.
- Mega RockStars take it further with bottle service in their in-room bars, daily Bar Tabs, and a dedicated Mega RockStar Agent.
Gratuities Now Separate
One of the biggest changes is how gratuities are handled. Instead of being bundled into the fare, they’re now shown as a separate line item at booking. Sailors can pre-pay at a discounted rate of $20 per person per night, or settle onboard at $22 per person per night.
Virgin stresses that this change doesn’t increase the total cost of a voyage—it simply makes it easier to compare Virgin’s fares with other cruise lines, many of which don’t include gratuities in their advertised price. The gratuity amount is the same across all cabins, from inside staterooms to Mega RockStar suites, unlike other brands where suite guests often pay higher rates.
Virgin Voyages is the first cruise line to officially bring airline-style pricing into the industry, something it says modern travelers have come to expect. By breaking out fares into clear tiers and listing gratuities separately, Virgin believes it’s giving guests more choice, control, and confidence when booking.
Whether you want the most stripped-down option, a middle-of-the-road package, or all the extras without stepping into a suite, these new fare choices lays it out in black and white. And for Virgin, it’s yet another way of shaking up the cruise industry – something they LOVE to do.