When you book a cruise, you’ll usually make a decision about whether to buy an all-inclusive drinks package or pay for your drinks individually.
But how does this work on Virgin Voyages? I was lucky enough to be one of the first people aboard Scarlet Lady, so in this guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about drinking on a Virgin Voyages cruise.
Virgin Voyages doesn’t offer drink packages
Unlike most other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages does not offer a drinks package. You will not find any type of all-inclusive drinks deals on a Virgin Voyages cruise. Instead, you can purchase a ‘Bar Tab’ to cover the cost of drinks.
How does the Bar Tab work?
With the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab, you select how much money you want to add to it. You can then use this to pay for drinks during your cruise. Currently, for every $300 that you add before you depart, Virgin Voyages will top it up with an extra $50. You also get bonus credit for adding $100 or $200, but not as much.
You can use your Bar Tab at every bar and restaurant on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady or Brilliant Lady, as well as on Virgin Voyages’ private resort, Bimini Beach Club.
While cruise lines generally don’t let people share drinks packages, you can share a Virgin Voyages Bar Tab. You can just buy one for your cabin and use it to buy drinks for whoever you like.
To start your bar tab, just log in to the Virgin Voyages website and head to the My Account section.
Read more: Virgin Voyages Bar Tab vs. Traditional Cruise Drink Packages
Virgin Voyages drink prices – are they expensive?
The good news is that drinks prices with Virgin Voyages are actually pretty reasonable. There’s also a good selection of soft drinks that are free of charge.
Beers such as Heineken, Amstel Light, Narragansett, and Kalik are all about $6-$7. Basic gin, rum and whisky cocktails are about $10. Wine prices vary of course, but there’s a good selection available for under $11.
This luxury cruise line’s signature drink is Champagne, which is available for just $9 a glass. If you’re feeling fancy, vintage Champagne can cost anywhere up to $1,000 a bottle.
Tips are included in all drinks prices on Virgin Voyages, so the price you see on the menu is the price you pay.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Virgin Voyages offers…
What drinks are included?
Virgin Voyages offer ‘basic bevvies’ for free. The included drinks are:
- Filtered still and sparkling water
- Fruit juices (not pressed)
- Fizzy drinks and sodas
- Teas and drip coffees
Virgin Voyages drink menus
Here’s what you can expect to see on the drinks menus on Virgin Voyages ships…
- Draught Beer (12oz) – $6 to $8
- Draught Beer (54oz) – $20 to $29
- Can of Beer – $6 to $11
- Spirit (single) – $6 to $25
- Spirit (half bottle) – $45 to $55
- Cocktails – $12 to $17
- Bottle of Beer – $6 to $15
- Glass of Wine – $7 to $22
- Bottle of Wine – $28 to $1445
- Glass of Champagne – $9 to $65
- Bottle of Champagne – $48 to $445
- Shots – $7 to $15
- Red Bull – $5
- Specialty Coffee – $3 to $5
- Specialty Tea – $5
- Hot Chocolate – $4
Virgin Voyages Mini Bar menu
The Virgin Voyages mini-bar menu includes not only beers, wines and cocktails, but also a sleep kit and an intimacy kit for when things get steamy!
Shake for Champagne
Champagne drinking is positively encouraged on-board Virgin Voyages’ glamorous ships. So much so, that the Virgin Voyages ‘Sailor app’ includes a ‘Shake for Champagne’ feature.
All you need to do is shake your phone to reveal the secret Champagne delivery button and a bottle of Möet will be delivered to your location anywhere on the ship.
It’s never too early for champagne and there’s always something to toast to while aboard Scarlet Lady. We want our Sailors to enjoy a glamorous holiday and what better way to feel like a RockStar than a sip of bubbly whenever and wherever you want it.
Tom Mcalpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages
Bringing your own drinks on Virgin Voyages
Guests ages 21 or over on Virgin Voyages cruises are allowed to bring two 750ml bottles of wine per cabin. You can’t bring any other alcohol such as beer or spirits, and the wine must be in your carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage.
You can also bring water or soft drinks on board if you wish, however, you really don’t need to as these are included in your cruise fare.
Virgin Voyages has banned single-use plastics from its ships. So, if you must bring your own water or soft drinks, steer clear of plastic bottles and opt for cans or cartons.
Virgin Voyages drinking age
Virgin Voyages is one of the few cruise lines with US departures that allows guests aged 18 or over to drink alcohol at sea. As soon as the ship is 12 nautical miles off the coast of the US and in international waters, the bar will be open for those aged 18, 19 and 20 in addition to the adults who are 21 or over.
It used to be the case that guest only allowed 18- to 20-year-olds too cruise on itineraries in Europe, if they were married to another guest, an active member of the military or were sharing a cabin with someone aged over 21.
However, they have since relaxed the rules so under 21s can now cruise by themselves or as a group on all sailings.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Virgin Voyages offers…
Scarlet Lady review
I was lucky enough to enjoy an overnight stay on Scarlet Lady. Click here to read my honest review of the ship.
Related Posts:
- Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Cruise Review
- Can You Take Drinks on a Cruise ship?
- How to Sneak Alcohol on a Cruise Ship
- Virgin Voyages Dress Code
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
WHERE CAN I GET A LISTING OF COCKTAILS AND PRICES?
We have a $1200 bar tab that was a perk for booking so early I think. When we tried to book an extra $300 for the bonus $50 we were told we couldn’t
Any reason why? I mean we’ll definitely need extra for 44 days 🙂
Trying to decide if I should buy the drinks tab @ $300. The odd spirits, decent coffee and decint wine with dinner will be essential! I cant find a drinks price list anywhere. 2 people travelling. Any advice please. Thanks
I am confused over pricing for “standard drinks”, i.e, gin and tonic, rum and coke, vodka collins, etc. If I order a rum and coke for example is that supposed to be charged as a “shot” with the price ranging from $7 to $15 according to the class of liquor ordered? For example I saw that Absolut was the cheapest vodka with Tito’s being $2 more.
Trying to decide whether I need to buy another $300 drink tab.
I mean virgin smoothies
What are smoothies considered, do you need a bar tab or what?
Can I use my $300 onboard credit to purchase alchoholic beverages?
yes, you can.
What happens if we end up using all our bar tab. Can we add funds to it during the cruise? I see it is not refundable and how to add at before the cruise, but what if I run out say day 4 of a 7 day cruise? Can I still buy drinks?
Hi Kimm. Yes, you can just charge them to your onboard account, no problem. The pre-paid bar tab is only used so that you get bonus credit, it’s not essential. Jenni
Looking forward to the 44 whatever night cruise from Athens to Sydney next year. So no fancy dresses or suits required? Just something nice for dinner?
Can’t wait
That’s right, you can dress up as much or as little as you like. Enjoy!
We are in a Rockstar suite. We will have the liquor in our room. Will Bloody Mary mix be in the room or do you have to get that at bar? Is it a “non pressed juice”?
Hi Stacie, the Bloody Mary mix won’t be in your suite but if you call the cruise line in advance, they might be able to arrange it for you. Hope that helps, Jenni
Hi, with the Bar Tab, if it is not fully used can it be rolled over to use on another VV cruise?
I don’t think so Keith – it’s not specifically mentioned in the terms and conditions about rolling it over, but it is clear that you can’t get it refunded or transferred to another passenger. You could ask the cruise line but I think the answer would be no. Jenni
Hi,
My husband drinks non alcoholic beer and spirits, I believe these are available, but do you know if these are included in the bar tab or ‘free’.
I imagine bar tab but wanted to check.
Many Thanks Donna
Hi Donna, alcohol-free beers and spirits aren’t free I’m afraid, you would need to pay for them on the Bar Tab. Hope that helps. Jenni
the “sodas” and “fizzy drinks” that are included in the free drinks, are they from a can, or are they from a “tap” with multiple options
How many times has Virgin cruises sailed? Don’t hear much about them.
The first cruise was set for April 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic and she actually began sailing in 2021.
I am looking to book a trip with Virgin Voyages but I am really worried that it is going to be party central! I don’t mind the ship having some nightlife as long as it doesn’t take over. Do you know if this is likely to be an issue please? We are almost 50 and I am a little worried about the age demographic. Thanks
Hi Suzanne. There are plenty of people in your age range who love VV. Lots of quieter areas on the ship too. I wouldn’t worry. Enjoy! Jenni
Hi
we have a cruise booked in September on the resilient lady
can we set our bar tab up when we are onboard?
Are pool/beach towels provided?
we have been lucky enough to book a corner room on deck 10
whats included in the price of the room
Hi Sue. You’ll need to set up your bar tab before you go if you want to take advantage of getting any bonus credit. Yes, towels are provided. I’m not sure what perks you get with the Cheeky Corner Suite, but take a look at YouTube as there are a few videos that might give you the answer. Jenni
What currency is used for drinks and excursions on board virgin voyages resilient lady, and where do I get information on excursions on the cruises. Thanks
Hi Cheril. The onboard currency is $ USD. You can get information from your travel agent if you have one, or from the cruise line. Jeni
I booked my virgin cruise in March through imagine cruises. My question is who can I book my bar tab with. Virgin say it is not them and I have had no luck with contacting imagine cruises
You would need to do it with your travel agent. Sorry to hear that they haven’t been responsive to your needs. Jenni
Question: Is the prepaid bar tab for the cabin or the individual? Wondering if my wife and I can use the same tab. Thank You
Hi Frederick. Yes, you can use the same one. When you buy a bar tab you can use it to buy drinks for yourself, your wife, or anyone else that you like. Jenni
How do you add the bar-tab?
Hi Nicholas. You can either call your travel agent or if you booked directly with Virgin Voyages you can call them to set it up. Jenni
Question: Can a guest bring a flavored creamer for their coffee on board Virgin Voyages-Scarlet Lady? If so, what kind of container would be required?
Hi Cheryl. I can’t see this being a problem as you’re allowed to bring non-alcoholic drinks with you. This is from the Virgin Voyages FAQs: “Outside water or soft drinks in boxes and cans are permitted in hand luggage only. There won’t be unnecessary single-use plastics, including straws, water bottles, shopping bags, food packaging, stirrers and takeaway cups shipwide. Unlimited sparkling water, non-pressed juices, soda, sachet tea and drip coffee will be included.”
Love the pool picture topped with water now! I think our solo travel group will love it on Halloween!
I’m sure you will! Have a great cruise!