Buying drinks when on a cruise holiday can be quite a complex topic.
Each cruise line offers different packages; some include certain soft drinks, but not mocktails or smoothies; hot beverages may be included, but not speciality coffee… Then there’s alcohol; some beer and some wine may be free, even some cocktails, but not all of them.
If all this puts your head in a spin, then you’ll be thankful for the simplicity of ordering drinks when sailing with Virgin Voyages. Below, we explain why.
What drinks packages are available on Virgin Voyages?
Well, the short answer is there aren’t any (unless you’re booking a RockStar Suite). Virgin Voyages have made a break with tradition to offer an à la carte approach to buying drinks, simply paying for what you order.
However, you don’t have to carry cash around with you on board. Instead, Virgin Voyages offer a ‘Bar Tab’. With this, you or anyone staying in your cabin can purchase drinks from the onboard bars or at Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini using the funds you’ve added to your bar credit.
Are any drinks included in the cruise fare?
Yes, actually, Virgin Voyages offers a much better deal than most other cruise lines when it comes to the drinks included in your cruise fare. Most non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary. These ‘Basic Bevvies’ include filtered still and sparkling water, fruit juices, fizzy drinks and sodas, tea and drip coffee.
Virgin Voyages also offers a promotion on your bar tab, where if you add $300 to your credit, they’ll give you an extra $50.
Can I bring my own drinks on the ship?
Virgin Voyages’ allowance for bringing drinks on board is two bottles of wine per cabin. These bottles must be no larger than 750ml each, packed in your carry-on luggage and consumed in your room. Other alcohol is not permitted to be brought on board.
However, you can bring your own water or soft drinks, but not in single-use plastic containers.
How much should I add to my bar tab?
Of course, everyone has their individual preferences on how many drinks they are likely to want while on their cruise holiday.
To give you an idea of how much to put on your bar tab, here is a short guide to the prices of cruise guests’ favourite drinks (tips included):
Beer and cider
Beer (bottles & cans) $5-$9, (draft) $5
Cider (cans) $6-$9, (draft) $6
Wine
White wine (per glass) $7-£13, (per bottle) $29-$88
Red wine (per glass) $7-11, (per bottle) $29-$58
Rose wine (per glass) $11-$15, (per bottle) $49-$66
Sparkling (per glass) $7-$24, (per bottle) $32-$299
Spirits
Tequila $15-$83 (double)
Rum $13-57 (double)
Other spirits are available, including vodka, whisky, gin and bourbon
Cocktails
Mojito (glass) $11, (jug) $41
Sangria (glass) $13, (jug) $45
Is my bar tab refundable at the end of my cruise?
No, bar tabs are not refundable, so make sure you use up your credit before the end of your cruise!
What drinks are included when booking a RockStar suite?
When staying in a RockStar suite, your first round of in-cabin drinks is complimentary – you’ll find a curated selection of beverages stocked free of charge in your suite bar.
Rockstars suite guests also have exclusive access to complimentary drinks and bottles of wine around the ship (within reason).
