"All-inclusive" is one of those terms the travel industry loves to throw around without fully committing to. So let me be specific about what Virgin Voyages includes, what they don't, and what you should actually budget for.
No hedging. No "it depends." Just the real picture.
What's Included in Your Fare
These things are covered the moment you book. You don't pay extra, you don't tip extra, you don't get surprised by a bill at the end.
All 20+ Restaurants
This is the big one. Every single restaurant on the ship is included. Not just the buffet and the main dining room like on other cruise lines. (I rank every restaurant in my dining guide.)
✅ What's included: The vast majority of every menu at no extra charge. A few restaurants do offer upcharge items for the truly extravagant stuff, things like the seafood tower, aged wagyu beef, or a premium tasting flight. These are clearly marked on the menu, and you'll know before you order. But to be clear: the filet mignon at The Wake? Included. The tacos al pastor at Pink Agave? Included. You can eat incredibly well every single night and never pay a cent beyond your fare.
Gratuities
Tips are included in your fare. This is a bigger deal than it sounds, and it plays out in two ways that'll make your life easier.
First, what you see is what you pay. When you order a beer at the pool bar, the price on the menu is the price. No calculating 20% in your head, no rounding up, no tipping anxiety. A cold beer runs $6-12 depending on your tastes, tip included. Done.
Second, the whole transaction is effortless. For included drinks like soda, juice, or water, the bartender just pours it and hands it to you. That's it. No signing, no tapping, nothing. Huzzah. For an adult beverage, you tap your Band to pay and you're done. No folio, no receipt, no pen. Just tap and walk away with your drink. It's faster than paying for coffee on land.
WiFi
Unlimited. On every ship. And it actually works.
📌 Good to know: If you've been on another cruise where the WiFi was "available" for $15/day and barely loaded Instagram, you'll appreciate this. VV WiFi is included and it's genuinely functional. Post your vacation photos in real time, keep up with messages, check your email if you must. All the normal vacation stuff works perfectly.
If you actually need to hop on a Zoom call or do some real work (no judgment, okay maybe a little judgment), you can upgrade to the higher-speed business WiFi for a daily fee. But the standard included WiFi handles everything most people need.
Group Fitness Classes
Yoga on the deck at sunrise. Boxing classes. HIIT sessions. Cycling. All included. The gym itself is also solid, with good equipment and ocean views.
Basic Beverages
This one has some nuance, so let me be clear:
Included: Water (still and sparkling), juice, soda, drip coffee, tea, non-specialty hot drinks.
Not included: Alcohol, specialty coffee drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, espresso start at about $4, honestly not bad), pressed juices, smoothies.
The drip coffee is decent. If you're a latte person, you're looking at four bucks and change. Not exactly breaking the bank.
The Beach Club at Bimini
Most Caribbean sailings out of Miami include a stop at VV's private Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas. Not every sailing hits Bimini, but most of the North Caribbean itineraries do.
This is not just a beach. It's a full-on resort day. DJ pool party, swim-up bar, beach loungers, food included. Your Band works here too, so you can buy drinks without bringing your wallet. The WiFi stays connected. And lunch is included, but note the hours when you arrive so you remember to grab one last plate before food service wraps up for the afternoon. Don't sleep through lunch because you fell asleep on a lounger. (I'm speaking from experience.)
📌 Heads up: Lunch at the Beach Club has set hours. Note them when you arrive or you'll miss it.
What's NOT Included
Here's where I get honest. Because "all-inclusive" does have limits, and you should know what to budget for.
Alcohol
The big one. Your fare does not include alcoholic drinks. You have a couple options:
Pay as you go: Order drinks individually. Beer runs $6-12 typically, cocktails $12-16, wine by the glass $10-15. Remember, tip is already included in those prices. A typical bar tab for a week (for someone who drinks moderately) is around $300-400 per person.
🎯 The move: Pre-pay with the Bar Tab if you know you're going to drink. VV sells prepaid Bar Tab credit at a discount, and they top you up with bonus credit:
- Pay $200, get $225 in credit
- Pay $300, get $350 in credit
- Pay $500, get $600 in credit
- Pay $750, get $925 in credit
- Pay $1,000, get $1,250 in credit
That $300 tier is the sweet spot for most people. You get $50 in free drinks just for pre-paying. Bar Tab also covers specialty coffee and mocktails, not just alcohol. And if you've got too much credit left on the last night? Buy a round for your friends. It's non-refundable, so you might as well be the hero.
💡 Booking tip: If you drink, pre-buy the Bar Tab. The bonus credit is free money. If you don't drink, you're already golden with all the included beverages.
Spa Treatments
The Redemption Spa is gorgeous and the thermal suite experience (mud room, salt room, cold plunge, hydrotherapy pool) is genuinely special. But it costs extra.
Individual treatments (massages, facials) run $150-300+. The thermal suite pass is cheaper and worth every dollar if you're into wellness. Group fitness classes are free, but the spa is a splurge.
Shore Excursions
What you do at port is up to you. VV offers organized shore excursions through the app (city tours, snorkeling, beach trips, food tours) and they range from $50-200+ per person depending on the activity and port.
You can also just walk off the ship and explore on your own, which is free. In most ports, walking around, hitting a beach, and finding a local restaurant is a perfectly great option.
Specialty Coffee
I mentioned this above but it's worth repeating because it catches people off guard. Drip coffee from the self-serve stations is free. Specialty drinks from the coffee bar (lattes, cappuccinos, espresso) start at about $4 including tip. Honestly, cheaper than your Starbucks habit. And if you pre-bought the Bar Tab, specialty coffee counts against it.
Tattoos
Yes, there is a tattoo parlor on the ship. It's called Squid Ink. And yes, it costs money. But also, yes, you can get a tattoo on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. VV is a different kind of cruise line.
💡 Pro tip: Squid Ink books up fast. By the second or third night, they've usually filled the rest of the sailing. Smart sailors looking for new ink always grab the last available slot first, because you can't go hot tubbing with a freshie. Plan accordingly and book on embarkation day if you're serious.
The Comparison That Matters
On Royal Caribbean or Norwegian, your base fare gets you the buffet, the main dining room, and nothing else. Specialty restaurants are $30-60 per person per meal. WiFi is $15-20/day. Gratuities are $15-20/person/day. By the time you add all that up, a "cheaper" fare on another line often costs the same or more than VV.
VV's pricing is more transparent. What you see is closer to what you pay. And the stuff that's included — the food, especially — is dramatically better.
🎯 Bottom line: A "cheaper" fare on another line often costs the same or more than VV once you add up all the extras.
How I Help With This
Part of my job is helping you budget realistically. When we plan your trip, I'll walk through what to expect for your specific sailing, your travel style, and your priorities. If you're on a tighter budget, I know the tricks. If you want to splurge, I know where it's worth it.
No surprises. That's the goal.
Want help figuring out what your specific trip will actually cost? Take the quiz for a starting point, or reach out directly and I'll build you a real estimate.
Not sure which sailing is right for you?
Take the 2-minute quiz and I'll point you in the right direction.
Brandon
Queer-owned travel advisor obsessed with Virgin Voyages. First Mate certified, FORA partnered, and here to help you plan an incredible cruise.