Included dining and drinks at Extra Virgin on Virgin Voyages

What is included

Is Virgin Voyages All-Inclusive? What Your Fare Really Includes

Is Virgin Voyages all-inclusive? See what the fare covers, what costs extra, how gratuities and drinks work, and how to estimate your real cruise cost.

By Melissa Lagerquist · September 4, 2026 · 10 min read

Virgin Voyages is not completely all-inclusive, but its base fare includes more than many mainstream cruise lines. Restaurant dining, essential nonalcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, group fitness classes and entertainment are generally included. Alcohol, specialty drinks, excursions, spa treatments, shopping and several premium experiences cost extra. Service gratuities are also a separate charge under the current policy.

That combination makes Virgin better described as more inclusive, rather than truly all-inclusive.

The quick answer

Your Virgin Voyages fare generally includes:

You should normally budget separately for:

Dining is one of Virgin's strongest inclusions

Restaurant entrée served aboard Virgin Voyages
Virgin includes its main collection of restaurant dining in the voyage fare.

Virgin does not use the traditional cruise model of a main dining room plus several specialty restaurants with cover charges. Its signature restaurants are included in the voyage fare. Depending on the ship, these may include The Wake, Pink Agave, Extra Virgin, Gunbae, The Test Kitchen and ship-specific concepts.

Casual choices in The Galley and elsewhere around the ship are also included. That can create meaningful value for travelers who would otherwise purchase specialty-dining packages on another cruise line.

Included does not mean that every possible item is free. Premium food selections, special events and certain delivery terms can carry an additional charge. Check the current menu and app for your sailing.

For a closer look at the overall dining and reservation experience, start with my Virgin Voyages first-timer guide.

Which drinks are included?

Cocktails and specialty drinks beside a Virgin Voyages pool
Essential drinks are included, while alcoholic and specialty beverages are generally charged separately. Image courtesy of Virgin Voyages First Mates marketing materials.

Virgin's essential drinks are included. The current list includes filtered still and sparkling water, soda, non-pressed juices, sachet teas and drip coffee.

Alcohol, fresh-pressed juice, barista-made specialty coffee and many other premium beverages are charged separately. Virgin's Bar Tab works as prepaid beverage credit, not as an unlimited drink package. You use the balance toward eligible purchases until it is gone.

This can favor light and moderate drinkers. You are not automatically paying a high daily package price for every adult in the cabin. On the other hand, travelers who enjoy several cocktails or premium coffees each day should add those expected purchases to the trip budget.

Are gratuities included on Virgin Voyages?

Not under the current policy. Virgin states that, beginning October 7, 2025, a daily service gratuity of $22 per Sailor is added to the onboard account. Sailors may prepay at $20 per night.

Virgin also states that additional tips are not added to drinks, dining or spa treatments. The daily service gratuity supports the crew across the ship.

Because gratuity policies have changed, older articles and social-media posts may still say that tips are included. Use the terms attached to your actual booking and verify the current amount before sailing.

Is Wi-Fi included?

Virgin includes Wi-Fi, although the service level and any premium upgrade depend on the current fare and sailing. Basic access may be enough for messaging and ordinary browsing. Travelers who need video calls, heavy streaming or reliable remote-work capability should examine the premium option instead of assuming the included connection will meet every need.

Are fitness classes and entertainment included?

Group fitness classes are generally included, which distinguishes Virgin from cruise lines that charge for many scheduled classes. Availability can be limited, so reserve high-priority sessions when booking opens.

Most entertainment is also included. The lineup may feature immersive performances, live music, comedy, parties and ship-wide events such as Scarlet Night. Certain special experiences can have separate pricing.

What costs extra?

The largest optional expenses for many couples are drinks, gratuities and Shore Things. Spa services, the Thermal Suite, shopping, Squid Ink tattoos, casino spending and premium celebrations can also increase the final cost.

Your airfare and pre-cruise hotel may matter more than any single onboard charge, especially for European, Alaska or repositioning voyages. Compare the entire vacation rather than only the advertised cruise fare.

Is Virgin more inclusive than other cruise lines?

In several important ways, yes. Included restaurant dining, essential drinks, Wi-Fi and group fitness classes can replace packages that cost extra elsewhere. The value is strongest when you actually use those inclusions.

Virgin is not an ultra-luxury line that bundles alcohol, excursions and nearly every onboard expense. It occupies a useful middle ground: a contemporary adults-only cruise with fewer add-on decisions than many mainstream lines, but still enough optional spending that you should create a realistic budget.

A simple way to estimate the real price

Add these categories before comparing Virgin with another vacation:

  1. Voyage fare and taxes
  2. Daily service gratuities
  3. Expected drinks beyond the essential included choices
  4. Shore Things or independent excursions
  5. Spa, premium experiences and shopping
  6. Airfare, hotel, transfers and insurance

Then subtract the value of anything you would have purchased on another line, such as specialty dining, Wi-Fi or fitness classes. This produces a much more useful comparison than looking at the cabin fare alone.

Frequently asked questions

Is food free on Virgin Voyages?

Dining at Virgin's main restaurants and casual eateries is included in the fare. Premium items, special events or certain delivery terms may cost extra.

Does Virgin Voyages include alcohol?

Alcohol is not generally included in a standard fare. A Bar Tab is prepaid beverage credit rather than an unlimited package. RockStar and Mega RockStar accommodations have different beverage benefits.

Are tips included?

No. Under the current policy, the service gratuity is $22 per Sailor per night onboard or $20 per night when prepaid. Confirm the policy attached to your booking.

Is room service included?

Virgin calls its in-cabin delivery service ShipEats. Menus, delivery charges and waiver terms can change, so check the current app information for your voyage.

Is Virgin Voyages worth the price?

It can be, particularly for adults who value included restaurant dining, Wi-Fi, fitness and a child-free atmosphere. Read Is Virgin Voyages Worth It? for a complete value assessment.

Ready to compare real sailings?

The best test is to price the itinerary and cabin you would actually choose, then compare the full vacation cost.

Let's Go Book your Virgin Voyages cruise →

Using my First Mate link connects your booking to my agency details. You can also request personal planning help if you would like help comparing fares, cabins or itineraries.

Planning note and official references

Details and policies can change. Information was reviewed September 4, 2026; confirm the terms for your specific sailing before booking.

What is included · VoyageFair choices · Drinks FAQ