5 Tips to Avoid Being a Virgin on Virgin Cruise Lines
We recently went on a cruise out of Miami on the Valiant Lady. I had never sailed with Virgin Cruise Lines before, and I wasn’t prepared for the difference between Virgin and other cruise lines. Sharing my tips for a safe, fun, and budget-friendly experience is essential.
Virgin Cruise Lines Tips
My Virgin Cruise tips are geared toward those who value both their time and money. For context, I’m not a big drinker, though it seems to be a prevalent activity on Virgin Cruises. However, I can say you can still have a wonderful time without drinking. You can also drink for less by bringing two bottles of alcohol per person when you board. “Mixers” like soda, tea, and juice are free on Virgin Cruises, making this a frugal option.
Virgin also offers several packages with “Sailor Loot” when you sign up, which is a nice bonus. That’s just one tip, but let’s dive into the best ones to ensure you’re not a “virgin” on Virgin!
Tip #1:
Join the Facebook group for your specific cruise. This is where you’ll learn the ins and outs of the trip and meet fellow passengers. It makes the experience more personal, and you can get answers to your questions quickly.
Tip #2
Keep an eye on the prices for the cruise you want and watch out for additional Sailor Loot offers. Sailor Loot can be used at the ship’s store—one lady bought 300 pairs of glasses with hers!
Tip #3
If you have status with another cruise line, Virgin will often match it. Yes!
Tip #4
My friend discovered this by accident—stay up until midnight when everything opens and book all the restaurants! They’re all included, so book away. We suggest breakfast and dinner on certain days, with lunch at the Galley. The best tip of all is to schedule breakfast on the morning of departure. Who knew?
Tip #5
Book your cabin early, and then bid on upgrades if they become available. We didn’t do this because I’m frugal and was happy with a room with a view. After all, how much time do you spend in your cabin, especially on a girl’s trip? However, we did splurge on a Rockstar Cabana for $500, which included a $100 drink credit, waitstaff, access to the Rockstar area, and transportation. It was worth it for a break from the crowds and noise.
Lastly, if you’re not able to drive to the cruise, I recommend staying overnight at the port. Half of our ship missed the boat due to a software issue, and it was heartbreaking to see so many vacations ruined.
Bonus Tips:
These were my must-have travel items!
I used these for every outfit, including my workout tops and bathing suits! I bought the round and the triangle ones.
These were my must-pack items.
