Virgin Voyages Gratuities: What Is and Is Not Included

Where these numbers come from

Virgin Voyages is often described as the cruise line with tips included. That was true for bookings made through October 6, 2025. It is no longer a safe assumption. The ticket contract now has two versions, and which one applies to you depends on the date the booking was created, not the date you sail.

For older bookings, the fare covers gratuities and service charges for hotel services, drinks and food on the ship. You pay nothing extra per night. For newer bookings, the fare still covers service charges for hotel, drink and food service, but the separate service gratuity is excluded. It is added nightly at $22 per sailor unless you prepay at $20.

A worked example makes the gap clear. Two sailors on a 7-night sailing pay 2 x 7 x $22 = $308 when charged on board. Prepaying at $20 costs 2 x 7 x $20 = $280, a saving of $28. On a 12-night Mediterranean sailing the on-board cost is 2 x 12 x $22 = $528 and the prepaid cost is $480, saving $48. Use the cruise gratuity calculator to try other lengths.

Prepaying trades flexibility for a small discount. The contract says prepaid gratuities become non-refundable once you are aboard. If you leave gratuities unpaid, the nightly amount is charged to your folio and you can ask Sailor Services to add to it, lower it or remove it before you disembark. The FAQ also says there is no need to tip on board for drinks, spa services or dining.

Drinks are the other half of the picture. Virgin lists beer at about $7 to $9 and a basic cocktail at $11 with tips included, so the bar total is the menu price. There is no 15 to 20 percent added at the register. The Bar Tab, a prepaid drink credit, covers premium drinks and works the same way. See the Virgin drink page for how it is structured.

Children are not part of the math, because the line is adults-only with a minimum age of 18. Compare the treatment with another line in the Holland America overview, then run your dates through the cruise cost calculator.

Sources

• Virgin Voyages ticket contract
• Virgin Voyages VoyageFair choices FAQ
• Virgin Voyages drinks and Bar Tab

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.