Sailor Loot is Virgin Voyages’ onboard credit system — and Shore Things are one of the best possible uses of it. Unlike spending Loot on individual cocktails at $15 each or spa add-ons at $30 each, a single premium Shore Thing can consume an entire Loot allocation in one transaction at genuine value. This guide covers the strategy for maximizing your Shore Things budget through smart Loot allocation, excursion selection, and the book-now vs. book-onboard decision.
How Sailor Loot Applies to Shore Things
Sailor Loot can be applied at checkout when booking Shore Things through the VV app, both pre-voyage and onboard. The credit is deducted from the excursion price before the remainder charges to your onboard account card. There is no minimum spend requirement and no category restriction — any Shore Thing can be paid with Loot.
The High-Value Sailor Loot Shore Things Targets
Apply Loot to the Shore Things with the highest absolute dollar value, not the ones with the lowest base price:
- Helicopter glacier tours (Juneau): $300-$500+ per person. A $400 helicopter glacier experience paid with $400 Sailor Loot costs you nothing. A $30 beach day paid with $30 Sailor Loot saves you $30. The math is unambiguous.
- Private catamaran charters: $200-$350 per person. Private sailing experiences at Caribbean ports — Barbados sunset catamaran, St. Lucia Pitons sailing, Aruba snorkel charter — represent some of the highest-quality and highest-priced Shore Things in the network. Ideal Loot targets.
- Distillery estate tours (Martinique): $80-$150 per person. The premium Habitation Clément and Rhum JM tours are genuinely expensive and genuinely extraordinary. Loot covers them completely from a meaningful Loot allocation.
- Whale watching combination packages (Alaska): $150-$250 per person. The whale watching plus Mendenhall Glacier combination is one of Alaska’s best port day packages. Apply Loot here over individual lower-cost activities.
Calculating Your Shore Things Budget
A realistic per-person budget guide for common itineraries:
- 7-night Caribbean (two ports with Shore Things): $100-$250 per person for two mid-range excursions (one activity-focused, one cultural). $300-$600 per person if including a premium catamaran charter.
- Alaska 7-10 night: $200-$400 per person for the standard whale watching + Mendenhall combination. $400-$700 per person if including the helicopter glacier tour.
- Panama Canal 16-17 night: $250-$500 per person across four or five ports (Cartagena, Colón, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Cabo San Lucas). The longer the sailing, the more Shore Things budget you need.
First Mate Sailor Loot and Shore Things
Booking through a certified First Mate like Joel and Erin can add $100-$400 in Sailor Loot to your booking — not available when booking direct. On a 7-night Caribbean sailing, $200 in First Mate Loot essentially covers a premium Shore Thing entirely. This is the highest single financial benefit of First Mate booking for Sailors who actively use Shore Things.
Insider Tips from Joel and Erin
- Book high-cost Shore Things pre-voyage and apply Loot at checkout. The combination of pre-voyage booking (to secure availability) and Loot payment (to reduce net cost) is the optimal Shore Things financial strategy.
- Don’t save Loot for the last day and spend it at the bar. Your most expensive Shore Things cost more than three days of bar spending. Apply Loot strategically to the excursions, not reactively to the bar tab.
- First Mate Loot stacks with Wave Season Bar Tab promotions. During Wave Season, you can receive $200-$400 in First Mate Loot PLUS a $300 Wave Season Bar Tab promotion simultaneously. The Loot goes to Shore Things; the Bar Tab handles drinks. Optimal stacking.
Ready to Maximize Your Shore Things?
As certified First Mates, Joel and Erin can check current Sailor Loot availability for your specific sailing and help you allocate it against the right Shore Things.
Book your Virgin Voyages cruise at CruisePlanner.pro — and get the most out of every port day and every dollar
