Travel Planning & Tips

Sailing Virgin Voyages for the first time is a slightly different experience from sailing any other cruise line, and the difference catches a lot of first-timers off guard. There's no formal night (except Scarlet Night, sort of). The "key card" is a wristband. The buffet doesn't exist. Reservations matter. Dress codes are loose. We're Joel and Erin, certified First Mates based in Puerto Rico, and these are the things we wish someone had told us before our first VV voyage.

Download the Sailor app before you fly. Set it up at home on hotel WiFi, not at the cruise terminal. Pre-load your photo, your payment method, your dining preferences. The app is how you book restaurants, Shore Things, spa treatments, and how you see your daily schedule. It is the single most important piece of pre-voyage prep.

Book Shore Things and dining the day reservations open. Not the week before. Not the day before you board. The day they open — usually 45 days before sailing, earlier on some fares. Test Kitchen, Stingray City, glacier helicopters, Sagrada Família tours — these sell out within the first 24 hours on full sailings.

Pack red. For Scarlet Night. The dress code is all-red and yes, you really do want to commit. Red t-shirt and shorts works. Red sequined gown works. Half-committing in a pink shirt does not work. If you forget, the onboard boutiques sell red items but they get picked clean fast.

The Band is everything — room key, payment, identity. It's silicone, it's waterproof, you sleep in it, you shower in it. You'll get it at the terminal. Test it by tapping into your room as soon as you board. If it doesn't work, Sailor Services in the atrium fixes it in 30 seconds.

Bar Tab is per cabin, not per person. If you preload it before sailing, you often get a bonus (e.g. buy $300 in Bar Tab, get $400 in credit). It covers all bars and restaurants except super-premium spirits. You can top up onboard if needed.

The 10 Things First-Time VV Sailors Always Wish They'd Known

1) The Galley is open almost 24/7 and the food is better than the name suggests — don't waste your first meal on a fancy reservation. 2) The Thermal Suite voyage pass is one of the highest-value buys on the ship if you have any sea days. 3) Restaurants are walk-in-friendly 15 minutes before opening if you don't have a reservation. 4) The Manor is the move every night after 10 PM. 5) Pack workout clothes — B-Complex will surprise you. 6) The hammock on your Sea Terrace will sell you on cruising forever. 7) Sailor Loot is essentially onboard credit and stacks with promotions. 8) Tip the Happenings Cast — they remember and they will look after you. 9) Bring a reusable water bottle; refill stations are everywhere. 10) Booking through a certified First Mate (us, or any other) costs the same as direct but you get $200-400 extra in Sailor Loot. Always.

The First Mate advantage: First Mates are independent certified Virgin Voyages travel advisors. We have direct contact with Virgin's booking team, we monitor your reservation for price drops, and we have access to promotional Sailor Loot that the website doesn't show. Same price as booking direct. Free to you. It's the easiest call.

Book your Virgin Voyages cruise through Joel and Erin →