If you've been dreaming about Virgin Voyages' sleek adults-only ships but wondering what those craft cocktails will do to your wallet, you're asking the right questions. After sailing on the Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Brilliant Lady, I've tracked every dollar spent at their bars — and the numbers might surprise you.
Unlike traditional cruise lines where you can grab a $6 beer, Virgin's bar program is entirely craft-focused. That means higher quality, but also higher prices. Here's everything you need to know about managing your bar tab without sacrificing the Virgin experience.
Let's start with the reality check. Virgin's signature cocktails at The Manor or Sip average $14-16 each, with premium spirits pushing drinks to $18-20. Wine by the glass runs $12-18, while craft beer sits at $8-10 per pint.
Here's what I paid during my March 2026 sailing on Brilliant Lady:
The good news: Virgin's drinks are genuinely craft-quality. The bartenders muddle fresh herbs, use premium spirits, and create Instagram-worthy presentations. The challenging news: two cocktails before dinner easily hits $35+ with automatic gratuities.
For reference, a couple having two drinks each at dinner over a 7-night sailing would spend roughly $490 — and that's before any poolside drinking or late-night bar hopping.
Virgin Voyages doesn't sell traditional drink packages. Instead, they offer Bar Credits that you can purchase before sailing or onboard. During booking, you'll see options like:
The savings increase with larger credit purchases, but here's the catch I learned the hard way: unused bar credits don't roll over to future cruises. On my first Virgin sailing, I bought $500 in credits and only used $380, essentially overpaying by $120.
My strategy now? Track your drinking habits on other cruises first. If you typically spend $40-50 per day on drinks, buy credits accordingly — not optimistically.
Share your Bar Credit experiences in our Virgin Voyages forum to help other sailors plan their spending!
After three Virgin sailings, I've discovered several ways to maximize your drinking budget without feeling deprived:
Happy Hour Isn't Advertised
While Virgin doesn't promote traditional happy hours, The Dock often runs "Buy One, Get One" beer specials between 3-5 PM. I stumbled onto this during my Valiant Lady cruise — saved $36 over two afternoons.
Room Service Wine Loophole
Here's something most passengers miss: wine ordered through room service is typically $2-3 cheaper per glass than bar prices. A bottle of the same Pinot Grigio that costs $65 at Sip runs $58 through in-cabin service.
The Wake's Off-Menu Specials
The Wake (Virgin's nightclub) often features unannounced drink specials after 10 PM. During my last sailing, they offered $12 premium cocktails — a $4 savings per drink. Ask your bartender what specials are running.
Sharing Strategy
Virginscocktails are generously sized and beautifully garnished. My partner and I sometimes order one elaborate cocktail to share as an appetizer, then switch to wine with dinner. This approach lets us experience Virgin's craft program without the full financial hit.
Virgin's alcohol policy is more restrictive than most cruise lines. You cannot bring wine or champagne onboard — period. No "celebration bottles" or "corkage fees" like other cruise lines offer.
However, you can bring:
I don't recommend trying to sneak alcohol aboard Virgin ships. Their scanning technology is thorough, and getting caught isn't worth the embarrassment or potential removal from the ship.
Here's my actual spending from my most recent 7-night Caribbean sailing on Brilliant Lady (March 2026):
Pre-cruise: Purchased $400 in bar credits for $340
Daily breakdown:
Total spent: $288 of my $400 credit
I had $112 in unused credits, which I used for coffee drinks and last-minute bottles of water. The lesson? I could have bought just $300 in credits and saved another $40.
After tracking expenses across multiple Virgin sailings, here's my honest advice:
If you're moderate drinkers: Budget $35-45 per person per day and buy bar credits in $300-400 increments. The 10-15% savings add up.
If you rarely drink: Skip bar credits entirely. Pay as you go for the occasional cocktail — you'll likely spend under $150 total.
If you're heavy drinkers: Virgin might not be your most economical choice. The lack of unlimited drink packages means costs can spiral quickly. Budget $60+ per person per day.
The key is being honest about your drinking habits before you sail, not optimistic about them.
Ready to book your Virgin Voyages adventure? Join the conversation in our Virgin Voyages forum where experienced sailors share real spending tips and current Bar Credit promotions!
Unlike traditional cruise lines where you can grab a $6 beer, Virgin's bar program is entirely craft-focused. That means higher quality, but also higher prices. Here's everything you need to know about managing your bar tab without sacrificing the Virgin experience.
Virgin Voyages Drink Prices: The Real Numbers
Let's start with the reality check. Virgin's signature cocktails at The Manor or Sip average $14-16 each, with premium spirits pushing drinks to $18-20. Wine by the glass runs $12-18, while craft beer sits at $8-10 per pint.
Here's what I paid during my March 2026 sailing on Brilliant Lady:
- Espresso Martini at The Manor: $16
- Craft beer at The Dock: $9
- Glass of Sauvignon Blanc: $14
- Virgin's signature "Pink Agave" cocktail: $15
- Top-shelf Old Fashioned: $19
The good news: Virgin's drinks are genuinely craft-quality. The bartenders muddle fresh herbs, use premium spirits, and create Instagram-worthy presentations. The challenging news: two cocktails before dinner easily hits $35+ with automatic gratuities.
For reference, a couple having two drinks each at dinner over a 7-night sailing would spend roughly $490 — and that's before any poolside drinking or late-night bar hopping.
Bar Credits: Your Best Friend or Expensive Trap?
Virgin Voyages doesn't sell traditional drink packages. Instead, they offer Bar Credits that you can purchase before sailing or onboard. During booking, you'll see options like:
- $300 Bar Credit: Usually priced around $270 (10% savings)
- $500 Bar Credit: Typically $425 (15% savings)
- $800 Bar Credit: Often $640 (20% savings)
The savings increase with larger credit purchases, but here's the catch I learned the hard way: unused bar credits don't roll over to future cruises. On my first Virgin sailing, I bought $500 in credits and only used $380, essentially overpaying by $120.
My strategy now? Track your drinking habits on other cruises first. If you typically spend $40-50 per day on drinks, buy credits accordingly — not optimistically.
Share your Bar Credit experiences in our Virgin Voyages forum to help other sailors plan their spending!
Hidden Ways to Stretch Your Bar Budget
After three Virgin sailings, I've discovered several ways to maximize your drinking budget without feeling deprived:
Happy Hour Isn't Advertised
While Virgin doesn't promote traditional happy hours, The Dock often runs "Buy One, Get One" beer specials between 3-5 PM. I stumbled onto this during my Valiant Lady cruise — saved $36 over two afternoons.
Room Service Wine Loophole
Here's something most passengers miss: wine ordered through room service is typically $2-3 cheaper per glass than bar prices. A bottle of the same Pinot Grigio that costs $65 at Sip runs $58 through in-cabin service.
The Wake's Off-Menu Specials
The Wake (Virgin's nightclub) often features unannounced drink specials after 10 PM. During my last sailing, they offered $12 premium cocktails — a $4 savings per drink. Ask your bartender what specials are running.
Sharing Strategy
Virginscocktails are generously sized and beautifully garnished. My partner and I sometimes order one elaborate cocktail to share as an appetizer, then switch to wine with dinner. This approach lets us experience Virgin's craft program without the full financial hit.
What About Bringing Your Own Alcohol?
Virgin's alcohol policy is more restrictive than most cruise lines. You cannot bring wine or champagne onboard — period. No "celebration bottles" or "corkage fees" like other cruise lines offer.
However, you can bring:
- Non-alcoholic beverages in factory-sealed containers
- One small bottle of hand sanitizer (which some creative cruisers have... creatively interpreted)
I don't recommend trying to sneak alcohol aboard Virgin ships. Their scanning technology is thorough, and getting caught isn't worth the embarrassment or potential removal from the ship.
The Real Cost Breakdown: What I Actually Spent
Here's my actual spending from my most recent 7-night Caribbean sailing on Brilliant Lady (March 2026):
Pre-cruise: Purchased $400 in bar credits for $340
Daily breakdown:
- Day 1: $45 (welcome cocktails, wine at dinner)
- Day 2: $38 (poolside beers, evening cocktail)
- Day 3: $52 (port day recovery drinks)
- Day 4: $41 (sea day indulgence)
- Day 5: $35 (lighter drinking day)
- Day 6: $48 (last night celebration)
- Day 7: $29 (departure day mimosas)
Total spent: $288 of my $400 credit
I had $112 in unused credits, which I used for coffee drinks and last-minute bottles of water. The lesson? I could have bought just $300 in credits and saved another $40.
My Bottom-Line Recommendations
After tracking expenses across multiple Virgin sailings, here's my honest advice:
If you're moderate drinkers: Budget $35-45 per person per day and buy bar credits in $300-400 increments. The 10-15% savings add up.
If you rarely drink: Skip bar credits entirely. Pay as you go for the occasional cocktail — you'll likely spend under $150 total.
If you're heavy drinkers: Virgin might not be your most economical choice. The lack of unlimited drink packages means costs can spiral quickly. Budget $60+ per person per day.
The key is being honest about your drinking habits before you sail, not optimistic about them.
Ready to book your Virgin Voyages adventure? Join the conversation in our Virgin Voyages forum where experienced sailors share real spending tips and current Bar Credit promotions!
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