Virgin Voyages Drink Packages

Virgin Voyages Drink Packages: Sip, Sip, Hooray or Nay?

Virgin Voyages has ditched the traditional drink package structure in favor of a more, ahem, “modern” approach. In true Virgin style, they’ve eschewed the typical all-you-can-drink packages for something a bit more à la carte and surprising. Let’s dive into the murky waters of Virgin’s drink offerings and whether they’re a sea breeze or a tidal wave on your wallet.

The Basics: Package Types and Pricing

Virgin Voyages doesn’t mess around with drink packages where you pay a flat daily rate for unlimited drinks. Nope. Instead, they offer what’s known as the “Bar Tab.” You load up your account with a set amount of money, and Virgin throws in a little extra. Here’s the breakdown:

• Bar Tab of $300: Throw down $300, and Virgin adds an extra $100. So, you essentially have $400 to play with. It’s like finding a $100 bill on the Lido deck.

Now, let’s not get all starry-eyed about this deal just yet. We need to dissect what’s included, what’s not, and how it stacks up against traditional drink packages.

What’s Included vs. Excluded?

Included:

• Alcoholic beverages: Cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits. Anything your party-loving heart desires.
• Specialty coffee and tea: Because sometimes you need more caffeine than a toddler in a candy store.

Excluded:

• Soda: Certain basic non-alcoholic drinks are covered, but specific branded sodas may have additional costs.
• Bottled water: Stay hydrated, but prepare to shell out for the privilege of bottled H2O.
• Sharing: If you’re thinking about pooling your Bar Tab with friends or family, forget it. Virgin Voyages has a strict no-sharing policy. The Bar Tab is tied to your account, end of story.

The Math: When Does the Package Pay for Itself?

Let’s crunch some numbers. The average cocktail on a Virgin Voyages ship runs about $13. Wine by the glass starts at $9, while specialty coffees or teas are around $5. With a $400 Bar Tab (remember, you only paid $300), you can indulge in approximately:

• 31 cocktails, or
• 44 glasses of wine, or
• 80 specialty coffees/teas

If you’re the kind who toasts to every sunset, orders a pre-dinner drink, sips wine with dinner, and caps off the night with a post-dinner cocktail, that’s around four drinks a day. Over a 7-night cruise, that’s 28 drinks. If each drink averages $11.50, that’s $322. So, if you drink like a fish (a moderately tipsy fish), you’re getting your money’s worth.

Specialty Drink Markups

Beware, savvy sippers! Specialty cocktails and premium brands come with a hefty markup. You might find yourself swooning over a fancy cocktail menu only to realize that your $400 bar kitty disappears faster than you can say “margarita.” Consider sticking to standard offerings if you want your Bar Tab to last the entire voyage.

Non-Alcoholic Options

Good news for teetotalers and detoxers! Virgin’s Bar Tab is not just for boozy fun. You can also use it for:

• Specialty coffee and tea
• Fresh juices and smoothies
• Mocktails that are just as delicious, sans the hangover

This flexibility means your Bar Tab can cater to all tastes, alcoholic or not.

Sharing Rules: The Ultimate Buzzkill

If you thought about teaming up with your cruise buddy to stretch your Bar Tab further, think again. Virgin Voyages enforces a strict no-sharing policy. It’s your account, your drinks, and your headaches (literally). So, no sneaky round-buying using someone else’s account.

Hacks and Tips

• Time Your Purchases: Sometimes Virgin offers bonus Bar Tab credits during promotions. Keep an eye out so you can snag the best deal.
• Know Your Drink Preferences: Stick to drinks within a reasonable price range to avoid blowing your budget in a few nights.
• Hydrate Creatively: Save on bottled water by requesting complimentary water with meals or using your Bar Tab for more extravagant non-alcoholic drinks.
• Use Your Tab on Specialty Offerings: Want that Instagram-worthy cocktail? Use your Bar Tab wisely on the must-try drinks that you won’t find elsewhere.