Cruise deal alert: Virgin Voyages just unveiled its 'most inclusive offer' ever
It's deal time at Virgin Voyages, the startup cruise line backed by Richard Branson.
The 1-year-old brand is out with what it's calling its most inclusive offer ever, a limited-time promotion that brings discounted fares as well as enormous drinks credits — $600 per cabin for some sailings.
Under the terms of the offer, which will be available Tuesday through Jan. 31, 2023, anyone who books a voyage for one person will be able to bring a second person in the same cabin for 60% off the regular fare.
In addition, they'll get a complimentary bar tab of $600 per cabin for voyages of seven nights or longer. For voyages lasting fewer than seven nights, the bar tab will be $300.
"It's the most inclusive offer that you'll see from us all year," Virgin Voyages chief growth officer Isis Ruiz told TPG in an exclusive interview in advance of the announcement. "This is the best of the best."
Virgin Voyages already includes a lot in its base fares, from unlimited Wi-Fi access to crew gratuities.
In addition, all meals on Virgin ships are included in the fare. There are no extra charges for onboard restaurants. However, drinks are one thing for which passengers on Virgin ships normally pay extra.
Related: I've been on more than 150 cruise ships; here's what I thought of Virgin's 1st vessel
By adding the massive drinks credits, the line is making sailings booked during the promotion almost completely all-inclusive. Only a few onboard services, such as spa treatments, will still cost extra.
The offer is available for sailings over the next year on both of the two Virgin vessels currently in operation (Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady), as well as two more vessels that are due to start service in the coming year.
The line's third ship, Resilient Lady, begins service in May 2023. Its fourth vessel, Brilliant Lady, is due in December 2023.
Specifically, eligible sailings include:
- Scarlet Lady: Voyages departing through Dec. 27, 2023.
- Valiant Lady: Voyages departing through Dec. 30, 2023.
- Resilient Lady: Voyages departing between May 14, 2023, and March 15, 2024.
- Brilliant Lady: Departures on Dec. 24, 2023, and Dec. 30, 2023.
In addition to being Virgin's most inclusive offer of the year, the promotion is designed to be the line's main offer for wave season — the heavy cruise booking period that typically begins in January.
Related: A guide to Virgin's new loyalty perks
Cruise lines often roll out their best offers of the year during wave season.
Ruiz said the line added the bar tab for free drinks to the promotion in response to customer demand. It's the thing she says Virgin passengers — the line calls them "sailors" — most want to see added for free as part of a promotion.
"The peak kind of feedback that we get is ... we'd love to have some drinks included," she said. "We get overwhelmingly positive feedback from our sailors that that's where value is for them."
A wellness focus for early 2023
In addition to launching the promotion Tuesday, Virgin Voyages announced that sailings of its ships during January, February and March would have a special wellness focus.
The line said every sailing during the period would have a lineup of restorative and Zen-inducing events such as sound bath meditations and healthy happy hours.
Ruiz said the line is tapping into the desire for wellness that often comes at the start of a new year.
An adult-focused cruise experience
Launched in 2021, Virgin Voyages was designed to shake up the cruise industry with a new, hipper style of cruising.
Its two ships currently in operation, which are similar in design, offer everything from a tattoo parlor to a colorful karaoke lounge. To ensure a proper party vibe, they're also kid-free travel zones, with a minimum age to sail of 18.
In short, Virgin is going after travelers who might think themselves too cool to cruise. To that end, the line's vessels have no buffets, no dress codes and no big Broadway-style theater shows.
For entertainment, expect interactive dance parties, DJ sets and “micro plays,” plus late-night games of dodgeball. Suites have a rock-star theme.
More information on the new Virgin Voyages promotion can be found at the line's website.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.