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This cruise line is giving away 1,000 free sailings; here's how to enter

June 01, 2022
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3 min read
virgin voyages scarlett lady_Virgin
This cruise line is giving away 1,000 free sailings; here's how to enter
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Contests aren't unusual in the cruise realm, but relative newcomer Virgin Voyages is giving away an impressive number of free cabins — 1,000, to be exact — for sailings this fall as part of its "JLo's Epic 1,000 Virgin Voyages Giveaway."

Songstress and actor Jennifer Lopez, the brand's "chief entertainment and lifestyle officer," has attached her name to the sweepstakes, which runs through June 29, 2022.

Winners will each receive a balcony cabin on their choice of either Scarlet Lady, departing from Miami, or Valiant Lady, sailing from Barcelona.

So, what's the catch? If you win, you have to claim your prize and embark on your sailing between July and October of this year. The good news is that you'll get to bring a friend, free of charge, but you'll both have to pay for your own airfare and any pre- or post-cruise hotel accommodations, as those aren't included in the prize.

JLo's Epic 1,000 Virgin Voyages Giveaway. (Screenshot courtesy of Virgin Voyages)

You can enter by taking a quiz on Virgin Voyages' website. Adults (21 and older) who are legal residents of the United States (including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico), Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Germany and Spain are eligible.

This isn't the first time Virgin Voyages has run such a contest. In early 2021, Virgin's Shipload of Love sweepstakes encouraged people to nominate, via video entry, someone in need of a vacation for a chance to win one of 1,000 cruises.

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This contest fits in with a recent trend of cruise lines announcing extra deals and incentives to entice potential passengers onto their ships. As part of this longer-than-usual wave season, Virgin Voyages has also been sending out e-mail promotions for cruise discounts of up to 40%, plus bonus drink credits when initial drink credits are purchased.

The slashing of fares and availability of cabins throughout the first half of the year is indicative of travelers' current reluctance to commit to future vacation plans across cruise lines.

Cruise line executives believe cruising will return to normal in 2023. Yet at the industry's annual conference in April, they admitted that 2022 bookings have been soft so far, with cruisers opting to wait until the last minute to make reservations.

Perhaps winning a free sailing on Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady will help change travelers' minds.

Featured photo courtesy of Virgin Voyages.

Featured image by VIRGIN VOYAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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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.