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Want to visit Richard Branson's Necker Island? This cruise line will score you an invite with the right booking

Jan. 14, 2025
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3 min read
0fd23a3c-f768-4b59-a9da-a968c92dd392-Necker Island Aerial (1)- (1)
Want to visit Richard Branson's Necker Island? This cruise line will score you an invite with the right booking
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If you thought a year's worth of unlimited Virgin Voyages cruises in 2025 was epic, wait until you hear what the cruise line has cooked up for next year.

Virgin Voyages has amped up its Annual Pass, which allows travelers to hop on and hop off an unlimited number of sailings during a 12-month window. For 2026, the line will throw in a weeklong stay on Necker Island, Richard Branson's private 74-acre retreat in the British Virgin Islands, complete with complimentary round-trip airfare and ferry transfers.

For reference, a weeklong Necker Island vacation for two typically starts at $43,610 ($6,230 per night for a Guest House room) — and that's not accounting for airfare and transportation to the island.

However, that Annual Pass won't come cheap. Cruisers (or Sailors, as the line calls them) will shell out a cool $199,000 per cabin for the unlimited cruise pass. (The cost for the 2025 pass was $120,000 per cabin.)

While $199,000 is a hefty sum, it does come with a slew of impressive perks, including a $10,000 onboard shopping spree and one privately hosted excursion each quarter (four per year), in addition to the Necker Island stay.

The cost for Annual Pass 2026 includes stays in Sea Terrace balcony cabins, which are a step up from inside and ocean-view cabins. The pass also includes a birthday upgrade to a RockStar Quarters suite (the line’s swankiest accommodations), personalized RockStar robes, and a beach, poolside or grove cabana at the line’s private beach club in Bimini (limited to 10 per year).

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Expect other inclusive benefits like complimentary laundry services, premium Wi-Fi for two devices and a $100 Bar Tab credit (Virgin Voyages' version of a beverage package) on each itinerary you sail. Also, when you book, you'll immediately earn the line's highest-tier loyalty status, Deep Blue Extras.

Virgin's Annual Pass 2026 is valid for sailings on all of the line's vessels, including Brilliant Lady, set to launch in September. It will be valid for booking through March 31, 2026. You can choose a start date of Jan. 1, Feb. 1, March 1 or April 1 for the 2026 pass, and it will be valid for 12 months from that date.

Note that taxes and port fees for each sailing aren't included in the $199,000 price tag. You must pay those at the time of booking each voyage. Also, as mentioned above, the cost is per cabin. Therefore, solo passengers will still pay the full $199,000 (but need to pay only taxes and fees for one guest).

Looking for other ways to vacation on Necker Island for less? You can redeem 630,000 Virgin points (plus pay $5,700) to score a three-night stay for two.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by VIRGIN LIMITED EDITION
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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Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

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.