Virgin Voyages Drink Package: Is It Offered on Board and What Are The Alternatives?
Having an adventure at sea is a great idea, especially if you opt for Virgin Cruises. Considering the amenities it offers, from fitness classes to onboard dining, you are about to have a luxurious experience. However, many travelers find one thing missing – alcoholic beverages. Namely, there is no such thing as a Virgin Voyages drink package, and many cruise enthusiasts have found this quite inconvenient.
Not being able to cover alcoholic drinks with one daily rate can make your sea venture a little less enjoyable because the point of cruises is to experience ultimate relaxation from any point of view. Nonetheless, the line has come up with a clever solution to handle alcohol coverage and ensure everyone stays happy at all times. Plus, it involves getting a better value for the drink costs, and that is what everyone is looking for when embarking on a sea adventure!
So, instead of drink packages, Virgin Voyages has created a program that is easily used and comes with several benefits. Virgin Voyages Bar Tab is the cruise’s amazing solution to make paying for drinks easier, and even get some for free. If you are preparing for your trip with Virgin Cruises, understanding how everything works on board is a must. Therefore, I have prepared this guide to navigate you through the offerings of the cruise related to alcoholic beverages. Once you figure out what they actually give to their guests with the Bar Tab, it will be easier for you to plan your venture!
Is Bar Tab a Virgin Voyages Drink Package?
If you start researching the cruise and its offerings, you will probably come across the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab notion. You will probably wonder whether this refers to a traditional bar tab, i.e., the method you use to pay in most bars and restaurants worldwide. Many people often mistake the Bar Tab program for a Virgin Voyages drink package. However, you must understand from the very beginning that the company does not offer any beverage packages. It is something that does not exist on board, meaning you should not count on it. The concept can be misleading, but reading through my guide will help you understand how it works.
The first thing you need to acknowledge is that one of Virgin Voyages’ features is that they offer all of the essential drinks under the standard fare of the cruise. Among the essentials are water, nonpressed juices, drip coffee, tea, and soft drinks. One main difference between Virgin Voyages and other cruise lines is that the former does not require extra charges for soft drinks. In other words, most cruises will ask you to purchase these drinks on board, while Virgin Voyages includes them in your overall fare.
On the other hand, all the alcoholic beverages on the Virgin Voyage drink menu offered on board are considered premium drinks, i.e., your standard fare does not cover them. This is where the Bar Tab comes in handy. The program is based on credit purchases you can use for buying alcoholic beverages and everything considered a premium drink. Once you purchase a Virgin Voyage Bar Tab, you are actually prepaying for the best beverages on board, which, besides alcoholic drinks, include fresh-pressed juices and specialty coffee.
How Does Bar Tab Work?
In a way, Bar Tab is a type of Virgin Voyages drink package but with slightly different features. If you wonder what is the point of prepaying for drinks, you will get your answer when you look into the features. Virgin Voyages has created the Bar Tab in an attempt to make paying for guests easier but also to give them some benefits.
Once you purchase a Virgin Voyages Bar Tab, the cruise line gives you an extra credit of $50. Whenever you buy Bar Tab, you will have to pay $300, meaning you get a 15% discount. So, when you look at it, prepaying for your premium drinks means saving in advance. However, you should know that $300 is the only amount you can pay for obtaining a Bar Tab.
Another thing I should point out is that you cannot prepay for your drinks on board. Since the whole point of Bar Tab is prepaying, you will have to get it before your cruise begins. If you decide to do so, you will have two options – either through an app or you can call Sailor Services, which will connect you to an agent. Your credit needs to be on your account 24 hours before the cruise sails off, and once on board, you will not have the right to obtain one.
Pros and Cons of Obtaining a Bar Tab
- Pros
As I already mentioned, Virgin Voyages Bar Tab comes with one major advantage, and that is saving on your drinks even before the cruise begins. Nonetheless, several other benefits come with this program if you decide to use it.
- Managing Your Credit with An App
Virgin Cruises allows customers to use an app to better navigate through the services on board. The Bar Tab is included, meaning you can always manage your spending on your phone. You will know exactly how much you have spent and how many drinks you get to obtain with your Bar Tab.
- You Will Be Conscious of Your Spending
Cruises are tremendously fun, but they can easily lead you to overspending. This is mainly because the atmosphere on board is relaxed, and you are ultimately focused on enjoying yourself. However, this kind of relaxation can make you unaware of your costs while on board. With a Bar Tab, you will know exactly how much you are spending on premium drinks and let you know when you should draw the line.
- Standardized Drink Prices
When purchasing your drinks with a Virgin Voyages Bar Tab, you get a fairly good price. In other words, Virgin Cruises does not give different prices for those who have prepaid their drinks. It is an excellent value and quite a convenient service to have on board.
- Cons
As I established, the Bar Tab is not a Virgin Voyages drink package, but it is quite an amazing alternative you will surely find practical. However, besides all the perks you get with it, you should consider some disadvantages as well. I am not talking about something major, but you should be kept in the loop. If you want to make the right decision for you on your sea adventure, you need to be well informed.
- You May Not Be Able to Estimate Your Drink Coverage Before The Trip
Since the Bar Tab can only be purchased before sailing, it might be difficult for you to figure out how much credit you will need. You will have to guess roughly what amount of credit will be enough for you, depending on the cruise length. You will not want to overdo it with the amounts you put on your Bar Tab, but you will not want to lack credit when you are there. The easiest way for you to decide is by figuring out what your preferred choices would be and how much you are willing to spend on your adventure. This can be a good way to save money which you do not necessarily have to spend.
- There Is No Option for Unlimited Drinks
Some cruises offer packages to their passengers with unlimited drink options. However, the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab does not come with that kind of offering. Its concept is mainly paying only for what you drink. In other words, you have the opportunity to drink as many beverages as your credit allows you to, taking into account the prices of your preferred drinks.
What Is Covered in The Bar Tab?
First, you must understand that the Bar Tab is only intended for the Virgin Voyage drinks menu on board without any other amenities. So, if there is anything else you want to use during your sailing, you will have to pay extra.
When it comes to beverages, you should know the line offers so you can plan your budget. Of course, your favorite drinks will not come at the same price as they do in bars and restaurants, but you will be able to make a rough estimation. Knowing what Virgin Voyages has on the menu will help you figure out how much money you will spend. Plus, it will help you decide whether you need a Bar Tab in the first place. If they do not have your preferred drinks, there is no point in purchasing a prepaid plan.
So, the program covers almost all common alcoholic beverages. However, there is more to it! You can also obtain specialty coffee and different kinds of fresh-press juice. Moreover, you can count on smoothies, milkshakes, and mocktails as well. When you think about it, you are not prepaying for alcohol only but for a variety of beverage options as well that can make your sea adventure more comfortable.
Besides these options, you also have the chance to spend your credit at the Sip Champagne Lounge. If you are up for the bubbly luxury, you can enjoy it by just using your Virgin Voyage Bar Tab. And if you are a real fan of champagne, then you should consider using the Shake for Champagne App. This is a glorious feature that Virgin Cruises offers for those who want to have a bottle of champagne at their disposal at all times. Basically, you just have to click on a button on your app, and you will get your bubbly drink wherever you are on the cruise. The Bar Tab covers the app, meaning this is one more option where you can use your credit.
Lastly, if your itinerary includes the Caribbean islands, you can consider using your credit at the Bimini Beach Club. Once you get there, you can order your favorite beverages, and your Bar Tab will take care of the rest! Quite convenient, right?
Does Virgin Voyages Have Other Options for Purchasing Drinks?
As I mentioned earlier, there is no Virgin Voyages drink package of any kind. Unless you purchase your Bar Tab credit, you will have to pay for drinks that are not in the group of standard beverages the line offers.
Still, the cruise includes packages that can involve some free drinks or credit for the same. For instance, if you sign up for some special cruise packages, like Splash of Romance, besides the amenities included in it, you will get complimentary champagne, daily fresh-pressed juices, and a chance to enjoy a Sailaway Hour.
On the other hand, if you are staging at the Mega RockStar Quarter, you will be entitled to free premium drinks and two bottles of wine daily. I am talking about one of the most expensive features of the Virgin Cruise, meaning that once you pay the price, you will not be charged for anything extra when you board.
If you decide to take such packages, you should check what they offer. Not all of the sailing packages provide the same things. So, if you have anything special you want included, then make sure you look into the deals in detail before opting for one. But, if the package does not seem like something you need on the cruise, then you can opt for the standard options and purchase a Bar Tab for your drinks.
In short, even though the line does not offer a Virgin Voyages drink package, it comes with a lot of options. You get the opportunity to pick the one you find the most suitable. That is why these adventures are so relaxing and comfortable. You have the chance to truly enjoy it because of the versatile offerings of the line!
Can You Share Your Bar Tab with Someone?
Many people are interested in the possibility of sharing the credit with your family and friends who are on board as well. In short, it is possible, but it requires some settings you need to get from the Sailor Services at the beginning of your sail. That is, if you want to share your credit with your spouse or friend, you will have to make a request first, and they will set it up for you.
This is a convenient option for couples because they do not need to pay separately or always go together to get drinks. If you are traveling with your partner, you may want to consider this possibility. You should also know that if you ever charge anything on your credit card by mistake, you should take it to Sailor Services. They will be able to put it on your Bar Tab and correct the mistakes.
How Can You Pay for a Drink on Board If You Do Not Have a Bar Tab?
Some people do not think they need a Bar Tab for their cruise because they are satisfied with the standard drinks the line offers. Nonetheless, you never know whether you would want a special drink during your cruise, especially if you are sailing for the first time. So, many passengers are interested in other options, i.e., those that do not include purchasing a Virgin Voyage Bar Tab.
Luckily, even without a prepaid plan, you will be able to purchase premium beverages easily. Once you board the cruise, you will receive a band you are supposed to wear on your wrist. It is used to open your cabin door and pay for things on the cruise, including drinks. You must show your wristband to a crew member whenever you buy a beverage. They will scan it, and your card will be charged.
This is a great option for those who want to enjoy a drink occasionally rather than all the time during their trip. Also, it is great when you unexpectedly decide to consume something more luxurious or sophisticated, such as a bottle of wine or a glass of champagne.
Should You Opt for a Bar Tab?
As you can see, it is not obligatory to purchase a prepaid plan, but you can find it quite practical for the cruise. If you know how much you plan on drinking, then this can be your opportunity to save some money as well. Since this is not a Virgin Voyages drink package, you get the chance to use more benefits compared to other cruise lines.
Besides using it for different alcoholic drinks, you will have the chance to purchase other non-alcoholic ones you will find nice during your trip. Plus, you get to share your credit with others, which is great when traveling with someone.
Now, you have all the information you need about the cruise. Remember that the Bar Tab is not actually a Virgin Voyages drink package, but it works similarly. In other words, it covers your needs while offering other benefits as well. Whether you opt for a prepaid plan or not, it is always good to keep yourself informed and explore your options!
