Virgin Voyages is bringing airline-style tiered pricing to its cruises.
Starting Tuesday, October 7, the line will divide fares into three classes: Base, Essential, and Premium. The categories are roughly analogous to the basic, economy, and business class fares familiar from commercial aviation, and similar to what the Virgin Atlantic airline is already doing.
Virgin has dubbed the new cruise pricing structure “VoyageFair Choices.” In a press release announcing the change, the company presents the modified system as part of an effort to give customers more options and greater transparency.
Well, actually, Virgin doesn’t use the term “customers,” preferring to call passengers “Sailors” instead. But we will not be doing that here because it is stupid.
Whereas Virgin fares were heretofore largely bundled, the company explains, you can now get a clearer picture of what’s included in your cruise so that you can more easily go comparison-shopping with rival lines, the press release suggests.
And, if you’re willing to put up with a cruise that includes less than what was previously Virgin’s standard, you can now opt for the lower Base fare.
That reasoning also feels familiar from how airlines do business, introducing a downgraded product promising more restrictions and a crappier passenger experience, and then telling you it’s what you wanted. You’re welcome.
Another notable change: Virgin Voyages will now display service gratuities as a separate line item on the bill. Previously, Virgin lumped tips into the cruise fare, but now they will be shown and clearly labeled.
The daily gratuity amount won’t change: $20 per person per night if paid in advance, $22 per person per night if settled onboard.
No other tipping during a Virgin cruise is expected. As Cruise Critic points out, “having gratuities as a separate line item does mean that some passengers can opt to go to Guest Services to remove them”—putting Virgin’s tipping policy more in line with that of its competitors.
Here’s how Virgin’s new fare classes break down, starting with steerage—sorry, Base bookings.
What Virgin Voyages Base fares include
Base fares are nonrefundable and, once purchased, you can’t make changes to names, dates, or cabins. Basic Wi-Fi for “social media, messaging, and light browsing” on one device per guest is included.
With Base fares, dining reservations open just 15 days before your sailing, so you might not get your top choices.
What Virgin Voyages Essential fares include
Essential fares are closest to what Virgin has made available to most guests up to now. This option includes Wi-Fi for one device per guest “with social media, messaging, browsing, and audio calling.”
You get a 45-day window for making dining reservations with Essential fares, and more flexibility for making changes to your cruise reservation with regard to dates and such.
What Virgin Voyages Premium fares include
Opt for a Premium fare and you can make dining reservations up to 60 days ahead of your sailing, a perk previously reserved only for guests staying in suites.
This fare also covers premium Wi-Fi for two devices per passenger with streaming and video capabilities, a drinks credit, and access to a “priority support line for pre-voyage booking.”
All of Virgin Voyages’ new tiered fares apply to passengers staying in inside cabins, porthole cabins, and balcony (or “Sea Terrace,” in Virgin parlance) cabins. The company hasn’t revealed yet just how much the three classes will differ in price.
The new tiers do not apply to suites, known as (ugh) RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar Quarters on Virgin ships. Passengers in those accommodations already pay extra for bigger staterooms, more perks, and elevated treatment.
One new change, though: RockStar guests will now get to make dining reservations starting 120 days in advance of the cruise.
For more information about Virgin’s tiered pricing for cruises, go to VirginVoyages.com.
