Once Again, Virgin Voyages Does An Industry First

by SharonKurheg

Joe and I have been on one 5-day Virgin Voyages (VV) cruise together and we had a BLAST. I then went with a friend of mine on a “leave the husbands at home” 4-day cruise. It was Nicole’s first cruise ever, she’s since become a VV fan and has brought her husband on one or two VV cruises, as well. Our 2023 vacation “dance card” is pretty full, but we’re now looking at doing 2 more VV cruises in 2024.

There are a few types of people who probably wouldn’t like being on a VV cruise. Happily, we’re not those people. One thing we like about VV is that it’s cool. Sophisticated. Low key. It’s a cruise with no judgments; you can go to dinner in a ballgown (regardless of what gender you were assigned at birth), shorts and a T-shirt, or your PJs, and no one will bat an eyelash. On top of all that, they don’t have photographers in your face everywhere, there are no buffets, and, hello, it’s adults only; you can’t board if you’re under 18.

VV’s coolness factor went up even more in our eyes with the announcements they made about the plans for their second and third ships, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady. And then, when people were grumbling about one aspect of their cruise and they fixed it? Awesome!

VV is relatively new to the cruise industry. Their first ship, Scarlet Lady, was supposed to make her “mermaiden voyage” in 2020, but we all know how that went. She began operating in the UK in August 2021 (with just UK itineraries), and then from PortMiami in October 2021, sailing mainly four-to-five night cruises in the Caribbean. Finally, in August 2022, VV announced its rewards program, Deep Blue Extras. Perks include:

  • Expedited boarding
  • $100 bar tab credit
  • Unlimited premium Wifi (where available)
  • Dedicated Sailor Services (read: customer service) support onboard
  • An exclusive cocktail event
  • Laundry service (2 pressed items, one specialty-cleaned item and a bag of laundry, all done for free)
  • $10 daily specialty coffee credit per cabin

You could (and still can) unlock the perks in 3 different ways. From VV’s website:

1. Sea Blazers
Pioneers who took to the high seas in 2021 are dubbed Sea-Blazers as they trail-blazed with us in our first year of operation. Access to Deep Blue Extras through December 31, 2023, comes automatically for these Sailors, with additional perks including a $125 Bar Tab Bonus for every $300 Bar Tab purchased for life.
2. Sea-Rovers
We’re coining anyone who has sailed with us twice between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, as a Sea-Rover, and on your third voyage, Deep Blue Extras will be added automatically. On top of that, you’ll get a $100 bonus for every $300 Bar Tab purchased through 2024.
3. Match and Sea More Program
And finally with our Match and Sea More Program through December 31, 2023, we’re inviting Sailors enrolled in other select rewards programs to come aboard our lady ships and we’ll match your current loyalty status — while giving you more luxurious perks on top of that. But no need to wait, you’ll automatically become a Sea-Rover and get Deep Blue Extras on your very first voyage sailing through December 31, 2023. Just submit your proof here, book a voyage, and VIP status is automatically unlocked.
But what REALLY impressed me about VV’s rewards program is what they have announced for 2023: they’re using crowd-sourcing to determine what other perks they might be able to consider. From their website:

a white text on a white background

COMING IN 2023 —-

The first-ever crowd sourced

Rewards programs should be built around you, our Sailors. So we’re encouraging our Sailors to channel their inner-Richard — igniting your sense of entrepreneurship and telling us what (other) perks we should be offering, how we should elevate the program, and what we can do to make our 2023 club the most irresistible one at sea (or on land! or in the sky!). And remember, just like Richard says, no idea is ever too big…

There’s then a window marked “Share Your Ideas,” which brings you to a page where, “Sailors to channel their inner-Richard — igniting your sense of entrepreneurship and telling us what (other) perks we should be offering.”

The plan is very smart, and I can’t think of any cruise that’s ever crowdsourced for something like this before. After all, maybe there’s something VV can offer that costs them little or nothing (similar to expedited boarding) but could make those with Deep Blue Extras feel more like superstars. Maybe special seating areas in the shows, or something like that.

Of course, Sailors (guests) would never know what changes came about because of the crowdsourcing, so VV could always just say it was from one of their fellow sailors, and no one would be the wiser. Same as if they decided to remove a perk; “Sailors told us they didn’t find much value in a bag of laundry, so we’re removing that but giving you something else instead.” Disney does that all the time – they take something away and say it’s because of “Guest feedback.”

But the fact that VV wants to appear as if they’re listening (and who knows, maybe they really are!) is kinda cool.

Feature Photo: Virgin Voyages

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1 comment

David Reynolds May 5, 2023 - 6:10 pm

The best cruise line ever. No kids allowed entertainment all the time. Always something to do. Very nice and new and clean.

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