Since its launch, Virgin Voyages has shaken up the cruise industry by doing things differently. Instead of a few massive dining rooms, the line offers several premium restaurants at no extra charge. Gratuities are included in your fare. Even Wi-Fi comes standard, which makes sense since you need it for everything from the Virgin Voyages app to staying connected onboard.
But starting October 7th, Virgin will be adding something the industry knows all too well from the airline side: basic economy–style fares. Three new options—Base, Essential, and Premium—will soon apply to Sea Terrace cabins and below.
Virgin Voyages calls the new structure Voyage Fair Choices, and here’s what you need to know.
The Three New Fare Options
- Base
- Includes Wi-Fi for one device (for messaging, social media, and browsing).
- Dining reservations open 15 days before sailing.
- Cabin assignment given at booking, but can still change before departure.
- No changes, no refunds.
Sidebar: What About The Old “Lock It In Rate”?
Virgin Voyages is still keeping its Lock It In Rate for those who want the absolute cheapest way onboard. With Lock It In, fares are non-refundable, and your cabin assignment doesn’t show up until two days before sailing—basically, you get whatever’s left after everyone else has chosen.
The new Base fare is a step above that, since you’ll get a cabin assigned earlier and have a bit more predictability. But like Lock It In, Base is also non-refundable and doesn’t qualify for a future voyage credit. If you’re booking Base, travel insurance is an especially smart idea. - Essential
- Upgraded Wi-Fi (classic: faster speeds + audio calling).
- Dining reservations open 45 days before sailing.
- Date changes allowed outside of 45 days prior.
- Eligible for a Future Voyage Credit if canceled.
- Premium
- Premium Wi-Fi (video calls, streaming, 2 devices).
- Dining reservations open 60 days before sailing.
- More flexibility on date and name changes.
- Eligible for a Future Voyage Credit if canceled.
If you already hold status with Virgin Voyages, some Premium perks may already be included—similar to how frequent flyers receive early boarding or upgrades on airlines.
How It Compares To RockStar Quarters
The new Base/Essential/Premium fares only apply to standard cabins. RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters continue to offer perks such as curated in-room bars, Richard’s Rooftop access, premium Wi-Fi, priority boarding, and dedicated RockStar agents.
In short, the suite experience hasn’t changed—but now standard cabins have tiered rules based on which fare you buy.
Why This Matters
For anyone used to flying “basic economy,” this structure will feel familiar. Lower fares now come with restrictions:
- Non-refundable rates with no future credit.
- Limited Wi-Fi and later dining reservations.
- Cabin assignments may shuffle until closer to sailing.
Higher fares, on the other hand, offer earlier access, better connectivity, and more flexibility if plans change. Virgin Voyages spins this as “more transparen-sea,” but at the end of the day, it’s about carving up pricing tiers while keeping onboard perks tied to how much you’re willing to spend.
Final Thought
Cruise lines have been inching toward airline-style fare structures for years, and Virgin Voyages is now making it official. If you’re truly price-conscious, you can still book Lock It In and roll the dice on your cabin. Base sits just above that, but with the same non-refundable rules. For most sailors, Essential will likely be the sweet spot, and Premium makes sense for those who want maximum flexibility and better Wi-Fi.
If you want more context on how Virgin’s “everything included” model plays out onboard — what really feels premium, and where the trade-offs are — check out our full review.
Would you book a “basic economy” fare at sea, or do the restrictions make it a deal-breaker?
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