Contents
The Offer
- You can now book Virgin Cruises with points again.
Our Verdict
These are all inclusive, but still significantly more expensive than they were last year. Some readers seem to absolutely love these cruises and find good value in them. There are 30% transfer bonuses from AmEx & Chase.
View Comments (30)
I got "page cannot be found" for both links
@William Charles
The last sentence above says: "There are 30% transfer bonuses from AmEx & Chase.", but BOTH LINKS are for Chase. The first link should be for Amex.
Fixed, thanks
One more thing to keep in mind if you never cruised Virgin Voyages. Many assume that because these are adult-only hip cruises it's going to be a bunch of young couples. Lots of rumors of swinging, etc.
In reality it's mostly gay guys and empty nesters (older couples). No swinging that I've seen (I'm straight, maybe gay guys are all over each other). If you are gay, it's the best possible cruise line for you. If you are straight, just know what to expect and don't have false expectations. My wife and I do enjoy these cruises (both straight and non-swingers, lol), it's just an FYI because there are a lot of misconceptions about VV and what their cruises are like. It's a cruise line kind of created for and targeted at LGBTQ+ audience (cruise director is a drag queen, most of the crew are gay, cross-dressers, etc.). I'm fine with all of that. Just be ready.
On a Euro cruise there were lots of couples of every age. Not highly representative of gay couples at all. It is a gay friendly cruiseline but definitely not targeted to the gay crowd. There was a show based on a drag queen but that is for everybody but maybe not to everybody's tastes. No real cruise director... that is for the stodgy cruiselines. If you are hesitant seek out youtube reviews. I found them to be pretty accurate.
Used up most of my Amex points - booked two back-to-back cruises out of Athens, and one out of Miami with no issues.
Try not doing it Friday night because you won't get your codes till Monday then (they really don't like to work over the weekend in Europe it seems like). Looks like it's their UK center that processes the awards.
I can also confirm that Miami cruises no longer include fees & taxes this year (they did last year at the same price), but european cruises still do (at least the ones I booked out of Athens).
Yeah, it was sweeter last year at 80k points, but honestly I didn't think these deals would come back at all. You can book Central Veranda (centrally located balcony) which was about $3,000 (for both passengers) so it's still a very good value at roughly 120,000 points after 30% Amex transfer bonus. I was going to book two Miami cruises, but realized I needed to save up some points for airfare, so stopped at once cruise.
Managed to find decent rates on Air France (hate them but they have such good prices) to/from Athens. Too bad there isn't a transfer bonus for Flying Blue right now.
I booked Athens for July 28th, made the booking on Friday night, got the access code on Sunday morning. No taxes or fees.
Just a heads up that fees and taxes are excluded for the 5 night Caribbean Cruise which comes out to be around $350 in total. Apparently, last year the fees and taxes were included in the points price. Still a good deal at 89k points (with 30% bonus transfer from Chase/Amex) and cash ~ $350 but just something to be wary of
Agreed on both accounts. Still a good deal. Did it last year on both Miami at 115k (fees and taxes were included back then but not this year) and out of Athens last year at 80k (fees and taxes were included last year and are *still* included this year on cruises out of Athens, probably out of Barcelona as well).
@2 @6 - Miami cruises are not all-inclusive anymore. Port fees & taxes are not extra, about $350 as mentioned above. Gratuities and internet are still included.
Any specific reason you keep deleting my comments admin?
Let me repeat, it's IS ALL-INCLUSIVE. Only thing you need to pay is 1) tax and port fees 2) alcohol 3) spa. Just booked 5 day Miami to Turks (and back).
Your posts might just be going into moderation, not deleted.
Apologies, my bad.
It is all inclusive, I just booked
Not all inclusive? They are, I just booked. Only thing not included is the alcohol.
RIP 80k DEAL. im still a cruise virgin cuz i dont do the Caesar merry go round
Has anyone found a working link to 7 day European cruise (May – October) will cost 160,000 points (up 60%) or should I assume it's dead?
https://www.virgin.com/en-us/virgin-red/spend-virgin-points/seven-nights-in-the-mediterranean-between-may-and-august-16826
Thank you. I just signed up for a Virgin Red account and have 0 Virgin points. It seems I'm unable to find how to find the sailings/dates/prices for Resilient Lady out of Athens. Any suggestions on where/how to find those?
Is this per person?
Per cabin.
Per cabin but cabin is up to 2 people. So per two people, with no discounts if you are a solo traveler.
Both links seem dead, even with auth.
try this https://www.virgin.com/virgin-red/spend-virgin-points/5-nights-in-the-caribbean-between-june-and-september-16825
https://www.virgin.com/en-us/virgin-red/spend-virgin-points/5-nights-in-the-caribbean-between-june-and-september-16825
That works! Do you have the European one?
Go to virginred.com click on SPEND and scroll down. You will see all the cruises including 2 transatlantic cruises for 280,000 points and 320,000 points.
https://www.virgin.com/en-us/virgin-red/spend-virgin-points/seven-nights-in-the-mediterranean-between-may-and-august-16826
Seven nights in the Mediterranean between May and August | Virgin Red
Same, anyone able to replicate this?