Virgin Voyages has shaken up the traditional cruise model by skipping standard drink packages and piling on flexible extras instead. That can be great news for travelers who like choice, but it also means a new set of terms to decode: Bar Tab, Sailor Loot, Shore Things, spa passes, and more. This guide unpacks how Virgin Voyages’ Bar Tab and key add ons work in practice so you can decide what to buy before you sail, what to skip, and how to avoid leaving money unused at the end of your voyage.
Virgin Voyages’ Approach to Drinks and Extras
Virgin Voyages positions itself as a modern, adults only cruise line with a simplified fare structure. Essential beverages such as still and sparkling water, basic coffee and tea, non pressed juices, and many soft drinks are already included in the voyage fare, along with dining at all onboard eateries. Instead of the classic unlimited drink package model, Virgin focuses on fair by the glass pricing and optional prepaid credits that you can add if they suit your plans.
On the drink side, the headline option is Bar Tab, a pool of prepaid drink credit that comes with bonus value when purchased before sailing. On the broader spending side, Virgin uses the term Sailor Loot for onboard credit that can usually be applied across most purchases, from retail and spa services to specialty coffees and drinks. Understanding how these two balances interact, and how they connect with other add ons like Shore Things and spa treatments, is the key to building a voyage that matches your budget and travel style.
Virgin also leans heavily on pre cruise customization. Through your online account and app, you can pre book activities, spa time, and shore excursions, and pre purchase extras such as flowers, chocolates, Champagne, and beer buckets. Many of these are framed as limited perks or embarkation treats rather than necessities, so knowing which ones offer real value will help you filter the fun from the fluff.
Because offers and promotions can change frequently, it is always worth checking the latest terms as you book. What remains consistent, though, is the structure: Bar Tab for drinks, Sailor Loot as general onboard credit, and a menu of add ons designed to personalize your time at sea.
What the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab Really Is
Bar Tab is Virgin Voyages’ answer to the traditional cruise drink package, but it operates as a flexible bank of drink credit rather than a flat fee unlimited offer. You prepay a set amount in United States dollars at least 24 hours before your voyage, and Virgin adds a fixed bonus on top. For example, recent offers have included tiers where prepaying a few hundred dollars unlocks an extra chunk of complimentary drink credit, with higher tiers earning larger bonuses. The combined total appears on your onboard folio as drink credit.
This credit is ring fenced for premium beverages. Bar Tab covers alcoholic drinks like cocktails, wine, and beer, as well as specialty non alcoholic options such as barista coffee drinks, fresh pressed juices, smoothies, and mocktails. In practice, if a crew member is making or serving the drink at a bar, lounge, or restaurant, it is usually eligible to be charged to Bar Tab. You can use it both on the ship and at the Beach Club in Bimini on Caribbean style itineraries, which makes it versatile across sea days and port calls.
Although Bar Tab functions similarly to a gift card, it is linked directly to your Sailor account through the wearable band issued at embarkation. When you order a drink and tap your band, the system checks whether the purchase qualifies and, if so, draws from your Bar Tab balance automatically until it is used up. You do not have to explicitly ask crew to apply it, and you can track your balance through the Virgin Voyages app, your in cabin tablet, or at Sailor Services.
Once your Bar Tab is exhausted, additional drink purchases simply flow onto your regular onboard account. You will then either spend any available Sailor Loot or pay the remaining charges with the credit card you placed on file. That automatic handoff means you never lose the ability to buy a drink if you misjudge your prepayment; you just lose the benefit of the bonus credit once the Bar Tab portion is gone.
Bar Tab Rules, Limits, and Fine Print
Bar Tab is designed to be simple in day to day use, but there are a few important rules to keep in mind. First, it is a pre cruise purchase only. You must add it no later than roughly 24 hours before your ship is scheduled to depart. Once the voyage begins, you cannot newly purchase or top up a Bar Tab, even if you find that you are drinking more premium beverages than expected. If that happens, extra drinks will just post to your regular onboard account at menu prices.
Second, Bar Tab is specific to drinks and closely related menu items. According to Virgin’s own terms, Bar Tab cannot be converted to pay for non beverage experiences such as spa treatments, salon appointments, most retail purchases, or the majority of Shore Things excursions. It also cannot generally be used in duty free retail shops for take home bottles. You can, however, often use it at any onboard bar or restaurant for individual drinks, and in some cases for bar based experiences like Champagne by the glass or certain high tea and caviar offerings that are coded through the bar system.
Third, Bar Tab is non refundable and non transferable once the voyage starts. If your plans change before sailing, you can usually cancel a Bar Tab and receive a refund up to about 24 hours before departure, or have it moved to a new voyage if you rebook. After the cut off, though, any unused purchased amount and bonus are forfeited at the end of the cruise. Credits do not roll to another sailing, even if it is back to back, and they cannot be paid out in cash or converted to general onboard credit.
Finally, Bar Tab must be purchased with real money, not with most forms of complimentary credit. Promotional future voyage credits or complimentary Sailor Loot generated by specific offers typically cannot be used to buy Bar Tab. Travel agents may purchase it on behalf of guests and earn commission on the base amount, but that does not change how it functions for you once onboard. The key takeaway is that every dollar of Bar Tab should be treated as use it or lose it drink credit for that specific voyage.
Bar Tab vs Sailor Loot and Regular Onboard Credit
One of the most common points of confusion for first time sailors is the difference between Bar Tab and Sailor Loot. In simple terms, Bar Tab is restricted drink credit that often includes a bonus, while Sailor Loot is general onboard credit without drink specific restrictions. Both sit in the background of your Sailor wallet and both are used automatically behind the scenes when you tap your band, but they apply to different things and in a specific order.
When you buy an eligible drink, the system will first try to draw from your Bar Tab balance, because that credit can only be used on drinks and tends to be the one you want to empty first. Once Bar Tab is fully consumed, further drink purchases post to your regular onboard account. If you also have Sailor Loot, either from a promotion, referral, or other offer, that general credit will then offset whatever charges are on your account, including drinks, spa services, and retail shopping. Only when both Bar Tab and Sailor Loot are exhausted will charges flow directly to your linked payment card.
Sailor Loot is much broader in scope. It can usually be applied to most things that can be charged to your cabin account: specialty coffees, fine wines, spa treatments, salon services, paid fitness classes, duty free purchases, and sometimes even casino play where permitted. While it does not come with the same kind of bonus multiplier you see on Bar Tab tiers, it is extremely flexible. For travelers who are unsure how much they will drink but plan to enjoy the spa or some onboard shopping, a healthy amount of Sailor Loot can be more practical than overcommitting to Bar Tab.
Because both types of credit are forfeited if left unused at the end of the sailing, the smart play is to prioritize spending in a way that fully uses Bar Tab first, then Sailor Loot. That often means charging all eligible drinks to Bar Tab until it is gone, and using Sailor Loot primarily for non drink expenses only after your Bar Tab is clearly on track to be used. Regularly checking the My Wallet section of the app during your voyage helps make sure you are burning through balances in the right order.
Other Virgin Voyages Add Ons: From Spa to Shore Things
Beyond Bar Tab, Virgin offers a suite of add ons that can be layered onto your booking. Some are about convenience, some are about elevating the experience, and others simply pre pay items you could buy onboard anyway. Shore Things, Virgin’s curated excursions, are the most significant of these. These range from classic sightseeing tours and beach days to more niche activities such as food tours and adventure sports. Prices vary widely by port and duration, and popular options can sell out in advance, making pre booking advisable if a specific tour is important to you.
The spa is another major category. At Redemption Spa and associated wellness venues, you can pre arrange massages, facials, body treatments, and salon appointments. Certain passes, such as access to thermal facilities, may also be available as advance add ons. Pre booking does not always come with a discount, but it does lock in time slots that work around your dining and entertainment plans, which can be particularly valuable on sea days when appointments are in high demand.
Virgin also markets a handful of smaller pre voyage treats: curated chocolate deliveries to your cabin, fresh flower arrangements, embarkation day Champagne, and beer buckets that can be waiting in your stateroom or ordered for a specific occasion. These items typically have a clear starting price and are mostly about setting a celebratory tone. Unlike Bar Tab, they are tied to a specific product rather than being flexible credit, so you should think of them as one off indulgences rather than part of your budgeting toolkit.
While few of these extras are mandatory, they can shape the personality of your trip. A couple focused on relaxation might prioritize spa time and one or two standout Shore Things, while a group celebrating a milestone could lean into Champagne, beer buckets, and perhaps a higher Bar Tab to keep the party flowing. The trick is to align add ons with how you realistically spend your time and money, rather than reacting to every upsell that appears in your account portal.
How to Decide How Much Bar Tab and Which Extras to Buy
Estimating the right Bar Tab amount is more art than science, but menu prices on Virgin Voyages provide a useful starting point. Many beers are typically priced in the high single digits in United States dollars, standard cocktails around the low teens, and a significant portion of wine by the glass sits under similar figures, with gratuities built into the listed prices. Specialty coffee drinks and fresh juices generally cost less than cocktails but more than basic drip coffee and fountain sodas, which are included in your fare. With those ballparks in mind, you can multiply a rough per day drink estimate by the number of cruise days to arrive at a baseline.
For example, if you expect to order three or four premium beverages most days, including a mix of coffee drinks and cocktails, you might find that one of the lower Bar Tab tiers covers your likely consumption while still earning bonus value. If you are traveling with a partner or friends and know you often pick up rounds, you may wish to consolidate more of the group’s expected drinking onto one or two higher Bar Tabs, remembering that you can buy drinks for others using your own credit as long as the drinks are charged to your account.
When you factor in other add ons, it helps to separate wants from needs. Shore excursions that are difficult to replicate independently, such as guided small group tours or limited capacity experiences, are often worth booking early. Spa treatments may also be worth reserving if they are central to your plans, though you can sometimes find same day deals once onboard. Embarkation Champagne, chocolate deliveries, and flowers, on the other hand, are nice touches but rarely essential; they can usually be skipped if you are trying to keep total vacation costs in check.
Finally, consider what type of credit you currently hold. If a promotion has already given you a generous amount of Sailor Loot, you may not need an aggressive Bar Tab unless you expect drinks to be a major focus. In that situation, you might choose a modest Bar Tab tier to unlock some bonus drink credit, then rely on Sailor Loot and pay as you go for the rest. The goal is to avoid ending the trip with unused balances that quietly evaporate.
Practical Tips for Using Bar Tab and Add Ons Onboard
Once on the ship, managing your Bar Tab and extras is largely about awareness. Make a habit of checking the My Wallet section of the app or your in cabin tablet at least once a day. This lets you see how quickly your Bar Tab is being used, how much Sailor Loot remains, and whether any add ons you have purchased have been correctly applied. If something looks off, visit Sailor Services early in the voyage, when there is still time to adjust your spending or correct misapplied charges.
Be deliberate about when and how you use Bar Tab. Because it applies only to premium drinks, it makes little sense to use it on basic beverages that are already included in your fare. Opt for the included coffee, tea, and standard soft drinks when you are indifferent, and reserve Bar Tab for the indulgences that actually matter to you, whether that is a morning latte, a freshly pressed juice after the gym, or an evening cocktail crafted at one of the signature bars.
If you are sharing expenses with a partner or traveling companions, clarify whose account drinks should be charged to, particularly if only one of you purchased a Bar Tab. You can usually ask crew to place specific orders on one Sailor’s account, or configure your app so that multiple bands draw from a single wallet. This reduces the chance of ending up with stranded Bar Tab on one account while another person’s drinks have been posting directly to Sailor Loot or a credit card.
With other add ons, the most important tip is to schedule them thoughtfully around the rhythm of your cruise. Avoid booking early morning Shore Things after late night performances, build spa appointments into sea days when you are not rushing back from port, and remember that embarkation day can be busy with safety briefings and settling in. Treat the extras as enhancements to your onboard story, not obligations that force you into a rigid timetable.
The Takeaway
Virgin Voyages’ Bar Tab and add ons are designed to offer flexibility rather than lock you into rigid packages. Bar Tab functions as a prepaid drinks wallet with built in bonus credit, ideal for travelers who enjoy premium beverages and like the certainty of knowing a portion of their bar bill is already covered. Sailor Loot, by contrast, is a versatile pool of onboard credit that can support everything from spa splurges to duty free shopping and additional drinks once Bar Tab is finished.
The best strategy is to match your purchases to your real habits. Estimate your likely daily premium drink count, pick the Bar Tab tier that comfortably covers that amount without being excessive, and resist the urge to overbuy simply to chase bonus credit. Layer in Shore Things, spa time, and smaller treats only where they genuinely add to your experience. By checking your balances regularly and spending in a deliberate order, you can enjoy the fun side of Virgin’s extras while minimizing waste.
Ultimately, the goal of these add ons is to let you build a sailing that feels tailored to you, whether that means juice fueled mornings and quiet spa afternoons or Champagne sunsets and late night dance floors. With a clear understanding of how Bar Tab, Sailor Loot, and the wider menu of extras work, you can focus less on the small print and more on making the most of your time at sea.
FAQ
Q1. What is Virgin Voyages’ Bar Tab in simple terms?
Bar Tab is prepaid drink credit you buy before your cruise. It can be used on most alcoholic drinks and premium non alcoholic beverages, often with bonus value added by Virgin.
Q2. Can I buy a Bar Tab after I board the ship?
No. Bar Tab must be purchased before your voyage, generally up to about 24 hours before departure. Once sailing begins you cannot add or top up a Bar Tab.
Q3. What happens if I do not use all of my Bar Tab?
Any unused Bar Tab, including both the amount you paid and the bonus portion, is forfeited at the end of the voyage. It is not refundable, transferable, or carried over.
Q4. How is Bar Tab different from Sailor Loot or standard onboard credit?
Bar Tab is limited to drinks and related bar coded items. Sailor Loot is general onboard credit that can usually be used on drinks, spa, retail, and more, and it is applied after Bar Tab is used.
Q5. Can I share my Bar Tab with my partner or friends?
Yes. Bar Tab is linked to one account, but you can ask crew to charge drinks for others to that account or configure your wallet so multiple bands draw from the same Bar Tab.
Q6. Does Bar Tab cover drinks at the Beach Club in Bimini?
In most cases, yes. Bar Tab works for eligible drinks served by crew at onboard venues and at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club in Bimini, subject to current operational policies.
Q7. Can I use Bar Tab for spa treatments, duty free shopping, or Shore Things?
Generally no. Bar Tab is restricted to drinks and certain bar based experiences. Spa services, most retail purchases, and shore excursions are usually paid with Sailor Loot or your card.
Q8. What if I run out of Bar Tab during the cruise?
If your Bar Tab balance reaches zero, additional drink purchases post to your regular onboard account. Any available Sailor Loot applies first, then your linked payment card covers the rest.
Q9. Is Bar Tab worth it if I only drink occasionally?
If you expect to order only a few premium drinks, a small Bar Tab tier or even pay as you go may be better than buying a large Bar Tab you might not fully use.
Q10. How can I check my remaining Bar Tab and other credits while onboard?
You can monitor your balances using the Virgin Voyages app under My Wallet, through your in cabin tablet, or by asking at Sailor Services for an up to date account summary.