If you have booked a Virgin Voyages cruise and started reading emails, the app, or Facebook posts and thought… what are they even saying… you are not alone!

Virgin Voyages loves their own language. Some of it is cheeky, some of it is confusing, and some of it honestly makes no sense until someone explains it. So let’s break it all down in plain English so you can actually enjoy your cruise instead of wondering if you missed a memo.

This is one of my favorite things about Virgin. They truly broke the mold, even with the words they use, and once you understand it, it all clicks!

Sailors

If you hear the word sailor, that is you. It is me. It is every guest on board.

Virgin does not call guests guests. They call us sailors. Crew members are still crew, but everyone sailing is a sailor. It is one of the first things you will notice and one of the easiest terms to remember!

Lady Ships

Virgin calls their ships Lady Ships. Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady all fall under that umbrella.

You will hear them say things like our Lady Ships instead of our cruise ships. Just know they are talking about the ships themselves.

Cabins Instead of Staterooms

Virgin uses the word cabin instead of stateroom. A lot of cruise lines do this, but Virgin leans into it hard because they want the ships to feel more like a boutique hotel than a traditional cruise!

Here is how their cabin categories break down:

-Insider means an inside cabin with no window.

-Seaview means a window only. This one confuses people all the time. Seaview does not mean balcony. It is a window with an ocean view.

-Sea Terrace is what most cruise lines call a balcony cabin.

-Rockstar and Mega Rockstar are the suite categories. Rockstar is the standard suite level. Mega Rockstar is the extra bougie version with more perks. You cannot buy your way into Rockstar as a status. It is simply the name of the suite category.

Bar Tab

Virgin does not have a drink package. They have a bar tab.

Think of it exactly like starting a bar tab at a bar. You preload a set amount and drinks are deducted as you go. When the money runs out, it runs out.

Bar tab is use it or lose it. If you have money left at the end of the cruise, you should absolutely go buy bottles to take home so you do not waste it!

One thing I love about the bar tab is that you can buy drinks for other people! Yes, even strangers. If you see the shot guy walking around, you can buy shots for everyone around you and it comes off your bar tab.

And if you are trying to figure out how much bar tab you actually need, we have a bar tab calculator you can check out to make it easy!

Sailor Loot

Sailor Loot is onboard credit.

This is another one that confuses people because Sailor Loot can only be used once you are on board. You cannot use it before the cruise for things like shore excursions or spa appointments.

Sailor Loot can be used for pretty much anything on the ship. Drinks, shopping, spa, activities. Bar tab is only for drinks. Sailor Loot is much more flexible!

You can also buy Sailor Loot if you want to make your cruise feel more all inclusive.

Lock It In Rate

The Lock It In Rate is exactly what it sounds like. Once you book it, everything is locked in.

With this option, you get a great price, but flexibility goes out the window. Cabin location cannot be chosen, changes are not allowed, and cancellations are off the table.

Because of that, this option works best for sailors who just want to get on board at the lowest possible price and do not care where their cabin is. If the goal is simply to sail and have a great time, this can be a really solid choice!

Flexible Fare

Flexible Fare gives you more wiggle room. You can make changes, adjust names, and in some cases even change voyages depending on the current rules.

These policies do change, so always read the terms, but Flexible Fare is the option for people who want peace of mind.

GTY or Guarantee Cabin

A GTY cabin means Virgin chooses the exact cabin for you.

You will still stay in the category you booked. Insider stays Insider. Sea Terrace stays Sea Terrace. You just do not get to pick the exact location.

Sometimes upgrades happen, but never count on it. Consider it a nice surprise if it does!

Shore Things

Virgin does not call excursions excursions. They call them Shore Things.

They also have Sailor Led Shore Things, which are smaller, more local, curated experiences. These are some of my favorites because they feel less touristy.

The Galley

The Galley is not a buffet. Even though it kind of looks like one.

It is more like a food hall with different stations. You order food and it is made fresh for you. You do not touch food that other people have touched, and everything is included!

If you want to try a little bit of everything, the Galley is your spot!

Scarlet Night

Scarlet Night is the big ship wide party!

Wear red. That is the rule. It does not matter how you do it, just wear something red. Shoes count. Accessories count. Jerseys count.

It usually starts around the Roundabout and then takes over the ship. You will find all the details in the Lineup, which is what Virgin calls the daily schedule.

The Lineup

The Lineup is your daily activities schedule. Think shows, parties, classes, events, all of it.

This is where you will find when Scarlet Night is happening and what else is going on that day.

The Manor

The Manor is the nightclub.

It is named after Richard Branson’s first recording studio, which I love! This is where you will find late night dancing and themed parties.

The Happenings Cast

On other cruise lines this would be the cruise staff. On Virgin it is the Happenings Cast.

These are the people running the fun. Trivia, karaoke, Scarlet Night, painting classes, all of it. They each have their own personality and vibe, and they are absolutely worth getting to know!

A Few General Cruise Terms

-Embarkation is the day you get on the ship.

-Disembarkation is the day you get off.

-Port is where the ship docks.

-Port side is the left side of the ship when facing forward. Starboard is the right.

-Virgin labels their cabins with A and Z to indicate sides of the ship, so pay attention or you might end up at the wrong door.

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Virgin’s lingo is different, and that is honestly part of the fun! Once you understand it, everything feels easier! If you think of a term I missed, drop it in the comments. I guarantee there is always at least one more!

And remember our favorite phrase, you float our boat!