Booking Shore Excursions
Virgin Voyages offers the ability to pre-book shore excursion (known a Shore Things) reservations ahead of time. This is highly recommended for those on busy sailings.
Booking Shore Excursions Window
To make your pre-booking with Virgin Voyages a breeze, it’s helpful to understand how to reserve Shore Things (Shore Excursions). Familiarizing yourself with the reservation process will simplify your journey and contribute to a more relaxed cruise experience on board.
The booking window depends on your cabin type:
- Sailors: Regular reservations open 120 days before your voyage.
- Rockstars: If you’re in a Rockstar Suite, you enjoy the privilege of booking 135 days in advance.
Reservation Timing
Reservations typically become available at or around midnight USA Eastern Standard Time. Some fortunate sailors have reported success even before this official release time. To pinpoint the exact reservation date for your specific voyage, consult the Virgin Voyages app.
How to Book
Head to the Virgin Voyages app and tap on the Discover tab, once there tap Shore Things and scroll between the ports on your itinerary. You can also book over the phone by contacting Sailor Services.
Linking with Friends
Before setting sail, it’s wise to connect with friends cruising with you. In the Virgin Voyages app, head to Messenger > Contacts. Share a QR code or a link with your friends. Scanning or opening this link adds all contacts associated with other bookings to your list.
Remember, if you book for your friends on your app, charges will be on your folio. It is best to advise them to book separately. When it’s time for your Shore Things excursion, ensure you all arrive at the same time to board the same coach or tour.
What is Available to Book?
Shore Things range from exclusive small group tours to large bus tours, depending on the destination. Check the activity level and overall duration for each cruise. Virgin Voyages provides a list in advance for each port of call on their website, though these are subject to change.
Explore Available Shore Things
Excursions Sold Out?
If everything seems fully booked before your cruise, don’t panic. More spots for popular excursions will likely open up on board, keep in mind that smaller excursions likely are not going to open such as helicopters tours. Seek assistance on the first day of your cruise at the Chart Room table or use the Virgin Voyages app for reservation options.
Booking Tenders
In instances where direct access to a pier is unavailable, tender boats become the primary mode of transportation to and from the shore. These smaller vessels shuttle passengers between the cruise ship and the port, offering a unique and scenic journey with great views of the ship from the water. Depending on your itinerary you may need to book a free tender (the same way as an excursion), if you book an excursion with Virgin Voyages then the tender process is already part of the booking.
Using Sailor Loot & Future Voyage Credit
Virgin Voyages offers two types of future credit that can be used for excursions:
- Sailor Loot: For on board spending only.
- Future Voyage Credit: Typically from refunds, for pre-boarding spending.
Remember, you can’t use Sailor Loot before sailing to book excursions. If the excursion is still available on board, you can use your loot. For Future Voyage Credit, contact Sailor Services to book, and they will apply your credit accordingly.
Enhance your cruise experience with Virgin Voyages by effortlessly booking Shore Things. Make your journey even more enjoyable by mastering the simple process of selecting exciting activities during your voyage. Booking ahead of time will ensure you have smooth sailing and memorable moments at each port of call.
Back to all guides