Virgin Voyages is working on a smaller and more sustainable version of its well-known wearable band, which replaces traditional cruise cards with a functional wrist accessory. The band acts as a room key, ship entry system, and payment method, and is used throughout the ship at venues like The Casino for points, bars & restaurants for drinks, and Richard’s Rooftop access for Rockstars.

A Shift Away from Long-Range Tech

The original version of the band included a battery and long-range components, designed to support additional features. However, these features were never activated on board. Instead, long-range experiences such as Shake for Champagne are handled through the Virgin Voyages app using Bluetooth.

Now, the team is shifting to a simpler approach. The redesigned version removes the battery and long-range tech, focusing instead on a short-range chip. This chip is compatible with tap-to-pay readers across the ship and still allows crew to charge purchases directly to a sailor’s account.

Smaller, Lighter and More Sustainable

The new version is around 40% smaller than the original, which reduces the amount of plastic and electronics required. It’s part of a wider push to lower the environmental impact of the wearable while keeping it functional.

Virgin Voyages has always emphasized sustainability. The band’s rope component is made from BIONIC® yarn, a material created from marine and coastal plastic waste. Each band contains the equivalent of half a plastic water bottle, and guests are encouraged to recycle the tech portion at the end of their voyage while keeping the rope strap as a memento.

Testing Already Underway

Back in February, a reader contacted VV Insider to say they had received one of the updated bands. This confirmed that testing has been taking place on select sailings.

Virgin Voyages confirmed in a live stream last week that a wider rollout is expected across the fleet later this year, likely in Quarter 3/4. It’s anticipated that the new band will be standard by the time Brilliant Lady enters service.

First Major Redesign in Five Years

This is the first significant update to the wearable band since Virgin Voyages launched. By refining the design and cutting unnecessary components, the cruise line continues to align with its goals of sustainability and smart simplicity—without changing the experience that guests have come to rely on.

Source: Virgin Voyages First Mates Live Stream & Sailor Testing Experience