Virgin Voyages Drink Calculator
Deciding on the Bar Tab? This Virgin Voyages drink calculator helps you estimate your onboard drink spending to see if pre-purchasing a Bar Tab is a smart financial move for your cruise.
Enter the total number of nights for your voyage.
Average number of alcoholic drinks (cocktails, wine, spirits) you’ll have per day. Avg. cost is ~$14.
Average number of beers you’ll have per day. Avg. cost is ~$8.
Avg. number of specialty coffees, fresh juices, or smoothies per day. Avg. cost is ~$7.
Choose a pre-purchased Bar Tab. The value shown includes the bonus credit.
What is a Virgin Voyages Drink Calculator?
Unlike many cruise lines, Virgin Voyages does not offer traditional all-inclusive drink packages. Instead, they feature a la carte pricing for alcoholic and premium beverages, with prices similar to what you’d find on land. Basic drinks like still and sparkling water, drip coffee, tea, and fountain sodas are included in your voyage fare.
To provide value, Virgin offers a **Bar Tab**, a pre-paid credit for you to use on premium drinks. When you pre-purchase a Bar Tab before your cruise, you often receive bonus credit. For example, purchasing a $300 Bar Tab might give you $350 in total spending power. This **Virgin Voyages drink calculator** is a specialized tool designed to help you determine if buying a Bar Tab is financially beneficial based on your personal drinking habits.
The Virgin Voyages Bar Tab Formula and Explanation
This calculator uses a straightforward formula to estimate your costs and compare them against the value of a pre-purchased Bar Tab. The core logic is:
- Calculate Daily Spend: We multiply the number of each type of drink you consume daily by its average cost.
- Calculate Total Spend: Your daily spend is then multiplied by the length of your cruise to get your total pay-as-you-go estimate.
- Determine Net Value: We subtract your total estimated spend from the total value of your selected Bar Tab (including the bonus). A positive result means you save money with the Bar Tab.
Variables Used in the Calculation
| Variable | Meaning | Unit / Value | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise Length | The number of nights you will be on the ship. | Days | 3 – 14 |
| Avg. Cocktail/Wine Price | Assumed average price for a cocktail, glass of wine, or spirit. | $14 | $11 – $17 |
| Avg. Beer Price | Assumed average price for a beer. | $8 | $7 – $9 |
| Avg. Premium Non-Alcoholic Price | Assumed average price for a specialty coffee, fresh juice, or smoothie. | $7 | $5 – $9 |
| Bar Tab Bonus | The extra credit Virgin Voyages provides when you pre-purchase a Bar Tab. | $25 – $250 | Varies by promotion |
Practical Examples
Example 1: The Casual Sipper
A couple is on a 5-night cruise. Each day, they share 4 cocktails/wines, 2 beers, and 2 specialty coffees. They are considering the $300 Bar Tab (which gives them $350 to spend).
- Inputs: 5 nights, 4 cocktails, 2 beers, 2 coffees.
- Daily Spend Calculation: (4 * $14) + (2 * $8) + (2 * $7) = $56 + $16 + $14 = $86
- Total Estimated Spend: $86 * 5 nights = $430
- Result: Their total spend ($430) is more than the Bar Tab value ($350). In this case, they would spend an additional $80 after using their tab. A larger Bar Tab might be a better choice.
Example 2: The “Pay-As-You-Go” Advocate
A solo traveler is on a 4-night cruise and drinks very little. They anticipate 1 cocktail and 1 specialty coffee per day.
- Inputs: 4 nights, 1 cocktail, 0 beers, 1 coffee.
- Daily Spend Calculation: (1 * $14) + (1 * $7) = $21
- Total Estimated Spend: $21 * 4 nights = $84
- Result: Their total spend ($84) is far less than the lowest Bar Tab option. For this traveler, paying as they go is the clear winner. For more information, you might want to look into cruise drink package options.
How to Use This Virgin Voyages Drink Calculator
Using the calculator is simple. Follow these steps to get a clear picture of your potential savings:
- Enter Cruise Length: Input the number of nights you’ll be sailing.
- Estimate Daily Drinks: Be honest about your habits! Enter the average number of cocktails/wine, beers, and premium non-alcoholic drinks you expect to have each day.
- Select a Bar Tab: Choose the Bar Tab package you are considering from the dropdown menu. The bonus value is already included for you. If you don’t plan to buy one, select “Pay-As-You-Go”.
- Calculate and Analyze: Click the “Calculate My Value” button. The results will show your estimated total spend, the value of your chosen Bar Tab, and a primary recommendation telling you which option is better for your budget. The bar chart provides a quick visual comparison.
Key Factors That Affect Your Drink Costs
Several factors can influence whether a Virgin Voyages Bar Tab is worth it for you:
- Itinerary and Sea Days: More days at sea often lead to more time spent in onboard bars and cafes, increasing your potential drink consumption.
- Your Drink Preferences: If you primarily drink high-end cocktails and Champagne, you’ll reach the Bar Tab’s value faster than someone who sticks to beer.
- The “Shake for Champagne” Feature: Virgin’s unique app feature that delivers Champagne to you anywhere on the ship can be a fun but costly habit.
- Included Beverages: Don’t forget that basic coffee, tea, water, and sodas are free. Factoring these into your day can lower your premium drink count.
- Sharing Your Tab: The Bar Tab can be used for anyone in your cabin, so you can pool your spending with a partner or friend.
- Promotional Bonuses: The value of the bonus credit is the main driver of savings. Always check the current promotion before you buy. A higher bonus makes the Bar Tab a much better deal. To better understand how drink packages compare, check out our guide on how to calculate cruise drink costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, fountain sodas, drip coffee, and basic teas are all included in your fare.
You can use it for any premium beverage made by a crew member. This includes cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, specialty coffees, fresh-pressed juices, and smoothies.
Yes. Gratuities are included in the menu price of all drinks on Virgin Voyages, so there’s no extra charge when you use your Bar Tab.
Yes, you can use your Bar Tab to buy drinks for anyone, not just yourself or cabin mates.
Unused Bar Tab credit is non-refundable and will expire at the end of your voyage. It’s a “use it or lose it” system. This makes a virgin voyages drink calculator essential for planning.
Bar Tabs with the promotional bonus must be purchased before you sail (up to 24 hours prior). You may be able to purchase them on embarkation day, but often without the bonus, reducing the value.
Bar Tab is specifically for premium drinks. Sailor Loot (onboard credit) is more flexible and can be used for almost anything onboard, including drinks, spa treatments, or retail purchases. If you have Sailor Loot, it’s generally used before your Bar Tab is charged. For a deeper dive, see our article on Cruise Drink Packages.
This calculator operates in USD, as it is the standard currency for onboard transactions on Virgin Voyages sailings from the US. All prices and calculations are based on this unit.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Explore more of our tools and guides to plan the perfect cruise vacation.
- Cruise Drink Package Calculator: Compare package values across different cruise lines.
- What Drinks Are Free on a Cruise?: A comprehensive guide to included beverages at sea.
- How to Calculate Cruise Drink Costs: Learn the methodology behind budgeting for your vacation drinks.