Before You Sail
- Download the Sailor App
- Let us know of any accessibility requirements
- Enhance your voyage with Add-ons
- Complete your online check-in
- If you are flying in, fly in the day before
- Arrive at your arrival time
- Pack a carry-on bag and check for prohibited items
- What to expect at check-in and security
You’re onboard! Now what?
Before You Sail
Download the Virgin Voyages App
The Virgin Voyages App is the easiest way to get ready for your voyage. It is your go-to to check-in online, start booking restaurants, Shore Things, and fill in your pre-voyage health declaration. Once onboard the ship and connected to ship Wi-Fi you can use the App to book Spa treatments; shipboard activities; manage your folio where you can view your Bar Tab and Sailor Loot; order Ship Eats, Shake for Champagne; and much more.
Let us know about any accessibility requirements
If you have a disability, head on over to our accessibility page and fill out our Special Services Request Form.
Enhance your voyage with Add-ons
Don’t miss out on our range of Add-ons. Some, like A Splash of Romance, including priority boarding, are only available on a first come first served basis. Others like Bar Tab can only be purchased before you sail.
Complete your online check-in
Completing online check-in on the Virgin Voyages App is the best way to ensure you have the smoothest possible experience at the terminal. Make sure that all your travel mates are named and have completed check-in. It's recommended to do complete check-in at least 2 weeks before you sail so our team has time to check everything before you arrive. Make sure to check your passport validity (minimum 6 months) and verify any visas you may require for your voyage.
24 hours before you sail we ask that you complete a health check form. This will appear on the homescreen of the Virgin Voyages App.
If you are flying in, fly in the day before
With boarding commencing at 2:15 pm, it’s tempting to wonder about flying in on the day of your cruise. However we recommend trying to fly in on the day before if possible — this ensures no nasty surprises if your flight is delayed, and gives you a full morning to explore our departure ports, all of which are destinations in their own right.
If you are flying in, of course we can help with flights — we are Virgin, after all — but we can also help with hotels. Just head over to the “My Voyage” section of your booking on the website.
If you do have to fly in on embarkation day, make sure your arrival airport is local, and your flight arrives no later than 2 pm.
If you are experiencing travel interruption on your day of embarkation, please call +1 954-654-7173.
Arrive at your Terminal Arrival Time
Boarding generally begins at 2:15 pm, but Sailors must follow their selected Terminal Arrival Time to complete terminal check-in. Arriving before your selected time (unless you have priority boarding) will mean waiting outside the terminal. At Virgin Voyages, we support our Sailors’ desire for a late checkout. We do this so that our Sailors can relax at the end of their voyage, have breakfast on the Ship and disembark in style. It also means that your cabin will be ready for you as soon as you get onboard!
To streamline our boarding process, if you are a Rockstar or have Priority boarding, you will receive prioritized boarding time slots in your Virgin Voyages Sailor App.
If you are staying in a hotel the night before and have an early check-out time, most hotels will allow you to leave your bags with them. Alternatively, our third party luggage storage services partner Bounce has numerous drop off points across our home ports, allowing you to explore the city before heading to the terminal.
Pack a carry-on bag and check for prohibited items
Make sure you pack a small bag of carry-on luggage. This should contain:
- Money and valuables
- Your Passport and any required Visas
- Medication (in original packaging)
- Suntan lotion, water bottle, sunglasses, swimsuit, a fun outfit—and anything else you want to have on you if you want to get onboard and get your vacation on
Make sure that none of your essentials listed above are in your main bag, as this will need to be dropped off for delivery to your cabin. Often your luggage will be waiting in your cabin by the time you arrive, but if you arrive at check-in, and your passport is in your main bag…
Before you pack make sure you check our prohibited items list. This includes the obvious stuff like illegal drugs (including marijuana and CBD, medical or otherwise), weapons, dangerous substances, etc.; but also many electrical items. It’s also a good idea to check the prohibited items of the local authorities of your itinerary destinations.
What to expect at check-in and security
When you arrive at the terminal, have your Virgin Voyages App and Passport at hand so we can validate who you are, and if you have completed online check-in. If you are a Rockstar, or have Priority boarding, let the Crew know so that they can point you in the right direction for check-in and boarding.
Before accessing the ship you will need to complete the in-terminal check-in, have your bags scanned, and — more excitingly — take ownership of your Band, which acts as your cabin key and method of payment.
You’re onboard! Now what?
Connect to ship Wi-Fi
The Sailor App isn’t just useful pre-cruise, it’s also your companion onboard the ship, so it’s best to connect to the ship Wi-Fi and turn on airplane mode. Once connected, you can start booking shipboard activties, spa treatments, and get familiar with all the other app features.
Finalize dining reservations
If you haven’t booked dining yet, this is also the perfect moment to make use of the additional tables we release for booking shipboard. You can do this on the Sailor App, but we also run a dining help-desk on embarkation day at Razzle Dazzle.
Watch the muster video and attend the muster drill
Your last task before the ship gets underway and your vacation kicks off is the legal requirement that you watch the muster video and attend a muster drill. The video and directions to your muster station can be found on both the Sailor App and your Cabin TV.
Aaaand! Relax
You’ve done it! The ship’s your oyster!
