Virgin Voyages vs Princess (2026): Who Should Switch
Current as of September 14, 2026 · By Cameron DeJong · CamJon Travel
Who should book which?
Book Princess Cruises if kids or teens are in the cabin, you want MedallionClass family ships, or you like optional Princess Plus or Premier bundles that can fold drinks, Wi-Fi, dining perks, and Crew Appreciation into one package. Princess is multi-generational. Kids sail.
Book Virgin Voyages if every Sailor is 18+ (official minimum; no exceptions; no kids club), you want 20+ restaurants in the fare with no buffet and no specialty cover, and you want essential drinks plus Wi-Fi already tied to the VoyageFair. Four Lady ships. Adults-only on every hull.
They are not the same vacation. Virgin is not a 20-something party ship; Sailors commonly span the 30s through 70s. Scarlet Night is real; dress red is encouraged, not required. CamJon tip for Princess switchers: a 4- or 5-night Virgin sampler is often enough to feel the dining and vibe before a longer voyage. CamJon Travel will price both live quotes. We will not invent a Plus/Premier daily package rate.
What’s included (Yes / No)
Names and official inclusions, not invented package daily dollars. Standard Princess fare is not all-inclusive. Virgin’s "included" story is fare-type dependent for Wi-Fi and dining windows—see the links below.
| Item | Virgin Voyages | Princess Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Adults-only 18+ | Yes | No |
| Kids welcome | No | Yes |
| 20+ restaurants in the fare | Yes | No (main dining / buffet path; specialty extra without Premier) |
| Unlimited / named drink package | No (Bar Tab is prepaid credit) | Yes: Plus and Premier beverage packages |
| Essential soda / water / drip coffee in fare | Yes | Limited basics without a package; Plus/Premier expand drinks |
| Wi-Fi in the fare | Yes, by VoyageFair: Basic / Classic / Premium Wi-Fi (Premium fare, 2 devices per Sailor); Mega RockStar = Work from Sea, 2 devices per Sailor | No without Plus/Premier (MedallionNet Classic can be bought separately; Plus = Max 1 device; Premier = Max 4 devices) |
| Daily crew gratuity in the voyage fare (without a package) | No (~$20 prepaid / ~$22 onboard from Oct 7, 2025) | No (Crew Appreciation $18 / $19 / $20 by category; confirm on the booking) |
| Plus/Premier bundles crew tips | N/A | Yes (Crew Appreciation included in Plus and Premier) |
Princess Plus and Premier (2026 inclusions)
Official Princess package details below are from the Plus & Premier page fetched September 14, 2026. Benefits for 2026 sailings when the package was bought on or after July 22, 2025; beverage rules effective January 14, 2026. Sun Princess and Star Princess package pricing differs—confirm those ships on the booking; we are not publishing their daily package dollars here.
Princess Plus: Plus Beverage (drinks up to $15 USD each, 15 beverages/day; specialty coffee/tea do not count toward the 15; bottled water 500ml or less separately limited to 12/day); MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi, 1 device per guest; 4 casual dining meals per guest per voyage; OceanNow delivery fee waived and room service delivery included; Crew Appreciation included.
Princess Premier: Premier Beverage (unlimited drinks up to $20 USD each; bar service charges included); MedallionNet Max, 4 devices per guest; unlimited casual and specialty dining; shore excursion credit $100 (6–9 days), $200 (10–20), $300 (21+); unlimited digital photos plus 3 prints; reserved theater seating; Crew Appreciation included.
Without Plus or Premier: Wi-Fi is extra (MedallionNet Classic can be bought separately), specialty dining is extra, and Crew Appreciation is the daily line above. CamJon house rule: we frame Princess tipping as that Crew Appreciation line. We do not push "tip more onboard."
Princess source: princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/plus-premier-cruise-packages (fetched September 14, 2026).
Drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities on Virgin
Virgin Voyages does not have an unlimited drinks package. Essential drinks are in the fare (still/sparkling water, soda, drip coffee, non-pressed juice, tea). Premium drinks use a Bar Tab. Size it with the Bar Tab explainer. Deeper "is it all-inclusive?" framing: Virgin Voyages all-inclusive guide.
Wi-Fi on Virgin is in the fare at the VoyageFair tier. Premium fare is Premium Wi-Fi (two devices per Sailor). Mega RockStar is Work from Sea (two devices per Sailor). That is not the same product. Do not rename Premium Wi-Fi to Work from Sea. Dining windows: Base and Lock It In 15, Essential 45, Premium 60, RockStar and Mega 120. Matrix: VoyageFair fare types.
Gratuities are not in the Virgin voyage fare. About $20 prepaid or about $22 onboard per Sailor per night from October 7, 2025. Once that line is covered, no extra tip is expected on drinks, dining, or spa. More: tipping after VoyageFair. Theme nights, including Scarlet Night: Scarlet Night and theme nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virgin Voyages or Princess better?
Princess if kids are sailing or you want MedallionClass family ships with optional Plus/Premier bundles. Virgin Voyages if every traveler is 18+ and you want 20+ restaurants, essential drinks, and Wi-Fi in the fare.
Are tips included on Virgin Voyages or Princess?
Not in the Virgin Voyages voyage fare for current bookings: about $20 prepaid or $22 onboard per Sailor per night from October 7, 2025. On Princess, Crew Appreciation is a daily line ($18 Interior/Oceanview/Balcony, $19 Mini-Suite/Cabanas/Reserve Collection, $20 Suites) unless Princess Plus or Premier is on the booking. Confirm on the booking.
Does Princess Plus or Premier include crew tips?
Yes. Official Princess Plus and Premier packages include Crew Appreciation. Without a package, Crew Appreciation is charged separately by stateroom category.
Does Virgin Voyages have a drink package like Princess Plus?
No. Virgin Voyages has no unlimited drinks package. Essential drinks are in the fare. Premium drinks use a Bar Tab (prepaid credit). Princess sells Plus and Premier beverage packages with named inclusions.
Can kids sail Virgin Voyages?
No. Every Virgin Voyages sailing is 18+. There are no exceptions and no kids club. Princess is family-friendly and multi-generational; kids sail.
Is Virgin Voyages Status Match still open?
No. The last Enhanced Status Match window ended February 28, 2026. Access Key bookings had a book-by of April 14, 2026.
Want both quotes priced on your dates?
CamJon Travel will run Virgin Voyages and Princess side by side for your cabin, without inventing a Plus/Premier daily package rate. No extra fee to the Sailor.
About the Author
Cameron DeJong
Cameron DeJong is the Managing Partner of CamJon Travel and a recognized leader in the cruise industry, officially named a Top 100 First Mate in North America for Virgin Voyages in 2025. His expertise is built on a foundation of professional rigor; he is a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) through The Travel Institute and a member in good standing of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). This dedication to professional standards is transparent and verifiable. His CLIA affiliation can be confirmed using Personal ID #00303911 on the official CLIA verification portal.
These credentials anchor his specialized focus on Virgin Voyages. As a Top 100 First Mate in North America for 2025, Cameron brings knowledgeable, firsthand guidance to every Sailor. Having been a specialist since the cruise line's inaugural voyage in 2021, he possesses an unparalleled understanding of every ship, Sailor Loot strategy, and itinerary nuance. Through expert planning and in-depth articles, Cameron leverages this comprehensive knowledge to ensure every traveler's voyage is seamless, informed, and absolutely brilliant.