Start with Premium or Essential. Only choose Base if you truly understand the tradeoffs.
This is still a CamJon Travel booking path. Self-service simply means you are choosing your sailing, fare, and cabin direction yourself through our Virgin Voyages affiliate link while keeping the reservation connected to CamJon Travel.
Please do not let the lowest price make the decision for you.
Virgin may show multiple fare paths, and the cheapest one is not automatically the best value. Most CamJon Sailors should compare Premium and Essential first, then only move to Base or Lock It In if the restrictions genuinely match the trip they want.
Start here
Premium and Essential are the safer starting points for a better Virgin Voyages experience.
These fares protect more of what actually matters: planning control, dining timing, cabin confidence, WiFi expectations, flexibility, and fewer surprise “wait, what did I just book?” moments later.
Best overall experience
Premium
Choose Premium when you want the most polished non-suite path, maximum flexibility, stronger planning control, and the perks that make the upgrade feel meaningful.
Premium WiFi for two devices per Sailor, including streaming capability.
60-day dining reservation window for the earliest non-suite dining access.
$15 Bar Tab per Sailor per night for premium drinks, cocktails, lattes, and more.
Priority pre-voyage support for booking questions and changes.
Cabin selected and guaranteed at booking, with cabin changes allowed.
Maximum name-change flexibility, including lead Sailor flexibility under current fare rules.
Smart default choice
Essential
Choose Essential when you want the familiar, balanced Virgin Voyages experience without jumping straight into the most restrictive fare path.
Classic WiFi for one device per Sailor.
45-day dining reservation window, which is a major improvement over Base.
Cabin selected and guaranteed at booking, with cabin changes allowed.
Date changes allowed outside 45 days under current fare rules.
Fellow Sailor name changes allowed until 48 hours before sailing.
A strong fit for many Sailors who want flexibility without Premium pricing.
CamJon fit note:
Premium is especially compelling for longer voyages, dining-priority Sailors, remote workers, content creators, group organizers, drink lovers, and anyone who values flexibility. Essential is the better starting point for most Sailors who want a smart, balanced fare without paying for the highest perk level.
Pause before choosing these.
Base
Base is not “the normal fare.” It is the budget tradeoff fare. It can look attractive at first glance, but it may come with stricter rules, a later dining window, less flexibility, and fewer ways to fix the booking later.
Lock It In
Lock It In may make sense only when savings matter more than cabin-location control, cabin choice, and flexibility. If cabin comfort matters to you, this should not be your first click.
Stop and ask CamJon before booking if:
You are choosing Base or Lock It In mainly because the price looks better.
You care about dining times, cabin location, cabin changes, WiFi level, or flexibility.
You would be upset if stricter rules limited your ability to change the booking later.
You are booking for a celebration, group trip, longer voyage, remote-work trip, or special cabin preference.
Do not forget service gratuities.
Virgin now shows service gratuities separately for transparency. If you do not pre-pay them before sailing, they are automatically applied to your onboard folio at the onboard rate.
Pre-pay before sailingCurrently $20 per Sailor per night. Best for Sailors who want a cleaner onboard folio and the lower pre-sail rate.
Pay onboardCurrently $22 per Sailor per night. This appears on your onboard account if not handled before the voyage.
CamJon recommendation: Add prepaid service gratuities before you sail unless you have a specific reason not to. It keeps the final onboard balance cleaner and avoids one of the exact “what did I break?” moments many travelers dislike.
CamJon rule of thumb: Choose based on price, rules, cabin comfort, dining timing, WiFi needs, gratuities, and flexibility — not price alone.
Before final payment: Verify the booking path shows Cameron DeJong / CamJon Travel or the correct agency details. Virgin controls the booking site, pricing, availability, fare rules, gratuity options, and final reservation details.
Fare names, inclusions, restrictions, gratuity rates, and booking rules can change. Always review the current Virgin Voyages fare terms, service gratuity options, and final booking details before confirming your reservation.
For me, a vacation must include a beach. It is a simple as that. There is relaxing about the sea breeze massaging my body, the sand squeezing between my toes, and the sun covering my body. I just love being on the beach.
So, I must admit that my recent visit to Curacao was visiting paradise. If you know anything about Curacao, you must know that the Dutch island has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The island gave me and some of my close friends an experience of a lifetime.
Herein I will give you my take on the top Curacao beaches that you must visit at the very least. However, if you have time, try and spend as much time as possible in each of the following beaches. Trust me, the time you spend on these beaches is well worth it. You will make memories you cannot make anywhere else. These beaches are all fabulous, so they are not listed in any particular order.
Located in the north-west end of the island and close to the very popular Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club is Playa Forti. The beach is characteristic of all the beaches around the island, except for one thing – the 10 meters (40 feet) cliff that drops right into the warm tropic ocean water. At the top of the cliff are some of the island’s most picturesque views. Importantly, the cliff offers a good spot for cliff jumping.
It is almost customary for Playa Forti Beach to jump the cliff. However, when faced with a 10-meter, jumping does not come naturally for many, including me. I was so nervous to make the jump that 2 of my friends had to talk me into. Ironically, though, they did not jump. No regrets though, it was a priceless experience.
Here’s a photo of the cliff area near the beach. You have to see it to understand the depth!
Playa Piscado
Also known as Playa Grandi, Playa Piscado is one of best beaches to head to if you love marine animals. The beach takes you close to the marine animals, giving a very unique opportunity to interact with the animals. For instance, I got to enjoy spotting turtles and colorful birds. Aside from the bird watching and turtle spotting, I enjoyed some snorkeling. As such, if you want to enjoy some marine animals without going deep into the ocean, this is a must-visit beach.
Mambo Beach
This man-made beach located just east of Willemstad is the best party location around the island. If you are in a partying mood, the scene at this beach is more than welcoming. Moreover, I found out that there are plenty of activities to engage in – fine dining, awesome music, swimming with dolphins, and much more. Even though there is an entry fee to pay, I can honestly say it is well worth it.
A photo below of Mambo Beach from our 2018 trip to Curacao
Playa Porto Mari
While every beach around the Curacao Island is unique, this beach offers a feature that few beaches can boast of – a double reef. While you can elect to enjoy some diving, my friends and I opted to just relax and soak in the sun. In many regards, this is the most serene beach around.
Cas Abou Beach
If you ever visit, you advised to visit Cas Abao Beach, and for me, it was easy to appreciate why. Upon reaching the Cas Abao Beach, we saw some the calmest water I’ve ever seen. The beach lined with clear turquoise water. The palapas that line the shores provide ample shade for both tourist and locals.
Furthermore, there is a wide variety of amenities for you to enjoy. You want to relax your muscles, the spas at the beach are at your service. You fancy a drink, the Beach Bar & Restaurant is the right spot. This beach epitomizes the relaxing qualities of a beach. We enjoyed our time at this beach. It definitely makes it to my list of top Curacao beaches.
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. Beyond his Top 100 ranking, Cameron holds Gold Tier First Mate status, a recognition reserved for the brand's most knowledgeable partners. Having been a specialist since the cruise line's inaugural voyage in 2021, he possesses an unparalleled, firsthand 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.