This post was inspired by a reddit post by u/jjone8one4 to the Virgin Voyages subreddit. Featured image credit: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages is making waves with its newly updated Sailing Club loyalty program, which promises exciting perks and privileges for its most dedicated sailors. In a recent Reddit post, user u/jjone8one4 shared an intriguing image that outlines the new perks, sparking a spirited conversation among avid cruisers. This new program brings fresh opportunities and changes that have cruise enthusiasts talking.
The post has drawn insightful commentary from the community, revealing various perspectives on how these changes will impact loyalty benefits. From comparisons to other cruise lines to concerns about specific policies, users offered valuable insights into the perks and potential challenges of the revamped program.
Join us as we dive into the image shared by u/jjone8one4, providing an overview of Virgin Voyages’ revamped Sailing Club. We’ll also explore the diverse perspectives of passionate cruisers who’ve weighed in on what this new program means for their future voyages. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-timer looking to embark on an unforgettable cruise experience, we’ve got all the insights you need to navigate these new perks like a pro.
Understanding Virgin Voyages’ New Sailing Club Perks
Virgin Voyages recently unveiled its new Sailing Club loyalty perks, and the image shared by u/jjone8one4 provides a clear breakdown of the benefits across different membership levels. Here’s a summary to make it easier for you to understand what to expect:
Membership Levels:
- Virgin Voyages Sailing Club: Membership starts after your first completed voyage.
- Blue Extras: For those with 3-4 completed voyages.
- Deep Blue Extras: Reserved for sailors with 5 or more voyages or existing Sea-Blazers and Sea-Rovers.
Always Included Luxury & Onboard Perks:
- All Memberships:
- 20+ eateries with a range of cuisines
- Gratuities covered
- Essential WiFi
- Unlimited group workouts
- Essential drinks (filtered water, soda, and more)
- Entertainment & events
- Blue Extras:
- 1 specialty coffee per day
- Laundry service (1 bag)
- Exclusive cocktail event
- Unlimited premium WiFi
- Dedicated sailor services support
- Deep Blue Extras:
- 2 specialty coffees per day
- Laundry service (2 pressed items, 1 specialty-cleaned item, and 1 bag)
- $100 bar tab credit
- Priority boarding with a dedicated queue
- Exclusive cocktail event
- Unlimited premium WiFi
- Dedicated sailor services support
Membership/Booking Perks:
- All Memberships:
- Exclusive offers
- Access to promotional deals early
- Quarterly newsletter
Virgin Voyages listened to their sailors and designed this program to provide a seamless way to earn and enjoy perks. By booking and sailing repeatedly, members can unlock additional benefits:
- Joining: Complete one eligible voyage to be automatically enrolled in the club.
- Earning Perks: Sail 3-4 times for Blue Extras, and 5 or more times for Deep Blue Extras.
Virgin Voyages has also launched the Sailing Club Status Match program, which allows sailors with loyalty status on select cruise lines to qualify for Virgin Voyages’ Blue Extras perks. If you’ve earned loyalty status with a cruise line such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, or Disney, you can apply to receive similar perks here.
Voyager Voices: Community Insights on Virgin Voyages’ Sailing Club Perks
The recent update to the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club has sparked an engaging conversation among Reddit users. Here’s what the community had to say:
- General Thoughts on the New System:
- Token System Replaced: u/LizzyDragon84 touched upon a previously discussed token-based loyalty tracking system, noting its absence in the new perks. This shift suggests a streamlined approach focusing more on voyage counts rather than expenditures.
- Comparison with Other Lines: u/FarFarAwayTravels and u/Professional_Art2092 compared the Virgin Voyages perks with other cruise lines, finding them generous but highlighting a need for more tier distinctions to cater to very frequent sailors. This observation was echoed by others who feel the tier benefits are significant but could use more differentiation.
- Clarifications and Additional Details:
- Status Match Insights: u/BespokeTravelDude shared insights from the First Mate page, clarifying that sailors with DBE would retain it until December 31, 2025. Status Match will return on April 3, 2024, with new criteria, and existing DBE holders would be downgraded if they didn’t meet the new requirements.
- u/midwestcruisewife: Queried whether the perks were based on lifetime voyages or cruises within a specific timeframe, to which u/BespokeTravelDude clarified that they are based on lifetime sailings.
- Status Match Insights: u/BespokeTravelDude shared insights from the First Mate page, clarifying that sailors with DBE would retain it until December 31, 2025. Status Match will return on April 3, 2024, with new criteria, and existing DBE holders would be downgraded if they didn’t meet the new requirements.
- Concerns and Suggestions:
- Feedback on Perk Limitations: u/Guy_Smiley18 expressed disappointment that no bonus credits were offered for booking Rockstar or Mega Rockstar suites.
- DBE and Blue Extras Perks: u/RonnieSchnell voiced concerns that the new system didn’t offer much extra for top-tier members and shared insights about the new status match not granting DBE.
- Perk Retention Concerns: u/FasterFeaster and u/jon81uk discussed concerns regarding the retention of perks for those who have status matched in the past, especially pertinent for those wondering about the longevity of their earned benefits.
- u/N1AK: Suggested that the previous scheme was very generous and noted that DBE perks are still worth over $250 for most voyages.
A Closer Look at the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club: Perks and Program Updates
Virgin Voyages has revamped its Sailing Club program, offering even more enticing benefits for sailors through the end of 2025. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy about the tiers, Blue Extras perks, and loyalty status match initiative:
PERKS AT A GLANCE
| Perk | Sailing Club | Blue Extras | Deep Blue Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusive Offers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| First Alert to Promos | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Members Quarterly Newsletter | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Exclusive Cocktail Event | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Dedicated Sailor Services Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Complimentary Laundry Service | ❌ None | 1 Laundry Bag | 2 Pressed Items, 1 Specialty Cleaned, 1 Laundry Bag |
| Specialty Coffee Per Day | ❌ 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Complimentary Bar Tab Credit | ❌ $0 | ❌ $0 | $100 |
| Priority Boarding at Embarkation | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Unlimited Premium WiFi | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Deep Blue Extras Extension:
| Virgin Voyages’ Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Sea Blazer | You sailed with Virgin in 2021 on a fully paid trip. |
| Sea Rover | You sailed twice with Virgin Voyages on a fully paid trip between 2022 to 2023. |
| Match and Sea More | If you’re on a qualified loyalty program with another cruise line you can match your status with Virgin Voyages by the end of 2023. |
| Sailing 4 Times | On your fifth (5th) cruise, you’ll earn all the benefits of Deep Blue Extras. |
The much-loved Deep Blue Extras program has been extended through 2025. Sailors with 5 or more sailings, as well as Sea Blazers and Sea Rovers, will continue to enjoy exclusive perks, such as:
- $100 bar tab credit
- 2 specialty coffee credits per day
- Priority boarding and embarkation queue
- Complimentary laundry services
- Premium WiFi access
Introducing New Sailing Club Levels:
- Sailing Club (After First Sailing):
After completing the first voyage, sailors will automatically become part of the Sailing Club loyalty program. This will unlock base-level benefits, including:
- Exclusive offers, like the up-to-$400 bar tab promotion
- Priority alerts for promotions
- Members’ quarterly newsletter
- Blue Extras (Third/Fourth Sailing):
The new Blue Extras tier aims to enhance the experience for sailors on their 3rd or 4th voyage, as well as those who qualify through the status match program. Benefits include:
- 1 specialty coffee credit at Grounds Club
- Laundry service for 1 bag
- Invitation to an exclusive cocktail event
- Dedicated Sailor Services support
Status Match Returns (First Sailing):
From April 3, 2024, sailors with loyalty status from select cruise lines and travel brands can apply for Virgin Voyages’ Sailing Club Status Match program. By providing proof of loyalty status and booking with Virgin Voyages, new sailors will earn Sailing Club membership and Blue Extras perks on their first voyage. Sailors will continue to enjoy these benefits until they earn Deep Blue Extras on their fifth voyage.
List of Qualified Loyal Programs
| Loyalty Program | Membership Tier |
| Azamara Circle | Explorer, Discoverer, Discover Plus, Discover Platinum |
| Carnival VIFP Club | Platinum, Diamond |
| Celebrity Cruises Captain’s Club | Eilte, Elite Plus, Zenith |
| Disney Castaway | Silver, Gold, Platinum, Pearl |
| Holland America Mariner Society | 3-Star, 4-Star, 5-Star |
| Norwegian Cruise Line Latitudes Rewards | Platinum, Sapphire, DIamond, Ambassador |
| Oceania Club | Gold, Platinum, Diamond, President’s Circle |
| P&O Peninsular Club | Mediterranean Tier, Caribbean Tier, Baltic Tier, Ligurian Tier |
| Princess Captain’s Circle | Platinum, Elite |
| Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society | Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club |
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Gold |
| Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer | Gold, Platinum, Beyond |
| Windstar Yacht Club | One Star, Two Star, Three Star, Four Star |
Embark on Your Next Voyage: Discover the Perks Awaiting You
As we wrap up our journey through the updates and insights on Virgin Voyages’ newly revamped Sailing Club, it’s clear that the cruise line is committed to enhancing the sailor experience with every voyage. From the extended Deep Blue Extras to the thoughtful introduction of the Blue Extras tier and the strategic Status Match program, Virgin Voyages is setting the sails for a loyalty program that not only rewards repeated voyages but also enriches the cruising experience with each sail.
The community feedback underscores a shared enthusiasm and some reservations, providing Virgin Voyages with valuable insights to potentially tweak and perfect the program further. Whether you are a seasoned sailor looking to maximize your perks or a first-timer eager to make the most of your maiden voyage, the updated Sailing Club promises to make your journey with Virgin Voyages unforgettable.
Don’t just take our word for it—experience the upgraded luxury and exclusive benefits firsthand. Book your next cruise with Virgin Voyages today and join a community of happy sailors making lifelong memories at sea! Your adventure on the high seas awaits, and there’s no better time to claim the perks that your loyalty deserves.
