Guides & tools
Straight answers to the questions people ask before an adults-only cruise. Policies and inclusions change, so always confirm the details for your sailing with the cruise line.
Featured guide
More than the fare, but not unpredictably so. Add flights, a hotel the night before, transfers, excursions, drinks, the spa and travel insurance to your quoted fare, then divide by people and nights. That per-person, per-night number is the fairest way to compare one sailing with another.
3 min read
Free planning tools
Work out what your trip will really cost, using the prices from your own quote and menu. Nothing you type is sent to us.
Free toolThree quick questions give you a realistic Virgin Voyages bar bill, using Virgin's own published drink prices, and tell you which Bar Tab to prepay, if any.
Free toolAdd up the real cost of a cruise (fare, flights, hotel, excursions, drinks and extras) per person and per night, before you book.
11 guides shown
Drinks are the biggest wild card in a cruise budget. Here's how to estimate yours honestly, and how to tell whether a prepaid bar tab or package is worth it.
3 min read
What to expect from your first adults-only cruise: how days at sea and in port work, what to book ahead and how to pick a first sailing.
2 min read
A grown-up cruise packing list: what to wear on deck, ashore and in the evening, what goes in your carry-on for embarkation day, and what to leave at home.
2 min read
Why arriving the day before embarkation is the safest plan, when two nights makes more sense, and how to plan your flight home.
2 min read
What happens on a sea day, how to plan a port day without rushing, and how to pick an itinerary with the balance that suits you.
2 min read
Why an adults-only ship suits traveling alone, how solo pricing usually works, and how to meet people on board without trying too hard.
2 min read
A plain-English look at what a cruise fare typically covers, what costs extra, and how to check inclusions for a specific sailing.
1 min read
How the main cabin categories differ — inside, sea view, balcony and suite — and how to compare published fares on our site.
2 min read
When to sail, what Caribbean itineraries usually include and how to choose between them — for travelers who want the beach without the kids' club.
2 min read
How to plan a grown-up Mediterranean voyage — seasons, busy port days, excursions and what to pack.
2 min read
How to organize a birthday, reunion or friends' trip at sea: gathering your group, choosing a sailing and working with a travel advisor.
2 min read
