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If you’ve had your eye on a Virgin Voyages cruise, you’re in luck: Virgin Red is currently offering the opportunity to book several cruises at a reduced rate using Virgin points. There are Caribbean, Mediterranean and transatlantic cruises on offer, starting at 115,000 points/cabin for two people.
There are currently 30% transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic (and thus, Virgin Red) via both Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) and Amex Membership Rewards (MR), so a 5-night Caribbean cruise can be had for only 89K points from either of those programs, or 44,500 points per person.
The Deal
Limited time offer to book the following Virgin Voyages’ cruises using Virgin Red points (all pricing is all-inclusive per cabin for two people):
- Five-night Caribbean cruise departing from Miami – 115K points (dates available between 6/24 – 9/24)
- Seven-night Mediterranean cruise departing Athens – 160K points (dates available between 5/24 – 10/24)
- Fourteen-night transatlantic cruise between Barcelona and Miami – 280K points (October 27th departure only)
- Sixteen-night transatlantic cruise between Rome to Miami – 320K points (November 28th departure only)
- Stacks with 30% transfer bonuses from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards.
- Must book by 6/15/24
Direct Link to Offer and Itineraries (must log-in to Virgin Red)
Key Terms
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This offer is exclusive to Virgin Red members and is applicable to new bookings only.
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Voyages are booked directly with Virgin Voyages and are subject to its terms and conditions. Bookings are subject to availability and confirmation of completion of booking process by Virgin Voyages.
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Flights and transfers are not included. All sailors (passengers) must make their own travel arrangements prior to and after the cruise.
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Purchase of sailings from Virgin Red are for Access Keys to book cabins. Access Keys will be issued within 72 hours of your points being redeemed. Reservations made with Access Keys are not eligible for Virgin Voyages’ Perks Program and do not count towards any future loyalty program credits.
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Access Keys cannot be used in conjunction with any offer, discount or credits (including airfare and/or premium drinks credits).
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All sailors (passengers) must be at least 18 (eighteen) years old.
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Cabins are Central Sea Terrace or The Sea Terrace on Scarlet Lady or Resilient Lady, and will be determined by Virgin Voyages according to availability. The price is per cabin (one or two persons). There is no single sailor supplement available.
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Virgin Red recommends that bookings should be completed no later than five business days before the date of travel.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club vs. Virgin Red
Virgin offers two rewards programs. One is the legacy Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program, and the other is the new Virgin Red program which offers awards far beyond flight awards. Even though they have different names, it’s best to think of the two programs as one thing. By joining Virgin Red, you can link your Virgin Atlantic account and then all points will appear together in both programs. In other words, you’ll have equal access to all of your points regardless of whether you log into Virgin Red or Virgin Atlantic.
You can sign up for Virgin Red here.
Quick Thoughts
While I haven’t ever been on Virgin Voyages, they seem to get good reviews and are a step up from more common carriers like Carnival and Princess. All food, soft drinks, tips, group fitness classes, entertainment and Wi-Fi are included. All cruises are adults-only.
It’s worth noting that each Virgin member can book up to four cabins under these promotions, making it feasible for a larger group to travel together, provided that everyone is over 18 (Virgin Voyages cruises are adults-only). There is no single supplement, so the price is the same for one or two passengers.
In order to make this redemption, you’d need to have points in your Virgin account and then sign in to the Virgin Red app and hit “redeem” on the offer you want. Virgin Red will send you an access code that you use to book directly with Virgin Voyages.
Virgin Red is a transfer partner of Capital One, Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Bilt Rewards. Suffice it to say that there’s a lot of ways to transfer in. If you already have a Flying Club account, you can link this to your Virgin Red account and the points totals for both will theoretically sync…although it doesn’t always seem to be a smooth process.
Overall, this looks like an attractive deal for those interested in trying out Virgin Voyages.
Any DP on how long to get an access key? I understand it can take up to 3 days but I booked it yesterday so it’s been a little over 24 hours. TIA.
I purchased mine Sunday evening and received the access code Wednesday morning.
Took about the same time for me.
Just an update on the deal–it looks like the 160,000 point option for the Mediterranean cruise has been modified from what a lot of blogs were initially reporting. Originally this was good for Barcelona sailings leaving through October, but apparently those access code redemptions are gone. They opened up new spots, but now only for sailings leaving through August.
I really wish that I noticed that before I transferred Amex points.
Last year I used 100k points for 7 nights Mediterranean cruise. The inflation is ugly.
Hi. Do you know what is the cancellation policy? I live in FL and it’s hurricane season during the travel period.
Click through to the offer and read it. Non refundable and non changeable.
With transfer bonus, booking the 5 night Miami to Grand Turk on Jul 19 yields 2.16cpp. Not business class international flight worthy, but still respectable.
Just don’t forget it’s hurricane season!
Is it possible to use my points to book a trip for my parents?
Yes. I did it last year.
im worried if i get the access key and book for my parents, itll void the promotion since its not under my name.
can you tell me how it was done? Thanks Lukas!
You simply get an access code and you can use that code to book the cruise in ANYONE’S NAME.
It’s really that simple. If you want more assurance, google Head for Points and go to their Virgin Atlantic subforum where you can find Virgin Cruises thread.
The seven night Mediterranean cruise offer also includes sailings leaving from Barcelona (not just Athens).
Anyone know how much it costs to add in a 3rd person?
Same as adding a second room.
How does this compare to the deal last year, or the year prior?
Last year was 85k I believe
80k
80k before a bonus so only 62k AMEX points per couple vs 89k this year.
Last year was better. 100k for 7d Mediterranean (before transfer bonus).
I had virgin points in my account. But even without bonus it was great deal.
Nothing for next year and beyond? Sucks cuz I already used all my PTO…