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NEW: Book Virgin Voyages UK cruises from just 85,000 Virgin Points

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Virgin Red has launched redemptions for the first Virgin Voyages cruises from the UK which are setting sail this summer.

Options start at just 85,000 Virgin Points for a three night cruise for two people.

As these cruises all start in Portsmouth, you don’t need to worry about the costs of expensive peak season positioning flights to Athens or Barcelona. This has been an issue for some people with the Mediterranean redemptions, which are still bookable.

7 nights Virgin Voyages full board cruises for two from 120,000 Virgin Points

Each cruise is full board. All your meals, soft drinks, fitness classes, entertainment etc are included – even tips. You only pay for alcoholic drinks.

Remember that these are adults only trips.

A lot of HfP readers have jumped on these redemptions in the past few years. The feedback in our forum has been fantastic – from young and old, from those who wanted a bit of a party to those who simply wanted a quiet break after a tricky couple of years. There is a Virgin Voyages master thread in our forum for your Q&A.

If you are short of Virgin Points, options include:

  • transferring Tesco Clubcard points (should happen overnight)
  • transferring American Express Membership Rewards points (should be instant)
  • transferring Heathrow Rewards points (not clear about timeframe)

You can transfer points from another Virgin Points account to yours for a flat £10 fee. However, if both of you are travelling then the call centre should be able to take the points from two accounts.

Here are your options, all of which depart from Portsmouth:

Portsmouth Virgin Voyages

Which Virgin Voyages can you book?

You have three options for UK departures.

Portsmouth to Zeebrugge (Bruges) – 85,000 Virgin Points

This trip departs on 27th August. The itinerary is:

  • Day 1 – Portsmouth. Departs at 6:00pm. 
  • Day 2 – Sailing
  • Day 3 – Zeebrugge (Bruges). Arrives at 8:00am, departs at 5:00pm. 
  • Day 4 – Portsmouth. Arrives at 6:30am. 

Click here to learn more or to book.

Portsmouth to Amsterdam – 110,000 Virgin Points

This trip departs on 30th August and 19th September. The itinerary is:  

  • Day 1 – Portsmouth. Departs 6:00pm. 
  • Day 2 – Amsterdam. Arrives at 7:00pm.  
  • Day 3 – Amsterdam. Departs at 6:30pm. 
  • Day 4 – Sailing
  • Day 5 – Portsmouth. Arrives at 6:30am. 

Click here to learn more or to book.

Portsmouth to Spain and France – 170,000 Virgin Points

This trip departs on 8th September. The itinerary is:

  • Day 1 – Portsmouth. Departs 6:00pm. 
  • Day 2 – Sailing
  • Day 3 – La Coruña. Arrives at 8:00am, departs at 5:00pm.
  • Day 4 – Bilbao. Arrives at 10:00am, departs at 6:00pm.
  • Day 5 – Le Verdon (Bordeaux). Arrives at 8:30am, departs at 8:00pm.
  • Day 6 – Sailing 
  • Day 7 – Portsmouth. Arrives at 6:30am. 

Click here to learn more or to book.

7 nights Virgin Voyages full board cruises for two from 120,000 Virgin Points

Things to know

There are a few things to know before you book:

  • you need to get to and from Portsmouth at your own expense
  • the cruises are adults only
  • the cost is per cabin, sleeping up to two – there is no discount for single occupancy
  • cabins are Central Sea Terrace or The Sea Terrace on Resilient Lady, and will be determined by Virgin Voyages according to availability
  • it can take up to three working days to receive your Access Code once you have redeemed your points – once you have the code, you book via the Virgin Voyages website and use the code at the point of payment
  • Access Codes are transferable and do not need to used by the person who redeemed the points

Note that there is no guarantee that you can book the exact cruise you want – you need to make sure the cruise in question is still available for cash.

If you want to find out more about Virgin Voyages, here is our report from an afternoon on ‘Scarlet Lady’, the first ship in the fleet.

If you want to top up your balance by buying Virgin Points, the link is here.

You can book via the Virgin Red app or online. Read the instructions carefully before booking – you need to check there is still a relevant cabin available for cash before ordering your booking code, and once it arrives you should book ASAP before the availability disappears. Based on last year, you should be offered the chance to upgrade your cabin for cash nearer the time of departure if you want something larger.

PS. If you want to build up a Virgin Points balance for a similar redemption next year, assuming the deals return, take a look at the generous sign-up bonuses available on the Virgin Atlantic credit cards.

PS. If you are not a regular Head for Points visitor, why not sign up for our FREE weekly or daily newsletters? They are full of the latest Avios, airline, hotel and credit card points news and will help you travel better. To join our 65,000 free subscribers, click the button below or visit this page of the site to find out more. Thank you.

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards

How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points. 

Category

Virgin Atlantic and Flying Club

Comments (68)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Jet says:
    4 Jun4 June 11:20

    Hope one day they have some non adult only cruise!

    • Rob says:
      4 Jun4 June 11:37

      Unlikely as they literally won’t be set up for it – no baby changing facilities, no high chairs, no roll-aways etc. It’s possible that the pools etc are also missing various safety elements.

    • stevenhp1987 says:
      4 Jun4 June 11:42

      I hope they never go down that road!

      • NorskSaint says:
        4 Jun4 June 13:01

        And if they don’t, they probably wont survive.

        Have delayed taking ships, are offering cruises out on FF points, and yet the largest target market, families, are barred from sailing with them.

        • Richie says:
          4 Jun4 June 13:08

          Royal Carribean have excellent ships for families.

        • Track says:
          4 Jun4 June 13:24

          Apparently VV ships are busy this year. Points prices show they don’t actually need those points passengers, but can take them at 2x price — to shed loads of points from the balance sheet.

          VV Caribbean cruises (same, adults-only) are running at full capacity.

        • Mb says:
          6 Jun6 June 16:31

          The best thing about this cruise is no children. Having been on a few now everyone you meet is so happy because of this. The only issue I ever see is virgin caving to boring mass market same old lame boomer cruise.

      • Travel Strong says:
        4 Jun4 June 13:15

        Families might be the largest market *in the traditional cruise market*. But the whole point of being adults only and offering cruises on FF points is to break in to a new demographic, and bring in new customers who would not cruise at all previously. I hope they succeed as the product is excellent… but agree that they have not succeeded in converting the masses yet, and need to get more people on board.

        • CJD says:
          4 Jun4 June 14:16

          Recently retired couples in their 60s with a lot of time and disposable income, as well as 30-40somethings who have elected not to have children would be two fairly lucrative target markets to aim at.

          • paul says:
            4 Jun4 June 20:54

            Over 40s are definitely not the target market for VV

            They are too invested in the gimmicky, faddy, Instagram crowd to ever appeal to mass market 40+

        • paul says:
          4 Jun4 June 21:24

          Love to see all the thousands of 20s-30s paying their £1500 cruise and snapping wannabe insta-influencer pics on their £1500 iPhones.

          Then complain to BBC they can’t afford rent or to buy a house 🤣

          And THAT is why VV isn’t sustainable – rent/house or cruises 2 or 3 times a year?

          • Cathy says:
            5 Jun5 June 11:49

            Disagree – 59 year old here.
            There is something for everyone – party if you want to party – quiet places if you dont. Been on 7 VV and loved them all. I would say tho that the Miami sailings do have a more ‘party’ atmosphere about them. I certainly do not feel ‘old’ or out of place at all!

          • stevenhp1987 says:
            5 Jun5 June 12:29

            @paul, the cruises have a diverse range of people of all ages.

            Yes, there are people who are mid 30s (like myself) who are on-board. We love VV. Our next VV cruise in just under 5 weeks cost us just under £3k when we paid for last year.

            Not all mid 30s are struggling. This is especially true for those of us who do not want children.

            Fwiw: I don’t use instagram, that’s more of a newer Gen Z thing? Even so, I would have thought he food on VV would be “Instagrammable” so would appeal to that crowd.

    • Track says:
      4 Jun4 June 13:21

      They are not set up for this.

      They would have to re-do the whole ship and the concept. No night shows / loud music. Reduce alcohol on display. Possibly, more restricted access to the casino, no pass-through for everyone.

      Eateries can be quite full as they are.

      The liability and insurance.

    • Philondon says:
      4 Jun4 June 14:16

      Not everything is about families! My partner and I would never do a non adult only cruise with screaming kids in restaurants and running around in public areas. There are plenty of family cruises around, I wish there would be more adult only ones.

      • NorthernLass says:
        4 Jun4 June 15:51

        Agreed, there are plenty of family cruise options these days.
        85k points for 1 day in Zeebrugge is nuts though!

      • paul says:
        4 Jun4 June 20:56

        I think Disney are missing a HUGE market in offering some ADULT ONLY cruises.

        There are sooo many adults who love the Disney magic but not the kids that go with it.

        They should trial a week here and there to test the water.

  • stevenhp1987 says:
    4 Jun4 June 11:45

    Very tempted by the 6 night cruise, but, 170k VS seem steep compared to previous offers.

    Still, a free cruise 30m drive away is not to be sniffed at considering the on-board offering.

  • R001 says:
    4 Jun4 June 11:47

    That Zeebrugge option looks rough. Basically a boozy ferry crossing and back.

    • JK says:
      4 Jun4 June 12:30

      I’ve done it when they launched two years ago – loved the ship but the itinerary/route not worth it.

  • Danny says:
    4 Jun4 June 12:08

    Think I’d rather have a one way 5000-6000 mile business class flight for 85000 points than a jolly to Zeebrugge.

    • memesweeper says:
      4 Jun4 June 12:24

      So would I. But the long haul business flights are high tens of thousands in points *plus* a very large dollop of money. These redemptions are all-in on points and thus very attractive.

  • Mike says:
    4 Jun4 June 12:17

    110k points for the Amsterdam trip, but £1190 per cabin. I was tempted but I think I will pass, I don think this is a good value for the points. If it was 55k that would be a different story.

    • Jodi says:
      6 Jun6 June 08:36

      It’s awful value. The 1190 is a guaranteed rate so you might end up with a crappy location. I think its 1400 for a central sea terrace. We are doing gty rockstars for 1980 (I puy the wrong number in my last post) so not worth it for 110,000

      With everything included I think 1190 for a guy is a good price. Might be worth the cash for you

  • Michael says:
    4 Jun4 June 12:21

    That’s quite the inflation from last year’s seven night Med cruise for 80000 to three nights to Amsterdam this year.

    • Track says:
      4 Jun4 June 13:19

      That’s the reason VV are doing it. Repositioned and short trip/high yields.

      Except AMS is not a Caribbean destination.

      110,000 or 170,000 is a quite large pill to swallow.

  • bigsi says:
    4 Jun4 June 12:43

    Virgin going down the pan IMO. Nothing to see here.

  • James Bond 007 says:
    4 Jun4 June 12:58

    I’ve been on lots of cruises with several major companies. I’ve been on two with Virgin – one Caribbean (paid) and one Mediterranean on points. My opinion if anyone is interested is:
    Positives – adult only with younger clients than average (this can also be negative!), food above average, many parts of the boat have a private yacht feel (especially the outside bar at the aft), the buffet options are good and varied and they serve it to your table.
    Negatives – pretty disorganised and slightly weird entertainment, most evenings there’s music in the central bar lounge but never enough seating, disorganised excursions, food the same as it was at launch, have to book restaurants a long time in advance to be assured of choice, they had always run out of the lower cost drink options.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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